Federal disaster aid recovery will swing into gear this week for those affected by the May 1 tornado that tore through Freeborn County.

Saturday, May 19, 2001

Federal disaster aid recovery will swing into gear this week for those affected by the May 1 tornado that tore through Freeborn County.

Freeborn County was among those declared a federal disaster area by President George Bush, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials will be in the area this week to help process applications, said Freeborn County Sheriff Don Nolander.

&uot;The good news is that we got both the individual and the public (assistance),&uot; Nolander said. &uot;This gives individuals and businesses with uninsured losses the ability to recover low interest loans and other things to cut their losses.&uot;

As part of the public assistance program, local governmental and non-profit entities will get money to rebuild infrastructure, and could be eligible for mitigation funds for preventative measures, he said.

&uot;So that if this happened again, we could do some things differently,&uot; Nolander said. &uot;For example, replacing existing sirens.&uot;

A general information meeting for government and non-profit entities will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Freeborn County Commissioners room, Nolander said.

Well over 100 individuals and businesses suffered damage in the May 1 tornado, Nolander said. A variety of relief programs are available for those who sustained uninsured or underinsured losses.

&uot;They run the gamut from grants, to low interest loans, to all kinds of things,&uot; he said.

A disaster recovery center staffed by state and federal FEMA representatives will be established this week in the Glenville City Hall, 221 West Main Street, for individuals and businesses to process their applications, Nolander said.