FEMA assistance available for local residents
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

There may be some good news for those who have suffered property damage from the storms and rains that pounded the area from May 27 through June 25, according to information from Cleo Howell, PIO for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

Howell noted that disaster assistance for Ripley and surrounding counties including Dearborn, Franklin, Decatur, Ohio, Jennings and Switzerland, has been expanded to aid homeowners, renters and business owners who have suffered damage by tornadoes, storms and flooding during the above mentioned time period.

Some damage people may not think of include flood damage that may not have only come inside businesses or homes, but perhaps have gotten into the septic systems and wells causing damage.

Indiana was hit hard by storms and there are a total of 68 counties now designated for disaster related assistance with Ripley and surrounding counties only being added to the list as of June 29.

Justo "Tito" Hernandez, FEMA federal coordinating officer, said the additional individual assistance was approved based on a review of damage data gathered by federal, state and local disaster recovery officials.

"We remain committed to ensuring that every qualified family and business receives the help they need," Hernandez said. "Residents with damage related to the disaster need to call the toll-free registration number (1-800-621-3362). It is the only way to apply for a wide range of state and federal disaster assistance prosaying they are with FEMA and can help speed up the process of getting your check.

Hernandez cautions that all information given to FEMA personnel through calling their toll-free number is completely confidential. "That information is never given to anyone and is not accessible by computer. There is never a fee charged by official inspectors. There is never a fee to speed up getting assistance money to your account. FEMA grant money usually arrives in 7 to 10 days without ever charging a fee," he noted.

Anyone who has been asked to pay a fee to gain access to FEMA Disaster Assistance money or to get a FEMA inspection completed, is asked to call the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection office at 1-800-382-5516.