(Statehouse) Jan. 7, 2007- Today, state Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Lakeville) and Bill Friend (R-Macy) announced plans to file a bill that would appropriate $660,000 for disaster relief to Nappanee. This money would help the city recover after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied funds following the Oct. 18 tornado. "It is an outrage and wrong that FEMA denied aid to Nappanee," said Rep. Walorski. "The damage to the town was extensive and deserved some federal relief. "FEMA has historically and repeatedly allowed $3 million to $4 million homes in Malibu, Calif., to be rebuilt in the same path of disaster, and we cannot get money because we are too industrious in helping ourselves. If the federal government will not make money available, it is our job as a state to provide additional relief to what we have already given to help the victims of Nappanee." The House bill would transfer $660,000 from the state general fund to the state Department of Homeland Security. That money would be deposited in the disaster relief fund for the city of Nappanee. "I am extremely disappointed with FEMA's decision," said Rep. Friend. "It is clear to me, the rescue assistance personnel and the hard working people of Nappanee that were on the ground and at the site that this should have been declared a disaster area. I know the people of Nappanee are working hard to rebuild their community, and they deserve financial assistance. If this bill passes, it will allow the state to step up and provide these Hoosiers with much-needed relief." Elkhart County Emergency Management found 459 damaged buildings - 352 homes were damaged, and 52 of those were destroyed; 107 businesses were damaged, and 26 of those were destroyed. Insurance estimates expected more than $10 million in damage to the Nappanee area. Gov. Mitch Daniels, with the urging of Reps. Walorski and Friend, applied for FEMA aid on Nov. 2. FEMA, citing the damage sustained in Nappanee was not severe enough, denied the aid request on Nov. 23. On Dec. 7, Gov. Daniels appealed the decision, and Reps. Walorski, Friend, Ulmer and Sen. Marvin Riegsecker (R-Goshen) sent a letter to FEMA encouraging the agency to rethink its decision. The appeal was denied on Jan. 2. -30- |
