By Alabama Public Radio
Washington, D.C. – Federal officials have granted a 60-day extension for seeking Hurricane Ivan disaster assistance. Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency say the new registration deadline is March 3. Alabama FEMA Director Bruce Baughman says the agency has already received more than 157,000 applications from Alabamians impacted by the September storm. He says the decision to extend the deadline was prompted by numerous callers who urged FEMA to keep the registration period open beyond the original January 3 deadline. Alabamians affected by Ivan can register for assistance online by visiting www.fema.gov or by calling the agency's toll-free number.