By Erin Smith
The words repeated by some of the residents who gathered for the FEMA Community Mitigation Resiliency Workshop on Thursday evening were: “We’ve been forgotten.”
The workshop was held on Thursday evening to give residents an opportunity to have their questions answered and to receive tips on how to prevent their homes from flooding in the future. Many residents were concerned with getting help to restore their homes to a livable condition.
Many residents told BladenOnline.com they attended the workshop to learn how to access the resources they need to receive assistance repairing their homes.
Jerry Frye with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said residents could learn whether or not their property is located in a flood plain, help with flood insurance, help with housing and other issues.
“We talk with them about how we can prevent this or lessen the impacts going forward,” said Frye.
He offered some tips to lessen impacts going forward. Frye said the best advice he has to offer is to have flood insurance. Frye said those with flood insurance recover more quickly than those who do not have it. Frye said the average damage payment from FEMA is $4,500 to $6,000. He said an individual who does not reside in a flood plain can purchase flood insurance for less than $500 per year.
Some tips for repairing damaged homes include:
*Repair damaged floors using tile or some other water-resistant flooring,
*Elevating your electrical wall outlets to chair rail height.
*Elevate your utilities such as your heating and air unit.
*Elevate your hot water heater.
*Elevate your washer and dryer.
BladenOnline.com has been told by many residents their FEMA claims have been denied.
Frye said, “There are several reasons they get a denial letter. It could be they transposed a number wrong in their social security number. It could be they left out an important piece of information on the application. It could be they referred them back to the Small Business Administration to talk with them about a loan.”
He continued, “If they don’t go through SBA, and don’t get either accepted or denied through SBA, then the process stops with FEMA right there until that is done. It doesn’t matter if they are denied by SBA they are referred automatically back to FEMA.”
Frye said residents need to read their denial letters closely and follow any instructions they are given. Residents can also appeal their decision with FEMA by mailing your written appeal and all supporting documents to:
FEMA – Individuals and Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
You can also fax your appeal documents to 800-827-8112 and direct the information to the attention of the Individuals and Households Program.
More than 25 residents attended the workshop seeking assistance with repairs to flood damaged homes.
“We’re here tonight to find out where those resources are and how to apply,” said Andrew Wilde. He was assisting Marvin Shaw and his wife, Alvera, to find resources to repair their home which was flooded during Hurricane Florence.
“We’ve lost a home completely in the flood. We want to know if there is any help,” said Marvin Shaw. His home was located on NC 211 East in the Porterville community.
Shaw said he was unable to salvage anything from the house. He said the water reached two feet deep inside the home.
“FEMA came in and they saw how far up the water came in,” said Shaw. He added that he has heard from no one since. Shaw said no one from FEMA has contacted him regarding his options for repairs or acquisition.
“I know Kelly made the national news and it was a tragedy that happened there. But, we’ve got lots of little pockets of Bladen County that are in just as bad of shape and the citizens who pay taxes deserve better,” said Wilde.
Gordon Lewis resides on Barney Coe Road. He and his wife have been living with relatives since Hurricane Florence. Lewis said his home was flooded in both Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Florence. He said he had two storage buildings filled with items he was able to salvage following Hurricane Matthew that were lost in Hurricane Florence. 
“During Hurricane Florence, I thought it was going to be something a regular storm, but it ended up being a great, great big storm,” said Lewis.
He said he received two feet of water inside his home on Barney Coe Road.
When asked about the damage Mrs. Lewis said, “They (FEMA Disaster Teams) forgot about it.”
Lewis explained that the mailing address for his home is Kelly and many people assumed he resided in the town of Kelly. Barney Coe Road is located near the community of Lagoon.
“People missed all of us in there. There a quite a few families that lost their houses in there,” said Lewis.
He said the home is a total loss in his opinion. The Baptists on Mission came and assisted them in cleaning out the home. Lewis said the floors are gone and all of the sheetrock has been removed.
“Right now, we are living with family members,” said Lewis.
He said they are hoping to find some temporary housing. Currently, he is working with the NC STEP program to try to get his home repaired.
“We’re waiting on that (NC STEP). We’re planning on elevating (their home),” said Lewis.
He said they did learn about some resources to help them find temporary housing while their home is undergoing repairs.
Keisha McAllister and Ms. Foster, who also reside on Barney Coe Road, were also seeking answers regarding help to repair their flooded homes. Both McAllister and Foster said flood waters from Hurricane Florence had gotten into their homes causing damage as well.
When asked about the damage to her home, Mrs. Foster said, “I can’t even describe it. It was terrible.”
She added she was looking for information or help, anything she can get to help repair her home.
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