Nappanee To Appeal FEMA Decision
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Tim [email protected]
A tornado destroyed and damaged homes and businesses in the area Oct. 18. A federal disaster declaration would make 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.[[In-content Ad]]Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson said by telephone today he and other area officials plan to meet this week to organize their appeal to FEMA. The appeal will be filed and pursued by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
"We're going to appeal the whole thing," Thompson said.
He said if FEMA turns them down again, officials will investigate the possibility of at least getting low-interest small business administration loans for area businesses and possibly for homeowners.
Elkhart County Emergency Management Director Jennifer Tobey said FEMA officials will reassess the tornado damage in the area, taking a look at long-term damage caused by the storm.
Thompson said the first time FEMA officials assessed the damage, they determined there was not enough to warrant a disaster declaration.
"While the storm was devastating to us, in the big picture, it was a small event," Thompson said. "Through their calculations, they determined we did not qualify."
Thompson said he feels other large-scale disasters, like the October wildfires in California, received more attention from FEMA.
"It's very frustrating," Thompson said. "We're certainly not making light of the California situation, but, for the cost of a couple of the million dollar homes that will be rebuilt there, our problems here would all go away. We're not asking for the world, but apparently we're asking for too much."
IDHS Executive Director J. Eric Dietz also expressed his disagreement with FEMA's decision in a statement released Wednesday.
"I am very disappointed," Dietz said. "We know the affected Hoosiers have experienced great suffering. We are committed to seeking additional measures to provide needed support."
According to Dietz, other relief could come to Nappanee through a state disaster fund.
Thompson said the city's clean-up costs after the tornado may reach $1 million. The city cannot collect federal aid for clean-up costs, so Thompson said the city council has transferred all available end-of-the year balances from the city budget into a rainy-day fund to help with the clean-up costs. He said he plans to work with area state and federal legislators to explore the possibility of receiving public assistance to help lower the city's costs.
"We've worked as hard as we can to put as much money in that rainy day fund as we can to pay the bills," Thompson said. "If we could raise some money for the clean-up costs, then our budget would not be affected."
As things stand, Thompson, who was recently re-elected to another term as mayor, said repairing the city's budget will be a long-term project.
"If we don't get any public assistance, I really believe it will take my next four years to get Nappanee back on its feet as far as the budget is concerned," he said.
Despite the set-backs in receiving disaster relief, Thompson said he is proud of the community's response. According to Thompson, more than $200,000 has been raised locally to help victims who lost homes or jobs to the tornado and, for the insured, rebuilding is progressing well.
"Every time you see a home built back, that's a pretty good feeling," he said.
As the process of appealing FEMA's denial for aid begins, Thompson he has confidence in the community regardless of the outcome.
"Worst case scenario," he said, "we'll move on and we'll survive."
A tornado destroyed and damaged homes and businesses in the area Oct. 18. A federal disaster declaration would make 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.[[In-content Ad]]Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson said by telephone today he and other area officials plan to meet this week to organize their appeal to FEMA. The appeal will be filed and pursued by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
"We're going to appeal the whole thing," Thompson said.
He said if FEMA turns them down again, officials will investigate the possibility of at least getting low-interest small business administration loans for area businesses and possibly for homeowners.
Elkhart County Emergency Management Director Jennifer Tobey said FEMA officials will reassess the tornado damage in the area, taking a look at long-term damage caused by the storm.
Thompson said the first time FEMA officials assessed the damage, they determined there was not enough to warrant a disaster declaration.
"While the storm was devastating to us, in the big picture, it was a small event," Thompson said. "Through their calculations, they determined we did not qualify."
Thompson said he feels other large-scale disasters, like the October wildfires in California, received more attention from FEMA.
"It's very frustrating," Thompson said. "We're certainly not making light of the California situation, but, for the cost of a couple of the million dollar homes that will be rebuilt there, our problems here would all go away. We're not asking for the world, but apparently we're asking for too much."
IDHS Executive Director J. Eric Dietz also expressed his disagreement with FEMA's decision in a statement released Wednesday.
"I am very disappointed," Dietz said. "We know the affected Hoosiers have experienced great suffering. We are committed to seeking additional measures to provide needed support."
According to Dietz, other relief could come to Nappanee through a state disaster fund.
Thompson said the city's clean-up costs after the tornado may reach $1 million. The city cannot collect federal aid for clean-up costs, so Thompson said the city council has transferred all available end-of-the year balances from the city budget into a rainy-day fund to help with the clean-up costs. He said he plans to work with area state and federal legislators to explore the possibility of receiving public assistance to help lower the city's costs.
"We've worked as hard as we can to put as much money in that rainy day fund as we can to pay the bills," Thompson said. "If we could raise some money for the clean-up costs, then our budget would not be affected."
As things stand, Thompson, who was recently re-elected to another term as mayor, said repairing the city's budget will be a long-term project.
"If we don't get any public assistance, I really believe it will take my next four years to get Nappanee back on its feet as far as the budget is concerned," he said.
Despite the set-backs in receiving disaster relief, Thompson said he is proud of the community's response. According to Thompson, more than $200,000 has been raised locally to help victims who lost homes or jobs to the tornado and, for the insured, rebuilding is progressing well.
"Every time you see a home built back, that's a pretty good feeling," he said.
As the process of appealing FEMA's denial for aid begins, Thompson he has confidence in the community regardless of the outcome.
"Worst case scenario," he said, "we'll move on and we'll survive."
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