Fire victims hope for FEMA help
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Updated: 10:59 PM Apr 13, 2009
Fire victims hope for FEMA help
CARTER CO., OK -- The damage assessment continues Monday, after last week's devastating wildfires. Area leaders are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to see who will qualify for state or federal funds. But that leaves residents wondering, what are they going to do until then? Shelby Levins reports.
Posted: 10:22 PM Apr 13, 2009
Reporter: Shelby Levins
Email Address: shelby.levins@kxii.com
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CARTER CO., OK -- The damage assessment continues Monday, after last week's devastating wildfires. Area leaders are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to see who will qualify for state or federal funds. But that leaves residents wondering, what are they going to do until then? Shelby Levins reports.

"It's what do I do now," said Cindy Evans. Evans' Ratliff City home burned to the ground, along with at least 65 other homes in Carter County, during last week's wildfires.

"I'm on disability and I had gotten a break - the Lord blessed me with a house and now it's gone," Evans said.

This was supposed to be Evans' retirement home on Doral Road. Now Evans says she's literally left with nothing.

"We got out with the clothes on our back. I had some jewelry, computers, pictures. I lost all my pictures, just everything," said Evans.

Evans is now trying to pick up the pieces and put her life back together.

"I knew I was going to have to have paperwork showing my physical address and the legal description of my property," Evans said.

So the first stop, the Carter County Assessor's office to pick up paperwork proving Evan's homestead in Ratliff City. Then it was off to the American Red Cross to try and get a little help for the coming days. The non-profit assists with immediate food, clothing and shelter costs.

"We evaluate each client, each case, to ensure those services, if they need them, we're providing them," said Patricia Whitener with the American Red Cross.

Evans says she was given a couple hundred dollars in vouchers to buy food and clothing. The Red Cross says that's why they're in place. But sometimes they need help to help victims like Evans.

"We're responsible for the financial aspect of this operation," Whitener said. "Donations are greatly needed. We're anticipating this could cost between $50,000 -75,000."

Evans says she's now waiting on her insurance to kick in and is hoping FEMA will approve federal aid. Evans says she's thankful the fires are out, but it's going to take a while to extinguish the heartache.

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