Dateline: July 26, 2001

County seeks citizens with flood damaged homes 

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Local citizens whose homes were damaged by flooding on May 3, 2001, could receive help to fix the damage if a grant application is successful, but they need to contact officials immediately.

Donley County, through the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC), is applying for disaster relief through the HOME program administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. If awarded, the funding will be available to make repairs and might also be available for Homebuyer Assistance if repairs are not feasible.

Eligible homeowners must have received damage as a result of the May storms that were not covered either by insurance or public assistance sources.

Currently, county officials are soliciting information from all residents of the county regarding damages that their homes may have received in the flood. This information is necessary before the county can proceed with its application.

The county is also soliciting local contractors who might be interested in bidding on and performing repairs approved under the grant.

All homeowners with flood-damaged homes and all contractors interested in being included on the potential bidders list are asked to contact County Judge Jack Hall at 874-3625 before August 1, 2001.

Jarrett Atkinson with the PRPC says its important for Donley County to get its application in as soon as possible because substantial damage from floods in the Houston area will be applying for funds at the same time.

Local officials should know by the end of September whether the Donley application has been approved.