Federal officials have granted 19 disaster claims for $32,664 to help Lawrence Countians affected by February’s high water.

Monday, March 27, 2000

Federal officials have granted 19 disaster claims for $32,664 to help Lawrence Countians affected by February’s high water.

In the two weeks since President Clinton declared southern Ohio a disaster area because of flooding Feb. 19-20, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has heard help requests from at least 800 residents in seven counties.

The presidential order made federal grants, temporary housing and low-cost loans available to those residents and business owners whose cleanup expenses were not covered by insurance or public assistance programs.

Residents have been calling a toll-free FEMA hotline to file an application.

FEMA and state officials have been staffing a temporary office in New Boston and Gallia County to make home visits regarding applications. Those offices close Thursday.

The most damage occurred in Scioto County, where FEMA has received 564 complaints and handed out $463,900 in assistance, as of Thursday, officials said.

About 55 residents from Meigs County have applied for assistance.

"But they’re busy in this county, too," Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency director Don Mootz said.

So far, 44 damage reports have been received from Lawrence County, although the county’s EMA is no longer involved, Mootz said.

"We’re not getting any calls, so it’s pretty well being taken care of by FEMA," he said. "We distributed flyers and once people had the hotline number, they picked up on it.

"I’m glad the help is there for the people who need it and I don’t think FEMA is going to allow the system to be abused. They’re making sure there is no duplication of services."

Of the 800 applicants, 389 have been approved for a total of $1.2 million in grants and low interest loans.

Disaster housing grants, which cover temporary rental assistance and emergency essential repairs, total $609,713.

The toll-free assistance number, 1-800-462-9029, will operate 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, until May 6.

Residents needing help must call, make an application and fill out mailed forms, such as the Small Business Administration loan form.

If the SBA loan application is not completed and returned, it could delay other forms of disaster assistance, FEMA officials said.

Filling out the SBA form does not obligate the applicant to accept a loan. But if determines an applicant is unable to repay a loan, then the applicant is automatically referred to the grant program.

Those who already have applied may check the status of their application or update their information by calling FEMA at 1-800-525-0321.