Reno Gazette-Journal du lieu suivant : Reno, Nevada • Page 10

Wednesday, June 25, 1997 Reno Gazette-Journal ioaI Flood Recovery Religious organizations come to aid of flood victims Government funds fall short: Human touch the difference in putting lives in. Northern Nevada Interfaith Disaster Response Network can be reached at 348-1990, or write to NNIDRN, PO Box 13147, Reno 89507. American Red Cross, Sierra Nevada Chapter, 856-1000. gogues, temples and other religious organizations hoping to help where other money ran out. "What we really look at are unmet needs," said Phil Tucker, spokesman for Interfaith.

But instead of money, Interfaith concentrates on finding in-kind help: skilled tradesmen to help repair a damaged porch, donated materials to help repair a cracked foundation, volunteers for a wide variety of home and property damage repairs. For seniors, the group also may be able to help with high utility bills that resulted from the floods. In the Hudsons' case, Interfaith will help by finding a carpet supplier willing to donate or sell at cost enough carpeting and padding to cover the family's floors. Crafts men could be found to help repair the home's damaged windows. "They're just wonderful," Lois Hudson said.

"The Lord works in mysterious ay Interfaith hopes to contact 1,500 to 2,000 families across northern Nevada through mailings over the next month, in search of unmet needs where help can be provided. Many of those in need of the most help are in the Carson Valley and Smith Valley. Leslie Schaffer. executive director of the Sierra Nevada chapter of the American Red Cross, said the agency will spend $951,000 in emergency and repair assistance for northern Nevada flood victims by the time their funding is exhausted. In most cases, FEMA help Nevadans whose homes were damaged by flooding, the money available from the government and relief agencies covered only a fraction of the actual costs of recovery.

The Hudsons are still without strong windows, a complete kitchen or even carpeting all damaged or destroyed in January Next week, flood victims in the Carson Valley, as well as the Mason and Smith valleys, will be among the first to hear from the Northern Nevada Interfaith Disaster Response Network a Reno-based group of churches, syna im. A 1 link r- t. .0 11 Mk -A By JimNamiotka RENO GAZETTE-JOl'RN As the New Year's Day flood waters rose, Lois and Dwayne Hudson could only ateh as their home in the Truckee River Mobile Home Park was overtaken by the surging river. Six months later, with the help of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross and their own savings accounts, the Hudsons' home is now high and dry in central Lyon County. But like thousands of northern $1 billion pricetag attached to flooding Part of data base: National weather service releases figures.

ASSOCIATED PRESS V'estern Nevada and the eastern slope of the Sierra took a SI billion hit after January's flood, with more than half the damage in Washoe County. Figures, compiled from federal, state and local sources, placed damage in western Nevada at S632.5 million. S540.2 million in Washoe County alone. Numbers from the California side of the Sierra pushed the total to S956.8 million, according to figures released by the National Weather Service. The following numbers, along with flood data, have become part of an historic data base for Nevada.

Damage figures show: Washoe County: Damage was immense because of the concentration of businesses and homes along the Truckee River. Estimates include S200 million to 1.420 business and homes in Reno, 300 million in Sparks. 32 million at RenoTahoe International Airport and $2.5 million to repair Interstate 80 near the Helms Pit in Sparks. The Mount Rose Highway. 1-80 near the California line and U.S.

395 through Washoe Valley were closed by high water or mud slides. put at S55 million. While at least 75 homes were damaged, most of the toll was tallied along the levee and irrigation system. Lyon County: Damage estimates at S19.5 million, mostly in Yerington. with additional losses in Wellington and Smith, to highways 208 and 339 in ilson Canyon and to agricultural areas.

homes and businesses still are being tallied, but the damage to public facilities was estimated at S6.4 million. Storeyand Churchill counties: Damages up to $3 million involved roads and bridees. hile Churchill's S345.000 casualty-figure was confined to the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District. Damages elsewhere included: Placer County: Area around Squaw Valley USA as hit hard ith S28.7 million in damages. Nevada County: S28.9 million in damages.

Sierra County: Estimates of S27.6 million. Alpine County: Estimated damage was $5.9 million. maxed out at 1 3,000 per family. While the Red Cross' emergency shelters and food kitchens are highly visible, many people may be under the mistaken impression that Douglas County, Lyon County, Carson City and Washoe County are fullv recovered from the New nfp- tymtm paired by the building landlord. Most of the program's office furniture and supplies have been replaced through donations.

