Recent Disasters (Aberdeen, Mitchell, Yankton: appointed, homes, buying)

[Jammie]

Just received an article in the mail. Here is a part of it. It looks like when we vote for our state officials, we need to continue to vote for common-sense, compassionate people. Our federal government seems to drag their feet a bit and we can be thankful that our state is willing to help us out if we ever need it.






South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds is blasting FEMA for its slow response to what he calls a multi-million dollar disaster. In 2005, the governor of Louisiana had similar complaints against FEMA for not providing assistance fast enough after Hurricane Katrina.

Monday night, the governor announced state-aid to help the 150 families displaced by storms that hit KELOLAND earlier this month. Five different State Disaster Recovery Centers are open in Aberdeen, Redfield, Huron, Mitchell and Yankton. People who can no longer live in their homes because of tornado damage and flooding can go to these sites for help. But Governor Rounds says federal aid should also be available for these families right now and he's furious with FEMA.

Gov. Mike Rounds says, "There's one page that has about five columns that has about ten numbers per column I think I have some fifth and sixth graders that can add that up without making too many errors."

Governor Mike Rounds says that page of damage assessment numbers was turned into FEMA last week in order to get a disaster declared for South Dakota. But Rounds says the feds are dragging their feet so the state is stepping in.

Rounds says, "I'm very disappointed. In fact I'm down-right irritated with the Washington D.C. office, but the other folks that are with us are ready to go and we have to provide an emergency relief assistance even if the FEMA Washington D.C. Office can't get it done."

Rounds says the state's Department of Social Services has put new computer purchases and upgrades on hold to free up state money for families in need.

Rounds says, "We can't wait any longer that's not the way we do things in South Dakota."

Victims of the recent flooding and tornadoes can get a 250 dollar pre-paid debit card for each family member for clothes, up to three months worth of money for food, and get help paying for prescription drugs. Rounds hopes this assistance will help families start the recovery process until the feds declare a disaster.

Rounds says, "Unfortunately FEMA in D.C. has not been able to process this paperwork and we just can't wait any longer so we're going to step in and do the work now and we'll coordinate with FEMA later."

For people who didn't lose their homes but suffered serious damage, Rounds says they should wait until FEMA declares a disaster to contact one of the five regional offices in the state.

The state has also set up a South Dakota Disaster Recovery Help Line for those that want state-aid:

[ElkHunter]

It's good that Rounds is doing that. It is exactly what he should be doing.

FEMA was set up much like the Red Cross in that it was meant to Assist, not take over. They are to manage getting things done, not make sure you get a new TV set.

I got so mad at Katrina. FEMA has always been under funded and short of help and then something really really major hits. FEMA also picked up a lot of extra tasking as in, "You need to do this and this and this and by the way, your buying." They were overwhelmed. They didn't have the resources to do what was suddenly given to them.

The first responsibility is by the state and local. When they need assistance above and beyond, that's when the Fed's step in.

A state is supposed to have a desaster plan and the first line is not supposed to say "Call FEMA". haha Although, they all seem to want to.

Have you ever seen FEMA up here in the Midwest? I wouldn't know how to contact them at all. But I do know how to contact the local Government and where they get their assets are layed out in the desaster plan. Now if it's too overwhelming, then they call in the Fed's.

[Jammie]

That's a good point. Maybe it's designed that the state takes care of it's people UNLESS it's so devastating that Federal help is needed.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by Jammie

That's a good point. Maybe it's designed that the state takes care of it's people UNLESS it's so devastating that Federal help is needed.

Exactly. If you think about it, it's a State National Guard to be deployed for natural desasters.

Remember a couple of months ago when Colorado had the bad snow storms. The governor deployed the National Guard to check on stranded motorists and such because their highway crews just couldn't cover everything.

When these programs get up and running the states try and push more and more off on them so they can allocate moneys locally. Money that was originally designated for something.

FEMA was supposed to be an avenue to Federal Government so local and State could concentrate on what was going on. Then FEMA was in between to assist the state however it could. Not come in and take over.

[Jammie]

Just a follow-up. The Prez has now declared several of the counties a disaster area and FEMA will now be involved.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Just a follow-up. The Prez has now declared several of the counties a disaster area and FEMA will now be involved.

Outstanding!!!!!! Now, the local relief, can get some help and guidance.