Published: July 27, 2007 03:18 pm      

County gets OK for FEMA assistance

By Kelly Young

news@jacksonvilleprogress.com

Cherokee County was added Wednesday to the long list of Texas counties eligible for federal individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in regards to flood damage suffered earlier this month. In times of crisis, the governor submits a list of affected counties to FEMA, and then the agency determines which areas warrant federal help.

Residents of Cherokee County are now eligible for up to $28,200 in financial aid from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.

“Now that we have been added to the list, a disaster recovery center will be set-up by FEMA in Jacksonville,” said Ken Hannah, Cherokee County’s emergency management coordinator. “Those people who have suffered damage to their homes or private property will need to go there in order to file a claim and to find out what their eligibility status will be.”

Hannah warns that FEMA will probably only be in the area for two or three days, so flood victims will need to be sure to stop by while they are here.

“We are still encouraging everyone to register with FEMA if they haven’t already – it’s not too late to register,” he said.

The following counties have been made eligible for individual assistance: Archer, Bell, Brown, Burnet, Cherokee, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Denton, Eastland, Grayson, Hamilton, Hood, Lampasas, Llano, Parker, Runnels, Smith, Starr, Tarrant, Travis, Victoria, Webb, Wichita and Williamson.

According to Hannah, Cherokee County has scheduled a time next week with FEMA to do a preliminary damage assessment in the county’s bid to receive federal public assistance.

Those who have been affected by flooding can reach FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or on-line at www.fema.gov.