By Brenda Showalter, The Republic
bshowalter@therepublic.com
William Ragan drove to Indianapolis on Thursday to talk to Gov. Mitch Daniels about the flood devastation in Columbus.
He wanted to tell him how rebuilding rules for flood-damaged homes could force many residents to lose the houses they've lived in for decades.
Ragan got no further than the governor's and legislators' assistants, but he's not giving up. He plans to fight to have laws and rebuilding rules changed and is prepared to conduct rallies, circulate petitions and speak to any public officials who will listen.
Ragan feels fortunate that he should be able to repair his home that has about $35,000 in damage - even though he had to tap into his retirement fund.
He worries, however, about his neighbors and others in the community.
"It breaks my heart that nearly everyone around here is probably going to lose their homes," Ragan said as he looked down North Mapleton Street.
The street on the city's east side behind Cummins Tech Center is classified as a 100-year floodplain area, and homeowners must adhere to strict requirements when rebuilding.
Ragan was outraged, when he learned this week that homes in a floodplain that needed repairs exceeding 40 percent of their market value before the flood might have to be elevated or have other flood-proofing.
Homes that fall into the 40 percent rule cannot be occupied until the flood-proof rules are met.
"People can't afford to have their homes raised," Ragan said. "And raising it could cause further damage."
Vergil Fellows, whose house on Indianapolis Road sustained significant flood damage, was told by local building inspectors that his basement would need filled in and the house elevated before he could move back in.
"It's not right," said Fellows, who blames Federal Emergency Management Agency, which helps dictate local flood insurance regulations.
"They're asking the impossible so we can't do it."
For now, Fellows, his wife, three children and a grandchild are living with a relative, sleeping on a sofa, recliner and anywhere they can find a spot.
"I just feel like I'm stuck. I don't know what I'll do," Fellows said.
Fellows, who already is rebuilding his life after losing a longtime job three years ago and commuting to a new job in Bedford, is angry that local officials are telling him he can't move back into his home.
FEMA requirements
Jeff Bergman, executive director of Bartholomew County Planning Department, said the rules about rebuilding in floodplains after a flood have been on the books for decades.
Rules had to be adopted for the city and county to be eligible for federally backed flood insurance from FEMA.
Bergman said FEMA requires the regulations be adopted and enforced.
He understands residents' frustrations, but said the city has to consider everything involved with a flood, even if it only happens every 100 years.
"They might say, 'It's my house, my life, my money. I should be allowed to build in a floodplain if I want,'" Bergman said.
He explained that when a flood happens, emergency personnel might have to rescue people from flooded homes, and lives could be endangered.
Homeowners with flooded homes also will be seeking public assistance for repairs from such agencies as FEMA.
"Every taxpayer pays a little piece for that person to take the risk (to have a house in a floodplain)," Bergman said.
Timing frustrating
Part of residents' frustrations is that they didn't know about the local rebuilding rules until after homeowners and volunteers spent many hours removing tons of debris and tearing out drywall, carpeting and insulation.
Homeowners thought they were days away from beginning repair work to make the homes livable.
Ragan said some people felt like the cleanup was a waste of time if they are not going to be allowed to repair their homes.
Bergman said code enforcement officials began distributing information about the rebuilding rules within days after the flood, but not until this week has the information become more widely known.
Ragan fears some homeowners will abandon their homes, leaving empty houses in neighborhoods, creating more problems for the city.
"We're aware of that issue, but we don't have any answers yet," Bergman said.
Bergman added that city and county officials are devoting many of their resources to trying to find more help for local residents.
Talks are ongoing with FEMA and Department of Homeland Security to see if any buyout for homeowners could happen.
"We don't know if it's possible," Bergman said. "But we're putting as many resources into that as possible."