An anonymous service garage fixed the program's 16-foot delivery truck, a $10,000 job. To donate supplies or money: Call 353-5533 or stop by between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Teachers can 'shop' for supplies between 3 and 3:50 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays or the second and fourth Saturdays between 9 and 11 a.m. tiPNh 8 Andy BarronReno Gaette Journal STOCKED SHELVES: Elementary school teachers Danna Barkley, left, and Jody Scott shop for supplies at Partners in Education warehouse. Generosity puts PIE back in business ill fsT L- Jt A till 5 quality than before, staffers said. "If anything good can come out of something bad this is it," said warehouse manager Dan Alverez. standing among the towering industrial shelves.

PIE offices were completely renovated and now have a new-phone system and new paint, carpeting, and sheetrock walls. The building's "We were all very touched almost taken aback by the generosity of the community with rebuilding this program. Christie Thissen, coordinator insured landlord. Security Industrial Trust paid for damage to the building. The office looks better than it did before the flood.

Many of the office supplies minus much of the 10-year-old program's paperwork that was lost were donated. A local furniture supplier has agreed to outfit the office with new furniture. "We were all very touched almost taken aback by the generosity of the community with rebuilding this program," Thissen said. "It softened the trauma of all the loss." The six members of the staff, who laughed and cried together during rebuilding, are now closer, Thissen said "You learn to not sweat the small stuff," Thissen said. "You find out hat's really important." Year's Flood.

"We experience this a lot," Schaffer said. "It can take a community 18 months to recover. In North Dakota right now, we don't know if Grand Forks will ever recover. "Here, we were fortunate," she said. "Although it was very devastating for many, many families, the economy recovered very quickly." Because northern Nevada is tourism-driven, the state and tourist industries spent a lot of money to tell the world that the area was "high and dry." But that message may be deceiving at the local level.

"We tend to forget that people are still recovering," Schaffer said. "Sometimes it masks some of the real local issues that we're dealing with." Company: Perri makers of backstage passes for concerts, events. Location: Offices at 1000 Bible Way, Reno. Warehouse at 2900 Vassar St. Employs: About 20.

Established: 1993. Flood damage: About $97,000 in supplies, equipment and product. Status: Back to pre-flood strength. Loan and humor put firm on feet By Benjamin Grove RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL Employees at Perri Entertainment Corp. have kept their business and a sense of humor afloat in the months after the flood that brought 2 feet of murky water into their Reno warehouse.

On Tuesday, company president Tony Perry wiped the dust off a rescued roll of foil sitting on a shelf. "That was a floater," joked warehouse worker Gordon Pratt. Perri makes colorful, glossy backstage passes for concerts and events ranging from Metallica to Pavoratti in its warehouse on Vassar Street near RenoTahoe International Airport. Flood water ruined about $97,000 in finished passes, materials, and equipment, including damage to its printing press. To recoup loses.

Perry took out an $82,000 loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. "Without that loan, there is no way we would be here today." Perry said. Six months after the flood, the warehouse has been scrubbed clean. These days, Perri is back running at full strength, making passes for tours including Ozzfest '97, Julio Iglesias and Bobby McFcrrin.

Most of Perri's clients stuck with the company despite the flood, except three or four Perry said he would like to win back. "It's brought a lot of us closer together, there's really been a lot of teamwork." said Perry of his 20-person staff. In the near future. Perry still plans to move to a place where he can consolidate Perri's office and warehouse, now a few blocks apart. Perry already has begun paying back the federal loan, hich should take between 10 and 20 years.

The government is using company equipment as collateral, so Perry's plans to get a loan for expansion and buy a better press are on hold because of the debt. "I don't have equity in my equipment anymore," he said. "We've recovered, we're good-humored, but it's still going to be a struggle." Rosa M. Rodrigue Reno Gazette-Journal was approved for 305 businesses, the SBA reported Monday Small businesses can applv for economic injury loans through October 3. Information and application forms can be obtained bv writing to the SBA.

P.O. Box 13795. Sacramento. CA calling 1-800-488-5323. Hearina-impaired: call (916) 566-7388.

