The Fayette Tribune, Oak Hill, W.Va.

Local News

July 16, 2012

Fayette County working with officials from FEMA

By C.V. Moore Register-Herald Reporter

FAYETTEVILLE —  Take photographs of any damage to your home, keep any receipts for recovery expenses, and then try to get back to normal. That’s the advice of Fayette County Emergency Services Director Theresa White as she works on damage assessments for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

White had two meetings with FEMA scheduled for Wednesday. The first was with their community relations team to talk about the unmet needs of the community, such as mental hygiene or housing.

White says they can facilitate a “recovery committee” to help pool resources for the longer term.

The second meeting was with FEMA and the governor’s office to review the county’s preliminary damage assessment. This will be used by the state when officials present their request for a federal declaration to the president.

To meet the FEMA requirements for public assistance, which would reimburse local governments that used resources during recovery, the county has to meet a $69,000 cap.

“We got that in just one town,” says White.

Public entities reporting recovery-related costs include the towns of Ansted, Smithers and Pax; the 911 center; the Office of Emergency Services; the sheriff’s department; and others.

It’s likely that Fayette will get that assistance, but White is less sure about meeting the $1 million in damages required for individual assistance. She says there were 500 to 600 intake forms received at her office, but right now only those with major damage are being reviewed to come up with ballpark figures for the state.

The $1 million includes damages only after insurance coverage. Deductibles can be included in the figure.

“What we’re finding out is that people don’t have insurance, and if they do, a lot are being turned down,” says White.

She hoped to hear word on the declaration by the end of last week.

If approved for individual assistance, FEMA would perform a damage assessment of each home and provide a check for up to $13,300.

White, who lost her home in the 2001 flooding in Fayette County, also suggests keeping track of all recovery expenses for tax purposes.

Losses of property in the event of a disaster can be deducted from federal tax returns using form 4684.

A “Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook,” Publication 584, is available from the IRS to help you figure out the loss to your home, its contents, and your vehicles. Losses can be carried over from year to year.

— E-mail: cmoore@register-herald.com

 

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