Posted: Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:55 AM - 10,481 Readers
By: Patrick George and Jason Embry
Officials from Gov. Rick Perry's office said Sunday that they are disappointed by the denial of federal aid to help the state recover from the aftereffects of Tropical Storm Hermine, adding that they might appeal the decision or seek other federal loans.
The Obama administration on Friday denied Perry's request for a major disaster declaration after the remnants of Hermine hit Texas in early September.
With damage assessments still under way, Perry, in a Sept. 20 letter to President Barack Obama, had requested about $6.8 million in federal aid for 13 counties, including Travis and Williamson, that were hit by excessive flooding. Eight people died during the storms, including two in Comal County, one in Travis County and one in Williamson County.
Nearly 200 homes statewide were destroyed as well, Perry said in the letter, which was needed to kick off the application for long-term federal recovery programs.
But Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told Perry on Friday that his request had been denied.
"Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies," Fugate wrote. "Accordingly, we have determined that supplemental federal assistance is not necessary."
Katherine Cesinger, a spokeswoman for Perry's office, said Sunday that the office is examining options and alternatives.
"We can appeal the denial, or we can pursue U.S. Small Business Administration loans," Cesinger said.
Without federal help, cities and counties would be responsible for footing the bill for any damage cleanup, she said.
In his letter to Obama, Perry asked for about $2.9 million in federal funds to repair public property and infrastructure in Bell, Blanco, Cameron, Coryell, Denton, Hill, Jim Wells, Johnson, Medina, Tarrant, Travis, Willacy and Williamson counties. He asked for $3.9 million to be made available for individuals in those counties for housing, loans and other assistance.
Had the president issued the declaration, residents could have received housing aid for up to 18 months and money for repairs and replacement of damaged items, according to FEMA. Grants would have been available to replace personal property, and low-interest loans would have been offered to cover uninsured losses.
Also, cities could have gotten help paying for 75 percent of approved project costs in repairing public property.
Williamson County officials have said 639 homes were flooded there after as much as a foot of rain fell in the area. About 150 of those homes saw 18 inches to 4 feet of water inside. The storm caused about $7 million in damage to public structures, county spokeswoman Connie Watson said.
In Travis County, several parks were devastated by flooding, and portions of RM 2222 at Bull Creek collapsed.
A cost estimate for damage repair in Williamson and Travis counties was not included in Perry's Sept. 20 letter.
Six members of the U.S. House — Republicans Joe Barton of Arlington, Kay Granger of Fort Worth, Kenny Marchant of Coppell, Michael Burgess of Lewisville and Lamar Smith of San Antonio and Democrat Lloyd Doggett of Austin — had sent Obama a letter on Sept. 29 supporting Perry's request.
"Over a hundred residences were destroyed and thousands of citizens were without water and electricity," they wrote. "The significant rainfall led to several instances of flash flooding leaving many roads and bridges with moderate to severe damage; currently three bridges and numerous roads are inaccessible."
In a statement Saturday, Burgess said, "This storm left behind a disaster — there is no doubt, and it is the responsibility of the federal government to aid the state and counties in clean-up and repairing the damage the storm caused."
