FEMA affirms denial of Newton aid

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Feb. 15, 2003
Hopes were dashed Friday for federal disaster assistance in Newton County when an appeal from Gov. Ronnie Musgrove to the Federal Emergency Management Agency was denied.
Musgrove sought a major disaster declaration that would have prompted public assistance to help replace or repair disaster-damaged publicly owned property after a tornado damaged homes and businesses in Newton on Dec. 19. FEMA denied the request on Jan. 8, because the estimated $1 million in damage did not meet the federal government's required $2.9 million threshold.
Musgrove filed an appeal on Jan. 17, stating that Mississippi had twice recently met its threshold with clean-up efforts related to Tropical Storm Isidore, Hurricane Lily and a Columbus tornado last fall.
Gary Galloway, director of the Newton County Emergency Management Agency, said Friday that some property owners had not started cleanup efforts after the twister because they were counting on federal relief.
Musgrove blasted the Bush administration after receiving word that the appeal was denied.
In a letter to Musgrove FEMA director Joe M. Allbaugh said:
Amy Carruth, spokesperson for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said Newton residents still have an opportunity to seek financial help from the Disaster Housing Program, funded by the Legislature, or the U.S. Small Business Administration. The deadline for applications to both programs is Feb. 24.
Sen. Terry C. Burton, R-Newton, said Friday that he will continue to look for other funding for disaster relief efforts in Newton. He said $450,000 approved Thursday in the federal appropriations package for the city's wastewater system would offset some of the damage sustained by the tornado. He said he would continue to work with U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss., to find more assistance.