New volunteer group fills in gaps to help local flood victims

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Flooding has health officials worried about mold

Many homeowners are still dealing with the effects of flood damage. (WSBT file photo)

By Tiffany Griffin

Story Created: Apr 15, 2008 at 9:37 AM EST

Story Updated: Apr 16, 2008 at 2:14 PM EST

Even though water is gone from the floods earlier this year, many people are still dealing with its effects.

Some homeowners won't get as much help as they need from FEMA. A new group is hoping to fill the gap for people in four local counties.

“There are still a lot of things to be done, a lot of cleaning,” Karen Reum told WSBT News.

Reum lives in the DeCamp Gardens area. That area was hit with flood waters twice this year. She had 5.5 feet of water in her basement.

“The washer, dryer, water softener, hot water heater, it even ruined the tank for my well,” Reum said.

In addition, she says the flood waters washed away four inches of top soil in her backyard and damaged the pipes that run from her home in the backyard.

She had flood insurance, but the policy has a $5,000 deductible.

“The first claim was over $20,000 worth of damage,” she said.

She has received some help from FEMA, but it doesn't cover most of her losses.

A new volunteer group know as the Northern Indiana Flood Recovery Operation (NIFRO) can help her and other flood victims in Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.

"We try to assist those that slip through the cracks or those that still need continued assistance after the money comes in and basically is gone,” explained Jennifer Tobey with Elkhart County Emergency Management. “Some homeowners have insurance; some homeowners don't have insurance."

Volunteers, plus the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and church groups make up the organization.

"We're going to be holding a lot of fundraisers — money is an issue,” Tobey said. “Those people are going to need our help.”

NIFRO's next meeting is Friday in Nappanee. For more information, go to their website.

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