Getting Help from FEMA in the Wake of Hurricane Ike

This is only a story of one particular family, although word has it that this is not a limited occurrence.

A co-worker of my wife lives, rather it should be said that she "lived" on the waterfront in Seabrook, TX. As anyone familiar with the storm should know, it is not a surprise that her home was nearly completely demolished by the hurricane on September 12, 2008. The damage was initially fairly extensive, wind and water damage made the house unlivable in the short term. As any hard working home owner would expect though, she and her husband planned on fixing the damage. Little did they know how bad it would really get. Just over two weeks after the storm, as wood and sheetrock finally started drying out, to their surprise, the roof completely collapsed due to intense structural damage. Now this is a modest family, they do not live extravagent lives and drive fancy cars or live in an outlandish home. This is a normal lower middle class family, just like most of us.

FEMA has been in the area since the day after the storm, September 13, 2008 that is. The organization has pledged to help the families who lost their homes and jobs and so on. A very generous offer it would seem. Apartment dwellings have been reported, hotel accomodations, food and water also have been provided. One would think this particular family should be relatively well cared for in the wake of the storm. Not so, I am sorry to say. FEMA did come out to inspect the home and pry into their personal lives, asking for income tax and proof of income for the past three years. They inspected the home, at least what was left of it, and made a decision in a matter of days. Fairly quick under the circumstances. Unfortunately, the decision was one of complete denial. No housing assistance, not repair assistance, no temporary shelter. Naturally the woman and her husband appealed the decision. The case is still being reviewed but one has no choice but to be pessimistic in light of the recent events that preceeded this current limbo.

As stated before, this is not an isolated occurance, according to rumors. One must always keep a judgmental eye on the grapevine, however in lieu of so many stories mounting on the Internet and around the water cooler, one must also give this particular rumor some much needed attention.

There is only so much we can do as citizens, but that is never a reason to sit idly by and do nothing. At the very least this article will generate enough attention to make the public aware of the attrocities being committed against hard working honest Americans