Flood relief money from state fund arrives

Web posted August 26, 2000

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By Heidi Coryell
Staff Writer

A check handed to city officials Friday morning brought local flood victims one step closer to having emergency relief money in hand.

About $73,400 will be paid out next week to those hardest hit by recent flash flooding. An additional $31,600 has yet to be allocated, and local Emergency Management Agency officials are revaluating who will receive the remaining money.

``I'm taking another look at all the applications,'' said local EMA Director David Dlugolenski.

The remaining funds likely will be appropriated for vehicle damage incurred by high waters and to help cushion disparities in flood insurance reimbursements.

``All the money will need to be used with this event,'' said Chuck Ray, a field coordinator with the state EMA who presented the check to local officials. ``Any leftover money, which we don't anticipate, will go back to the governor's discretionary fund.''

Gov. Roy Barnes approved a $105,000 grant last month from his contingency fund after Rep. Robin Williams, R-Augusta, approached him about extensive damages incurred by area homeowners June 20.

Mr. Williams, along with state Democratic legislators Sen. Don Cheeks and Rep. Jack Connell, attended the informal check presentation ceremony Friday in the Commission Room of the county municipal building.

Grant recipients will be notified throughout next week by telephone and asked to pick up their checks at the local EMA office. Neighborhoods with widespread damage likely will have their relief money hand-delivered at a set time and place.

More than 70 people applied for some relief money, and 30 of those will receive some amount of reimbursement. The amounts range from $150 to the set maximum of $5,000.

State guidelines recommended that the governor's money be used exclusively for the immediate needs of flood victims, including temporary housing, replacement of food, clothing and furnishings, emergency medical expenses, minor home repairs to restore the habitability of an owner-occupied home and transportation expenses.

Officials also announced Friday that hydrologists, along with federal, state and local transportation officials, are scheduled Sept. 7 to survey a flood-prone portion of Interstate 20 adjacent to west Augusta's Commonwealth subdivision. Tests slated to be done on the area may expedite improvements to the highway.

Mr. Cheeks has spearheaded efforts to improve drainage along the stretch of road which also is a federal evacuation route. And state transportation officials earlier this month enlisted the help of the Federal Highway Administration to study the area.

``I'm really pleased with what's going on,'' Mr. Cheeks said. ``I'm convinced that we're going to solve the problem.''

Reach Heidi Coryell at (706) 823-3215.