Rogers County approved for disaster assistance

June 19--Rogers County residents and businesses can now apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance for damages from recent tornadic activity and flooding.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin announced Wednesday that 24 counties had been approved for Individual Aid (IA) -- including Rogers County, for damages that occurred here from May 5 through June 4. She has requested assistance for 11 more counties, which have yet to be considered for approval by President Barack Obama.

The approval for Rogers County comes after two days of preliminary assessments conducted by FEMA and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) last week. Rogers County Emergency Management Director Scotty Stokes accompanied the team as they prepared a joint assessment, which was submitted to the governor.

The IA makes available a range of federal assistance options, such as housing repairs or temporary housing, low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for detrimental impacts not met by any other program.

The IA is not limited to just homeowners and business owners -- those who rent can also apply for assistance, and people can apply whether or not they have insurance, according to FEMA.

The first step is to file with an insurance company to see what will be covered. "A person can still file for assistance for anything not covered by their insurance," said Mike Wade, FEMA Spokesperson.

If a claim is filed with the insurance company and denied, it is important to keep the denial letter that is mailed. The denial letter is needed for FEMA records if assistance is requested.

Anyone requesting assistance must register damages by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or filling out an application online at visit www.disasterassistance.gov.

Wade said, "After the applicant registers for FEMA assistance, an inspector will call to make an appointment to inspect and document the damage to their property. Once they submit their report, the amount will be based on the individual need, and the individual will need to specify how they will receive the money."

FEMA will send out packages explaining the benefits. Wade said it is very important to keep the packet in the event a denial letter is sent.

He said receiving a denial letter does not necessarily mean the applicant is ineligible for assistance. It could mean FEMA needs more information or is waiting on insurance to first settle a claim.

"They could receive a letter of denial because they did not put their phone number or they left something off that is real simple. All they need to do is provide the correct information," said Wade.

If temporary housing, home repairs or replacement is available or provided by another source, FEMA will not be able to assist. However, FEMA may still be able to assist with losses not covered by insurance, even after an insurance claim has been settled.

Fallin has sent multiple requests for Public Assistance (PA) for county roads, bridges and infrastructure as well as for IA for business and personal residential losses.

There has not been any indication of whether the county will receive PA since it is uncertain if it has met the threshold amount of $310,000 in damages.

The closest FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (not a shelter) for Rogers County is located in Pittsburg County at the Pittsburg County Firefighters Association, 1505 East Wade Watts Ave., McAlester, OK 74501. Individuals can obtain information and guidance there relating to what resources are available to them. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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