Dozens of Trumbull County residents withstood stifling humidity inside the Hubbard High School cafeteria Thursday to find out if they will get federal aid to cover damage and losses from recent flooding.

Most of the residents are still clearing out their properties after storms pounded most of the county July 21, 22 and 27.

Some left happy, but representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency left others with questions.

School board President Don Newell -- owner of Repair that Glass, Section 8 Skate Park and Tony's Gyros on North Main Street -- called the special meeting. Newell said he had 3è feet of water in his worst-hit business.

"The businesses on Main Street still need help," Newell said. "That's why we're all here."

Ray Fallen, a 15-year State Farm insurance agent, explained the difference between flood insurance, which is a federal program, and sewer and drain backup endorsements on insurance policies.

"Flood insurance is like car insurance," Fallen said. "If you get more tickets, you pay more. And you'll pay more if you live in a flood zone.

"You need to know what flood zone you're in because there are flood zones that are very prone to flooding and others that are less prone."

Fallen told some worried homeowners that agents have their hands full with claims, since "we were still working on the first heavy rains when the second ones hit and then we were hit again. We're still trying to catch up."

George Keen, a FEMA human services officer, tried to suppress residents' concerns, telling them assistance is available, but they should first register with the agency.

"FEMA may cover disaster recovery with homeowners and renters," Keen said. "Homeowners may receive up to $5,000 in grants for housing assistance, but the difference between a grant and a loan is that loans cover more. A grant will only provide enough to suffice."

Buddy Davis, a FEMA community relations field officer, said the agency handles claims on a "case-by-case basis."

He also tried to quell residents' concerns by telling the audience that FEMA is doing all it can, within its power, to help out the community.

"We may be wearing the black hat, but we're operating within the law that's been dictated to us," Davis said. He said residents who aren't happy with FEMA decisions may appeal them.

Keen told business owners they would have to take their cases to the Small Business Administration, since FEMA handles claims from homeowners and renters.

That didn't sit well with Hermitage resident Rick Wanchisn, co-owner of Extreme Machine and Fab in Youngstown. He said his business sustained heavy damage, but he's been told he can only apply for a federal loan.

"Nobody's giving us a dime," he said, adding that he still has to pay employees, whose salaries average around $45,000 a year.

"This ain't no burger-flipping job at McDonald's," he said. "I pay my taxes and I've had 30 percent growth every year. (The government) gives billions of dollars of my money to aid foreign countries? What about American aid? What about the families that work for me?"

Wanchisn and co-owner Jerry Taafe of Hubbard said the business is operating at about 65 percent of capacity. But "it's been at our own cost," Wanchisn said.

Davis said about 9,000 people from affected counties have applied for FEMA assistance, but he urged the people at the meeting to register by phone before visiting the Trumbull County disaster relief center at 418 Main St., Warren.

Homeowners can register by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA.