FEMA has been in the county since last Saturday meeting with people who suffered damages to their property.  Many have already received settlements on their losses.  Some will have to wait until their insurance claims have been settled.

Continue to encourage anyone with damages to call 1-800-621-3362.

Today FEMA representatives are looking at public losses such as bridges, roads etc.

Much work has been done and our public officials have been advise to continue with their most urgent problems and not necessarily wait for FEMA to look, but be sure to keep really good documentation of what is done.

For those with businesses that have damages it appears that SBA loans might be the only thing available.

Several volunteer groups are in the County helping homeowners to do tear out and repair.  Call First Baptist Church 931-296-2348 if you know of a group that wants to help or a homeowner that needs help and they will help coordinate.

Mold is going to be a growing problem in flooded homes, below is some suggestions from the State Health Dept.

 You may recognize mold by:

• Sight (Are the walls and ceiling discolored, or do they show signs of mold growth or water damage?)

• Smell (Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty, earthy smell or a foul stench?)

To prevent mold growth:

• Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building. Remove all items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried.

• To remove or prevent mold growth from hard surfaces use commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.*

This is going to be a long recovery process so Be patient and be kind and that is sometimes hard to do.

Thanks,
Odell Poyner, Director
Humphreys County
Emergency Management Agency
(931)296-3442 X 3