Only A Few Hours Left To Apply For Tornado Aid
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A tornado touched down nearly three months ago in Northeast Baltimore. The tornado was so devastating, the U.S. government is offering financial aid.
But as Weijia Jiang explains, victims of the disaster are running out of time to get help.
A confirmed tornado ripped through Northeast Baltimore, tearing roofs apart, knocking down monstrous trees, tossing cars around and displacing dozens.
Many described it as looking like a war zone.
"We got out just in time. Almost like the end of the world, that's what it felt like," said one victim.
"I woke up. I was pinned from my waist up under a brick wall or cinderblock," said Teeirontay Singletary, Baltimore.
Singletary used to live in one of the 16 condemned buildings at the Dutch Village Apartments. She is grateful for her life, but she says she lost everything else.
A mile away in Parkville, homeowner Greg Glinowiecki lost his roof.
"We get winds through here 'cause we're up on a hill, but nothing like that night. It was pretty dramatic for a few minutes," said Glinowiecki.
It was so dramatic, the storm was declared a disaster.
Homeowners, renters and business owners have until midnight Monday to apply for federal aid--up to $200,000 for property damage and $40,000 for personal belongings with a low-interest rate.
A spokesman for Dutch Village says some buildings still need major work and landscaping.
Singletary says it could have been worse.
"At the end of it all, those things can be accumulated again. We can get them all back again, but life, the love of family and friends, all those are what's important," said Singletary
So far the government has only received two loan applications linked to the tornado.
For more information on how to apply, contact the U.S. Small Business Administration at 1-800-659-2955 or click here and look for "Disaster Recovery Loans."
