ByGeorge!

Dec. 2, 2003

Isabel Costs University $1.45 Million

GW to Receive $70,000 from FEMA

By Greg Licamele

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently approved $91,482 for GW Hurricane Isabel relief, of which the University will receive approximately $70,000, said Joe Yohe, assistant director of risk management.

The overall price tag of the September storm amounted to $1.45 million, primarily due to payroll costs for two days when the University cancelled classes and closed offices Sept. 18-19. The metropolitan Washington region was declared a federal disaster area following the storm, which opened the door for government assistance.

Yohe said GW was eligible for two types of aid — reimbursement of expenses related to debris removal and emergency protective measures. The negotiation process, which took about four weeks to complete, required expense documentation from various GW departments, especially Facilities Management, which is responsible for weather-related incidents on campus.

“The applicant is responsible for 25 percent of the costs, so GW will receive the $70,000,” Yohe said.

John Petrie, assistant vice president for public safety and emergency management, said no injuries were reported during the hurricane and campus damage was limited to small fallen trees.

However, Petrie said, the Mount Vernon Campus lost power because of downed electrical lines in the surrounding neighborhood. Students were housed in area hotels, a $30,000 expense FEMA is covering in GW’s claim, Yohe said.

Petrie said comprehensive planning by many departments, including the removal of items that could have been hazardous, prevented further damage.

“Many people at the University did an impressive job in preparations,” Petrie said. “GW started its planning earlier than the majority of area universities in terms of being prepared to take care of the population.”


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