June 27, 2006

SALEM, N.H. --Some victims of record flooding in southern New Hampshire last month say federal aid has been of little help.

"I have completely given up," said Donna St. Jean, who along with her husband, Robert, received $6,000 from the federal government immediately following the flood, but still owe $238,000 on a mortgage for their house, which they say is so infested by mold it's uninhabitable.

The St. Jeans refinanced in 2004, shortly before Donna St. Jean fell ill. The couple moved into a 55-plus housing community in September 2005. Their son, Robert St. Jean Jr., was living in the first house and paying the mortgage when the Spicket River flooded the home in May, leaving mold, damaged property and a weakened foundation in its wake.

After being told they had to apply for a loan which they say they would have no hope of repaying, the couple gave up, Donna St. Jean said.

"I'd have to knock (the house) down and rebuild it, and I don't have that kind of money," she said.

Robert St. Jean Sr., 67, plans to call his finance company soon to discuss how he might pay the mortgage. He said he hasn't been making the payments, but he's not worried about that.

"What are they going to do to me at my age?" he said.

Another couple, John and Mary Fenlon, have their own frustrations. Despite many applications and conversations, they still haven't seen a check reimbursing them for the repairs they've made to their home.

About three weeks ago, however, they were promised money from their flood insurance provider, and are waiting for that to arrive.

More than a week ago, the Fenlons were turned down for a loan from the Small Business Administration. If that agency turns down flood victims for a loan request, the victims are referred to FEMA for grant money.

The town of Salem, meanwhile, is pursuing a hazardous mitigation plan through FEMA. If the plan is approved, the federal government could buy homes susceptible to flooding at fair market value, clearing the land to prevent flood damage in the future.

Town Manager Henry LaBranche said the town will not likely meet the June 30 deadline for submitting its hazardous mitigation plan application. Missing the deadline means any federal buyout would be pushed out another calendar year.
 

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