NEBRASKA CITY – Flood recovery agencies and organizations, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), held a summit in Nebraska City on Wednesday for flood victims who are dealing with long-term recovery and case management.
FEMA Volunteer Agency Liason Mike Pickerel says flood recovery across Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri could last two to three years – maybe longer.
“What this summit is all about is bringing long-term recovery members into this summit, bringing emergency management directors in, and bringing faith community leaders in and explaining to (flood victims) on a more detailed basis what long-term recovery is about, what they need to do as long-term recovery members, and how to proceed.”
Topics covered at the First Presbyterian Church included talking to children about disasters and what their needs are compared to adults; how to raise money for recovery efforts; and FEMA presented on the process of assistance delivery.
“If they’re under-insured or uninsured, we ask them to apply for FEMA and apply with the Small Business Administration. Now, a lot of people say, ‘why would I apply with SBA? Because I’m not a business.’ SBA does have disaster loans for home owners up to $200,000 per home and up to $40,000 for personal property.”
Additional information about flood recovery efforts can be found on the Nebraska VOAD, UNL Extension and FEMA websites.
A summit was held in Columbus on Tuesday and another one will be held in Fremont on Thursday.
Follow Hunter on Twitter: @TheBurnRadio
