Last week’s tornadoes left some damage in Sussex County, but officials say it’s probably not enough to qualify for federal relief.
State, county and federal agencies worked together last week to examine damage to 26 homes near the towns of Laurel and Harbeson where tornadoes touched down early last Monday.
Four homes were condemned and eight were considered to have sustained major damage.
Delaware Emergency Management Agency Director A.J. Schall says the damage isn’t enough to warrant an application for federal assistance from FEMA, but some support may be available from the Small Business Administration.
“So the Small Business Administration is sometimes able to offer communities, whether it’s low interest loans or businesses that were impacted. Low interest loans to help with the recovery process,” said Schall. “So it’s another federal program that sometimes has benefits in some of these smaller disasters.”
Schall commends support efforts from local agencies and community members.
“Some of the nonprofits and volunteer groups are offering assistance all this week. The Laurel Fire Department was key is really playing that central hub,” he said. “Everything from a reception center for those impacted Monday morning to receiving donations from some of the stores around there to feeding those impacted.”
Schall says about half of the affected homeowners were covered by insurance at the time of the storm.
He says the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services assisted at least one Medicaid recipient affected by the storm with temporary housing. He says the agency contacted dozens others about possible food subsidies and other benefits.
