Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

FEMA to ponder disaster aid for U. Iowa community
By Drew Kerr
The Daily Iowan (U. Iowa)
04/17/2006

(U-WIRE) IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack is expected to deliver an aid request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency today after final assessments are garnered and the governor consults with the disaster's response officials.

"I hate to say for certain, but the preliminary figures show that will probably be the case," said David Miller, the administrator for Iowa's Homeland Security and Emergency Response team, on Sunday.

FEMA officials put initial uninsured losses among the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Johnson County, the Iowa City and Clear Creek Amana School Districts, and the Iowa Department of Transportation at $3.5 million.

The federal assessment is different from local numbers, because program costs — the amount the federal government would give to the cause — are tabulated by federal assessors, while actual costs, some of which are covered by insurance, are given by local entities.

Private-property losses were still being collected as of Sunday afternoon but are expected to add considerably to the total.

The costs — including everything from debris removal to infrastructure replacement — will be evaluated at FEMA's Kansas City office before potentially being forwarded to President Bush, who would decide if the area qualified for federal assistance.

Iowa City reported $4 million in damages over the weekend but warned it could rise another $3 million. Mayor Ross Wilburn said the city was careful to document its losses and hoped for reimbursement.

"It's a drain on the tax base, and that can create cash flow issues," he said, adding it is too early to say if taxes would increase to make up for the losses.

The UI reported $5.9 million in damages — half of which came from hail-damaged roofs. The cost does not include car losses, particularly in a destroyed motor pool, and could add "considerably" to the total, UI officials said.

The university's insurance policy carries a $2 million deductible, though it was unclear if the state would be able to assist in paying the cost, said Steve Parrott, the director of University Relations.

Combined, the numbers will provide a cost-per-capita amount and will gauge how well state and local entities are able to respond and help determine the necessity of a federal response.

"While Johnson County may be devastated, the Feds really look at the statewide impact," Miller said.

It was unclear when the governor's proclamation would receive a response, and FEMA could ask the state to verify some figures before forwarding the information to the president, he added.

The last time Iowa received federal assistance was May 2004, when 77 counties suffered flooding and storms. The smallest Iowa disaster to get a presidential endorsement was 1992, when nine counties saw damage.

The request represents one of many recent efforts to pull federal aid in the wake of destruction nationally, none of which have yet to get a response from the White House.

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredsen asked for federal assistance April 2 after storms left 23 dead in two counties; Hawaii's Gov. Linda Lingle made a plea April 11 after floods produced an estimated $50 million in losses, and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzennegger has called on the president since February to declare some areas a disaster because of weak levees.

FEMA spokesman James McIntyre declined to speculate about the federal response but said the crowded field would not affect Iowa City's chances of receiving aid.

"Iowa City is not going to be reviewed in context with anything else that's going on in the nation," he said. "People need to understand FEMA will give it a fair review and will give assistance as soon as we can."

Displaced families could receive rent assistance, low-interest loans, or grants based on the amount of uninsured loss, income, and previous debt, should Vilsack's endorsement catch Bush's attention. The grants, capped in conjunction with the Consumer Price Index around $26,000, are rarely fully funded and should not be expected to finance long-term recovery efforts, officials warned.

Average market prices for physical losses will also be used in doling out the aid, meaning "a $3,000 big-screen could be replaced with a $300 unit," Miller said.

State emergency coordinators said 26 homes were destroyed in the Iowa City area, while 81 received major damage, 179 received minor damage, and 19 more were affected in April 13's F2 tornado, which gouged roughly a 4-mile path across Iowa City. At the same time, 15 businesses received major damage, and 17 saw minor damage.

Johnson, Jones, and Muscatine Counties were declared disaster areas by Vilsack, which means the state will supplement the local response if needed.

Should the federal government decline to step in, the state puts $1 million a year into a loan contingency program local politicians must apply for. The loans carry 0 percent interest and must be repaid within 10 years, officials said.

In the meantime, Miller said, residents should not delay cleanup efforts and work with local officials to address immediate needs. He also stressed the importance of documenting the damages with photos and receipts.

[ Back to Student Voices ]