Helene Aftermath…Are You Ok?

[JLTraveling]

According to FEMA own website they have 30 days to pay out after claim is approved. Claims are not approved overnight it can documentation and home inspection. I’ve researched enough hurricane sites on reddit to know that people did not get claims processed in two days. Most people got their checks within 1- 4 weeks of approval. Many news articles will tell you it can take months after a major event to process claims and even the FEMA site tells you to file a claim with your insurance company at the same time.
I don’t doubt your experience, but even you said you didn’t need more than a night in a hotel.

I said I didn't need to pay OUT OF POCKET for more than a night in a hotel. I was there for nearly two weeks. Starting the second night, the hotel billed FEMA directly. Reading comprehension. It's a good thing. And now I am officially done with you.

 

[DCLMP]

Again, I never said reddit was fake or disinformation. YOU keep reading things in posts that aren't there.

All I said is I found your statement about doing "research" on reddit as funny.

Somehow, you've equated that to me not liking the site or assuming it's all fake.

How else what I interpret "I found that funny". Then you equated it to doing research on Instagram or Tic Tok. It came across as disparaging.

 

[DCLMP]

I said I didn't need to pay OUT OF POCKET for more than a night in a hotel. I was there for nearly two weeks. Starting the second night, the hotel billed FEMA directly. Reading comprehension. It's a good thing. And now I am officially done with you.

Please be done with me. Ignore is a great feature.

 

[JLTraveling]

Very few people under the age of 50 watch the news.

Maybe in your circle. My friends and I are well under the age of 50 and watch the news frequently. So do my cousins in their 20s and their friends. It's called "wanting to be informed."

 

[JLTraveling]

Please be done with me. Ignore is a great feature.

And not stay for the show? Right. Feel free to ignore me if you like, but I enjoy being informed about what the latest disinformation is saying.

 

[sam_gordon]

How else what I interpret "I found that funny". Then you equated it to doing research on Instagram or Tic Tok. It came across as disparaging.

So Instagram and TikTok is all fake and disinformation. Got it!

 

[Smugpugmug]

It's so fun how ONE poster can devolve and derail threads time and time again. It's really awesome. Love it.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm not wading into the middle of the argument, but I think I see a gap in explanation that is contributing to confusion.

For the record, FEMA gives out funds for 3 large categories of individual claims, and all 3 have different processes inside the agency:

1) Serious Needs Assistance (this is the $750 that everyone is bringing up). This is literally meant to get you through around 48 hours or so, to put food and medications into your body, fuel in your gas tank, and basic clean clothes on your back.

2) Displacement assistance: this is the program JLTraveling spoke of, where hotels are paid directly for temporarily housing the displaced. This type of claim is processed very quickly, in fact almost instantly. How much time in the program you are eligible for will vary according to your situation (if you have homeowner's insurance that pays for lodging then you are expected to claim from your private insurance, because FEMA is not allowed to duplicate private insurance benefits.)

3) Repair Assistance: these are funds to help the uninsured and underinsured to repair their homes &/or the tools of their livelihood if those were lost. (For instance, you might claim a computer if you are uninsured and work form home.) For homes, this type of claim requires inspection, and is secondary to homeowner's or renter's insurance, so these claims are for reimbursement most of the time. The program is not meant to pay for fully restoring property; it is only meant to cover the cost of making your shelter liveable again, so it pays for basic things like repairing holes in roofs or floors, or broken windows, but it usually won't pay for things like painting or new carpet, and while it might reimburse you for a water heater, probably not a washer and dryer. Claims for this program are the ones that you hear about that can take a long time to settle, because very often homeowners appeal FEMA's initial decision as to what expenses should be eligible.

 

[DCLMP]

So Instagram and TikTok is all fake and disinformation. Got it!

Are you OK? Those were your words not mine.

 

[DCLMP]

And not stay for the show? Right. Feel free to ignore me if you like, but I enjoy being informed about what the latest disinformation is saying.

You keep posting that your done with me and then you quote me. Are we over or not.

 

[DCLMP]

Blinken 157 million to Lebanon today reported on ABC news. Are we supporting both sides now? Seems that way. How many Americans support this? We seem to have limitless money, but just 750 dollars for Americans that have lost everything, and you wonder why people are angry.

 

[Christine]

Blinken 157 million to Lebanon today reported on ABC news. Are we supporting both sides now? Seems that way. How many Americans support this? We seem to have limitless money, but just 750 dollars for Americans that have lost everything, and you wonder why people are angry.

https://www.state.gov/u-s-security-cooperation-with-lebanon/

Just a little research on your part might open your world. Lebanon has been considered one of our partners in Security Assistance efforts since 2006, whether your agree with it or not. Apparently Congress agrees with it as they are the ones who have voted for it for almost 20 years.

Americans post-Helene will receive far more than $750 dollars. You know, by now, that the $750 is for the first one or two nights. You cannot resist continual misinformation it seems.

