FEMA aid: Blue books and red tape
NORWICH – Despite efforts to repair and upgrade roads and property damaged by repetative flooding over the last two years, the process has been both grueling and slow-going for Town of Norwich officials.
Local officials have put in many additional hours surveying the damage and trying to determine what needs to be done and when. After an area has been declared a federal disaster site, inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are called in to survey, advise and perform damage control measures. FEMA officials were not yet finished with their work following the June flood before a third declaration for the county was made last week as a result of flooding in November.
Following a federal declaration, FEMA inspectors fill out project work sheets with detailed information regarding the damage, what repairs are needed, and an estimated cost analysis. After work sheets are complete for each project, they are submitted to the federal government for approval. Once submitted and approved, municipalities receive what is called “a blue book.” According to Town Supervisor David C. Law, when a municipality receives the blue book, officials are secure enough about being reimbursed for expenses to begin the repairs. However, Law said, “The money is not guaranteed.”
There were three primary areas in the Town of Norwich in dire need after June’s flood: Thompson Creek near King Settlement Road, Lower Ravine Road, and Whitestore Road. Project work sheets have been completed and blue books have been received for two of the three areas. The town is waiting to receive the blue book for Whitestore Road.
Law says the total cost for all three projects could be approximately $500,000. Whitestore Road is figuring about $117,000; Lower Ravine costs nearly $190,000; and Thompson Creek estimates are coming in at $87,000 for the soil as well as another $76,000 to stabilize the damaged area and prevent future damage. FEMA, as of now, has not provided the town with any reimbursements.
“We are still awaiting money from FEMA. The final requests need to be approved before we get the check,” Law said.
If the final request is not approved, federally, Law says, he would have to go to court and appeal the decision. But as for now, he is satisfied the money will arrive without further adieu. In the meantime, road and other town property repair work will continue. The exact timeline of the FEMA process remains uncertain, and Law says he is “trying to do everything possible to save taxpayers money” and get the damage repaired to the fullest degree.
Local officials have put in many additional hours surveying the damage and trying to determine what needs to be done and when. After an area has been declared a federal disaster site, inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are called in to survey, advise and perform damage control measures. FEMA officials were not yet finished with their work following the June flood before a third declaration for the county was made last week as a result of flooding in November.
Following a federal declaration, FEMA inspectors fill out project work sheets with detailed information regarding the damage, what repairs are needed, and an estimated cost analysis. After work sheets are complete for each project, they are submitted to the federal government for approval. Once submitted and approved, municipalities receive what is called “a blue book.” According to Town Supervisor David C. Law, when a municipality receives the blue book, officials are secure enough about being reimbursed for expenses to begin the repairs. However, Law said, “The money is not guaranteed.”
There were three primary areas in the Town of Norwich in dire need after June’s flood: Thompson Creek near King Settlement Road, Lower Ravine Road, and Whitestore Road. Project work sheets have been completed and blue books have been received for two of the three areas. The town is waiting to receive the blue book for Whitestore Road.
Law says the total cost for all three projects could be approximately $500,000. Whitestore Road is figuring about $117,000; Lower Ravine costs nearly $190,000; and Thompson Creek estimates are coming in at $87,000 for the soil as well as another $76,000 to stabilize the damaged area and prevent future damage. FEMA, as of now, has not provided the town with any reimbursements.
“We are still awaiting money from FEMA. The final requests need to be approved before we get the check,” Law said.
If the final request is not approved, federally, Law says, he would have to go to court and appeal the decision. But as for now, he is satisfied the money will arrive without further adieu. In the meantime, road and other town property repair work will continue. The exact timeline of the FEMA process remains uncertain, and Law says he is “trying to do everything possible to save taxpayers money” and get the damage repaired to the fullest degree.
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