FEMA office in Jacksonville will close Oct. 29
Persons with summer storm damage must file claims by deadline

FEMA personnel will continue to accept applications through Oct. 29 from persons with damages from last summer's storms.

Applications may be submitted at 210 W. Larissa St. in Jacksonville before the office closes on Oct. 29.

Each person who files a claim will receive a packet of information which includes applications with the Small Business Administration and Texas Workforce Commission.

For persons unable to stop by the Jacksonville office, call (800) 621- FEMA (3362). To file a claim with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) because of lost work during the summer flood, call (800) 939-6631.

Bettina Hutchings, public information officer for FEMA, said the deadline will not be extended after Oct. 29. "Persons with damages should get into the system. Don't worry if you think your neighbor has more damages. Everyone with any damages at all should apply."

City, state seek financial assistance

Ms. Hutchings said repairs to Golfcrest Street in Rusk have been approved for reimbursements to the city. A seven-foot deep washout occurred after heavy summer rains

"The city has been approved for fixing the hole in the street. This includes only a few loads of dirt and asphalt. Estimate of the amount of reimbursement has not been determined," she said.

Ms. Hutchings noted that the road will continue to slip. This cannot be repaired with FEMA funding because the work cannot be done on private property. The street has been discussed at several Rusk City Council meetings.

The Texas State Railroad has submitted a notice requesting funding for repair to the washout on the track at Bean's Creek. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. will be eligible for funding and completion of a worksheet asking for assistance , Ms. Hutchings said. "They have 18 months to complete the repairs," she said. "The projected repairs must go to an environmental study. This is an ongoing project," she said.

Crop erosion and washouts are not covered with FEMA funding. However, personnel at the Cherokee County Farm Services are hopeful that assistance will be given for these damages.

Funding for that program usually runs a year behind.

The Small Business Administration approved 13 home loans for a total of $258,400 for damages suffered during the flooding time.

As of Oct. 18, Cherokee County had 291 FEMA applications for assistance totaling $587,826. Of that amount $478,308 was for housing assistance, $12,533 for other needs and $96,985 public assistance reimbursements.

In neighboring Smith County, funding is $327,636 more than Cherokee County. Assistance approved for Smith County totaled $915,462 for 581 applicants on Oct. 18. The total amount includes $416,462 for housing assistance, $20,290 for other needs and $478,710 for public assistance reimbursements. Public assistance reimbursements will continue to grow, Ms. Hutchings said.

Approximately 13,367 Texas property owners have been approved for $44.8 million. The total amount includes $19.9 million for housing assistance; $4.7 million, other needs; and $20.3 million for public assistance reimbursements.