 

[Disneychick13]

I think a whole lot of people are missing the point. And to be fair, they are missing the point bc they haven’t been through a natural disaster like Helene (or Katrina). And when I say “been through” I mean that you were there when it happened. Not there 2 weeks later. I can tell you because I was there firsthand in New Orleans when Katrina went through (I was an essential worker) and when the water started rising a day later and people were stranded and dying. I remember vividly thinking: are we in the United States? Where is anybody to help? It felt like we were in a 3rd world country. The US is a world power. It should not have taken the length of time in Katrina that it did to get help to those in need. It was (some) local agencies and local people that were helping but were overwhelmed. I don’t give a crap about “it takes time”. Bull. It takes leadership. And you can look (during Katrina) especially to the state and local leadership to see just an abject failure. And yes Bush as well not quick enough by half to step into the void created by just gross incompetence of NOLA and state leadership. Helene I think is way worse in many aspects. I know people there right now. A week later. Still no access. No power. No water. One week later. A $750 check is not helping them now. They have more immediate needs. Again, like Katrina, an abject failure on state and local leadership. And again, a federal government not filling the void in enough time. This is the United States. We should not have people stranded for a week without access to water. Unacceptable. I’m not blaming FEMA per say. They are better for the “after” but not the “during”. But the government (local, state and federal) is to blame 100%. If we can’t use the power and might of all the US has to offer in our own country and for our own people, then what the heck are we doing at all?

 

[North of Mouse]

I think 5 days is too long to save human lives. Of course, that is just my opinion. And I am so happy that volunteers feel the same way.

The condescending responses on this thread are strange.

I think a whole lot of people are missing the point. And to be fair, they are missing the point bc they haven’t been through a natural disaster like Helene (or Katrina). And when I say “been through” I mean that you were there when it happened. Not there 2 weeks later. I can tell you because I was there firsthand in New Orleans when Katrina went through (I was an essential worker) and when the water started rising a day later and people were stranded and dying. I remember vividly thinking: are we in the United States? Where is anybody to help? It felt like we were in a 3rd world country. The US is a world power. It should not have taken the length of time in Katrina that it did to get help to those in need. It was (some) local agencies and local people that were helping but were overwhelmed. I don’t give a crap about “it takes time”. Bull. It takes leadership. And you can look (during Katrina) especially to the state and local leadership to see just an abject failure. And yes Bush as well not quick enough by half to step into the void created by just gross incompetence of NOLA and state leadership. Helene I think is way worse in many aspects. I know people there right now. A week later. Still no access. No power. No water. One week later. A $750 check is not helping them now. They have more immediate needs. Again, like Katrina, an abject failure on state and local leadership. And again, a federal government not filling the void in enough time. This is the United States. We should not have people stranded for a week without access to water. Unacceptable. I’m not blaming FEMA per say. They are better for the “after” but not the “during”. But the government (local, state and federal) is to blame 100%. If we can’t use the power and might of all the US has to offer in our own country and for our own people, then what the heck are we doing at all?

Actually, many of you are missing the point. Unless you know the terrain and the many square miles affected, or even tried to go 1/4 mile into the disaster of so many wiped out towns/communities please stop the blame and finger pointing. The thick muck, homes, vehicles, glass, twisted metal, trees, steep terrain, people's belongings, etc. etc. is so real and everywhere. Take a look at Lake Lure now - looks like you could walk on it - NOT - total debris on top, but water beneath. Each step is like a minefield, then add in the hornets and natural enemies.

 

[Christine]

Actually, many of you are missing the point. Unless you know the terrain and the many square miles affected, or even tried to go 1/4 mile into the disaster of so many wiped out towns/communities please stop the blame and finger pointing. The thick muck, homes, vehicles, glass, twisted metal, trees, steep terrain, people's belongings, etc. etc. is so real and everywhere. Take a look at Lake Lure now - looks like you could walk on it - NOT - total debris on top, but water beneath. Each step is like a minefield, then add in the hornets and natural enemies.

My BIL found his boat in Lake Lure. It was not docked there.

 

[marthachick]

Our son is a lineman and they have been working since the wind died down. He is not far from home but far enough that they are spending the night there. My daughter in law went today to help Samaritan’s Purse while my husband and I watched the babies. There is so much to do to help our mountain people.

 

[jeneric997]

Lots of good news all over my FB today. Many people reporting that loved ones are safe. Several reports thanking people for all they have donated and that they have more than they need. Many have asked to just put on pauses because they will need things in the future, but for right now they have too much.

The next several months will be rough, I'm going to put reminders in the calendar to donate to some local charities over the next several months.

 

[Suger Mag]

Lots of good news all over my FB today. Many people reporting that loved ones are safe. Several reports thanking people for all they have donated and that they have more than they need. Many have asked to just put on pauses because they will need things in the future, but for right now they have too much.

The next several months will be rough, I'm going to put reminders in the calendar to donate to some local charities over the next several months.

Besides taking donations for the hurricane victims, our local animal shelters (Western Ma) have been running an adoption special all week since Helene happened... they are gearing up for the influx of animals coming as result, although we routinely take a lot of 'Dixie' dogs, they are getting a bigger load than usual. We have several of our police officers from our towns down in NC doing search and rescue

 

[Pink Partridge]

My mind is on Kimberly Ashby right now. She was in one of the homes that was swept away. Her husband was found (ALIVE!) 2 miles away. She has not been found yet. I pray there are recovery teams by the thousands searching for her and everyone else that is missing.

This woman is still missing.

 

[jeneric997]

This woman is still missing.

I know people who know her. I saw her daughter's post last week that said they had more than 100 people looking for her. I'm afraid there will be people we may never find that perished the day it hit.