OMAHA, Nebraska (WOWT) – Earlier this week, FEMA announced that relief funds had been made available in 17 Nebraska counties, including Douglas, after President Joe Biden approved a federal disaster declaration due to damage from storms between late May and early June.

The Douglas County Emergency Management Agency (DCEMA) explained that there are two types of FEMA assistance. One is public assistance to local agencies, such as debris removal.

But county and city officials said it could take months — even years — for the funds to become available.

Patrick Bloomingdale, Douglas County’s chief administrative officer, told 6 News that the county hasn’t really faced any major problems due to the spring storms, but is still waiting for FEMA’s welfare reimbursement for garbage fees following the April tornadoes.

“We have not yet received any notification or communication from FEMA regarding our request,” Bloomingdale said.

However, the city of Omaha said the declaration approved this week gives it the opportunity to request increased funding to clean up debris and repair flood damage from the storms in May and June. Until then, those costs will be covered by the public works and parks and recreation budgets.

The other type of FEMA assistance is individual assistance sent directly to households.

DCEMA said some residents affected by the April tornado have already received individual relief funds after seeking help from insurance companies and donations.

However, they said residents who were evicted from Grandridge Apartments on May 21 would likely not receive any money from the declaration approved Tuesday.

Bloomingdale said the county does not yet know if it will receive reimbursement for the July 31 storm.

To give a better idea of ​​how long it may take for federal funds to arrive, the city’s finance department said it is still waiting for some FEMA funds for the 2019 floods to be disbursed.

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