WHAT'S NEXT? FLOOD VICTIMS RAISE QUESTIONS AT MEETING

More than 100 Cape Girardeau residents attended an informational meeting Thursday night at the A.C. Brase Arena Building, asking questions that have plagued them since they were forced from their homes by rising floodwaters.

City and county officials, along with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the County Health Department, Union Electric, the Internal Revenue Service and Community Counseling told flood victims about services readily available to them in the wake of the Mississippi River flood.

Most questions were directed to Tom Church, representative of FEMA, which is scheduled to open a disaster application center in the basement of the Centenary United Methodist Church, 300 N. Ellis, at 9 a.m. today.

Many wanted to know about how long it will take to get federal assistance, how much they will be able to get and what kind of damages are covered by FEMA.

Questions were also asked about verification of claims, small-business loan availability, unemployment benefits, legal advice and other FEMA services and procedures.

Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, advised residents to get tetanus booster shots if they have not already done so.

"As the waters go down, tetanus is a priority you need to be concerned about," Craig said. She said the floodwaters do not pose a threat to residents as far as exposure to Hepatitis A or typhoid goes.

The health department advised that flood-plain residents with wells should assume the water is not safe to drink until the floodwaters recede and water can be properly tested.

Representatives also asked that residents not request testing of their drinking water until the flood recedes.

"Testing of the water, and it coming up negative, can give a person a false sense of security," the official said. "Water can be contaminated overnight without the person being able to tell the difference."

Tom Taggert, water systems manager for the city, said that despite boil-water orders that are in effect in neighboring communities, Cape Girardeau's water system continues to be potable.

"There should be no concern that our water is not safe to drink," Taggert said. "We monitor the water continually, testing for contaminants."

Taggert said that the city adds 15-times the minimum EPA standards for chlorine to the city water.

Representatives from Union Electric explained the procedures residents must go through before their electricity and gas can be reinstated.

The home must be inspected for clean, safe-connecting wires and gas lines prior to hookup, they said.

Union Electric warned that their workers are not qualified to make renovations or improvements to reinstate power or gas service. Residents will have to rely on area contractors or themselves to clean up around wires and lines or make necessary repairs.

There will be no reinstatement charge for flood victims. In addition, the city is aware of residents who were forced to move from their homes and will not bill them for water, electric, sewer, trash or other city services during the times they were forced from their homes.

Rick Murray, a representative of the city's inspection office, said that homes with only external water damage will be inspected externally, but in places where water flooded the home, an entire inspection of the premises will be necessary.

If improvements are required, the homeowner will be informed and subsequent inspections will follow. There will be no fee for the inspections.

Doug Leslie, director of public works for the city, said that plans are well under way for cleanup efforts throughout the city after the floodwaters recede.

The city will place large trash receptacles throughout the flood zones for residents to dump their waste. Large items such as furniture or appliances can be hauled out to the curb, where city workers will collect and dispose of them properly.

"City workers will be wearing either uniforms or marked vests throughout the cleanup process," Leslie advised. "Don't hesitate to approach any of them with your questions."

Leslie said that although it may take some time, the city will remove all sandbags from the city.

"We're looking at a million-plus sandbags we've got to figure out how to dispose of," Leslie said. "Be patient; we'll come to get them."

Leslie also assured residents that the city is and will continue to spray for mosquitoes until the weather turns cold enough for mosquitoes to no longer be a threat.

"We're trying to sweep through the area every day," Leslie said. "You can do your part by eliminating shallow water breeding places on your property."