Tornado Victims Stunned By Lack Of Federal Aid

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Tornado Victims Stunned By Lack Of Federal Aid

FEMA Says Damage Doesn't Rise To Need For Individual Help

WMUR - Manchester,NH*

August 12, 2008

http://www.wmur.com/weather/17172934/detail.html

CENTER BARNSTEAD, N.H. -- Residents of tornado-ravaged communities

were stunned to learn that federal help will not be coming their way.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that public

assistance would be available, but not individual assistance. Public

assistance will become available for impacted communities in

Belknap, Carroll and Rockingham counties, but not Merrimack and

Strafford counties, which were included in the request by Gov.

Lynch.

Laureen , of Barnstead, said she doesn't know what to do after

her home was seriously damaged by the tornado that tore through 11

New Hampshire communities.

" It's very frustrating because the longer we wait, the more mold

we'll get and the more damage will occur, and we just have to wait

for help, " said.

and her family said FEMA representatives stood inside her now-

gutted home and said everything will be alright.

" They were right in here, facing our most damaged room, " she said.

said she told them how desperate their situation was. She and

her husband have 17-month-old twins, born premature with respiratory

problems. Taking care of them is already a huge expense, and now,

their home isn't healthy for their babies.

" It's a nature-made skylight with mold everywhere, " said.

The family has to rely fully on insurance because FEMA decided not

to help individual homeowners. They have found temporary housing,

but nearly everything they owned was ruined. said she is

disappointed in the system.

" There were three people who came in and said this is the worst

they've seen in the area, " she said.

According to New Hampshire Emergency Management, FEMA follows lose

guidelines when deciding how to apportion money. For individual aid,

the agency wants to see at least 100 uninsured homes that are

severely damaged or destroyed, and the state didn't approach that

number.

The state is now dealing with damage caused by last week's flash

floods in the Lakes Region, and local officials are hoping to

combine those victims with those in the path of the tornado. It will

then reapply for aid.

" A lot of people haven't touched their houses, " said. " They

don't have the money or the help. "

Emergency management officials said there is support available,

regardless of FEMA's decision. They asked victims to call the Red

Cross, the Salvation Army or Volunteer New Hampshire. Victims can

also call the state directly and be linked to the right person.

The state also has set up a hot line for questions at (888) 330-6764

or go to the state's Web site at nh.gov.

FEMA officials said that if they receive additional information from

the state, it would reconsider federal assistance, but a new

decision could take weeks.