From Dothan - Houston County EMA Director Chris Judah Concerning Individual Assistance

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
3347901729
Date: Nov 19 2018 6:19 PM

FROM DOTHAN - HOUSTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

CHRIS JUDAH

The damage assessments for Houston County and surrounding Counties reference Hurricane Michael were completed and submitted to FEMA for evaluation. After long hours and teamwork between local EMA’s, State EMA and FEMA officials of data collection and articulation, FEMA has issued an official letter of denial for IA (Individual Assistance) for those affected by the storm in Alabama.  The approval falls with FEMA. Unfortunately, this is outside the authority of Local or State officials. The Alabama State Legislative Delegation, Governor Ivey, as well as Congresswoman Martha Roby worked hard to provide all the possible support in getting this to the level of review it made it to, yet FEMA (Federal Government) has deemed there to NOT be enough destruction / damage to meet their satisfaction of releasing assistance funding. 

At this time, other options, such as SBA loans are being looked at and requested. Other than reviewing the denial and continuing to talk to FEMA, there is nothing on a local level that can be done with monetary assistance. We are exploring different avenue of volunteer groups that may be able to help with certain things and we continue to meet with them in an effort to see if anything of supplement can be done for the residents of Alabama. We are extremely disappointed and distraught over this decision and are limited on options of assistance we can provide. 

Chris 

Christopher M. Judah
Director 
Dothan-Houston County 
Emergency Management Agency 
405 East Adams Street
Dothan, AL. 36303
Telephone:   334-794-9720
Email:             [email protected]

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