Mythbusters: Rumors abound as recovery from Fernley flood continues

Though the flood waters have receded in Fernley, the rumor mill continues to turn.

Largely reported have been the 3,000-plus people left at least temporarily without homes; a handful of class-action lawsuits that have been filed against the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, local governments and homebuilders; and worries from townspeople that the still-under-repair dirt canal may overflow again.

Perhaps not as prevalent in the news spotlight has been the work of city government, local volunteers and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to get homeowners and renters back on their feet and into their homes.

Last week FEMA and the Small Business Administration representatives took down their respective banners from the council chambers at Fernley City Hall.

"This brings up a really good point," said Fernley city manager Gary Bacock. "Just because FEMA's presence is no longer at city hall doesn't mean people can't receive assistance."

"We work hard wherever we go," said FEMA spokeswoman Hannah Vick. "We're working hard in Fernley, still. I think at this point in the (Fernley) disaster when the media attention is kind of going down, people are less likely to look at government officials.

"There is still assistance for renters, homeowners and small business."

City helped out

One misperception, city manager Bacock said, was that FEMA went it alone in the wake of the Jan. 5 disaster.

"I don't know if people know this, but the city is in a sense, a partner with FEMA," he said. "Not only did we try to accommodate the agency with space, but the city has to account for all shared expenses and possibly get reimbursed for a portion of our expenses."

Bacock estimated the city will spend $2 million on helping the government agency with flood-related expenses (mostly emergency road repair, maintenance and clean-up) - and may get reimbursed up to 75 percent ($1.5 million) of the cost incurred.

"Either way, the city will be paying for some of the benefits issued to the public," he said.

Renter's eligible

The veracity of another sentiment, that renters were ineligible for government assistance, was also debunked last week.

Jenny's Lane renter Cristy Fenn said she hadn't sought help yet from FEMA because she didn't think nonhomeowners were eligible for help.

"Well, I'm just a renter," she said. "I'm not sure how much is out there for us."

That's one of the many "misperceptions" that permeated the town in the wake of the flood, FEMA spokeswoman Vick said.

"You read something like that and it really strikes a cord," she said. "We've heard a lot of that from (renters); rumors like this get started in the aftermath of each disaster.

"The truth is, anyone who's a renter is strongly encouraged to register with FEMA - there is assistance available for renters, homeowners and small businesses."

Another common misperception is that FEMA cannot offer help to those currently embroiled in one of the class-action suits.

This line of thinking, Vick said, has come to the forefront "again and again."

The FEMA spokeswoman was loathe to speculate whether it was plaintiffs' attorneys or local media who promulgated this myth, that residents can't receive help while entangled in a lawsuit also is false.

"There has been information that if you participate in the class-action lawsuit you can't get help," she said. "That's a myth. Any participation in a lawsuit will not affect FEMA assistance to disaster victims. FEMA will give out assistance without regard to participation in a class-action lawsuit."

Rumors surrounding the current condition of the dam itself also are being laid to rest.

City manager Bacock came out with a report Tuesday calling for a fully operational working canal to start flowing "sooner than later."

"Some people are saying, 'I don't want you putting water in the canal until you line it with concrete,'" he said. "Those people may not know the importance of the canal having water. We want it to be safe, yes, that's one of the first things. But if the canal goes dry, so does Fernley.

"After it's determined to be safe, we need water flowing as soon as possible - it'll be a major problem if we don't."

Crews are working "around the clock" to repair the canal, Bacock said. But an exact date for it to be fully operational has not been set.

As other parts of the country are afflicted with disaster, locals have turned attention away from themselves, whether they still need help or not, Vick said.

"One common misperception, especially prevalent in the West and Midwest, is that once disaster strikes somewhere else, people can't get help anymore," Vick said. "That's not the case. There's not a set time limit or amount we put aside to help.

"People still in need, need to contact us. A big attitude out here is people say 'I can do it on my own - we'll get through this'. And that's great. But the reality is, there are still people in Fernley that need help - and help is out there."

• Contact reporter Andrew Pridgen at apridgen@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.