Archive for Friday, May 12, 2006

KU hopes to get more than $3M from FEMA

By Sophia Maines

May 12, 2006

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Kansas University hopes to receive about $3.3 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cover the bulk of the damage caused by the March 12 microburst.

The funds would cover a little more than half of the estimated $6 million in cleanup costs, which include repairs to facilities and pay for employees who aided in the cleanup.

As KU worked on cleanup from the March storm, a heavy hailstorm in late April caused more damage to campus buildings. The ensuing rains compounded KU's troubles.

"It's been a challenging year," said Jim Modig, KU's director of design and construction management. "Kansas weather isn't done yet. We've still got several weather months left. Hopefully we've got our fair share for the year and we're done."

The microburst ripped off roofs and shredded and uprooted trees.

KU housing facilities and buildings paid for with bonds are insured by the university, which has a $50,000 deductible.

About 80 percent of facilities damaged by the March storm are covered under the state policy, which has a $5 million deductible, Modig said. With slightly more than $4 million in damage to state-covered facilities, KU didn't meet the deductible, Modig said.

KU hopes FEMA grants will cover most of the damage with the remainder coming from the state and insurance, Modig said.

He said permanent repairs might not be complete for six months to a year.

Joy Moser, spokeswoman for the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, said KU could get what it expects from FEMA or it might not.

The state emergency management division has only collected project worksheets - paperwork needed before FEMA will reimburse - on about $1 million in damage, Moser said.

"It depends on whether the things they apply for are all eligible," she said. "It's going to take a long time."

Moser could not say when the process would be completed, but said she thought emergency management staff were about a quarter of the way through collecting project worksheets.

The emergency management division in its initial damage assessment shortly after the storm determined KU had $4.1 million in damage that could be eligible for reimbursement, Moser said. That amount could change as the agency continues its work, she said.

March 12, 2006, Storm

Related content for the storm

  • A year later, microburst's sudden fury still evident (03-11-07)
  • EMS chief stays positive after injuries (03-11-07)
    • More like this

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    1. 14 May 2006
      at 5:46 p.m.

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      Anonymous

      BJ (Anonymous) says…

      FEMA; the new 4 letter word.

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