FEMA extends deadline for hurricane victims

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will continue to support hurricane victims living in Utah even after March 1, 2006.

Previously, FEMA had told the state it would no longer reimburse Utah for rental and utility costs for evacuees. But the state this week was told not to terminate any lease agreements until further direction, according to a press release Friday from the Utah Department of Public Safety.

That amounts to 193 apartments for which the state will continue to pay rent and utility costs. They accommodate about 309 evacuees, according to department spokesman Derek Jensen.

"We have not been told yet how long they will continue to reimburse the state," Jensen said. FEMA, he added, may eventually take control of those leases from the state.

FEMA also has indicated it will give at least 30 days notice to a host state and tenant before terminating lease agreement funds for emergency shelters.

Evacuees are being told to call the Utah Katrina hotline at 866-764-0506 or FEMA at 800-621-3362.