The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stopped by Albemarle County Monday night to talk to neighbors about disaster aid. The group was out to make sure people living in Albemarle knew what money is available and how to take advantage of the help following August's 5.8-magnitude earthquake.
Among the 40 or so people at the open house, Calvin Morris and his wife, Karen, had some questions about their home. They built it themselves in the eastern end of Albemarle about 25 years ago, but it's safe to say this is the first time they've sought out some help from FEMA. Most of their questions centered on fixing their three-flue fireplace.
"Doesn't matter if you can get a dime out of it," Morris said, "as long as you can really be assured that your house is safe."
Michelle Breeland was one of the open house leaders. She says its been a challenge to get people aware of the help that's available.
"I think in areas like this part of Virginia, people are pretty resilient and they tend to just rely on themselves and their neighbors to take care of themselves so we had to find ways to reach the public," explained Breeland, a FEMA Individual Assistance Housing Group Supervisor for Earthquake Disaster in Virginia.
The aid approval, which was officially released earlier this month, came as a bit of a shock for Emergency Communications Coordinator Marge Thomas.
"It was a very pleasant surprise when they showed up," Thomas said. "I thought they were coming to give us the bad news in person."
Instead, that news has now helped about 70 people register for federal cash, 15 of whom registered on the spot Monday night. So far, FEMA has handed out nearly $55,000 in Albemarle County.
"We're hoping that number is going to go up," Breeland said. "We're hoping that people understand how to look for the damage."
Morris added, "I don't know whether the people were really that concerned, but from what I've heard, we ought to be."
The deadline to apply for FEMA aid in Albemarle is March 5. Most reports to FEMA have been concentrated in the northeast region of the county. If you want more information or want to register for federal disaster aid, click here or call the FEMA disaster aid line at 800-621-FEMA (3362). You can also contact Marge Thomas at the Emergency Communications Center at 434-971-1263.
