Flood Victims Move Into FEMA Replacement Homes

By Josh Hinkle, Anchor/Reporter

Shown is the access panel allowing mold to grow inside some FEMA trailers at Squaw Creek Village in Marion on Saturday, July 19, 2008. (Jonathan D. Woods/The Gazette)

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By Josh Hinkle

Story Created: Aug 4, 2008 at 4:17 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 4, 2008 at 6:07 PM CST

MARION - Ed Hatcher and his family moved to a hotel when they heard about the mold in FEMA mobile homes. Just another temporary fix, after the flood destroyed their sense of stability.

Hatcher says, "Thank God this part is over with - the part of waiting."

His first FEMA mobile home was one of about 200 in eastern Iowa with an outside water heater. Inspectors found mold in some of those compartments, so the state ordered FEMA to remove them.

"The main thing they were worried about was the water heaters, and they're inside now. What more can be wrong?"

Well, the new homes come from the same place as the old ones, where FEMA initially missed the problem. That's why the agency hired someone else to inspect the new homes.

Vince Clark, a spokesperson for FEMA, says, "The CDC put together an inspection protocol and hired an outside firm, not a government entity, to do the inspection. There's a third party doing that."

If there is no mold, and the heating, ventilation and conditioning systems work, people can move in. Hatcher's home is now in place, and he hopes to sleep here tomorrow night.

"My wife's going to like this place. Me, I'm happy with a cave and some furniture and cable."

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