Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 1, 1993 TAG: 9309010208
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Gov. Douglas Wilder, who had asked for a federal disaster declaration three weeks ago, said he was disappointed by the decision.
"It is clear that FEMA does not have a full appreciation of the extent of the damage and the impact on the communities affected," Wilder said in a news release.
The Aug. 6 tornadoes caused four deaths, more than 200 injuries and nearly $50 million in damage.
The tri-cities area of Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Hopewell just south of Richmond was hit hardest.
"Petersburg is one of the most distressed communities in the state," City Manager Valerie Lemmie said in a telephone interview. "This was our status prior to the tornado. We don't have the resources to recover on our own."
Petersburg's historic Old Towne section, which withstood a siege by Union forces in the Civil War, was heavily damaged. Also receiving significant damage was Pocahontas Island, a community settled by free blacks before the Civil War.
Three of the deaths occurred in Colonial Heights, where the twister sliced open a Wal-Mart.
"Short of complete obliteration, we cannot see what must occur to garner a disaster declaration," Wilder said.
In a letter to Wilder, FEMA Director James L. Witt recited the findings of damage assessments by federal, state and local governments.
"Based on our review of those findings, we have concluded that the impacts of this event are not of the severity and magnitude that warrant a major disaster declaration," Witt wrote.
"The recent tornadoes have placed a significant financial burden on the city of Petersburg; however, the impact does not appear to exceed the combined capabilities and resources of both the state and local governments."
Lemmie disagreed. She said the state has provided some help, but there is a limit to how much more Virginia can do as it faces a $500 million budget shortfall over the next two years.
"We thought the uniqueness of our historic character would make a difference," she said. "It costs about three times as much to rebuild and make sure the historic character is maintained."
The city must preserve Old Towne's historic atmosphere, because the district is the key to the city's tourism, Lemmie said.
The decision came a day after Wilder wrote to President Clinton to complain about a lack of responsiveness from the agency.
He urged Clinton to order FEMA to act.
Wilder said Witt's letter contained several inaccuracies.
"Accordingly, we are going to seek further review and are going to ask the president to examine this matter with more accurate information being furnished," Wilder said.
The governor told CNN's "Inside Politics" that Clinton never responded to his request for help.
"I intend to talk with him," Wilder said. "I don't think there's anything at all personal involved in this."
by CNB