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Tuesday, August 31, 1999

Disaster relief funds available to residents
Home, business owners in 11 counties eligible for help
By Jennifer Stump
Caller-Times

   President Clinton expanded a disaster declaration for 11 South Texas counties Monday, opening up federal financial assistance to individuals and businesses for damage caused by Hurricane Bret.
   Most of those counties already were eligible to receive money to help local governments with debris removal and overtime costs for emergency and cleanup workers, but the new designation will help residents who are trying to repair their homes and businesses.
   "It's a great sign," said Nueces County Judge Richard Borchard. "It's for any kind of damage people might have in their home. It provides the opportunity for more funding for repairs."
   The Federal Emergency Management Agency named the following counties eligible for aid: Aransas, Brooks, Cameron, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Webb, Hidalgo and Willacy.
   All of those counties except for Hidalgo County already were eligible for assistance to help local governments with debris removal and overtime pay. San Patricio County officials rejected the individual assistance.
   "(San Patricio County) felt their own resources within the county, including nonprofits and churches, was adequate to help those in their (county) who were affected," said Pam Johnson, FEMA spokeswoman.
   Chris Lawrence, Nueces County risk manager, said hundreds of homes and businesses in the area received minor damage that can be repaired with help from the federal government.
   "Usually it's difficult to receive assistance unless you have major damage," Lawrence said. "This is wonderful news. It won't take you back to the pre-storm condition, but it will give you some help, temporary housing assistance and access to low-interest loans."
   People with property damage not covered by insurance should call (800) 462-9029, for federal and state disaster assistance from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, said Jo Moss, spokeswoman for the Governor's Office of Emergency Management.
   The numbers will connect victims with an operator who will take down information on the damage and where the victim is staying. After that, a FEMA representative will inspect the damaged property.
   The victim will receive a packet on how FEMA can help, including an application for a Small Business Administration loan. Victims who want federal money will be required to fill out the application -partially so FEMA has information on the damage in their computer system, and partially for the loan itself. Those unable to pay back the low-interest loan could be eligible for a grant to pay for the damage, Johnson said.
   "This program is for specific individual needs intended to help with serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other assistance programs such as the Red Cross or other government programs," she said. "It can include things such as medicine, clothing, and transportation."
   Those eligible for assistance should receive it within 10 days of FEMA's visit to the damaged property, Johnson said.
   Sam Logan of the Texas Division of Emergency Management said if victims have already started repairing the damage, they should keep documents, receipts and, if possible, pictures of the damage to help determine whether they're eligible for individual assistance.
   Those with road or bridge damage around their property should call the mayor, county judge or city manager so that the damage can be fixed through federal funds, he said.



Scripps Howard Washington bureau staff writer Jessica Wehrman contributed to this report. Staff writer Jennifer Stump can be reached at 886-3778 or by e-mail at stumpj@caller.com

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