FEMA Denies Individual Tornado Recovery Assistance

March 26, 2016

FEMA has denied the state’s request to make individual assistance available to victims of the EF-3 tornadoes that hit Escambia County last month.

That means individuals impacted by the February 15 Century tornado or the February 23 Ferry Pass tornado will not be able to receive federal disaster assistance like low interest loans, grants or temporary housing assistance.

“It has been determined that the damage was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments and voluntary agencies,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said. “We have determined that supplemental federal assistance is not necessary.”

Earlier this month, FEMA also denied public assistance that would have assisted local governments with recovery.

FEMA has determined that the damage did not meet the severity needed to receive federal assistance. The state has the ability appeal the denial within 30 days.

Comments

8 Responses to “FEMA Denies Individual Tornado Recovery Assistance”

  1. Effected on March 28th, 2016 7:15 am

    @ Steve, it is up to the insurance companies who they want to insure. I was effected by the tornado. Did I have insurance? No! After we moved into our home, I had called everyone trying to get insurance; however, because of the age of the house, where the house sits and being too far away from a fire hydrant, they would not insure me. So don’t assume people are just relying on hand outs!

  2. SHOI-NUFF on March 27th, 2016 10:51 pm

    Karen, Steve is correct.
    If you can’t afford insurance you should not complain or expect a handout.
    If you have a mortgage, you have insurance and can’t get a loan to buy a house without it. So all of the houses not insured were paid for. Just because its paid for doesn’t mean you don’t need insurance. Its a crap shoot and the uninsured lost this time.
    It all comes down to the “Wants” and “Needs” of the homeowner. Fancy cars, clothes and good times seemed more important than paying insurance premiums until you need it.
    I own my home and spend over 200 bucks a month on insurance premiums. I don’t care to gamble on a roof over my head.

  3. Karen on March 27th, 2016 6:09 pm

    Steve:
    I’m guessing people can’t afford it?

    Just a thought.

  4. steve on March 27th, 2016 3:29 pm

    What happened to having insurance? I have paid mine for 30 years and not had to use it. I do not rely on the FED’s to bail me out. case proven!!

  5. bartender on March 27th, 2016 8:52 am

    what is wrong with this country.you cant tell me the gov.dont have money enough to help these people.what happen to all the fema trailers? they could atleast do that.they send billions of dollars to other countries and they cant help their own.this country has no feelings for no one.i dont have much but these people have less after the storm.its so sad that this country has gone to crap..so sad when people use to help people and i guess thats gone to.the president could step in to.he dont mind helping other countries when earth quates happen

  6. just listening on March 26th, 2016 8:37 am

    Is it just me or do other feel that FEMA (The Feds) are not appreciative of our Tax monies! We know now that Americans have a dollars worth of value! I was under the impression that we were all Americans – New Orleans, Atlantic City or Century.

    Puzzling????

  7. Henry Kirksey on March 26th, 2016 8:28 am

    No help from FEMA is this Government to big to help?

  8. WHISPERJET on March 26th, 2016 7:10 am

    EVEN THO THE EF3 DID NOT EFFECT A GREAT PERCENTAGE OF OUR POPULATION , FOR THOSE WHO LOST EVERYTHING AND HAVE NO HOMES , YOU WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE SOME PROVISIONS WHEN SMALL SEGMENTS OF CITIZENS SUFFER CATOSROFIC LOSS..THE GOVT. SENDS BILLION S IN FOREIGN AID…A LOT OF IT TO NATIONS WHO DESPISE THE USA…GO FIGURE..AND WHILE OUR PRESIDENT IS WATCHING BASEBALL IN CUBA ..AND ND DOING THE TANGO IN ARGENTINA WHILE ISIS IS KILLING FOLKS IN BRUSSELS…I DON’ T SEE MUCH COMPASSION…