Since a flood devastated Vernonia, Ore. in December 2007, some families have left the town. But many remain, some of them still living in government-issued trailers as they try to repair their ruined homes. Now, the Federal Emergency Management Agency says those residents' terms are up, and 15 families face eviction from their trailers by a fast-approaching June 8 deadline. (Last weekend the Oregonian reported at length on those families, many of whom don't know where else to go.)
Today, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden sent a letter to FEMA administrator Dennis Hunsinger, beseeching him to let Vernonians keep their trailers for four more months. He says Vernonia residents have shown resilience and responsibility in rebuilding their town, but they need more time — and because the displaced families weren't allowed to move into the trailers until four months after the flood, they should be able to stay in them for that much longer.
The full letter after the jump:
Dear Deputy Administrator Hunsinger:
It has come to my attention that citizens of Vernonia who are currently living in FEMA trailers while repairing or replacing homes damaged in the December 2007 flood have been given an eviction date of June 8, 2009. I am writing to ask for a four-month extension to allow them to finish fixing their homes.
As you know, Vernonia is an isolated town in the foothills of the coastal mountains of Oregon with 2,500 residents. In 2007, this town was devastated by its second major flood in 11 years. All three school buildings were damaged, the wastewater treatment ponds were destroyed, and more than 220 homes in Vernonia, and an equal number outside the city limits in the upper Nehalem River Valley, were substantially damaged and in need of hazard mitigation.
This would have crushed most towns, but the people of Vernonia have worked hard and come together to rebuild. They did not wait for federal or state assistance. They took charge of their destiny. They created a tight knit organization called Columbia County Flood Relief, to assist the hundreds of residents impacted by the flood, making sure they received the support and assistance that was available. This group also recruited volunteers, directing over 60,000 hours of volunteer time, and went after grant money, equipment and supply donations to start rebuilding Vernonia immediately. They took responsibility for their town. However, they do need more time to finish their rebuilding. That is why I am asking that the FEMA trailers remain in place past the June 8 deadline.
As you know, the clock started on the 18-month limit for the use of the FEMA trailers when the disaster declaration was signed by the President in December of 2007. However, because of difficulty in finding a site for the trailers and concerns with formaldehyde, residents were not allowed to move in to the trailers until late March 2008. Given this four-month delay before Vernonia residents could occupy the trailers and the fact that it was caused by factors beyond the residents’ control. I am requesting they be given an extension of the time they are permitted to use the trailers.
Vernonia has already lost 10 percent of its population, and FEMA needs to do everything it can to make sure citizens can stay in Vernonia, and keep it a thriving town.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please contact Fritz Graham in my Salem office at 503-589-4555.
Sincerely,
Ron Wyden
United States Senator
