Property damage: 136 homes in Sunrise and Plantation.
Lives lost: 0.
Mementoes blown away: Too many to count.
Neither city can qualify for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Association because not enough homes were damaged, Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan said.
Instead, Broward County is seeking a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration so tornado victims can apply for low-interest loans to repair their homes, Ryan said. The loans would cover only uninsured losses.
Some folks at the Sunshine City Trailer Park in Plantation might qualify, according to one resident.
Insurance will cover the minor damage to David Caron's mobile home, but he says that isn't the case with most of his neighbors.
"If you can't afford it, you can't afford it," he said.
Ryan expects it to take another year before the most severely damaged homes are back to normal.
Many residents are staying with friends and family, Ryan said. Some said they were getting their hotel stays covered by insurance.
Most of the tornado victims in Sunrise were insured, said Jim Dixon, the city's fire division chief.
In Plantation, most of the residents in the mobile home park were uninsured or underinsured, said Joel Gordon, the city's battalion chief.
On Saturday, Sunrise is hosting a Town Hall meeting for tornado victims at 8:30 a.m. in the community room at Flamingo Park, 12855 NW Eighth St.
The commission and officials from the city's police, fire and other departments will provide guidance regarding restoration efforts, including warning residents of unlicensed contractors.
Ryan said the tornado demolished the home of two close friends in New Orleans Estates.
But "the perspective isn't really about the stuff they lost," he said Friday. "They truly are so fortunate to be alive. That's a story repeated throughout. It's really been an opportunity for that neighborhood and others to come together and realize what the most important thing is, and that's family and friends and neighbors."
Crews had removed nails and glass from the streets by Wednesday evening and were hoping to have the swales cleared of debris by Friday, Ryan said.
"We have cleared most of the neighborhoods," he added. "We're all focused on rebuilding and cleaning up."
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, says her office at 10100 Pines Blvd. is available to help tornado victims. Residents can call 954-437-3936.
"My sympathies go out to all the residents in Sunrise and Plantation affected by [the] tornado," Wasserman Schultz said. "I know that in times like this our community comes together to assist our neighbors and I hope we can get them back on their feet as soon as possible."
Ryan praised the volunteers and friends who stepped up to help their neighbors.
"At this point, we think all the families have been taken care of between family and friends for their initial needs," he said.
Staff writer Lisa J. Huriash contributed to this report.
sbryan@tribune.com or 954-356-4554
Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-tornado-victims-help-20111021,0,2235058.story?track=rss
giuliana and bill 2012 camry endometriosis 9 9 9 plan 9 9 9 plan hell on wheels hell on wheels
No comments:
Post a Comment