Bush declares Bollinger County a disaster area

President Bush on Monday declared Bollinger and four other Southeast Missouri counties as major disaster areas, a move that will help local governments pay for public property but still leaves storm- and tornado-weary residents waiting.

The declaration will set aside federal and state funds to help pay for fixing or replacing such things as storm-damaged public buildings, utilities and roads, but does not address the needs of private residents who suffered damage to homes, property and businesses during the storms April 24 through 28.

"We haven't heard a thing," said Marble Hill resident Lonnie Liley. The top floor of his house was ripped off by the tornado that wreaked havoc on a four-mile span south of Marble Hill. "What are they waiting for? All you have to do is drive right through here to see it's pretty obvious we need help."

The gravel road near Liley's home is lined with uprooted trees, crunched vehicles, burning wood and debris and the remnants of some of the more than 20 homes that were wrecked in the April 28 tornado that left some homeless, injured dozens and killed 12-year-old Billy Hoover.

Gov. Bob Holden asked Bush last week to declare a federal disaster area for 19 southern Missouri counties hit hard by tornadoes and storms, which Holden said caused millions of dollars in damage. Additional counties could be added to Bush's declaration depending on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's ongoing damage assessments, the White House said.

While crediting the federal government with acting swiftly on his disaster-declaration request, Holden said "the most important thing we can do is offer some reassurance to the victims most affected by the storms."

Officials cautioned that this doesn't mean further assistance that would help the residents pay for their damage isn't forthcoming.

"We are hopeful that additional declarations are made as the assessments are completed," said Michelle Dimarob, a spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson. "As FEMA continues, we will see if additional funding for non-governmental entities is available."

That cost-sharing under the declaration includes 75 percent in federal funds and 25 percent in state funds. Federal funding also is available on a cost-shared basis for approved projects that reduce risks of future disasters, the White House said.

Government agencies will be asked to attend an applicants briefing, said Alan Prenger, disaster section manager for the State Emergency Management Agency in Jefferson City.

Could apply for grant

If individual assistance is made available, residents could apply for a grant of up to $14,800 for uninsured residents to help pay for basic needs like refrigerators, stoves and beds, Prenger said. Such grants, he said, would not have to be paid back, but he added that victims needed to meet income and household size requirements.

"It's not supposed to get them to where they were before the disaster," Prenger said. "It's not an insurance program. This is for basic needs. It doesn't cover heirlooms, pictures, things like that."

Up to an additional $10,000 could be given for home repairs and items associated with housing, such as the cost of staying at a hotel while repairing a home, he said.

A further declaration from the president also would allow victims to qualify for Small Business Administration loans, which generally apply a 2 to 3 percent interest rate, well under the market rate.

If President Bush does not make a declaration for residents, then the SBA loans could still be available, but only if the area fits its criteria of 25 homes or businesses with at least 40 percent uninsured loss.

The 20-year SBA loans are given to people who are able to pay them back, and those who can pay back more can borrow more, Prenger said. People wanting grant money must first be denied an SBA loan, he said.

'Absolutely amazed'

Residents and their friends weren't waiting on word from the government to get to work, however.

"We're wanting to get everything cleaned up so we can get to rebuilding," said David Hastings of Bowling Green, Ky., who was helping his brother with his house, which also was heavily damaged. "There's not a lot of time to think about other things."

Marble Hill fire chief and emergency management director Jim Bollinger said he was pleased with the progress.

"We're so far ahead of everybody else, it's unreal," Bollinger said. "The places are getting cleaned up, people are moving forward with their plans to build. I'm just absolutely amazed each day about how much more they've done since the day before. People are ready to get back in their homes and get back to normal, and they're not waiting on anybody."

FEMA said Monday that storm-affected residents and businesses in the five designated counties can begin applying for assistance Tuesday by calling 1 (800) 621-3362. The calls will be fielded indefinitely from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

smoyers@semissourian.com

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