Checotah Damaged By Ice Storm Waiting For FEMA

Cities across eastern Oklahoma are finding recovery from the ice storm is coming at a hefty price. Now they're looking to the federal government for help, and several state lawmakers are joining in

Monday, January 29th 2007, 8:39 pm

By: News On 6

Cities across eastern Oklahoma are finding recovery from the ice storm is coming at a hefty price. Now they're looking to the federal government for help, and several state lawmakers are joining in the call.

News on 6 reporter Ashli Sims went down to Checotah to check on their cleanup efforts, she explains why those plans are on hold.

Mounting bills are slowing down some recovery efforts, which are estimated at $40 million. Lots of city and county leaders are waiting on the federal emergency management agency or FEMA for some financial relief.

In Checotah, things seemed to be getting back to normal. But the storm has definitely left its mark on the landscape and the people.

"We're getting along very well, every one's kinda returning to normalcy to some extent,â€ said Checotah Mayor Jay Hayes. â€œAppreciating the fact that we have power and all of the amenities we take for granted for so long."

Checotah has come a long way since ice glazed over everything in sight three weeks ago. Tree limbs were probably the biggest casualty and caused the biggest problems. Ice-heavy branches brought down thousands of power lines. Tireless crews got those lines back up, but the limbs are still on the ground.

There are debris piles on just about every corner in Checotah. The mayor estimates the total cost for removing the limbs from McIntosh County is $2 million.

Checotah's not alone; McAlester has 8,000 tons of debris. State lawmakers estimate it will cost about $2 million to remove the limbs in Muskogee alone.

City leaders and lawmakers are looking to the federal emergency management agency for help. But so far, the agency has only promised to help with emergency costs for police and fire.
"We have real concerns when we hear FEMA hasn't found enough individual property damage to justify the additional help that these folks truly need," said State Representative Chuck Hoskin.

State leaders are calling on FEMA to declare the ice storm a major disaster, which would help towns like Checotah with the costs of debris removal.

Hayes says the town has already paid about $70,000 out of pocket. And until he hears from FEMA, bulldozers that could clear debris will stay parked.

"Until we get a major disaster declaration we cannot be guaranteed that we will be reimbursed for costs associated with debris removal,â€ said Hayes. â€œAgain a substantial amount of our costs are in that aspect of the disaster.â€

State lawmakers say they expected a decision from FEMA a week ago. FEMA officials say they're still collecting damage reports, and that Governor Henry's request for public and individual assistance is being evaluated in Washington.

A major declaration that would reimburse counties for things like debris removal would have to be made on a county by county basis.