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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 1, 2006 County falls short for federal flood assistance Too few homes have been identified that fit the government’s definition of damage By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Damage to homes from Dec. 30 flooding might not be enough to trigger federal assistance, Jackson County emergency officials have discovered. The county needs to identify 25 houses or businesses in which flooding damaged at least 40 percent of the structure in order to meet the threshold for U.S. Small Business Administration loans. In addition, the buildings must not be insured for flooding. So far, only 20 houses have been found that meet the damage requirements outlined by the SBA. "We may not have enough," said Mike Curry, county emergency management coordinator. Curry is urging homeowners to call him immediately at 774-6821 to report damage because federal officials will be in Jackson County on Thursday. Advertisement Curry said he was surprised at how difficult it has been to find homes and businesses that meet the SBA criteria. "People called in with property damage but not to their homes," he said. "I’ve had hundreds of people who said they’ve had damage to hillsides, culverts and driveways." If the county manages to find the required number of structures, Curry said it could help other homeowners who have sustained a lesser amount of damage and need to take out a loan. "The more residents I can show them, the more likelihood they can receive an SBA declaration," he said. Abby Kershaw, section director for the finance and recovery section of Oregon Emergency Management, said Jackson County could be crucial to getting the SBA loans. "Jackson County is kind of our anchor," she said. "It’s going to be real disappointing if we don’t get the numbers there." If Jackson County qualifies, it will automatically bring assistance to Douglas County. Gov. Ted Kulongoski wrote a letter to the SBA on Monday asking that Jackson and Douglas counties be declared "physical disaster" areas. He outlined the initial damage estimates in Jackson County: 15 homes with major damage, 75 homes with minor damage, one business with major damage, 16 businesses with minor damage and three nonprofits with minor damage. Douglas County reported less severe damage. In the same letter, Kulongoski said the cost to rebuild roads, bridges and public facilities exceeds $11 million. Oregon Department of Transportation officials in Jackson County estimate $2.5 million is needed to repair Interstate 5 and state highways locally. Much of the repair work is needed along a five-mile stretch of the Siskiyou Summit where a drainage system was wiped out. Curry said officials from the state and Federal Emergency Management Agency also will review damage to cities on Thursday. They will be reviewing documentation and photos provided by cities to make sure the damage reports correspond with local estimates. Curry said the FEMA review is independent of the SBA’s. Cities in Jackson County are hoping to get reimbursed for some of the expenses needed to repair sewage treatment plants, storm drains, parks and roads. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail County falls short for federal flood assistance ">[email protected] . Do you meet the criteria? Those who believe Dec. 30 flooding damaged at least 40 percent of their houses or businesses are asked to call Mike Curry, county emergency management coordinator, at 774-6821.The structures must not be covered by flood insurance to qualify. Those desiring more information about flooding can check out Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s new Web page at http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/flood/main.shtml Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement