 |
| Frank Patterson and FEMA honcho Kevin Hannes at Commissioners Court |
Disaster
relief depends on insurance -
Officials want more information
Officials want more information
Waco
– The letters went out to people who had answered a survey about
the damage to their homes and businesses when the West Fertilizer Co.
exploded.
When
property owners indicated they had insurance, said Kevin Hannes, the
disaster coordinator for FEMA, they were turned down for assistance. More than 425 households are affected.
“I
know,” he said, “it's a terrible letter. I'm not defending the
way it's written.”
Not
to worry, he added, in remarks to the McLennan County
Commissioners Court.
All
folks need to do is come to the Point West Bank in downtown West to
survey the amount an type of insurance they have. They may be
eligible for 30-year loans to homeowners up to $200,000 at less than
2%, travel trailers to park in their driveways in which they may live
for up to a year, motel rent assistance to be extended to June 3, and
help with debris removal and demolition of ruined properties.
He
praised McLennan County Emergency Coordinator Frank Patterson for his
work as the on-site commander, calling the minimal loss of life “a
sprint.”
In
return, County Judge Scott Felton praised Mr. Hannes and his
department for their excellent services.
Ms.
Julie Bradford, an assistant to Mr. Hannes said that when people read
their letters of denial, they may have overlooked the part that
invited them to come to the Point West Bank for further assistance
with an inventory of their insurance coverage. Claimants must first
apply to their insurance companies to determine their eligibility,
she explained.
Ms.
Bradford may be reached at 225-421-6340, mobile, or by e-mail at
Julie.Bradford@fema.dhs.gov
One may hear Mr. Hannes' remarks by clicking here:
No comments:
Post a Comment