Denton Residents Now Eligible For FEMA Assistance
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KRUM (CBSDFW.COM) - A disaster declaration may make life a lot easier for local storm victims. People in Denton were added to those eligible for individual assistance from FEMA, and that comes just in time for one family.
It's only in the last few days that the Blanchard family was able to remove furniture from one home on their property to see what they can salvage. Their focus is on another home a few feet away that will have to be ready soon for the family's newest member.
"I'll sit down and cry when I have time. I still have not sat down and cried," Danetta Blanchard said.
Blanchard and her family were airlifted out of their flooded home on Mothers' Day. They returned to find virtually everything they owned ruined. For the last month the family has worked diligently to clean up the mess.
"Church groups come out. The Mormons came out. They did the cut out and hauled it out of the house, and then the Cowboy church came out and hauled it to the pit for me," Blanchard said.
After a second storm washed away the ruined furniture she had set out in her yard, Blanchard found a silver lining.
"We chucked it out the door, another flood came through and washed it down the street. I don't have to haul it off. That's tacky, but it's the truth," she said smiling.
There's no time to spare for the cleanup. Blanchard's five-year-old granddaughter just came to live with her, and her other granddaughter is expected to give birth in three weeks.
"He's our main priority, is getting it where we can bring a baby into the house," she said.
That's why Blanchard was relieved to get a visit from FEMA officials this week who inspected her damage.
"That takes a whole load off knowing that I might get some help," she said.
Blanchard CBS 11 News she expects to hear back from FEMA in the next few days. Storm victims are eligible for federal grants to help pay for rent, home repairs, and other needs.
Click here to find out how to register for assistance or call 1-800- 621-FEMA (3362) with the following available: house address with zip code; detailed directions to the affected property; preliminary condition of the damaged home; property insurance information, if available; the registrant's Social Security Number; a reliable daytime phone number; and an address where the registrant can get mail.
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