Opinion : Understanding the impact of federal assistance on affected property owners

Since hearing the news that President Barack Obama has made a Presidential Declaration designating Benton Countyas a "Major Disaster" area, many local residents have asked us at Vinton Today what this means to local citizens.

We can answer that question in one word: Nothing.

Others have speculated that the damage from Hurricane Irene will hurt Vinton because the federal funding that had been offered to Vinton.

But for virtually all of Benton County, the hurricane's impact on any federal funding you would receive is: None.

People have asked us how individuals can apply for assistance through this program.

They can't.

Unlike the flood of 2008, when the federal government offered specific assistance to individual home owners, there is no private assistance available at this time from the federal government.

Others have asked about federal funding to replace trees. Again, not likely.

While groups like Trees Forever will be receiving donations that may help with some replanting projects, it's highly unlikely that many individuals will receive help for planting trees.

Most insurance companies do not cover tree damage, unless the falling trees damage property.

"I wish it would have been my house, and not my trees," one woman told me a few days after the storm. "The insurance would cover my house."

An area TV station put Vinton as its top story on a recent broadcast, announcing that Vinton could be negatively affected by the federal response to the hurricane. They put a photo of the Iowa Braille School on the TV and said that such buildings may not be fixed because of the loss of federal funds.

Again, more nonsense. For one thing, the IBSSS is a state-owned building, covered by the state's insurance program.

And all three local government entities, the Vinton-Shellsburg School District, Benton County, and the City of Vinton have excellent insurance coverage and only $1,000 deductible.

"We're in very good shape," said Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock.

It's a good thing for the area, says Superintendent Hainstock, to have the declaration, and she's right. There may be ways that the federal government can help local governments recover some of their non-structural storm damage costs.

But all of the government-owned buildings damaged by the July 11 storm are covered by the insurance. And the state and federal leaders assume that most Americans are covered by their private home insurance.

Vinton City Coordinator Andy Lent has been receiving many of the same questions and is trying to tell you the same thing.

"The City of Vinton recently learned that the request that was sent from the Governor’s office to FEMA was for public assistance only. Public assistance is federal aid for cities, counties, and schools for storm damage costs not covered by their property insurance," said Lent. "There was no request made for individual assistance since most of the damage incurred by individuals would likely be covered under homeowner insurance. If you have damage to your home and have not contacted your insurance carrier, we urge you to do this as soon as possible."

So, for those of you who suffered damage in the July 11 storm: With the exception of your insurance coverage, you're pretty much on your own.