Opening Slate
Intro Slate:
Marc Lester, a West Virginia disaster survivor, shares his story on FEMA assistance and taking mitigation measures to protect his family in the future.
Narration: Voice of Jeff Keating
Many times due to the stress of losing their homes, disaster survivors find the process of getting assistance from FEMA to be daunting. Marc Lester, a flood survivor in West Virginia, tells his story.
Marc Lester,  Roll Interview
The water came so fast you just had to get away from it and got chest high inside my home, destroyed my home that was freshly remodeled. 
Narration
Sometimes FEMA may need additional information to approve your application.
Marc Lester,  Roll Interview
I was denied because my daddy gave me the home, it was kinda wrote up that when he died the home went to me upon his death but I had been living in the home since 2002.
Marc Lester,  Roll Interview
I got all my receipts for what I had done to remodeling, where I had bought appliances, where I had paid taxes on the land, and stuff like that my dad signed a letter of affidavit and got a notarized letter stating that he had gave me the home.
Narration
Once Marc Lester received his grants, his funds were put to good use cleaning up his home.
Marc Lester,  Roll Interview
I just started buying back and rebuilding. I took an excavator and tore it down and burned it. Took the shingles off and brunt the home; scrapped it out and hauled it out of there.
Narration
Marc also made sure his home was elevated so his family would be protected in the future.
Marc Lester,  Roll Interview
I had to get a flood certificate and a flood shot done. Dean Meadows, you know, had to see the flood shot and told me how high I had to go. Just had to go according to Dean Meadows; he was very, very helpful to us, to me and my family.
Marc Lester,  Roll Interview
Yea, I salvaged what was still runable, cleaned it up and saved everything that I could.
Marc Lester,  Roll Interview
You know a situation like this, FEMA is going to help you a little bit, but they are not going to be there and answer every one of your prayers.
Marc Lester,  Roll Interview
They are here to give you assistance, but you gotta sometimes help yourself.
End Slate