Federal aid available after floods

Saturday's flooding will be declared a disaster as well.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Federal authorities have given preliminary approval to including last weekend's flooding in Columbiana County as part of a disaster declaration that will provide aid to affected individuals, businesses, local governments and nonprofit agencies.
"We have received a verbal confirmation" of the disaster declaration, but nothing has been put in writing yet, Mary Smith, deputy director of the county emergency management agency, said Monday.
Smith urged anyone facing damage from the storm to call (800) 621-FEMA to register.
Callers should provide their Social Security number, an estimate of losses, their insurance policy number and bank account coding.
Those who report damage will be given a registration number.
Once that number's in hand, flood victims can go to the disaster recovery center to learn more about aid and to apply.
The center is in United Local High School, 8143 state Route 9, in Hanover Township. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The center, established initially to help people affected by last month's flooding, will be open at least through Wednesday and maybe longer, Smith said.
Saturday's flooding
Monday's news that victims of this weekend's storms will be eligible for aid comes as dozens of homeowners, businesses, local governments and others continue drying out from Saturday's flooding.
"Who would have thought something like this would have happened," said Audrey Null, executive director of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, as she talked above the noise of an industrial fan brought in to dry out the chamber's East State Street office.
Several feet of water swept through the 19th century brick building that houses the chamber.
Nearby at the Salem Public Library children's books were piled in the parking lot.
An estimated 8,000 books were ruined when nearly 2 feet of water flooded the first floor.
The facility was open Monday, although the children's section was closed.
Homes throughout the Salem area had flooded basements. The number is still being estimated.
Smith urged homeowners to be wary in signing with contractors to repair damage.
If someone seems suspicious, check out the contractor first through the Better Business Bureau, she advised.