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FEMA to help county
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MONROE - Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be in Green County Friday to discuss federal assistance for public land damage.

Green County Emergency Management project director Tanna McKeon said the county received about $375,000 in damages due to storms and flooding during the June 5 storms.

Initially, McKeon said damage estimates in the county for public land damage was about $25,000.

Since the initial estimates the amount of damaged public land has increased, she said.

The area north of Brodhead received significant damage because of flooding.

Brodhead City Clerk Nancy Schoeller said the city is trying to pump water away from areas north of the city. The Brodhead City Council voted to remove the water July 14.

Schoeller said the city engineer estimated it would cost $18,000 a week to remove the water. She said the engineer estimated it would take up to six weeks to remove the water.

Schoeller said the city will ask for assistance because the money is "desperately needed" to cover the cost.

The area near the dam in Albany also received damage due to the increased amount of water.

Albany village Clerk Laurie Keepers said repair to the dam area would cost several thousands of dollars.

The sewer system in Brooklyn was also damaged, McKeon added.

Bob Anderson, director of public works in Brooklyn, estimated the village had $20,000 in damages to its sewer system.

FEMA officials will meet with representatives from local municipalities and help them fill out necessary paperwork to receive assistance. McKeon said federal funds will help pay for 75 percent of damages. The state and the municipality making the funding request will pay the rest equally.

Public land is not the same as private land damage. Private land is owned by individuals and includes flooded basements or damages to businesses.

Green County received about $525,000 in damages to private property during the storm, McKeon said. Most of the damage took place in Decatur township and Brodhead.

FEMA officials will be at Blackhawk Technical College at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1. They will be in room 413.

McKeon also reminds people the deadline to apply for federal assistance is Aug. 13.

A toll-free helpline is available between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. every day to take registrations. Homeowners, renters and businesses can register by calling (800) 621-3362 or online at www.fema.gov. Those with hearing or speech impairment can call (800) 462-7585.