KEYC - FEMA Now Surveying Flood Damage of Homes

It's been a long road to recovery for victims of September's flooding.

FEMA originally denied individual assistance to those affected by September's flooding; causing Governor Dayton to appeal the decision in early November. Now, the decision has been reversed, and FEMA officials head out to area neighborhoods to survey the flood damage to homes two and a half months later.

"People have moved on and people have adjusted their lives, however, now, everyone is eligible to apply for FEMA assistance. This damage may not be apparent in your homes, so you need to register," said FEMA Spokesperson Darrell Habisch.
 
Homeowner Brian Tomford is one of many eligible applicants hoping to qualify for public assistance, something he didn't think he needed when the storm first hit back in September.
 
"I thought I was one of the lucky ones because I didn't have a lot of water. It took maybe 3 ½ weeks and that's until I started noticing the wall moving in the basement of the house here," said Tomford.
 
Tomford says he noted his basement wall beginning to bow and crack over the past few weeks.
 
"What I'm figuring is that it's the exterior water from the 14 plus inches that we got which is now freezing and now it's pushing against the wall," said Tomford. "I don't want to wake up one morning and not have my wall in the basement."
 
So far in Southern Minnesota, FEMA has approved more than $1 million in grants.
 
"The average grant here in Southern Minnesota is more than $5,000 so that goes a long way to repairing a foundation problem or whatever your insurance won't cover. By all means, if you need a water furnace or a heater, don't put that off. Don't underestimate what you might be qualified to receive," said Habisch. 

This includes receiving grants for medication or other necessities lost because of water damage. If you have already repaired any flood damage in your home, FEMA is urging everyone to turn in their receipts.

Loans are also available for long term assistance through the Small Business Association's Office of Disastrous Assistance.

FEMA is accepting applications through January 30. To apply, call 800-621-3362 or click here. 
 
--KEYC News 12