FEMA providing help for residents applying for storm aid

Clark County

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October 9, 2008

By MATT THACKER The News and Tribune Thu Oct 09, 2008, 11:37 AM EDT

CHARLESTOWN — Frank Craig lives with his wife and three children in a trailer in Otisco. When the Sept. 14 wind storm hit Southern Indiana, he feared for their lives.

“We didn’t know if we were even going survive the storm,” he said.

Once the wind passed, they had no power for days. The family lost two refrigerators and a freezer full of food, he said. On Wednesday, he received an emergency food stamp card provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“It will help a bunch, because I’m on disability,” he said. “I didn’t know how we were going to make it.”

On Friday, Clark County was one of 10 new Indiana counties approved for federal government assistance. FEMA opened a “one-stop” disaster assistance center Wednesday at the Clark County Fairgrounds at 9608 Ind. 62 in Charlestown.

It will be open 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. through Tuesday, except Sunday.

At the center, officials from the Family and Social Services Administration, Department of Workforce Development, Department of Insurance and Department of Health were on hand to answer questions and provide assistance to those impacted by the disaster.

People also could apply for disaster food stamp assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Applicants are required to fit at least one of six criterion, which includes losing food, having damage to a home or reducing family income because of the storm.

While income is a factor, people may still qualify even if they would not normally qualify for food stamps.

“It’s much more generous than regular food stamps,” said Zach Main, director of the Division of Family Resources for the Family and Social Services Administration.

Main said the cards will be activated the morning after a successful application. Officials were expecting a large turnout as word continues to spread.

Main said they set up a similar operation in Northern Indiana and had 12,000 people come through their doors. While they are not expecting that many here, they do expect lines to grow throughout the week, as the temporary center serves Clark and nearby counties.

FEMA is on hand to provide help with completing disaster relief applications.

“As soon as Clark County was declared a disaster area, we responded very quickly,” said Bill Lehman, FEMA public affairs officer.

FEMA assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans. FEMA can provide up to $28,800 for people who are uninsured or underinsured, Lehman said.

Residents and business owners also can apply for FEMA assistance by registering online at

www.fema.gov/assistance or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

Lehman said FEMA is in the process of assessing again whether Floyd County meets the threshold to be declared a federal disaster area. He said approval is based on a formula that takes into account county population and the amount of damage reported.

He did not know if a disaster-assistance center would be set up in Floyd County if it is approved.

“I think they want to, but I don’t know,” he said.

There were about 60 employees from various agencies who volunteered to work at the center. Many came from different parts of the state, while some were local.

Julia Robinson, who works for Arbor Education and Training and lives in Jeffersonville, said she offered to work at the center because she understands what some people are going through. She was one of many without power for a week.

“Although our devastation wasn’t as severe, I did find myself in a storm that really scared me,” she said. “It showed me a little bit of what others are going through.”

One-stop disaster-assistance center

• Who: Family and Social Services Administration, Department of Workforce Development, Department of Insurance and Department of Health

• What: Wind storm victims can apply for FEMA assistance, food stamps or other aid

• Where: Clark County Fairgrounds, 9608 Ind. 62 in Charlestown

• When: 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. through Tuesday, except Sunday