FEMA provides temporary housing for Rainsville

RAINSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - An emergency meeting among Rainsville officials has changed zoning regulations which will allow people to put up mobile homes in damaged areas of the city where traditionally they could not.

Just after the tornado struck, the Jones family's home was left uninhabitable and in shambles. They've been living elsewhere since the storms hit.

But now, their lot is cleared and they said they're ready to come back. So their idea is looking for temporary housing.

"We've bought a camper and we're wanting to set it up on what's left of our lot and live there as they build," said Emily Jones.

But city zoning ordinances have traditionally prevented that, so city officials passed in emergency session an "EH" zone in the city. This will allow "emergency housing" so people will be able to have a mobile home temporarily on their lot while builders complete their home.

"A fast track to be able to not have to go through city hall and not have to go through a lot of red tape to help start their lives over," said Skeeter Logan, Rainsville Zoning Board Chairman.

Land owned by the local electrical coop was also approved for a mobile home park if need be.

"Ten acres that's adjacent to the Sand Mountain Electric Coop to allow FEMA to bring in up to 100 mobile homes," added Logan.

Meanwhile, Jones said things were taken from their destroyed home and is glad they'll be able to keep a close eye in the rebuilding.

"And we don't want people to come in and take all our plumbing and take our building supplies, they're just left out here during the night, because people will," added Jones.

State Emergency Management officials said that the 100 mobile home parka will only be used if needed.

They just needed to get the preliminary approval and will decide later if there is a need.

According to officials, Rainsville has the busiest Disaster Recovery Center at this time.

According to the Alabama EMA and FEMA, the center has 57 visitors a day.

They're followed by Tuscaloosa, where they receive 52 visitors daily and then Madison County, where 38 people are processed each day.

Copyright 2011 WAFF. All rights reserved.