Individuals, businesses and government agencies will receive nearly $4 million in federal and state disaster assistance for damage caused by severe storms that pummeled the Islands from Dec. 10 through Dec. 16, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced.

Honolulu and Kaua'i counties were declared disaster areas on Jan, 5. FEMA approved both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance grants to 478 Honolulu households for a total of $2,137,184.

These grants provide rental assistance to those who can no longer live in their homes because of disaster damage, and provides grant money to make the homes livable.

The state/FEMA Other Needs Assistance program approved $609,486 to 408 households in the affected areas. The grants go directly to affected residents eligible for disaster-related funeral, dental and medical expenses.

Other state/FEMA Public Assistance funds were approved for Honolulu and Kaua'i counties for government related emergency response measures, debris removal and infrastructure damage. Certain nonprofit organizations that provided essential service might also be eligible for reimbursement under the program, the FEMA statement said.

Four Disaster Recovery Centers were opened in January to provide assistance to applicants. A total of 1,242 valid applications were received during the 60-day application period, the statement said.