Too Rich for FEMA Aid

Photos copyright Tim & Lori Seaborg 09/10/2005

The elderly couple in the photo above somehow found a place in Tim's often cynical heart.  For him to care so much for someone that he only just met, meant there must be a story behind the tree lying across their front lawn.  (I apologize that you can't see the people well in the photo; I was stranded in the van with our baby and couldn't get closer because of the debris).

Sure enough, after spending over a half hour with the couple, Tim had a story to tell.

This couple actually rode out the storm in this house.  Like most others in the area, they never believed the storm could reach them, in a place where water is not even visible.  You would never expect a storm surge to get that far.  They stayed in their house, expecting only strong winds, but definitely not as strong of winds as 1969's Camille, America's strongest hurricane. 

By Monday morning, the water rose to 5' within their home.  The furniture started to float, and they started to pray as never before.  They were both too weak to climb into the attic, above.  Only prayer mixed with a little hope could keep the water from rising.

Obviously, the couple did make it through the storm.  And they have a lovely but small trailer in their front yard to use, which is much better than the tents and tarps of some of their neighbors. 

But life is still not easy for them.

Within a week after the storm, they answered a telephone call from "FEMA."  "We need to get your checking account number," the caller said, "so we can deposit a payment from FEMA into your account.."  Just as she was pulling out her checkbook to give the caller her checking account number, a real FEMA employee knocked at the door.  The scammer on the phone was caught red-tongued.

FEMA did catch the scammer in the act on the phone, but they did not further do our friends justice in their initial visit.  They looked around the house, said furniture and the house damage was considered "personal property," so would fall under homeowner's insurance.  That's a fine thing.  But then FEMA determined whether our friends were eligible for other assistance from FEMA, which usually includes some money to get back on your feet, a bit of compensation for losing freezer food, and other aid.  Our friends were denied by FEMA.  Why?  Well, because they "make too much money."  How much?  Tim did not have to wonder for long, before they said, "Do you think $20,000 a year from our Social Security check is really too much?"

Tim was able to let our new friends know that FEMA is a tough thing to crack, but it is possible with lots of persistence, red tape, and determination.  We have a lot of past hurricane experience and headaches in dealing with FEMA, so Tim gave out a bit of advice.

To add insult to injury, our elderly friends were turned down by their homeowner's insurance for compensation, because all of their damage was due to water.  They did not have flood insurance, because they are not in a flood zone, and it had never flooded there. 

They were a discouraged pair, but I think a lot of good will eventually come to them.  The Mississippi Attorney General is suing the insurance companies of Mississippi to pay for storm surge damage as part of the hurricane policy, and FEMA is getting their act together under the scrutiny of America.  But all of that straightening-out takes time.  Lots of time. 

There are few short-term comforts for our elderly friends.  We were glad to offer our tiny bit of comfort through a listening ear and a care package, thanks to your donations, support, and prayers.

by Lori Seaborg (please see our website for updated photos and information)

11:03 PM - Sep. 18, 2005 - post comment

Oh, My!!!!

Lori, I just visited your "Surviving Katrina" blog. Those were the most awesomely terrible pictures I've seen of a hurricane!!! If I saw that coming it would make a praying person out of me if I wasn't already.

I hope it is ok that I saved them to show others. Those pictures do speak 1000 words and beyond. Thank you for sharing them.
~ Drewe Llyn

DreweLlyn - 6:01 AM - Sep. 17, 2005

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