Old trees like this one on Gardiner Street in Valley were uprooted by up to
90 mph winds.
Douglas, Sarpy county
residents qualify
for disaster aid
Disaster aid offered for storms beginning May 22 and the
June 7 tornado; Friday's storm could qualify
by Mary Lou Rodgers
FEMA representatives were in Valley last week, before Friday's severe storm,
informing residents that they can get help recovering from storm damage dating
back to May 22. Douglas County and Sarpy County are among 13 counties in Nebraska
declared as disaster areas because of the May storms and June 7 tornado. That
designation makes them eligible for federal assistance funds.
Ironically, a more severe storm hit on June 27 that will have more people
searching for help. Valley Mayor Mary Caffey said she is hoping that Friday's
storm damage will also qualify residents for assistance, though it was not officially
included in the disaster area declaration period.
Kim Pease, public information officer for FEMA, said that people who received
damage in the June 27 storm can register their information, but this storm may
be listed as a new disaster. Pease said he expects personnel from FEMA to get
with state officials this week to do a preliminary assessment of the damage
to see if it meets the threshold for a disaster desig-nation.The state should
make a determination early this week.
To apply for aid, home and business owners, as well as renters, can call FEMA
at 1-800-621-3362 or apply online at www.fema.gov/assistance. People with special
speech or hearing needs can call TTY at (800) 462-7585. It will take 20 to 30
minutes to complete the application.
"There is also a disaster recovery center so that people who would like to
visit face-to-face with federal (FEMA and IRS), state, and SBA representatives
can do so," Pease noted. "There's a world of people that can help people damaged
by disaster." The Douglas County disaster center is located at the Millard Fire
Station at 7010 S. 142nd Street. It is one of five disaster centers being set
up in the 13 counties. The others are in Saunders, Colfax, Dawson and Buffalo
counties. A mobile center will also be available this week.
The hours of the Douglas County disaster center are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
through Saturday. It will be closed Sunday. Sarpy County residents can also
visit the Millard Fire Station center for assistance. Pease explained that anyone
who had any kind of damage as a result of the storms, high winds and tornados
that came through since May 22 is eligible to register by calling the FEMA number.
They do not have to wait for an insurance inspection to begin the registration
process.
"Once they call, an inspector will call them back, then schedule an appointment
to view the damage," Pease said. "If they qualify for assistance, they will
be given that assistance." FEMA's assistance programs can help eligible applicants
with temporary housing assistance and uninsured personal property loss. Medical,
dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster also may be covered, along
with other serious disaster-related needs.
When residents register for assistance, they will be assigned a 9-digit registration
number. This number should be written down and kept safe. It is needed to track
the applicant's claim.
Representatives at the disaster center will be able to answer questions. Among
them will be the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides low-interest
disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private,
non-profit organizations to cover uncompensated losses resulting from a declared
disaster. Anyone not able to visit a center should call 1-800-659-2955 for SBA
assistance or visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Loans from the
Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are also available
to cover production and property losses other than the primary residence.
Nebraska counties declared eligible for assistance include Buffalo, Butler,
Colfax, Dawson, Douglas, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kearney, Platte, Richardson,
Sarpy and Saunders.
