West, Texas Mayor Tommy Muska says the community he leads needs federal funds to pay for what insurance does not.

The small, farming town was devastated when a fertilizer retailer at its border exploded April 17.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently told Texas Gov. Rick Perry it will not give West additional funds.

The facility, West Fertilizer Co., was storing hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate, which produced a massive blast following a fire at the site that leveled more than 100 homes, an apartment complex, a retirement center and a school while significantly damaging many other structures.

The Insurance Council of Texas puts insured losses for this disaster at about $100 million. Adair Grain, parent company of West Fertilizer, had $1 million—no excess or umbrella coverage—on the site.

The explosion registered as a 2.1 earthquake, rattling many roads and sewer and water lines—all uncovered by insurance.

“Pipes in the ground aren't covered,” Muska told PC360. “We need a lot of repairs to get that side of town back.”

Water has been restored somewhat to the affected areas but leaks remain. Water tanks and a pump house were damaged, but insured, says Muska, who is also an insurance agent.

Muska says Perry is appealing FEMA's decisionn.

“I don't know if it's politics or whatever–whether they have to deny first,” Muska says. “We don't have time for that.”

He says the claims process continues, with some homeowners finding out the hard way about the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost policies. Personal property claims are running relatively smoothly but Muska says he did have to call on the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to clear up a snag with commercial claims.

Some insurers were delaying payment—for damage to the school and nursing home, for instance—because of the possibility the explosion was a terrorist act, Muska says.

“I got ATF to issue a statement that it was not terrorism in order to expedite matters,” he says.

A spokesperson at ATF could not immediately be reached for comment.

After a month-long investigation, ATF and other authorities said the cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Muska says the site has been “turned back over to the owners and their insurers and lawyers.”

Special Reports /

West, Texas Mayor Hopes for FEMA Appeal While Continuing to Handle Claims

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