In addition to helping with government costs, the federal declaration makes federal loans and other assistance available to eligible individuals such as homeowners, renters and businesses in tornado-damaged areas
View full sizeLeon Jenkins, left and his brother Walter Jenkins, right, on hand for the arrival Wednesday morning of two temporary house trailers being installed next to their building at 18-20 Searle Place which was damaged in the June 1st tornado. The homes came from American Mobile Homes of Weymouth, Ma. that company said they have more coming to the area.Two weeks after a deadly tornado ripped through the region, President Barack Obama declared a major federal disaster area for Hampden and Worcester counties, assuring the federal government would pay for the lion’s share of storm-related costs for Springfield and other eligible communities, state agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Obama’s approval came just four days after Gov. Deval L. Patrick requested the declaration in a letter to the president.
It also took place the same day the state House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to approve $15 million to pay for costs of state agencies responding to the storms.
Patrick, speaking to the press in Boston, thanked the president and those at the Federal Emergency Management Agency for approving the declaration so quickly.
“We have a lot to do to help our communities recover and rebuild, and it’s good to know we can count on our government to help,” he said.
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno heralded the news as a key moment in efforts to rebuild sections of the city and tend to those harmed by the storm.
“Two weeks ago at this time we were being hit from a damaging tornado,” he said. “In two weeks time, president Obama has turned around the disaster assistance request,
and we’re moving squarely ahead to rebuild the city and rebuild the human spirit.”
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, standing in front of his department heads, speaks Wednesday at a press briefing in City Hall about the ramifications of the city being declared a federal disaster area because of the June 1 tornadoWest Springfield Mayor Edward J. Gibson said he was thrilled with the news and is looking forward to launching the next steps to aid affected portions of that city.
“It is a big hurdle to get over. It just opens up so many more opportunities to help people affected by the tornado.”
In addition to helping with government costs, the federal declaration makes federal loans and other assistance available to eligible individuals such as homeowners, renters and businesses in Hampden and Worcester counties.
The president’s authorization means the federal government will pay at least 75 percent of costs of repairing or replacing public roads, bridges, utilities and buildings in Springfield and other communities in Hampden County, as well as debris removal and overtime for employees.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to evaluate the damage data and supporting information related to such public assistance that Patrick is seeking for Southbridge and Sturbridge in Worcester County.
U.S. Sens. John F. Kerry and Scott P. Brown and other political leaders at the federal and state levels issued statements, saying they were grateful for the president’s quick decision.
“Due to the devastation, I believed a swift and bold federal response was necessary,” said U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield. “I am pleased that President Obama recognized the enormity of the destruction and today ordered federal aid for the state.”
Under the presidential declaration, individuals are eligible for rental payments for temporary housing, grants for home repairs or to replace personal property not covered by insurance, unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks, low-interest loans for property losses not covered by insurance, and other loans and relief programs, such as crisis counseling, income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and Social Security matters.
In order to help individuals and businesses, the federal government will establish disaster recovery centers in each of the nine communities hit hardest by the June 1 storm system, according to Patrick.
Sarno at a press briefing in City Hall said the interval between the arrival of the tornado and the arrival of the federal help has been remarkable.
Flanked by city department heads, Sarno said city employees and managers did tremendous work preparing the paperwork needed to apply for federal assistance.
He said the application was in order and the damage estimated ready for verification by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Association within two days after the tornado. For the city to be approved in two weeks by FEMA, “set a new paradigm for turning things around,” he said.
“What kept us going for 24/7 has been the resiliency of the people of Springfield and the power of positive character shown through and through,” Sarno said.
Nick Russo, FEMA federal coordinating officer, speaks Wednesday about the role FEMA will play in the rebuilding of tornado-damaged areas now that the city and other parts of the county have been declared a federal disaster area.Also at the press briefing was FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Nick Russo, who said the level of federal assistance changes once a declaration of a disaster area is issued.
“You do have a declaration now,” he said.
The federal agency will not be the sole voice in the restoration of the city, but will work with state and local agencies and even individuals throughout the process, he said. “We are not the team; we are part of the team.”
With the federal declaration in place, people in affected areas should register to apply for federal assistance.
“Whether you think you are eligible or not, you should register,” he said. “Let the system determine if you are eligible.”
The number to register is (800) 621-FEMA, or (800) 621-3362. The TTY line number for the hearing impaired is (800) 462-7585. For those with access to the Internet, the web address is http://www.disasterassistance.gov/
Russo said phone numbers go to a phone bank that is open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
He cautioned that with several other disaster relief efforts ongoing across the country, people calling the number may have difficulty getting through.
He urged people to keep trying. In the next few days, FEMA will also be setting up disaster recovery centers in each of the affected communities that will aid people through the steps in the process for getting relief. Typically, he said, the amount of time between registration and receiving payment is seven to 10 days.
