FEMA disaster relief hits $1.3 million per day; hydrologists on the way

[undeterred]

FEMA disaster relief hits $1.3 million per day; hydrologists on the way
The Capital Times — 7/05/2008 9:18 am

National and state emergency management officials are sending hydrologists into several Wisconsin counties to rectify the problem of standing water, the Federal Emergency Management Agency field office in Madison announced Friday.

The hydrologists will come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the the U.S. Geological Service. Pumping is not a viable option because studies show that water tables are high because rivers remain above flood stage, the FEMA news release said.

Meanwhile, disaster funds for state residents affected by severe storms and flooding in the last month has hit $1.3 million per day, according to FEMA. More than $26 million has been distributed for housing and other needs since Wisconsin was nationally declared a disaster area on June 14.

According to FEMA, as of July 3:

27,351 residents have registered for Individual Assistance in the 29 declared Wisconsin counties.

$23.3 million in Individual Assistance has been allocated for temporary housing and repair and replacement of storm-damaged housing.

$2.9 million has been provided for other disaster needs such as transportation, medical and dental expenses, moving and storage fees, and replacement or repair of personal property.

22,847 home inspections have been completed.

3,895 individuals have visited the 12 Wisconsin Disaster Recovery Centers.

Wisconsin Emergency Management, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration suggest residents and business owners in disaster-declared counties who have experienced damage to their homes or businesses as a result of the June storms apply for disaster assistance grants and low-interest SBA loans, according to a FEMA news release.

Storm- and flood-related damage may be reported by calling the toll-free registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Lines are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Residents also may register online at www.fema.gov.

For loan information, call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or go to www.sba.gov. SBA customer service representatives are on site at the Disater Recover Centers as well.

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/weather/294815

[elocs]

1. This is certainly not good news for those posters from places like California

who early during the disaster, and having no personal information about it, were quick to label FEMA to be an inept joke. In western Wisconsin at least, people are largely satisfied with how FEMA has handled things this time and last summer and are happy for the help.

[Connonym]

2. I was out driving through farm country today

and an awful lot of those corn fields still have standing water and the corn is way, way, waaaaay shorter than it usually is for this time of year. As I posted before, I'm feeling sort of doom and gloom. Really worried about the triple whammy this winter of high heating and gas costs and increased food costs. It's going to really hurt a lot of folks on the edge. I'm actually thinking that instead of rushing to get my own place perhaps I'll stay put with my mom through the winter not just for my own financial well being but to help her with heating costs and so on. If we get a cold one it's going to suck something awful.