FEMA officers meet with East Siders

A federal emergency officer encourages residents to appeal for more flood help.
& lt;a href=mailto:rgsmith@vindy.com & gt;By ROGER SMITH & lt;/a & gt;
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The tornado-damaged Church of God, the chimney having collapsed through the roof, was the backdrop.
Michael Palmer, a Federal Emergency Management Agency field officer, explained to a woman how she could appeal for more than the small award that FEMA granted her for damage to her home.
They weren't speaking English, however; they were speaking Spanish.
Palmer was in the East Side neighborhood Thursday. In particular, he came to alert Spanish-speaking residents that FEMA help might be available to pay for weather damage done since the July 21 tornado.
"We just want them to know ... where they can go," he said.
Palmer and another FEMA field officer toured the area between Shehy and Oak streets, east of South Garland Avenue. Red Cross workers and city housing inspectors accompanied them.
The FEMA officers talked to residents and handed out fliers in English and Spanish.
Spanish-speaking
Palmer's ability to speak Spanish to neighborhood residents was important.
About 2,100 people live in the 1.6-mile area on either side of Himrod. About 800 -- 38 percent -- identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2000 Census.
About 30 percent speak Spanish. Nearly 8 percent said they speak English "less than very well."
There is a good chance that those damaged homes desperately need the financial help, too.
Nearly 40 percent of the neighborhood's residents have incomes below the poverty line, according to the Census.
Damage left
Fortunately trees bore most of the East Side tornado's brunt. Damage to houses and cars wasn't extensive.
The spot between Himrod Avenue and Oak, however, sustained substantial housing damage. Wind toppled chimneys and porches blew away.
FEMA fliers listed the disaster assistance phone number, (800) 621-3362, needed to start the application process. People also can go to the disaster center at the Mahoning County Annex at 2801 Market St. The office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
& lt;a href=mailto:rgsmith@vindy.com & gt;rgsmith@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;