FEMA is doing it by the numbers.

Friday, July 14, 2000

FEMA is doing it by the numbers.

The Federal Emergency management Agency is doing everything possible to help Mower County flood victims access assistance.

"Any renter, homeowner or business owner who suffered damage may apply for assistance by calling FEMA toll-free at (800) 462-9029," said Sam Ventura, a FEMA public information officer.

For those with speech or hearing impairment, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585.

"This toll-free call will initiate any application for assistance available under the federal disaster declaration," Ventura said.

The calls will be accepted between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

FEMA announced this week that Mower, Fillmore, Houston and Dakota counties have been added to the presidential disaster declaration issued June 23.

According to Ventura, residents of the four counties now may apply for a variety of state and federal assistance programs and services.

Recent severe storms and flooding caused FEMA to add the four counties to the declaration following a review of information regarding costs and damages suffered by local residents.

Originally, only public entities, townships, municipalities and counties in the impacted areas were eligible for the assistance.

"FEMA wants to make sure everyone gets what’s coming to them," Ventura said.

Already, Ventura said this morning that 84 individual applications have been received from Mower County.

"Things can be approved very quickly," he said. "In the northwest counties that were declared on July 1, 440 individual claims already have been approved for $612,778 in grant money."

According to Ventura, the costs of cleanup after the floods also may be eligible for reimbursement.

One example is that of Kyle Klaehn’s Double K Specialty Inc. business at 103 Fourth St. SE. The feed and seed business suffered huge losses when flood waters of the combined Dobbins Creek and Cedar River swamped the business.

One of Klaehn’s biggest expenses has been disposing of the water-logged feed. Waste Management Systems Inc., operators of the Austin transfer station, billed Klaehn $5,000 for the first loads of dog food taken to the facility at the rate of $77 a ton.

The business owner lamented "Fifty percent of it was water, so I’m paying to get rid of water, too."

According to Ventura, Klaehn’s expense may qualify for FEMA assistance.

"The best advice is to keep all the receipts collected during cleanup efforts," he said.

Flood victims who call to apply for assistance should be prepared to provide the following information:

– Current telephone number.

– Address at the time of the disaster and address where now residing if forced from home.

– Social Security number.

-General list of damages and losses suffered.

– Directions to the property that was damaged.

– If insured, name of insurance company and policy number.

FEMA advises victims who have insurance to first call their agent before applying for disaster assistance.

Victims of the flood of 1993 will recall FEMA’s efforts to make their recovery quicker and more efficient. A similar process is in effect today.

A FEMA inspector will visit the flood-damaged home or business to verify what assistance is needed. Ventura advises victims to be prepared to "tell all." he said.

"We understand the trauma that disaster victims go through," he said. "They should ask any question whatsoever. There is no dumb question when it comes to something like this."

Ventura also said there may be benefits if the disaster has created unemployment and assistance is available for those individuals who operate home-based businesses that were hurt by the flood.

Also, there are Individual and Family Grant Program monies to help meet needs not covered by other insurance or assistance, which are administered by the state.

"People should not underestimate their losses," Ventura said.

People have 60 days from the presidential declaration to apply, but no victim should worry that funds will be exhausted.

"For the last person to call, there will still be assistance available if they qualify," he said.

Ventura said FEMA is working with local governments, whenever and wherever disasters occur.

"FEMA wants to try to prevent what happened this time from not happening again," he said. "That’s why we believe in hazard mitigation. We want to cooperate in whatever way we can with communities, townships, counties, everyone in whatever way we can."