From Deseret News archives:
Agency will assess Utah flood damage
FEMA findings may be first step toward receiving federal aid
Depending on what they find, and what the state decides, counties could see some financial help in recovering from the effects of well-above-average runoff and rainfall.
But a FEMA spokesman warned that this is only the first step toward getting federal aid; there are no guarantees.
"The purpose is really just information-gathering," said Jerry DeFelice, region public information officer. "It's the first step in determining if the damages would qualify for federal assistance, and it is not a guarantee that there will be a federal disaster declaration."
FEMA employees will work closely with state and local officials over the next two weeks to evaluate sites that may qualify for aid. Those sites include publicly-owned infrastructure, such as roads and sewer systems, but not privately-owned homes.
"There's a lot of ground work to do, and it requires the support of the state and local officials to go to the site, and substantiate these damages and make determinations as to what the cause is and so forth," DeFelice said.
FEMA currently plans to evaluate sites in nine counties Box Elder, Cache, Iron, Sevier, Tooele, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch and Weber as well as the Ute Indian Reservation. But DeFelice noted that more areas can be added as more information comes in.
The process is the same one that Washington County went through earlier this year to request aid, but state officials say this disaster situation is somewhat unusual.
"This is something new that Utah, hasn't done before in terms of an ongoing on-going disaster for weeks," said Lt. Doug McCleve, state Division of Emergency Services spokesman. "These kinds of disasters are usually a quick incident like a tornado that they can come in afterward and see if it applies, where this is an ongoing, six- to eight-week problem, that's something new. We've never tried for something like this, so we don't know if we're eligible or not."
Comments
- Utah GOP opposes ethics initiative 5:45 p.m.
- Alternative to climate change? 5:40 p.m.
- Utah sells most 'New Moon' tickets 5:39 p.m.
- The origins of Thanksgiving Day 5:07 p.m.
- Test your Thanksgiving Day IQ 5:07 p.m.
- Fun facts about Thanksgiving 5:06 p.m.
- Words of thanks 5:06 p.m.
- Animal lovers blast grandma 5:06 p.m.
- Save glass coffee carafe 5:06 p.m.
- No easy answers on mammograms 5:06 p.m.
- Real Champions
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- Hall, Johnson matchup key
- Is talking about religion taboo?
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
214 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
212 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
192 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
131 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
115 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99
Are you a small business owner who can't afford a holiday party this year?
You kidding texas 78, deron had so many clean blocks and that guy that were...
@Mikey | 5:27 p.m. Nov. 23, 2009 I'm defining it based on the article....
today everyone. Let's do it again tomorrow, and the next day. And good...
I think this is a sad story for EVERYONE. The only people I don't feel sorry...
I fail to see the difference between the direspect for former Gov. Sarah...
Yeah, that comparison isn't quite the condemnation of American media,...
I was in 7th grade at the time. I was walking home for lunch when a young kid...
had 6 points in 5 minutes against DET. However that was at home and most of...
Have any of you seen the location? I have.
It's true -- no current DUI law is too strict. But they all punish and...


You can be the first to comment on this story.