Tuesday, January 08, 2008
MORE FEMA (IN INDIANA)
RV Business
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' appeal for federal storm damage recovery aid to help victims of a tornado that touched down in the Nappanee area on Oct. 18.
The Times-Union, Warsaw, reported that Daniels' appeal came after FEMA denied an initial request to issue a major disaster declaration for Elkhart and Kosciusko counties. The storm leveled operations at RV builder Franklin Coach Co. and damaged numerous facilities at Gulf Stream Coach Inc., one of the small rural city’s largest employers.
A federal disaster declaration for the area would have made it possible for residents and businesses in Elkhart, Kosciusko and Marshall counties to qualify for housing and unemployment assistance and low-interest loans to help them recover from the damage caused by the EF-3 strength storm.
Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson said he was disappointed by FEMA's decision.
"I feel we've been spinning our wheels for about six weeks. We're a little put out with the time it took and how vague the system seems to be," said Thompson.
He said he is unhappy with what he called a vague process through which local communities must work to pursue federal aid. Thompson said there was no indication of what level of damage was needed in order to qualify for aid.
"This was a pretty small storm," Thompson said, "but, on a percentage basis, it was pretty significant to our little area. Apparently, in FEMA's big picture, it just didn't meet their threshold in some areas."
Following FEMA’s decision, state Reps. Jackie Walorski, R-Lakeville, and Bill Friend, R-Macy, announced plans Monday (Jan. 7) to file a bill that would appropriate $660,000 for disaster relief to residents.
The House bill would transfer the money from the state general fund to the state Department of Homeland Security. That money would be deposited in the disaster relief fund for the city of Nappanee.
Local individuals, groups and churches have also donated about $600,000 to a fund to assist victims of the tornado.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' appeal for federal storm damage recovery aid to help victims of a tornado that touched down in the Nappanee area on Oct. 18.
The Times-Union, Warsaw, reported that Daniels' appeal came after FEMA denied an initial request to issue a major disaster declaration for Elkhart and Kosciusko counties. The storm leveled operations at RV builder Franklin Coach Co. and damaged numerous facilities at Gulf Stream Coach Inc., one of the small rural city’s largest employers.
A federal disaster declaration for the area would have made it possible for residents and businesses in Elkhart, Kosciusko and Marshall counties to qualify for housing and unemployment assistance and low-interest loans to help them recover from the damage caused by the EF-3 strength storm.
Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson said he was disappointed by FEMA's decision.
"I feel we've been spinning our wheels for about six weeks. We're a little put out with the time it took and how vague the system seems to be," said Thompson.
He said he is unhappy with what he called a vague process through which local communities must work to pursue federal aid. Thompson said there was no indication of what level of damage was needed in order to qualify for aid.
"This was a pretty small storm," Thompson said, "but, on a percentage basis, it was pretty significant to our little area. Apparently, in FEMA's big picture, it just didn't meet their threshold in some areas."
Following FEMA’s decision, state Reps. Jackie Walorski, R-Lakeville, and Bill Friend, R-Macy, announced plans Monday (Jan. 7) to file a bill that would appropriate $660,000 for disaster relief to residents.
The House bill would transfer the money from the state general fund to the state Department of Homeland Security. That money would be deposited in the disaster relief fund for the city of Nappanee.
Local individuals, groups and churches have also donated about $600,000 to a fund to assist victims of the tornado.
