Published Thursday, November 14, 2002
By Amanda Smith-Teutsch
Herald Staff Writer
Clark and South Pymatuning Township will probably not receive federal disaster aid to help clean up and rebuild after Sunday's tornado, but local officials said they're still trying to get some help from the state.
"I am beginning to lose faith in federal assistance," James R. Thompson, county Emergency Management Agency director, said Wednesday. "If they were going to make a declaration of a federal disaster area, we probably would have seen it by now."
"It is a disaster area," he said, "But it may not make the federal distinction."
Whether an area is declared a federal disaster area is largely a numbers game, Thompson said.
There are thresholds and guidelines a disaster area must meet, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Philip Clark.
Local and county officials must appeal to the state, Clark said. If the state determines the disaster is more than the community can cope with, the next step is for the governor to invoke the Stafford Act, which means a formal request will be sent to FEMA. FEMA then decides what should be done and makes a recommendation to the president, Clark said.
Each level of government must survey the disaster area before a decision can be made, Clark said.
Whether an area receives federal assistance depends on its ability to pay, Clark said. Larger, more affluent states such as Pennsylvania might not need as much assistance as a smaller, poorer state such as West Virginia, he said.
Another factor is how much of the damage is covered by private insurance, he said. An area would be more likely to receive federal assistance if insurance won't cover the damage. That isn't the case in Clark, Thompson said.
State and federal elected officials have lined up to try and get some form of assistance to the area.
A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Phil English, Erie, said the 3rd District Republican congressman is writing to FEMA on behalf of the area to find out how much, if any, money is available.
English released the following statement:
"I have written a letter to the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting that they promptly review the situation and provide any assistance available to aid in repairing and restoring the disaster area."
English also said he is awaiting Gov. Mark Schweiker's assessment and, if Schweiker designates Clark as a state disaster area, English will push for federal disaster designation status and federal funds.
State Sen. Robert D. "Bob" Robbins, Salem Township, R-50th District, said he was looking into the possibility of getting state funds to help cover the costs of the cleanup, including overtime for emergency personnel and equipment. Clark had racked up more than $11,000 in overtime for police, Mayor Doug Bradley said Tuesday. The borough's total police budget for a year is only $12,000.
Robbins said he is working with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, PennDOT, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Labor and Industry to see what kind of money and help might be available.
He said it is too early to tell if Clark and South Pymatuning would be eligible for aid. But, it looks like things are "working in a positive direction."
Mercer County Commissioner Olivia M. Lazor said any help for the tornado's strike zone depends on how much money the state or federal government can provide.
"We're presenting a case to our state and federal legislators," Mrs. Lazor said. The environmental impact of burning and disposing of debris and how the county is going to pay for its response to the tornado are among the commissioners' top concerns, she said.
"No dollars are available in the county budget," Mrs. Lazor said. But "county expenditures to deal with (the disaster) are going to add up" and have to be paid for out of the general fund.
Sharpsville council on Wednesday passed a resolution urging the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to declare Clark and South Pymatuning Township a disaster emergency area. Sharpsville has also been assisting Clark and South Pymatuning by sending street crews, school district employees and other personnel to help.
Meanwhile, Clark residents aren't waiting for the money to start flowing to get down to work.
Bradley said several neighboring municipalities and local organizations volunteered equipment -- including dump trucks to haul away debris -- and manpower to help out.
"It's a valleywide effort," Thompson said.
You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Amanda Smith-Teutsch at:
ateutsch@sharonherald.com
<hr></h1><h1> How to help
People who want to help Clark and South Pymatuning Township residents in their recovery efforts may:
» Send monetary donations to a tornado disaster relief fund. Contributions may be made at any First National Bank of Pennsylvania office or sent to the Clark Borough Building, Box 518. Clark 16113.
» Drop off good used or new clothing at the Prince of Peace Center, 502 Darr Ave. in Farrell.
» Take food donations to the Clark firehall.