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Damage has some asking for FEMA aid
3/22/2008 12:27 AM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By KAREN DAILY Staff writer
Lifelong Bath resident Robbie Bagwell said he and his family, after spending late nights and early mornings repairing storm damage to the family's Pineview Circle residence, could use any help available and federal aid would be a welcome relief.
Bagwell's single-story house sits at the corner of Spoffard Road and Pineview Circle where storm damage is heavy. Large trees ripped out of the ground are still lying near his home, and the roof damaged by the storm is still covered with thick blue tarps.
Many of the families living in the neighborhood lost property, and, while several had insurance, not all are covered.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) crews were in Aiken on Friday to assess the damage to the uninsured and underinsured. Insured property damage doesn't factor into the FEMA equation that will determine whether the Palmetto State receives federal aid.
For those like Bagwell's parents, Jimmy and Patsy Bagwell, who live across the street from Spoffard Road, insurance assessors will be out soon.
But the families without a policy, like Bagwell's, have a few more hurdles to clear.
Four FEMA teams were detailing the damage in South Carolina this week to determine if it meets the threshold for a presidential disaster declaration. Such a declaration would make federal aid available to those like Bagwell who were affected by the storms but who don't have insurance.
The National Weather Service confirmed 17 tornados in South Carolina last weekend, with touchdowns all over the state causing damage to hundreds of homes and millions of dollars in property damage.
In addition to the FEMA request, Gov. Mark Sanford also asked the Small Business Administration (SBA) come to the state to do an assessment of damage to determine if individuals are eligible for low-interest loans.
The SBA joined FEMA officials in Aiken on Friday.
FEMA representative Bob Merrell said the damage is then quantified to see if the damage meets the threshold for aid.
"There are two different assessments going on right now," he explained.
The first assessment is that of individual properties - the kind that may help Bagwell make repairs to his home.
The second is a public assistance assessment, which would reimburse nonprofit agencies and provide money for damages to government infrastructure.
Jimmy Bagwell said most of the families living in the neighborhood have insurance, but the Horse Creek Valley native pointed out a few homes, including his son's residence, where he was certain they didn't.
"Everyone is lending them a hand," he said.
When done, the assessors will report their findings to federal officials and it will be determined how much aid, if any, South Carolina will receive.
Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.



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