Lifeboat for flood victims

Residents who were devastated by floods earlier this month in Philadelphia, Montgomery and Delaware counties already considered their neighborhoods disaster areas.

Now the designation is official.

At the state’s request, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and President Bush declared last Friday that the counties are disaster areas, which allows affected residents to apply for compensation.

"We will do everything we can to help the people affected contend with and recover from this natural disaster," Gov. Ed Rendell said in a statement after requesting aid from FEMA last Thursday.

Approval from the President came less than 24 hours later.

"President Bush’s approval of the commonwealth’s federal aid request will provide grants and loans to help eligible residents and businesses recover from this natural disaster," stated Rendell.

About 400 homes in Philadelphia County and 1,500 properties throughout the state were affected, said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency spokesperson Justin Fleming.

In Southwest Philly, activist Maggie Powell, executive director of the Eastwick Project Area Committee, is thankful that the disaster declaration came, even if it was five days after the flooding.

Despite the somewhat happy ending, Powell is still calling for a citywide plan to deal with such disasters.

"Philadelphia needs a game plan for future flooding relief because people have no place to go if something does happen," she said.

Earlier this week, FEMA and PEMA opened a flood assistance office for all affected counties in Upper Darby at 6904 Market St., across from the SEPTA terminal. The office is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.

Both agencies are urging residents of flood-damaged homes and small businesses to call 800-621-3362 any time from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily to register for aid.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs, according to a statement from the White House.

Kathryn Keck, spokesperson for the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania, also recommends calling the Philadelphia Emergency Management Office at 215-686-1100 to report damage.

Log on to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s Web site at www.pema.state.pa.us for severe weather safety information.

Rescue procedures

* Call FEMA to apply for assistance. Be prepared to give your Social Security number, describe your losses, provide financial information and give directions to the damaged property.

* An inspector will call to schedule an appointment. There is no fee for inspection. Be aware that inspectors are contractors, not FEMA employees, but they will have FEMA ID.

* An inspector will visit the damaged property. Make sure to be present for the appointment. You will need to verify ownership and occupancy, and make a report. Inspectors do not determine eligibility.

* If eligible, you will receive an assistance check within seven-10 days. Money may only be spent for housing needs.

* For questions, call 800-621-3362.