Flood Victims Confused About FEMA Checks

By: Claire Kellett, Anchor/Reporter

Tools

By Claire Kellett

Story Created: Jul 11, 2008 at 9:53 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 11, 2008 at 9:53 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids homeowners in the 100 year flood plain are wondering whether to rebuild or move on. The waiting game is especially difficult for those who have a FEMA check in hand. They're trying to figure out whether to put the money into fixing their flooded home or using it to buy or rent a new one. Both FEMA and the city say it's very important to understand situations change from property to property.

Claire Hanson looks after the owner of a flooded house on Fourth Avenue Southwest, right next to Interstate 380. As his guardian and conservator, Hanson's helping the homeowner figure out the future of his childhood home.

"There's a lot of frustration. People are very polite to me but don't give me any answers," says Claire Hanson.

Hanson feels like FEMA and the city of Cedar Rapids are giving her the run-around. Two city inspectors who happened to show up during our interview told her they were simply collecting data in this 100-year-flood plain neighborhood. Hanson appreciates their work but wants to know how to handle the homeowner's check from FEMA.

"I'd like to know what I can do with the money," says Hanson.

A FEMA representative says disaster assistance funds don't have designations. Homeowners can use the money to secure a safe and functional housing situation, whether that be to repair, rebuild, or move on. But they must keep all receipts for at least three years. Hanson's next question is what the city will allow them to do.

"What I recommend of anyone in the 100 year flood area that do not have current elevation of one foot about the 100 year flood plain is count all the costs and know exactly what is going on before spend any money on the property," says Jim Thatcher, a Cedar Rapids Fire Marshall.

Because properties in the 100 year flood plain with damage costs more than 50 percent of the home's assessed value have to be one foot above the flood plain.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Marshall says the first step is stabilize the house, clean it up, and then evaluate the damage before applying for foundation or structural permits.

The fire marshall says the best way to know how much damage is at your home is to get a damage report from FEMA. Or you can pick up a flood plain packets at the city's temporary office at Westdale Mall. It helps homeowners to assess their own damage.

Next Article Cedar Rapids Lands Low-cost Carrier with Frontier Flights to Denver

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.