How to help evacuees register with FEMA

"We know roughly 53 evacuee families have come to South Dakota since the hurricane," said Kristi Turman, South Dakota's Emergency Management director.

"Many have been taken into private homes and may not be aware of the financial assistance available to them through FEMA. South Dakotans can help evacuees by reminding them to register for the Individual Assistance Program."

To register for the Individual Assistance Program, evacuees must call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov.

FEMA's Individual Assistance Program makes $2,000 available for Hurricane Katrina victims as an immediate advance to buy personal items for their family.

Eligible applicants of the program could also receive rental assistance, housing repair assistance, personal property assistance and disaster unemployment assistance.

South Dakota Department of Public Safety's mission is to keep South Dakota a safe place to live, work, visit and raise a family.

Visit www.state.sd.us/ dps for more information about the department and its agencies.