FEMA denies aid to West, Texas for blast recovery

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency is refusing to provide money to help rebuild the small Texas town where a deadly fertilizer plant explosion leveled numerous homes and a school, and killed 15 people.

According to a letter obtained by The Associated Press, FEMA says it reviewed the state's appeal to help West but decided the impact from the explosion "is not of the severity and magnitude that warrants a major disaster declaration." FEMA has, however, provided emergency funds to individual residents.

Construction worker Rusty Johnson is doing his part to help West recover. Although the April 17 explosion was disaster in his life, FEMA doesn't see things the same way.

"I don't see how in the world we can say this is not a major disaster," he said.

Johnson's confusion about FEMA's decision can be felt in every corner of the town.

"I can tell you what I see on that north part of town,? Mayor Tommy Muska said. ?It's a disaster."

Wednesday's announcement means that FEMA won't help rebuild the city's infrastructure.

"Wasn't big enough I guess, and I don't know if they needed 20 more houses or 200 more houses or you needed five more fireman to die,? Muska said. ?I don't know what their disaster definition is and I think that's what they owe the citizens of West."

Mayor Muska says the city was hoping for almost $200 million dollars to help rebuild the city. Now all he wants is an explanation.

"We've lost a lot of revenue, so we can't afford to even go out and get a loan or a grant and get it back so to me that's a disaster," he said.

The city's largest employer, the West Independent School District, is also in trouble. The blast destroyed one school and badly damaged another. They?re hoping insurance will pay about $54 million, but without FEMA money, it leaves a deep hole.

"We were expecting between insurance and FEMA to land anywhere between the $90 and $100 million mark," Muska said.

Now, the school system will have to find a way to rebuild without federal help.

Many people feel like they are being lost in the fold and it's left all West residents asking the same question:

"What exactly is a disaster?" Muska said.

Mayor Muska also said FEMA will still stay in West to help with individual assistance such as private business loans.

West ISD Superintendent Marty Crawford also said all West School Students will attend classes on West ISD campuses in temporary buildings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source: http://austin.ynn.com/content/headlines/292424/fema-denies-aid-to-west--texas-for-blast-recovery

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