FEMA tells victims of tornado to get grants

Hesitating to ask for help could mean losing out on free financial assistance from the government for those victimized by the tornado that tore through Jackson May 6.

Many residents have already hired contractors to start repairs on their homes and businesses, but they should first consider making a 25-minute phone call to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency because they may be eligible for up to $25,000 in grant money, spokesman Ken Higginbotham said.

"That is the first step in the recovery process," he said. "We understand people want to 'get it done' and start repairs. But after the initial shock is over, it's time to call FEMA."

Higginbotham and other FEMA representatives attended a briefing Wednesday for local disaster relief organizations and city and county officials at the county administrative building in Jackson. The meeting gave an update on cleanup progress achieved since the storm.

So far, 68 families in Cape Girardeau County have registered and more than 23 home inspections have already been conducted by FEMA. It's important to register now because the process can take weeks before an actual check is in a homeowner's hands, Higginbotham said.

By Tuesday, FEMA had already approved $1.8 million in payments to Missourians affected by storms that began May 4. No one in Jackson has received any funds yet.

Registering with groups like the American Red Cross or with local or state agencies does not create an application with FEMA.

In order for people to get as much money as they are eligible to receive to help with recovery, residents shouldn't wait to call FEMA after their insurance settlement arrives, Higginbotham said.

Whether residents choose to buy a private home inspection or not, FEMA encourages them to contact the agency, which does inspections at no cost.

"We're not here to police how they do it, but this is the best way to do it so they don't get ripped off," he said.

A Disaster Recovery Center, or DRC, is expected to open in Jackson during the coming week to help storm victims get one-on-one assistance with their recovery needs, said Mark Winkler, area coordinator for the State Emergency Management Agency. The center will be staffed with state and federal disaster experts.

A location has not been officially determined, but the armory building is considered the most likely location, he said. Victims can use the phones at the DRC to register with FEMA. In addition, representatives will have computers to access a victim's case status.

Some homeowners are having problems with their insurance agencies, said Janet Sanders, city planning and zoning superintendent.

"There are two homes that were condemned by the city, but their insurance companies are telling residents the homes are structurally sound," she said.

Homeowners experiencing such conflicts are encouraged to call the state Insurance Commission at 1 (800) 726-7390, she said.

Jackson has issued several new licenses to contractors from outside the city since the tornado. However, Sanders cautions residents that a license does not denote city endorsement, nor does it mean the contractor carries liability insurance.

"We can't verify they're a good, quality contractor," she said, citing there is no system to determine their work history.

In addition, any construction or demolition work must be done with a permit so the city can inspect the work, she said.

Winding downMore than a week after the tornado, several businesses affected are opening their doors again, including Cross Creek Antique Mall at 422 Old Cape Road. The store re-opened Wednesday after repairs were made.

"They've got the walls fixed, the roof fixed," said store co-owner Beverly Hill. "They've got more work to do to the building, it's not something that we can't work with."

Hill is a co-owner of the store with Larry Davis. Gene and Rita Leimer own the building.

As of Friday, all structures that lost electrical power should have it back, said Don Schuette, Jackson electric utilities director. Nearly all of the street lights knocked out by the storm are repaired, and only about six more electric poles remain to be replaced. Anyone without electric power is asked to contact city hall.

Red Cross coordinator Mary Burton said 54 families have signed up for assistance since the tornado hit. Thirty-six of those are homeowners with some insurance, but one family was without insurance.

Unless there is a continued urgent need, the Red Cross will stop distributing meals after Friday and the group will leave the county administrative building and return to their Cape Girardeau office, she said.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160