FEMA visits Orange with earthquake assistance information for residents

Even though it’s almost been six months since a 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook the county, clean-up efforts continue. Last week, approximately 25 county residents attended a town hall meeting to learn additional information about resources that are available to those with earthquake-related damage.

In January, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved individual assistance for Orange County along with several other localities recovering from the earthquake and its more than 50 aftershocks. The assistance can help cover costs for temporary housing, repairs to homes and funding toward replacement of a home that has been destroyed. The assistance may also cover medical, transportation, moving and storage and other expenses associated with personal loss due to the earthquake.

Homeowners wishing to receive assistance must go through several steps, beginning with registration. To register, call 1-800-621-3362 or visit www.disasterassistance.gov. Phone lines are open every day 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and online registration can be done anytime. Also, registration can be done via a mobile device by visiting m.fema.gov. The deadline to register is March 5.

Once a homeowner has registered, a FEMA inspection agent will inspect the damage. According to FEMA Public Information Officer Art Alejandre, the inspector will submit a report and in a week or so, the homeowner should hear back from FEMA. If approved, Alejandre said funds will be granted to the  homeowner in 7-10 days. Funds from FEMA are in the form of a grant, which does not have to be paid back.

Should a homeowner be denied for grant funds from FEMA, or not receive enough to cover the total cost of repairs, they can then choose to apply for a long-term, low-interest loan from the small business administration (SBA). According to SBA Public Affairs Specialist Mike Peacock, homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 to repair their primary residence and up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Business owners can borrow funds to replace physical property and to cover ongoing monthly expenses, with a maximum of $2 million.

Similar to the FEMA process, the SBA will send out an inspector to verify the damage and determine how much the homeowner is eligible to borrow. Should a homeowner be denied for a SBA loan, they are then refereed back to FEMA for additional grant consideration. Should FEMA deny the homeowner, they can then choose to apply for voluntary assistance from the state’s disaster relief fund.

“We have good skilled labor available that we can draw on,” Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s Larry Brodger said. “With an earthquake it’s difficult because foundation and chimney work is not in the skill set of the workers, but we may be able to provide funding from the disaster relief fund [to assist with repair costs].”

Homeowners must go through all of the steps in order to receive funding. For example, a homeowner can not skip straight to applying for a SBA loan without first applying for FEMA grant money. Also, it’s important homeowners tell inspectors about any changes since the earthquake, regardless of how minor they may be.

“If you have a door that was sticking that wasn’t before, that tells the inspector he should look below the home,” FEMA hazard mitigation expert John Miller said. “Something may have shifted that wasn’t before.”

Miller said particular attention should be paid to wells, septic systems, chimneys and foundations. He said the FEMA mitigation office can assist homeowners with tips to correct any problems.

“Our goal is to have you in a safe, sanitary, secure home,” he said.

So far, $11.4 million has been granted by FEMA to cover earthquake related damages, with approximately $339,000 going to Orange County residents. According to Alejandre, 310 Orange County residents had registered for assistance as of last week. He said that number is expected to increase before the March 5 registration deadline.

“Citizens are encouraged to register before the window closes,” he said. “Earthquake damage is difficult to spot. It’s important to register and have it inspected.”

For more information, visit disasterassistance.gov.