County emergency management officials apparently made a significant omission in regard to the remnants of Hurricane Frances, which pummeled Butler County last week. Prior to the storm's arrival, county residents weren't told what to do in regard to documenting their losses, if the county were to become eligible for federal disaster aid. And, probably more importantly, they weren't told that receiving such money involved much more than driving to a money-distribution center.

Perhaps the omission occurred because, unlike the most hurricane- or tornado-prone states, Pennsylvania doesn't incur a major disaster very often - and, compared with what happened to Florida, Frances' impact on the Keystone State can be likened to a glancing blow.

Despite the Frances predictions, many people in Butler County remained skeptical about the power the hurricane remnants would inflict on this county. Meanwhile, many people felt that even if there were heavy rain and strong winds, the scope of the problem would not be of a disaster magnitude of the kind generally highlighted on The Weather Channel.

But at least 161 Butler County homes were hit by flooding, according to the Butler County Chapter, American Red Cross. Harmony was one of this county's municipalities that experienced flooding described as severe.

The Red Cross kicked into high gear its disaster-relief efforts, and some people have donated help and money both to the Red Cross and to people and families victimized. However, a disaster declaration involving the scope of damage that occurred in this county - there was no major destruction covering a wide area - involves preparation of much documentation to support the need for federal disaster money.

Until that documentation is completed and until federal officials have the data they need to render a decision, people, no matter how badly they have been personally affected, cannot anticipate quick federal help.

County emergency officials didn't make that clear in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Thus, those officials have been receiving telephone calls inquiring whether and where they can obtain money for their needed repairs.

With the prospect of Hurricane Ivan causing additional flooding and wind damage here in the days ahead, reminders should be issued about government requirements for documenting losses incurred under such circumstances. Presumably, it would be to people's advantage to have pictures of the interior and exterior of their homes prior to Ivan's arrival - especially in flood-prone areas - so, if damage is incurred, they can have those pictures for comparison with the storm's aftermath.

Also, they should be familiar with the provisions of their homeowners or renters policy, so they can call upon that coverage quickly, if necessary.

County emergency officials would do a great service if, over the next couple of days, they made available a checklist of what to do and not do in terms of damage to properties from weather-related events. Even if Ivan spares the county, there is concern about another storm, Hurricane Jeanne, which might bear down on the East Coast.

In addition, what the rest of this year's hurricane season holds cannot be predicted at this juncture.

In order for there to be any chance of Butler County being eligible for federal disaster money, a preliminary study of the damaged areas must be completed. Based on that information, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will decide whether there is any eligibility for assistance here.

But because most county residents have been unfamiliar with the disaster-relief process, some confusion could understandably continue.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding out there that there is some magic pot of free money that will help people fix their homes," said Frank Matis, director of county emergency services. "That's just not the case."

Having experienced Frances, the county needs to ensure that an environment of confusion does not reoccur, if there is another weather emergency here. At the same time, residents, especially those living in known flood-prone areas, must exercise personal responsibility to safeguard themselves and their properties to the fullest extent possible.

- J.R.K.