FEMA aid: Blue books and red tape

NORWICH – Despite efforts to repair and upgrade roads and property damaged by repetative flooding over the last two years, the process has been both grueling and slow-going for Town of Norwich officials.

Local officials have put in many additional hours surveying the damage and trying to determine what needs to be done and when. After an area has been declared a federal disaster site, inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are called in to survey, advise and perform damage control measures. FEMA officials were not yet finished with their work following the June flood before a third declaration for the county was made last week as a result of flooding in November.

Following a federal declaration, FEMA inspectors fill out project work sheets with detailed information regarding the damage, what repairs are needed, and an estimated cost analysis. After work sheets are complete for each project, they are submitted to the federal government for approval. Once submitted and approved, municipalities receive what is called “a blue book.” According to Town Supervisor David C. Law, when a municipality receives the blue book, officials are secure enough about being reimbursed for expenses to begin the repairs. However, Law said, “The money is not guaranteed.”