Schumer Calls on FEMA to Immediately Identify Conklin Residents Eligible for Flood Insurance Payouts
Schumer Calls On FEMA To Immediately Identify Conklin Residents Eligible For Flood Insurance Payouts
Many Residents Who Previously Signed up for FEMA's Free Flood Insurance Have Not Received Any Payments For Latest Round Of Flooding
Senator Says Feds Must Work With Local Officials To Cut The Red-Tape Barriers Keeping Flood Victims From Insurance Benefits
Schumer: Flood Victims Who Lost Everything - Even Their Paperwork - Should Not Be Penalized
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged FEMA to follow through on flood insurance for deluge victims in the Town of Conklin. Over the past two years, a number of area residents have availed themselves of FEMA's free flood insurance program, but few have received any benefits. Schumer urged FEMA to work with town officials to overcome bureaucratic and red tape barriers so victims can get insurance immediately to cover recent flood damages.
"Flood victims who lost everything - even their insurance paperwork - should not be penalized by delay," said Senator Schumer. "Given the cost of so much flood damage, residents cannot repair everything on their own. Prompt insurance payouts will help them get back on their feet."
"People deserve what is due to them," said Debra Preston, Town of Conklin Supervisor. "The peace of mind knowing that they have everything they are entitled coming to them will make a world of difference to residents who have endured so much. I thank Senator Schumer for assisting us."
After 2004 and 2005 floods, many Conklin area residents were offered two to three years of free flood insurance from FEMA. Schumer, who noted the exorbitant cost of flood insurance, lauded the existence of the FEMA program which provides a layer of insurance protection to working families in flood-prone zones like Conklin. However, flood victims needing assistance for most recent flood damage repair are now running into bureaucratic barriers keeping them from receiving insurance. Some who were told they had been eligible are now being told by their agents that there is no record of this agreement. Many others lost the FEMA certificate that is proof of free insurance when their homes, and everything inside, were destroyed by the floods.
In a personal letter to R. David Paulison, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Schumer wrote, "While I am sensitive to privacy considerations, more must be done to address this situation, and I strongly urge that you direct your staff to work closely with Town of Conklin officials to identify the residents eligible for flood insurance benefits. The Town of Conklin was one of the hardest hit areas in recent flooding. Those living in the region can not bear the financial burdens of these recurring storms alone. I urge you to assist the residents of Conklin in every way possible to ensure that those who are eligible for free flood insurance receive their benefits immediately."
http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/record.cfm?id=260428&&year=2006&