Flood victims struggle to rebuild without FEMA aid
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FEMA is denying funding to dozens affected by September’s flood because the storm didn't meet the federal criteria to be considered a disaster. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- FEMA is denying funding to dozens affected by September’s flood because the storm didn't meet the federal criteria to be considered a disaster.
The owners of Tatlantis, a tattoo parlor located in the badly damaged Promenade Shops across from UNLV, have had to take second jobs to prevent them from losing their shop.
They weren’t relying on federal assistance, but they said it would've been helpful had FEMA provided them with something to get back on their feet.
“We still have to pay rent, we're still trying to keep this, but we have to go out and make money somewhere else,” said Jeff McIntosh.
Rubble continues to build miles away on the east side of the valley which was also badly damaged by the Sept. 11th floods. Residents too had their hopes dashed when they found out they wouldn't be getting any federal funding either.
“That's not right. We pay our taxes, and we live right,” said Claire Hollis, who slept in a chair for more than three weeks after the flood destroyed almost all her belongings.
A dining room set is the only furniture not damaged by the water.
With no flood insurance, Hollis was hoping for federal assistance to rebuild. Now, she doesn’t know what her future holds.
“I'm a widow, I live by myself, I'm 80 years old and I have cancer. What am I going to do?” Hollis said.
Both Claire and the guys at Tatlantic received some help cleaning up and re-painting their places from the volunteers at share, a local non-profit organization.
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