 On September 20 , two days after Hurricane Isabel passed the state , Governor Ruth Ann Minner made a formal request for a federal disaster declaration for the state . Later that day , President George W. Bush issued a federal disaster declaration for Delaware , one of twelve disaster declarations for the state . The declaration allowed for the use of federal disaster funds and emergency resources to help families and businesses recover from the effects of Hurricane Isabel . State and federal officials opened a disaster recovery center in Georgetown and Wilmington to assist individuals who suffered losses from Isabel and the remnants of Tropical Storm Henri just days before . 761 people visited the recovery centers before they closed . One week after the disaster declaration , residents began receiving checks for those who applied for aid . By about two months after the passage of Hurricane Isabel , 659 residents applied for assistance , with slightly over $ 1 million ( 2003 USD , $ 1 @.@ 1 million 2006 USD ) being distributed to the victims . 141 loan applications were received , as well . FEMA distributed about $ 2 @.@ 5 million ( $ 3 @.@ 22 million 2016 USD ) in Small Business Administration loans , and also received 183 public assistance loans for repair or replacement of public facilities . 
