Saturday, July 12, 2008

FEMA denies Newton County appeal

Public disaster assistance for areas in Newton County damaged by the May 10 tornado will not be forthcoming.

The Neosho Daily News reports that Newton County's appeal was rejected by the government, county officials were told Friday by Gov. Matt Blunt:

Gary Roark, emergency management director for Newton County, said the decision to deny nearly $7 million in public disaster assistance leaves the county “between a rock and a hard place” when it comes to debris removal left by the deadly May 10 storm. This removal has been estimated at between $3 million and $5 million.

“That doesn’t give us the ability to do debris removal and to reimburse New-Mac their costs,” said Roark. “My cost incurred, I can absorb that in my budget as it was only about $3,000. But it also doesn’t allow us to reimburse those fire departments and ambulance services who came in to assist us. It also doesn’t allow us to rebuild the city hall at Newtonia.”

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