Hoffman officials: September storms cost village $50,000

Hoffman Estates officials say September's storms cost the village $50,000.

Those costs included overtime for police and public works personnel and sandbags.

The village board spent a portion of Monday night's meeting talking about how residents and businesses could apply for federal storm money relief for uninsured losses. It's the same conversation officials from other towns shared in the aftermath of President Bush's rare disaster proclamation which came last week.

Village officials said they would be happy to help residents in the applications process.

"But I can't apply for them," said Dave Christensen, the village's emergency management coordinator.

Christensen said the Federal Emergency Management Agency's guidelines could prevent some from receiving aid. For example, only storm-damaged "living areas" would be eligible. That's to say a bedroom affected by flooding would be eligible, while a basement used for storage wouldn't. Residents should take their chances and apply regardless.

Village officials have identified six homes which should be eligible, but there may be others, Christensen.

Money is also available for mitigation purposes. Even park district and village officials appear to be confused about guidelines, as underground pipes off Jones and Hassell roads were overburdened by the Sept. 13 storms. Officials from both taxing bodies want to rectify the problem, but park officials seem to feel it's the village's responsibility, and village officials feels it's the park district's. They two sides are working together to resolve the issue.

While information is available online at fema.gov, Christensen suggests those affected by flooding first call (800) 621-3362. Federal aid offered includes rental payments for displaced residents, grants and loans for home repairs or purchase of noninsured "essential" household items, and crisis counseling. Christensen urges storm damage victims to contact FEMA immediately to increase chances of securing money.

Businesses could receive a maximum $2 million loan for property loss or for help with cash flow.

Aid applicants could receive money a few weeks after submitting their request, Christensen said.