BERRIEN COUNTY — As news spreads of the governors’ disaster declaration for several Michigan counties, to include Berrien County, residents and businesses have asked many questions about what it means for this area.

“The governors’ disaster declaration is a starting place for the state to assess how we may best help our local municipalities,” said Sheriff Paul Bailey. “As specific programs are approved and announced, we will post the information on our webpage and make media releases; but we all should remain patient while appropriate programs are being identified by the state.”

The Michigan Disaster Declaration may make grants available through the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund. Local governments in the declared counties may apply for grants to receive reimbursement for response costs up to $100,000, or 10 percent of their previous year’s operating budget, whichever is less; for reimbursement of response costs or possibly to repair publicly owned property and infrastructure, such as roads or public utilities.

“It is currently too early to determine what programs may become available due to the state’s disaster declaration,” said Undersheriff Chuck Heit. “The assistance programs that have been announced throughout our local declaration remain available to individuals.”

The main programs include those available through the Department of Health and Human Services. Residents may apply for assistance by visiting michigan.gov/mibridges for emergency services to those who qualify, or call 211 to get connected with volunteer services or programs.

“We’ve learned from other disasters around the country that rumors begin to circulate around the time states declare a disaster,” said Capt. Rockey Adams, the Emergency Management Coordinator in Berrien County.  “The most common rumor that seems to spread around state level declarations is that FEMA will now be sending teams to help distribute federal aid.”

Adams said this is not the case.

“The reality is that the county will continue to work with the State Emergency Management Agency [and] the [Michigan] State Police, to determine if it is appropriate to petition the United States for a disaster declaration, or to identify other non-disaster programs that may be available,” Adams said. “But even before that occurs, we will need to continue to assess the needs of our community by working with our non-governmental partners and looking at the reports from 2-1-1 calls.”

Adams said it is too soon to tell which programs will be made available and when.

“In past emergencies, most programs that are made available are in a reimbursement or low interest loan style,” he said. “We will work with the state to apply for the appropriate relief programs, and the applications do take some time to be completed, submitted and approved.”

Adams reminds residents that there is a chance Berrien County may not qualify for some programs, so the county is not making any promises.

Adams adds for future family planning, The National Flood Insurance Program fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program). The National Flood Insurance Program aims to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures. It does so by providing affordable insurance to property owners, renters and businesses and by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. Flood insurance claims do not require a Federal State of Emergency to be declared.

Adams said many people think federal grants, if made available, will restore their property to the original condition. The reality is that grant amounts are often much less than what is needed to recover.

“A claim against your flood insurance policy could, and often does, provide more funds for recovery than those you could qualify for from FEMA or the SBA,” he said.