Andy BarronReno Gazette Journal die JANUARY 6, 1997: Joyce Hayes throws away the flood damaged merchandise at the Partners in Education building. Community support: Program now stronger than ever, official says. By Benjamin Grove RE NO GAZETTE-JOURNAL Shelves in the Partners in Education warehouse are again full of posterboard, old calendars and kids' cowboy outfits. Businesses and private citizens, including elderly women toting plastic bottles, are again bringing supplies for teachers to use in the classroom to the PIE warehouse in industrial Sparks. Donations were on hold after two feet of January flood water ruined the non-profit organization's offices and warehouse.

Now the program has rebuilt itself stronger than before. "We're still getting donations as a result of the flood and publicity," said Christie Thisscn. special programs coordinator. "We're a fullblown operation." Thissen said more teachers are visiting now that school is out for summer. "We've been swamped," Thissen said.

"They've been coming in getting ready for next school year." Flooding ruined about 150.000 in supplies in the arehouse. Since then, more than 100 businesses have donated goods to more than replenish what was lost. In many cases, the goods are also better i i 3 Family back in home after muddy ordeal SBA Disaster Loans The U.S. Small Business Administration approved more than S22.2 million in low interest disaster loans in northern Nevada to home owners and businesses whose property was damaged by flooding. The following is a break down of loans approved.

Location: 861 E. Glen-dale Sparks. Description: Washoe County Schools program creates and fosters business-school partnership. Building: Includes offices and 3,500 square-foot warehouse. Flood update: The flood caused about $210,000 in losses.

Federal relief money has paid for two workers to help from February through July. About $150,000 in lost donated materials have been replenished. About $27,000 in building damage was re $34,400 SBA loan, payable over 30 vears at 4 percent interest, to rebuild. "I wouldn't have chosen to spend my money that way, but it happened." Luna said. "There was a silver lining.

1 have a beautiful new house." To celebrate and thank the family and friends who saw her through the ordeal Luna recently held a party. The theme was A River Ran Through It a play on the 1992 movie "A River Runs Through It." "The house was packed." Luna said. "I thanked everybody who helped me." It was the party that almost wasn't. Luna considered selling the house she had lived in for the past 10 years, where she raised her 9-year-old daughter. Jenny and 19-ycar-old son.

Nick, now a student at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Md. She decided to stand her ground, armed with a new flood insurance policy "I guess my attitude now is. if I survived it once.

I could survive it again." she said. "I have flood insurance now." i' i County Home Bus. i Total Home Business Total Douglas 45 15 60 $972,700 $467,900 $1,440,600 Lyon 37 18 55 640,300 563,200 1.203,500 Storey 3 1 4 24.200 11,100 35,300 Washoe 134 259 393 2,509,200 16,664,200 19,173,400 Carson City 27 12 39 196,700 195,100 391,800 Total 246 305 551 l'3400, 17.901.500 22.244,600 i Source. SBA By Christine Akinaga Moran RENO GAZETTE-JOl'RNAL Six months after the New Year's Day flood destroyed her Idlewild Drive home. Michelle Luna has a remodeled house and some words of advice think positive and buy flood insurance.

"It was devastating at the time, but you have to turn it around and look at it in a positive light." Luna said. Luna and her family were among hundreds of people suffering property damage last January when the Truckee River and other waterways flooded after warm weather melted the Sierra snowpack. About $4.3 million in disaster loans has been distributed to 246 Nevada homeowners and renters to rebuild, the Small Business Administration reported Monday. Luna's four-bedroom home was flooded with mud and a foot of water, causing S38.000 in damage. She received money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for relocation expenses through February, when she was able to return home.

She took a $22.2 million in disaster loans approved by SBA for Nevada The Small Business Administration approved more than $22.2 million in low-interest disaster loans to property owners affected by inter floods and storms in Nevada and business still can apply for economic injury loans. Of the S22.2 million in approved SBA loans. S4.3 million went to 246 homeow ners and renters, and 1 7.9 Mark StudyvinPeno HOME SWEET HOME: Michelle Luna stands outside of her home on Id'eld Dnve with her daughter. Jenn Tuesday aUernoon. Luna's home as destroyed during tne New Year's Flood and rebuilt with the aid of FEMA mo'-ey..