Senior Citizen Grateful For FEMA Disaster Assistance 

Hurricane Rita's Six-Month Anniversary - 'Doing a 180: From Disaster to Recovery' One in a Series

Release Date: March 23, 2006
Release Number: 1606-168

» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita

AUSTIN, Texas -- "I love the FEMA people. Senior citizens are mostly ignored, but the FEMA people have been wonderful," said Hurricane Rita survivor Billy Singleton.

Singleton and her friend, Elizabeth Harding, both Orange, Texas, senior citizens, evacuated to Singleton's daughter's house in Baton Rouge, La. prior to Hurricane Rita making landfall.

As it turned out, things weren't good in Baton Rouge, either, after the hurricane passed through, according to Billy. Her daughter took in 33 more people who also needed shelter.

"We looked for help everywhere we could, but only FEMA helped," said Singleton. "Every person from FEMA has been wonderful. I'm telling you, they really saved us."

Singleton registered for state and federal assistance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and was eligible to receive individual and housing assistance. She also qualified for a temporary travel trailer, but turned it down because she thought other people were worse off than she.

Singleton's house had roof damage, windows were blown out and there were tree branches inside. A little house she had in the back was blown 2 feet off its foundations; pipes were broken and wires ripped out. Still, she thought that the trailer should go to someone more deserving.

"At first, I thought my house would be OK to live in," Singleton said. However, mold and flood residue in the house caused her to be sick and have headaches. Eventually, she visited a FEMA and Texas State Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Orange, and asked for a travel trailer.

"They told me, you didn't want one and I said yes, but I changed my mind," Singleton said. "FEMA saved my life with that trailer."

Singleton eventually wants to repair her house because she says it is a fine example of a traditional old house.

"In the Second World War, 21 girls – that's what we called them then – who worked in the local ship building plants lived in there. That is part of its history."

Singleton has received more than $8,000 in assistance from FEMA, as well as receiving a FEMA temporary travel trailer, while awaiting repairs to her home.

"You would be amazed at what this government has done. I am so grateful. This has restored my faith in our country," Singleton said.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 31-May-2006 13:31:57