FEMA Money Helps a Little

By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter

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By Steve Nicoles

Story Created: Jul 14, 2008 at 4:18 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 14, 2008 at 4:18 PM CST

IOWA CITY - Flood victims who have already received FEMA money are realizing it does not stretch very far. The maximum amount a homeowner can get is $28,800. A FEMA representative says most people get about $2,500. That is not even one tenth the maximum amount allowed. There just is not enough money for everyone to max out.

There is a definite sign of progress at Myron Welch's house. He thinks he can live in the house a block up from Normandy Drive by the end of the month. Water filled his home 22-inches deep. Welch said, "New furnace, new air condition, new water heater, everything was lost on the appliance side."

FEMA gave Welch $25,000. The money helped get him back on his feet. But it does not mean sweeping changes in Welch's so-called forced remodeling. Twenty-five grand does not go very far. It is not supposed to. FEMA Spokesman Brad Craine said, "Government programs were not intended to put people back the way it was before the flood. We simply can't do that."

The sheer number of dollars FEMA has already doled out to Johnson County is one hindrance. More than $3.5 million has come into the county. Also, homeowners cannot get paid twice for the same problem. So, if insurance covers part of a loss, then FEMA cannot. It can be a problem for homeowners. Welch said, “It can't go very far. It won't cover all that stuff."

But it helped Welch get the insulation needed to make his home livable again in a few weeks.
Homeowners who want more money can apply for a low-interest loan with the Small Business Administration. SBA will pay up to $200,000 for home repairs.

Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com

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