October 22, 2010
By: Jana Bell
Portage County, Wisconsin announced Thursday morning that individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be unavailable to residents, despite recent flooding there.
The reason given for this denial, an official said, was that the damage from the floods did not meet FEMA's criteria for individual aid. WSAU.com reports that at least 50 homes must suffer major damage or be destroyed for a county to be considered eligible for FEMA assistance, but only one in Portage County met that standard.
However, there are still options available to Portage County residents who need help cleaning after the flood. Emergency Services of Portage provides assistance based on income, and can help bring furnaces and water heaters back online, according to the Stevens Point Journal.
Residents can also contact the local Catholic Charities branch office for volunteer help with cleaning and moving damaged property, or District 5 of the Wisconsin Rural Development Office, which can offer low-interest loans or grants to those in need, though these are also subject to income requirements.
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