Disaster declaration clears way for US recovery aid
Property, job loss benefits available
Lawrence and Methuen neighborhoods devastated by the floods last month have been declared disaster areas by President Bush, making federal funds available to affected families in both cities and other residents of Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk counties.
Residents who live in flood zones now have until late July to seek a damage claim from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There are five recovery centers, such as the Lawrence Public Library, where residents can make a federal claim.
The agency also said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) . Residents can get up to $27,000 for repairs, although agency officials say the average is $5,000. In addition, the US Small Business Administration has made available low-cost loans up to $20,000 for eligible small business owners.
Acting FEMA Director R. David Paulison named Elizabeth Turner as the coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the area. Turner said damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are complete.
It's still unclear whether cities will be reimbursed for overtime hours logged by police and firefighters for emergency efforts.
According to city and state officials, flood damage amounted to about $12 million in Lawrence and $1.3 million in Methuen.
The damage was caused after heavy rain swelled the Spicket and Merrimack rivers. Floodwaters were especially strong in largely Latino neighborhoods in Lawrence's north side and the southern portion of Methuen. South Lawrence and North Andover were also hit hard.
``We have lost over 1,500 homes and 300 businesses, most of which were multifamily dwellings," said Lawrence Mayor Michael J. Sullivan.
Methuen Mayor William Manzi III said the flood damage was mainly related to the city's roads, sewer system, and public parks.
The disaster declaration by Bush caused the postponement of the Latino Home Expo scheduled for today. Organizers said they didn't think an event with a focus on buying a home fit in during a time when Lawrence and Methuen were still in a recovery mode.
``We felt it was not appropriate to hold an event of this nature at such close proximity to last week's devastation," said organizers Ed Crespo and Alberto Vasallo III in a statement. ``Many neighborhoods are still reeling and many families have lost everything, it is a somber feeling. We also consulted with several political, business, and community leaders who support our decision."
Crespo is the principal/director of the Crespo Group, a multicultural marketing group. Vasallo is publisher of El Mundo , a Spanish-language, weekly newspaper.
The Latino Home Expo has been rescheduled for June 25 at the Elks Lodge, 652 Andover St. The event seeks to educate potential first-time buyers about the process of buying a home.
Unemployment assistance is available for individuals in Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk counties left without a job from last month's torrential flooding.
Separately, residents and business owners in the three counties have until June 29 to file for the benefits from the state Department of Workforce Development.
People who lost work because of the floods are eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits. They include: people who can't reach their job because travel is still restricted in the area; those who were to start a job, but could not because of flooding; people who now are the breadwinner, because the head of a household died in the flood; and people who can't work due to injury from the flood.
The benefits are not available to people who would not ordinarily qualify for unemployment benefits, such as people who are self-employed. For information, call 617-626-6800.
Russell Contreras can be reached at rcontreras@globe.com. 