Cash aid on way to 'disaster' region 4/12/01
•Last month's floods did at least $10 million in damage to the state.
By Ethan Forman
Eagle-Tribune Writer

   Federal disaster aid is now flowing to the Merrimack Valley to help people who suffered damage in last month's floods and severe weather. Residents in Essex, Middlesex, and Norfolk counties can now call to apply for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Heavy damage was suffered along Jackson Street in Lawrence, along sections of the Shawsheen River in Andover, and several other low-lying areas in the region.
For Lisa A. Barletta, a North Reading homeowner whose basement foundation wall collapsed during severe rains March 22, the declaration could not have come too soon. She called to get aid as soon as she heard about it. With damage estimated at $75,000, her home tops a state survey of flood-damaged homes.
   "Last night, some lady took pity on us really before the system was set up. But it's another set of waiting," she said.
Disaster relief officials said yesterday the first step is to call 1-800-462-9029 (The number is 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing impaired). The toll-free telephone number will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"The thing that the individual and the families need to know is to pick up their telephone if they had damage," said Len D. DeCarlo, deputy public affairs officer for FEMA.
   The declaration covers damage from floods and storms starting March 5 and continuing through the month, said FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh in a statement.
   President George W. Bush's declaration of a major disaster area cleared the way for the aid to homeowners and businesses for losses not covered by their insurance.
   Residents who call for aid will likely have an inspector come by within a few days, Mr. DeCarlo said. Residents will also receive a packet to fill out from FEMA.
   Information will then be transmitted back to FEMA, and residents can expect to hear from the agency again within seven to 10 days, Mr. DeCarlo said. To speed up the process, aid can be sent direct deposit to a resident's bank account, Mr. DeCarlo said.
   State experts had predicted Massachusetts suffered almost $10 million in damage from flooding that began on March 22, much of it in the Merrimack Valley.
   In a survey of the destruction conducted last month, officials estimated 25,000 homes were damaged and at least 3,500 homes needed more than $10,000 in repairs. Federal aid covers primary residences, not vacation homes.
Mr. DeCarlo said the actual damage amount will not be known until all the claims are made.
   John J. Coco, North Andover's emergency management director, estimates damage in North Andover alone at $8 million to $9 million "exclusive of infrastructure."
   Mr. Coco and his son, Jeffrey, the town's deputy' emergency management director, have compiled a list of 100 names of residents who suffered storm damage.
   Mill buildings at 1-4 High St. suffered a flood from Cochichewick Brook, with a preliminary damage estimate of $7 million worth of merchandise from one business, Mr. Coco said.
   Mr. Coco said he took FEMA officiais to a home on Blue Ridge Road where the yard was washed away and it was hanging on the edge of a hill. The damage estimate there was $ 75,000, he said. He and his son have also fielded calls for waterfilled basements and septic-system failures.
   Money would be available for temporary housing, emergency home repairs and other disaster-related expenses, FEMA officials said.
The survey of the damage is continuing and more counties, state and local government agencies could be added to the list.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this story.

HOW TO GET HELP

If you suffered damage in the March floods, you can apply for federal aid by calling I -800-462-9029.

For the hearing impaired, call I -800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone number will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

These are key federal disaster programs:

•Rental payments for temporary housing. Initial assistance lasts for up to three months for homeowners, at least one month for renters.

• Grants for emergency repairs not covered by insurance to make a home habitable.

• Grants for home repairs, the loss of personal property, or expenses such as medical, funeral or transportation not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid prograrns. Typical grants average $2,500.

•Up to 26 weeks of unemployment payments for those who lost jobs and the self-employed who do not qualify for state benefits.

• Low interest loans up to $1.5 million for businesses, $200,000 for homes and $40,000 for personal property, including rental losses, for damage not fully covered by insurance.
• Up to $1.5 million in loans for small businesses that suffered disaster-related cash-flow problems that need money to recover.
 Up to $500,000 in loans for farmers to cover losses.

Back 
[Home] [Calendar] [SRWA/SWEAT] [Powder Mill Sq.] [Beavers] [Gallery 2000] [News & Info] [Water Quality] [Watershed]