From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: March 22, 2012

Summary:

Lincoln County) Lincoln County Emergency Management has received word that Lincoln County was not approved for the Individual Assistance (individuals and businesses) Presidential Declaration for the January 2012 storm damage.

In early March, Lincoln County was provided a second opportunity to report additional individual and business damages to Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) (media release 03.02.12). At the conclusion of this new reporting period, March 7^th and tour by OEM and FEMA Lincoln County was able to add several more properties to the final County report. 

Oregon’s request for Public Assistance for government infrastructure damage and certain private non-profits for the 12 affected counties was approved on March 2 while the Individual Assistance request for the five affected counties continued to be under review and then was denied.  Governor Kitzhaber is appealing FEMA’s decision but review and final determination could take up to a month for consideration (media release 03.16.12 attached). 

The Small Business Administration approved (media release 03.05.12 attached) Disaster Assistance to Oregon Private, Nonprofit Organizations.  Low-interest disaster loans are now available to certain private, nonprofit organizations (PNPs) in Oregon as part of the March 2 federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance as a result of the January 17^th storms. Only PNPs that provide essential government services are eligible for assistance.

Lincoln County is continuing work with several volunteer organizations, including Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ORVOAD) to match groups and businesses willing to donate time, materials and other assistance to victims of the January 17-21, 2012 storm. Our goal is to help uninsured individuals who need help to repair their homes, remove debris or replace basic household items such as appliances. A Long-Term Recovery Line continues to be staffed to coordinate this process. To reach the recovery team, email  bsearle@co.lincoln.or.us  or call (541) 265-0656.  

Lincoln County Emergency Management will be contacting those residents who called the Damage Assessment Hotline in January to determine if they still have unmet needs that were not covered by home owners or renters insurance. We also encourage others who meet the criteria below to email or call for assistance. Businesses willing to donate items or gift cards to help offset the cost of materials or replacement household goods should also contact the Long-Term Recovery hotline number.

Assistance Criteria: All assistance must be directly related to the damage from the storm event between January 17-21, 2012. Each potential applicant will be interviewed by members of the Long Term Disaster Recovery Team and will be required to complete a request of assistance application. Applicants may include renters who do not have renters insurance, or who had items damaged that were not covered by renters insurance; and primary homeowners who had damage not covered by homeowners insurance. Businesses will be taken into consideration, but are not the primary focus of this initial phase of assistance.

Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed to assist with damage assessment and applicant interviews over the next few weeks. Volunteers will be trained on damage assessment or interviewing.  Background in American Red Cross Damage Assessment, CERT, or other public safety activities is preferred.

ORVOAD helps coordinate disaster recovery among member agencies to provide efficient help for communities affected by disasters. Oregon VOAD is comprised of faith-based, community service and state government organizations. Assistance may includedamage assessment,building repair, donation management, child care, clean up, clothing, communication, counseling, financial assistance, food, sheltering, transportation, volunteer staffing, warehousing and bulk distribution. See http://www.orvoad.org/ for more information.

Contact Information:

Lincoln County Emergency Management Long Term Recovery Information Line

(541) 265-0656 (this phone is staffed by volunteers)

Long Term Recovery Point of Contact Email: bsearle@co.lincoln.or.us

**Email is preferred to expedite contact with clients who have access to it.

Interested Volunteers: Contact Jenny Demaris at vdemaris@co.lincoln.or.us or (541) 265-4199