Sunday, July 25, 1999 | 9:52 a.m.
The opening will come less than a week after President Clinton declared the storm a federal disaster, freeing up federal aid to repair the $20.5 million in public damage and the millions in private property damage. The deluge damaged or destroyed 364 homes and businesses and killed two people.
The office will serve as a support center for those who lost property or business in the deluge, but FEMA spokeswoman Patti Roberts noted that flood victims don't need to come to the office to receive aid.
"Sometimes people feel the need to go in somewhere for their own comfort, but there's really no need," she said.
Victims must report damage to FEMA, and officials will then do inspections of each claim before assessing its value and determining which federal program will help the property owner or renter.
A disaster field office will also be set up in Las Vegas Monday. That center, which is not intended for public inquiries, will provide office space for the dozens of federal and state workers in town to assess damage and administer flood aid.
archive
