Two denials of assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency won’t stop Halifax County’s recovery efforts.
Yet, nonprofits are needed as participants in the disaster recovery process after two storms and a tornado damaged homes in April.
The short-term needs like donations of items have been met.
“We’re focusing on long-term recovery,” said Kirby Saunders, emergency services coordinator for Halifax County.
Halifax County and the Southside Planning District Commission estimate damages of $600,000 to 38 homes after storms on April 16 and 27. While some residents have insurance, many seem to be under-insured and need help paying for the costs of rebuilding, Saunders said.
Roughly $600,000 is available in state relief funding, but the “hiccup” is that only nonprofits — not local governments — can apply for it, Saunders said.
Emergency management is in the process of reviewing 13 applications for funding, which is for home rebuilding, temporary living assistance, primary transportation and essentials for basic living.
Applying nonprofits would also have to do the rebuilding work.
Each rebuilding case could get up to $15,000 in funding and would have to be approved by the local emergency management office, which is reserving funds for homes that were completely demolished, Saunders said.
Several residents in the county need transportation to get back on their feet and to work, he added. Each case could receive up to $5,000.
The planning district commission received $15,000 in state community block grant funding to assess the needs and develop a plan for long-term recovery.
The county is mitigating the spending of taxpayer money on the response efforts. Halifax County spent $35,000 for mostly initial emergency response and ongoing debris removal. The county isn’t expected to meet spending thresholds for state reimbursement.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Assistance) money won’t be available as the agency declined Gov. Bob McDonnell’s request for a major disaster declaration.
Saunders called the decision “disheartening,” but said he feels confident the local recovery task force, formed in early June, can still conduct long-term recovery efforts.
Many local organizations have contributed to the efforts, including 216 volunteers contributing about $9,600 in donated labor, Saunders said. Volunteer Fairfax took the burden off responders to coordinate the volunteer labor.
For those who need disaster relief assistance, apply online at www.halifaxcountyva.gov or call (434) 476-6061.
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