Survey seeks to identify needs of flood victims
NORWICH – The Chenango Area Recovery Team is looking to identify and address the long-term recovery needs of homeowners impacted by Tropical Storm Lee and the subsequent flooding that occurred in early September.
According to Opportunities for Chenango Executive Director Wayne Viera, CART is currently conducting a county-wide survey of those who suffered damage following the storm, exactly how they were affected and any assistance they’ve received to date.
CART – which includes of a number of community and government organizations at both the city and county level – was activated within a week of the September flooding, added Viera.
“In 2006, we were involved in recovery efforts for another two years ... we need to identify what the need is now,” stated Viera. “This will help us to build a case so we can access funding to help those affected.”
According to Viera, additional damages tend to crop up over time and are not always identified during the initial disaster.
“That’s the whole purpose of the survey at this time,” he added. “We know there are a lot of people who applied for FEMA assistance, but a lot of time there are issues that show up after the fact.”
A number of surveys have already been mailed out to those impacted by flooding, following a study conducted by the county’s Emergency Management Office, but the response has been limited so far.
Said Viera, “The return has been very, very small ... we’ve had just a handful of applications returned.”
Viera went on to stress that all information gathered is strictly confidential and will be used solely to identify and quantify the unmet needs of the community.
“We need to build a case before reaching out to funding sources and – unless we know what those needs are – we’re handcuffed,” he added.
The September flood differed from that in 2006, noted Viera, in that the areas affected were much more specific and flooding was not as widespread. Regardless, he added, the damage was still significant.
In addition, it’s important to note that completion of the survey is in no way a guarantee that assistance will be granted, said Viera. And while CART will continue to pursue funding, assistance will be granted to those eligible on a first come, first serve basis.
An online version of the survey can be found at ofcinc.org. For more information, contact Opportunities for Chenango at 334-7114.
According to Opportunities for Chenango Executive Director Wayne Viera, CART is currently conducting a county-wide survey of those who suffered damage following the storm, exactly how they were affected and any assistance they’ve received to date.
CART – which includes of a number of community and government organizations at both the city and county level – was activated within a week of the September flooding, added Viera.
“In 2006, we were involved in recovery efforts for another two years ... we need to identify what the need is now,” stated Viera. “This will help us to build a case so we can access funding to help those affected.”
According to Viera, additional damages tend to crop up over time and are not always identified during the initial disaster.
“That’s the whole purpose of the survey at this time,” he added. “We know there are a lot of people who applied for FEMA assistance, but a lot of time there are issues that show up after the fact.”
A number of surveys have already been mailed out to those impacted by flooding, following a study conducted by the county’s Emergency Management Office, but the response has been limited so far.
Said Viera, “The return has been very, very small ... we’ve had just a handful of applications returned.”
Viera went on to stress that all information gathered is strictly confidential and will be used solely to identify and quantify the unmet needs of the community.
“We need to build a case before reaching out to funding sources and – unless we know what those needs are – we’re handcuffed,” he added.
The September flood differed from that in 2006, noted Viera, in that the areas affected were much more specific and flooding was not as widespread. Regardless, he added, the damage was still significant.
In addition, it’s important to note that completion of the survey is in no way a guarantee that assistance will be granted, said Viera. And while CART will continue to pursue funding, assistance will be granted to those eligible on a first come, first serve basis.
An online version of the survey can be found at ofcinc.org. For more information, contact Opportunities for Chenango at 334-7114.
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