Federal aid process underway for JSU tornado disaster relief

Anniston Star, The (AL)

April 30--Jacksonville State University is eligible for federal aid for the March 19 tornado, but when and how much money the campus will receive is still unknown.

JSU representatives are scheduled to meet with state and federal emergency officials this week as part of the process to get the money. The campus faces at least $11 million in out-of-pocket tornado cleanup costs.

President Donald Trump last week declared the tornado that wrecked Jacksonville, Wellington, Angel, Nances Creek and other areas a major disaster. Doing so makes federal money available to help local governments pay the cost of cleanup, and to help individuals with uninsured damage.

"Jacksonville State University is part of that declaration," said Yasamie Richardson, spokeswoman for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.

Richardson said her agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which distributes federal aid for disaster relief, have already been in contact with JSU officials.

"We know what their damages are and they understand what they need to do to get the funds," Richardson said.

Richardson said FEMA representatives would be meeting with JSU this week to further specify what the university needs to do to get funding.

It's too soon to know how much money JSU will get or when, Richardson said.

"The process is just starting," she said.

Buffy Lockette, spokeswoman for JSU, also said the university didn't know how much money it might get.

"Right now we are working on making sure all of our employees and students sign up for individual assistance and we are awaiting further instruction from FEMA once they arrive," Lockette said.

Part of the university's out-of-pocket costs include more than $3 million for tree cleanup and removal. Other costs include $2.3 million to renovate the former Kitty Stone Elementary for use by the department of finance, economic and accounting. Merrill Hall, the department's home, was practically destroyed by the tornado.

Meanwhile, the university sustained around $42 million worth of insured damage from the tornado, including $6 million at Pete Mathews Coliseum; its repairs are scheduled to be finished by Nov. 1.

According to last week's announcement, individuals can get help paying for temporary housing and home repairs, as well as low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. Residents and business owners affected by the storms can apply for help at disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing- and speech-impaired.

Staff writer Patrick McCreless: 256-235-3561. On Twitter @PMcCreless_Star.

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