FEMA’s job is to cover what he called “unmet needs” that are left over after the home or business owner’s property insurance settlement is reached.
“Our job is not to make people whole. Our job is to get people back on their feet again.”
Also present was Jose Vejarano, a public affairs specialist for the Small Business Administration.
The federal agency during times of disasters is authorized to go beyond aiding small businesses to help homeowners and renters who lose property or personal possessions, he said.
The agency makes low-interest long-term loans of up to $200,000 for homeowners and tenants, and up to $2 million for businesses and non-profit agencies.
To apply, people need to first register through FEMA, he said. Procedures for eligible communities to request federal funds will be aired at a series of meetings at locations to be announced shortly by state and federal officials.
Patrick estimated tornado damage in Hampden County at $23.9 million, well more than the $8.3 million threshold for winning disaster aid. He estimated damage at $378,305 in Sturbridge and $208,006 in Southbridge, both in Worcester County.
In his letter requesting federal aid, Patrick said 319 homes were destroyed by the tornadoes and another 600 had major damage. Patrick is scheduled to appear at Springfield’s Court Square at 12:30 p.m. today with Sarno to discuss what the state will do to aid communities in light of the disaster declaration.
He is also scheduled to take part in a public forum on tornado recovery that is planned for 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The event was announced Wednesday at a meeting of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. In another move to pay for tornado damage, the state House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 152-1 to approve $15 million for the states costs stemming from the deadly storms.
State Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo Jr., D-Springfield, urged approval of the money in a speech on the House floor. State Reps. Brian M. Ashe, D-Longmeadow, and Michael J. Finn, D-West Springfield, whose district office had heavy tornado damage, gave their first speeches on the floor in support of the bill.
“This is critically important,” Puppolo said. “It’s a first step to stabilize our communities even further.”
Puppolo said state lawmakers are also evaluating the possibility of direct state aid for communities.
The $15 million would pay for overtime and other tornado-related costs of state agencies such as the State Police, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and the National Guard.
The bill also speeds the way cities and towns would borrow money for emergency purposes.
The bill would eliminate a requirement for cities and towns to obtain two-thirds approval from a Town Meeting or city council and a state oversight board for short-term borrowing to pay for employees’ over-time and other costs of responding to the tornadoes.
Instead, the local treasurer, the mayor or selectmen and a state director of accounts would approve the borrowing.
The local treasurer and select board or mayor can also authorize longer loans for capital purposes, but those borrowings would require approval of a state oversight board.
The bill would also allow communities to provide property tax relief to property owners affected by the tornadoes. Property taxes for the fiscal year that starts July 1 would be based on the damaged condition of the properties.
On Wednesday, prior to the House vote, Patrick and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray met at the Statehouse with about 40 to 50 grade 5 students from Springfield’s Elias Brookings Elementary School, one of the city schools heavily damaged.
The students told Murray and Patrick some emotional stories about how their families survived the storms.
Christopher Lisojo, 11, of Springfield, said his family is among those living in the MassMutual Center in Springfield, which has provided a shelter after the tornadoes. Lisojo spoke about how his family survived by taking shelter in their basement after seeing television warnings about the tornadoes.
Jada Daniels, 11, told Patrick about how a tree damaged her family’s home, and they are living with an aunt.
The governor consoled her, saying “You’re going to be all right.”
Some people who lost their homes will begin receiving mobile home trailers over the next few weeks as temporary housing supplied by insurance companies.
Lany Burrows, of American Mobile Homes Inc. in Weymouth, which has sent about three dozen of the units, said, “Ninety-nine percent, it’s been an insurance company calling saying they have a client in need of a home,”
The units are delivered by truck and range from one to four bedrooms. They vary in size from 12 by 36 feet to 14 by 70 feet.
American Mobile Homes has 142 units available.
“The list is growing. .¤.¤. More and more calls are coming in every day,” Burrows said.
In East Longmeadow, students, teachers and parents are joining the ranks of those pitching in to offer aid to families affected by the tornado.
“A lot of groups are collecting money and items, and we will be bringing it all together this Saturday,” said School Committee member Elizabeth Marsian-Boucher.
The Parent Teacher Organizations at various schools, the National Honor Society led by Frank Paige, and the culinary department at East Longmeadow High School led by Mary Jane McMahon will be raising funds that will be donated to hurting communities.
“We all wanted to help out, and this is a way to do it together,” Marsian-Boucher said.
The five schools will be collecting donations and clothing until Friday and on Saturday in the East Longmeadow High School parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will try to fill a school bus with items to deliver to Salvation Army.
“I know they are in need of monetary donations, but also baby wipes, diapers and clothes,” Marsian-Boucher said.