THOUSANDS APPLY FOR FEMA AID.

Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer

El Nino storms have caused about $6 million in damage to about 250 properties in Los Angeles, prompting more than 6,500 applications from county residents for federal aid, disaster relief officials said Wednesday.

Also Wednesday, State Controller Kathleen Connell announced Wednesday that residents of Los Angeles and 34 other counties declared disaster areas can claim storm losses on 1997 state tax returns.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has received 6,574 aid applications to date from Los Angeles County residents and 22,187 statewide, said spokeswoman Sally Glass.

So far, $7.6 million in aid has been distributed, she said.

Despite perceptions that disaster aid is slow to arrive, FEMA has been delivering checks within seven to 10 days after inspecting storm-damaged homes, said Glass.

``People will think there isn't help out there, but we really are available to meet people's basic needs,'' said Glass. She has been traveling from Malibu to Studio City speaking with residents and assessing the damage of El Nino's wrath.

Most of the storm damage has been mudslide-related, said David Keim, spokesman for the city Department of Building and Safety.

``We have a lot of buildings that are very tenuous, sitting on the edge of slopes,'' said Dave Keim. ``We have a potential to lose more homes if it rains.''

More rain is forecast for today.

On Wednesday, another victim of the El Nino storms was locatedin east Los Angeles County. The body of Francis Lee McCall, 59, was found in mud at the edge of San Dimas Creek. He had been missing since Feb. 23.

The discovery brought to 10 the total number of deaths related to the El Nino storms in California.

With more storms on the horizon and more residents expected to apply for aid, Glass said it's important that residents know the different types of aid available - and are aware of scam artists trying to make a buck from disaster victims.

After filing an application for aid from FEMA, the agency will send an inspector free of charge to assess the damage to homes.

``Inevitably, unscrupulous people try to pass themselves off as FEMA inspectors and try to charge people $300 to $400 to get inspected,'' said Glass.

Never pay an inspector for this service and make sure they are wearing a FEMA badge with a photo identification and inspector number, said Glass.

Also, when hiring a contractor for cleanup or repairs, FEMA advises residents to use reliable, licensed contractors, obtain written estimates, check references, check for proof of insurance and ask for a written contract.

FEMA offers the following programs to help disaster victims:

A rental assistance program that covers the cost of housing for both homeowners and renters while their permanent homes are being repaired.

An emergency repair program that provides up to $10,000 for minor disaster-related repairs to make homes inhabitable.

A mortgage and rental assistance program that provides funds for people who lost their jobs or business as a result of a disaster and are facing foreclosure or eviction.

City News Service contributed to this report.

STORM AID

State and federal agencies offer assistance to residents with damage from the El Nino storms.

California income tax relief

Residents in Los Angeles and 34 other presidentially declared disaster areas can claim losses on 1998 tax returns due next year - or claim 1998 losses on 1997 tax returns, making themselves eligible for immediate refunds to offset current financial expenses.

Business losses are generally fully deductible. Casualty losses from personal property damage are computed by a formula that will deduct any compensation received from insurers or any other disaster relief funds.

Write ``El Nino, Storms'' at the top of returns.

For more information or assistance, call the state Franchise Tax Board, [phone].

Federal assistance

To apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, call FEMA's toll-free disaster assistance registration number, [phone], between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Keep a list of damaged goods along with receipts for those goods. If furniture is rain-soaked or mud-covered, FEMA recommends you take a photo of the item and then discard it to avoid the spread of germs.

After an interview, FEMA will assign you a control number you can use to get updates on your file status.

Checks for verified losses are sent within seven to 10 days.

To check on the status of FEMA applications, call the Disaster Information Helpline, [phone]

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Box: Storm aid (see text)