FEMA denies appeal for help

Clark County

Discussion

November 4, 2009

Baron Hill working on legislation to change how storm damage calculated

By MATT THACKER The News and Tribune Wed Nov 04, 2009, 09:21 PM EST

Indiana has again been denied its request for federal disaster assistance from the flooding that began on Aug. 4.

The decision, while expected by many, has left some Clark County residents angry and local government officials looking for solutions.

“I’m not really surprised — disappointed — but (FEMA’s denial) certainly is not what those individuals affected by this was expecting,” said Clark County Emergency Management Director Les Kavanaugh.

A statement from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security released Wednesday morning announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency had denied Gov. Mitch Daniels’ request for assistance.

Federal assistance was first requested by Daniels on Sept. 9, but FEMA rejected that request on Sept. 24. Daniels sent another letter on Oct. 2 appealing the decision.

Clark County was one of nine counties to request individual assistance. Floyd County had requested individual and public assistance.

Rachel Meyer, public information officer for Indiana Homeland Security, said the governor will now send a request to the Small Business Association asking for assistance.

“(Daniels) will send the letter as soon as possible,” she said. “As far as when we’ll know an answer, I really can’t say.”

Meyer noted that it took only two weeks for FEMA to deny their initial request for disaster assistance but nearly five weeks to deny the appeal.

Howard Dye, 63, of Francis Court in Jeffersonville, said his home had at least $12,000 in damage, but his insurance would not pay anything because it the damage was considered an “Act of God.”

“I don’t think it’s right,” Dye said of FEMA’s decision. “The flooding ruined all the carpet in my house, and we should have been able to get something.”

Local leaders disappointed with decision

U.S. Congressman Baron Hill, a Democrat representing Indiana’s 9th District, also condemned the decision.

“Baron was very disappointed about the appeal decision. It’s something he’s not really going to accept,” said Katie Moreau, a spokeswoman for Hill.

Several local municipalities have said they are already strapped for cash and have no money to assist in disaster relief.

“At the local level, I don’t know of any source of funding,” Kavanaugh said. “In all likelihood, there are no other options.”

Ken Alexander, Sellersburg municipal works director, said there was substantial damage to some areas of Sellersburg.

“We do see some possibilities of some funding possibly left over from the previous storms from the state, but it doesn’t look like that is available at this point,” he said.

The Town of Clarksville’s building department released a statement that it is “extremely disappointed” in FEMA’s denial, which it says is a “huge set back to residents as they try to recovery.” The statement also notes that the town is working on several projects to help alleviate future flooding problems.

Governor will ask for SBA assistance

Officials are now waiting on a decision from the SBA. Some officials said they believe SBA money could be made available to individuals, while others said it would primarily be for businesses.

“I’ve been assured by SBA that the agency declaration will be expedited and could come as early as Friday,” said State Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany.

Clere said the next step would be for SBA officials to set up a field office, which could be finished within three days. He is advocating that the field office be set up in Floyd or Clark counties.

Clere said that if SBA assistance is denied, residents who applied for assistance should become eligible for $5,000 Indiana Homeland Security grants. The problem is those grants would not become available until after assistance is denied.

“I am looking at ways to streamline the process. We just can’t afford any further unnecessary delays,” he said. “Folks affected by the flood have waited too long.”

Congressman Hill looking at changes in legislation

Homeland Security officials knew that the region did not quite meet the threshold for damage, but Daniels argued that the individual and public damage combined warranted federal help.

“(FEMA) said there just was not enough damage,” Meyer said.

Some Clark County residents have expressed anger that Louisville received assistance when Southern Indiana was denied, even though Louisville experienced the same weather event.

Moreau said Hill is working on legislation that would allow FEMA to consider how disasters impact a region. Under current law, FEMA could only consider Indiana counties when calculating the region’s total damage.

“Baron has met with FEMA officials and other emergency officials to try and get ideas about how to address this problem, where Louisville was granted for aid when there’s very little distance obviously between the two,” Moreau said.

She explained that the legislation would not be applied retroactively and would only be used for future weather events.