|
News from |
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
CONTACT: |
|||||||
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 12, 2005 No. 05-110 SBA REPRESENTATIVES COMPLETE ASSESSMENTS OF FLOOD DAMAGE Joint PDA teams scheduled to begin assessments for public entities Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) completed
assessment of flood damage in three Kansas counties resulting from the
storms beginning Oct. 1 and following. The assessments were done Tuesday,
Oct. 11. A decision from the SBA should be available next week as to whether
citizens and businesses affected by the flooding are eligible to receive
SBA loans. "The waiting has to be incredibly difficult for those affected by
the floods," said Governor Kathleen Sebelius. "My understanding
from SBA is that help will be made available as soon as possible to those
who meet the criteria." Representatives of SBA, along with personnel from Kansas Emergency Management
and county emergency managers, assessed damage in Jefferson, Shawnee,
and Leavenworth Counties. The criteria are that at least 25 homes and/or
businesses must meet the 40 percent uninsured damages to be eligible for
the SBA program. The assessments were made at the request of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius following
a State of Disaster Emergency she declared on Oct. 2 for Jefferson, Shawnee,
Leavenworth and Jackson Counties. Atchison and Pottawatomie Counties were
added to the declaration on Oct. 6. According to Kansas Emergency Management, damage estimates show that
the damage does not meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
criteria for grants to individuals, which are established by federal regulations
set forth in the Stafford Act. It is for this reason that Governor Sebelius
is seeking federal assistance in the form of low-interest loans from the
SBA. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams will begin assessments
for Public Assistance eligibility starting Monday, Oct. 17. Four teams,
each comprised of personnel from FEMA, the state and the applicant, will
assess damage to public infrastructure such as roads, bridges and other
public facilities to determine if the applicants qualify for Public Assistance
as outlined in the Stafford Act. The teams will assess damages in Atchison, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth
and Shawnee Counties. "Damage to public infrastructure affects everyone," said Sebelius, "not just the people who actually sustained damages to their homes or businesses. It's vital these damages be restored as soon as possible." -30- |
|||||||