Federal and state grants and loans for disaster assistance for Southern Illinois residents recovering from severe storms and flooding total more than $17 million, according to a news release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Alexander County had significantly more applications for assistance than any other Southern Illinois county with 1,230 people filing for aid.

Monday was the final day for individuals in Illinois to register with FEMA and to return disaster loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

A breakdown of assistance follows:

* $13,939,702 approved in disaster assistance grants, which cover temporary rental assistance, home repairs, and other disaster-related serious needs not covered by insurance or other programs;

* 3,541 residents applied for disaster assistance;

* $3,780,000 approved in SBA low-interest loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes;

* 1,971 SBA low-interest loan applications issued, including 1,543 to renters and homeowners and 424 for business owners;

* 1,151 people visited one of the Disaster Recovery Centers in Cairo, Junction, Metropolis and Herrin.

Pertinent address:

Cairo, Ill.