A Place To Bring Them Home
Release Date: March 7, 2008
Release Number: 1733-085
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SALEM, Ore -- Just weeks ago, the land behind the Vernonia City Hall was piled high with rubble from the December 2007 flood. Now the property is groomed, utilities are in, and the site is ready to welcome 21 new mobile homes.
At 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 10, Glen Sachtleben, the federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be on site to thank the Vernonia land owners and the City of Vernonia for their collaborative efforts to make the mobile home park a reality.
"Today is a major milestone on Vernonia's long road to recovery," said Federal Coordinating Officer Glen Sachtleben. "We are especially pleased to find space for Vernonia residents in the heart of Vernonia."
"FEMA and the state have been working diligently to meet these needs," said State Coordinating Officer Abby Kershaw. "The people of Vernonia have been wonderful and we appreciate their patience."
The next step will be to bring in the new 60' 3-bedroom mobile homes. While the land owner was preparing the site, FEMA was having the mobile homes tested for formaldehyde levels. Only those units considered safe will be brought to the site.
"I hope to be announcing the next milestone - actual delivery of the first mobile homes - within a few days," said Sachtleben.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with State and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and other first responders.
Last Modified: Friday, 07-Mar-2008 19:03:45