Bellevue Community meeting

Our community meeting about flood clean-up and other information was held last night at Bellevue MS. The gymnasium was packed and then some. An estimate given during the evening was over 1,000. Principal Hargis is to be commended for all the work and organizing she has done from the school site.

The meeting was very upbeat and cordial (except when someone mentioned insurance companies). I took lots of notes and here is some of it (not necessarily in order of presentation). With communication systems being down and many people concentrating on clearing out their houses many were not aware of what was happening elsewhere or what is now available to aid them.

Water restriction has been removed. We can now do lots of laundry. They said that not me :)

AT&T - cells #'s now up and running. Land lines still being worked on.

Comcast 244-5900 or 1800comcast. -
free service currently available at the community center from noon till 8.00 p.m.
Free reconnection for existing customers.

NES 234-0000 (without power) 736-6900 for everything else.
 If flood waters came above the meter get a licensed electrician to look at it and get a codes release.
Fees for turn on, reconnection and transfer are being waived (amongst others).
You will need a codes inspection

Metro & electrical codes. www.nashville.gov
Permit fees are being waived. If you have been charged you will get a refund.
Permit issuers will be in the area this week.
Anything under water needs to be checked and probably replaced, i.e. receptacles, wiring, switches.
Err on the side of caution.
Disconnect wiring from panel and check from receptacle to receptacle.
Firewalls, where possible, should be replaced with 5/8" board on both sides of shared walls.

Police - got a standing ovation and rightly so.
If you see anything suspicious call them .
Conducting field interviews.
Be sensible about your personal and home security. Chain down your generators :)

Piedmont Gas 1800-752-7504 - VERY IMPORTANT  safety advice.
Have your gas turned off as a preventative measure.
Do nor re-light gas yourself.
Contact 1800-752-7504 to have meter & appliances looked at. They will tag what needs replaced.
Do not clear debris from your meter.
Do not make repairs or allow unauthorized individuals to do so. Voids warranty.
Next 2 months - waiving late payments, insufficient funds charges, modifying equal payment plan, waiving disconnect/reconnect fees. No disconnects will be done because of non payment.
All natural gas appliances/meters that have been submerged need to be replaced. Piedmont will not turn on the pilot light to any flooded items unless already cleared by them.

Public works - call center 311 with any questions.
flood trash is being picked up and will be done in stages. 533 s. miles to cover so please be patient.
Put disaster debris close to the street in their 4 recommended stacks. The very large trucks have to be on pavement.
River Plantation will be hardest to deal with due to the alleys but smaller trucks will be used.
All debris is being sent to Murfreesboro.
Waiving drop off fees for private citizens taking items to the dumps (this week). Maximum of 3 visits per day.

Health dept. 340-5653 -
free tetanus shots service winding down. Reps in the area talking with people.
MOULD should not be a big issue for anything water submerged for less than 3 to 4 days.
Pull out everything that is wet, dry the house out THEN use a 1to10 bleach/water solution. Do not spry use a mop.
Keep windows and doors open for ventilation
Use fans to speed up the drying process.
Mosquitos and other pests are not an issue at the moment and are being monitored.
Observe basic hygeine i.e. wash hands before eating if you have been doing demo work.
Wear masks and gloves.
Use a de-humidifier in crawl spaces.

IRS - 1800- 829-1040 and www.irs.gov
Look at the website for information about amending tax returns for casualty loss deductions.
Talk with an IRS enroll agent, CPA or attorney.
Looking at setting up tax sessions at BMS in a month if there is a need for that.
Make a spread sheet showing item, what paid, worth day before flood, worth now, difference.
IRS will NOT do replacement costs.
If your paperwork has been lost in the flood IRS has copies of previous years.

Assessors Office - nashville.gov.
2010 property tax bill will be adjusted for balance of year IF home rendered unfit to live in or devalued by more than 50% OR if not replaced or restored by September 1st.
Property request forms will be available by June 1st. 862-6080.
Similar process being done for businesses.

FEMA 1800-621-FEMA (3362) or www.fema.gov
1. Start the paperwork even if you are not sure you qualify.
2. Register with Small Business Administration
3. Disaster information and forms at the community center.
FEMA and Codes will look at structures.

Small Business Administration - long term recovery agency. 1800- 659 2955 and www.sba.gov
Loans up to $200,000 at 2.75% interest over 30 years are available.
Up to $40,000 for personal property to property owners and renters.
Business Loan program also available up to $2m, 4% over 30 years.
Relocation plan available
Refinancing for prior existing debt (limited and will talk with people individually) 2.75% interest.
Assistant programs available to stay eligible.
Estimates for loans will be based on the cost of re-building.

We were also given handouts related specifically to Bellevue, flood information,  Casualty Loss information,  and applying for disaster assistance. Tips given for avoiding home repair rip-off  I will do in another posting.

Contact the agencies with questions about your specific needs. Anyone with special needs/disabilities should call 862-6000.