Federal disaster declared

MAT-SU -- The windstorms that pummeled Southcentral Alaska March 6 through 14 have received recognition at the federal level.

President George W. Bush, Saturday, approved the requests of Gov. Frank Murkowski and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, asking him to declare that the winds had created a federal major disaster for parts of Southcentral Alaska. The disaster declaration makes federal funds available to individuals, households and local and state government agencies.

"I appreciate the president's timely action on our request for the federal disaster declaration," Murkowski said in a press release also issued Saturday. "Those who were impacted by the windstorm, and who qualify for federal aid, will soon be able to repair the damage and get back to normal lives."

A team of about 10 Federal Emergency Management Agency staff visited the Valley last month, traveling in tandem with borough assessment staff. Teams went out around the Valley, Borough Manager John Duffy said, and conducted "windshield surveys" of the damage. Similar assessments were conducted in Anchorage and on the Kenai Peninsula.

In addition to the assessment, local municipalities were instructed to tabulate damage done to government-owned equipment and facilities, along with estimates of damage done to businesses and homes in their areas.

According to information from the governor's office, more than $9 million in damage happened over the eight-day period, nearly half of which was reported in the Mat-Su area. The borough, by the end of March, reported about $4.5 million in damage as a result of the windstorms. The Anchorage municipality listed about $3.6 million in damage and the Kenai Peninsula Borough reported more than $700,000. By the March 31 disaster declaration by Gov. Murkowski, the Alaska Railroad Corporation estimated it had undergone damage totaling at least $350,000. Although those numbers were expected to increase, they are the last official numbers released.

Mat-Su Borough Public Safety Director Jack Krill said damage reports are still trickling in from private homeowners and business owners around the Valley, but the nearly $4.5 million is still the official count on the losses. Much of that came from the public sector. Significant roof damage was done at Cottonwood Public Safety Building, Colony Middle School and the Wasilla Police Department, as well as many other schools and public facilities around the Valley.

The federal disaster declaration, according to information from the governor's office, allows residents of the Municipality of Anchorage, the Mat-Su Borough and the Kenai Peninsula Borough who were impacted by the high winds and freezing temperatures to apply. The federal aid may be used to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and some other disaster-related expenses. The Small Business Administration will also make low-interest loans available to cover residential and business losses not fully covered by insurance.

Federal funds will also be available to cover 75 percent of the approved costs of repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, according to information from Murkowski's office. Another provision for the disaster declaration allows for cost sharing for approved projects that reduce disaster risks in the municipality and the two boroughs.

Although the damage happened nearly two months ago and many Valley residents have repaired their broken windows, scarred roofs and blown-over signs, assistance for the cost of those repairs -- and those left unrepaired -- may be available.

William M. Lokey, Federal Coordinating Officer of FEMA Region 10, has been designated to coordinate the recovery effort. He said about 60 people are now working to get the process under way. He has set up an office in Anchorage, and said field offices may be set up in the future.

Lokey said FEMA offers three main programs -- disaster mitigation, helping people implement ways to protect themselves from future disasters; an individuals and households program that gives private property owners access to low-interest loans to repair damage; and infrastructure programs for public agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide public-like services. In that program, he said, funding at 75 percent of the cost of repairs is made available to the local entities.

The process, Lokey said, is pretty simple. After a 20-minute telephone interview, inspectors are generally sent out to inspect the damage. A determination is made by FEMA how much, if any, assistance the individual qualifies for, and a check may be issued. The check, Lokey said, is generally to take care of immediate, basic needs -- making sure the house, business or facility is safe and secure. A packet of information is generally sent as well, with information about low-interest Small Business Administration loans. Filling out the loan application, Lokey said, opens the door to more potential funding, in the form of low-interest loans.

Lokey said most people are interested in finding out how long it takes to get funding. That, he said, varies upon the type of disaster and what else is happening around the nation.

"It depends," Lokey said, "right now, things are slow around the country."

The best process for homeowners, Lokey said, is to call FEMA's hotline and go through the interview process. Even if people are unsure they'll qualify for funding, he said, it's important to register now, in case damage as a result of the windstorms is not seen until later.

"You have to be registered within 60 days of the declaration," Lokey said. "Then, if you have hidden costs that show up down the road, you can be covered."

Lokey said residents and business owners can apply by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Hearing or speech impaired may call the TTY access number at 1-800-462-7585. The numbers will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. He said he expects to be in the Southcentral area for at least four weeks.

As part of the process, applicant briefings will be held for people in the public sector, business owners and nonprofit organizations. Those briefings will begin May 5 and 6. Participants need only attend one day session. The first session will begin May 5 at 10 a.m. at the Central Mat-Su Public Safety Building at 101 West Swanson Ave. in Wasilla.

Krill said reservations aren't necessary, but applicants should plan to be on time -- the 45-minute briefing begins at 10 a.m., and FEMA staff will be on hand to help complete application forms afterward.