Dealing with FEMA flooding relief leaves resident confused

WATERVILLE, Minn. (KEYC) - James Hanks has lived in Waterville for over 50 years and has been through a few floods in his time.

“Well, here in town there were a lot of homes that were, you know, destroyed, I guess is the best way to put it,” he said.

When the river rose last June, he reacted quickly to the invasive water to prevent further damage to his longtime home, but still had to replace his furnace and water heater.

“And in some cases, people have insurance, you know, flood insurance, to cover it. In my case, I don’t,” he said.

Hanks says he spoke with FEMA representatives to see if he could get these expenses covered. He said he registered, but never applied for aid.

“Minimal damage. Total here was, I can easily say less than $2,500 and FEMA wouldn’t give me a penny,” he said.

In a phone call with FEMA, they confirmed he was an applicant in their system.

Shortly after speaking with the FEMA representatives, he says he got a check in the mail for over $13,000.

“No letter, no explanation of what it was for or anything,” Hanks said.

He further said that he received a notice about the check a few days later.

“It just doesn’t make sense. And I can’t get a real, honest, straight answer out of FEMA,” he said.

But when comparing the dates on the items, the note is dated September 9 and the check September 10.

Hanks said he is frustrated that he cannot use the money.

“You get to a point where you don’t know what you should really do,” he said.

Over the same call, FEMA said that Hanks had some expenses that were eligible for disaster relief which is why he received money, but he had some expenses that weren’t as well.

Due to privacy reasons, FEMA was not able to confirm further details.

For now, Hanks says his case remains in limbo.

FEMA says if people have received money that they aren’t sure they should have, they need to reach out to FEMA’s helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

For more information visit FEMA’s website.

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