Staff Writer
Although more than $600,000 has been approved for flood relief assistance to individuals since President Bush signed the major disaster declaration for Aroostook County, federal official think there are still more that have not applied for help.
“We really feel that there are people out there that have damage that have not applied,” said Kevin Galvin with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
More than 300 households have registered for assistance and 220 have visited the disaster recovery centers in Fort Kent, Van Buren and the mobile center, said Galvin.
The FEMA official said Tuesday that some residents may not have insurance coverage from some damage, especially if they didn’t have flood insurance.
Property owners have 60 days from the date of the presidential declaration, which means a July 8 deadline, to file an application, Galvin said. Individuals may register for assistance online at www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
Under the individuals and household program, disaster assistance may be used for temporary housing, the repair of damage or uninsured home into safe, sanitary and functional condition. The funds also may be used from serious, disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other disaster programs.
Galvin said that most of the $632,523 in assistance has been issued in grants to make minor repairs to make homes livable or to find temporary housing.
FEMA officials plan to be in the region for at least 60 days, after the flood, to offer assistance. The disaster recovery centers will be open for as long as they are needed, Galvin said.
An estimate of total damages caused by the April 30 flooding is expected as federal and state inspectors start filing reports with the Maine Emergency Management Agency, according to Lynette Miller of MEMA. The inspectors are working with municipal officials to determine what public infrastructure repairs are needed, Miller said.
