Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Since the impact of Cat. 3 Hurricane Idalia, over 11,000 North Florida residents have registered for disaster relief assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Following the aftermath of the storm, over $100 million of assistance money has been allocated to those who found themselves in need of assistance. FEMA representatives would like to remind Florida residents that if they have not yet registered, the last day to do so is Oct. 30.
“We've had over 11,000 registrants come to recovery centers,” says Troy York, who works as a media specialist for FEMA. “The population-density for these rural counties is not concentrated, but those numbers only reflect the individuals who have registered in person at the DRCs, and doesn't include registrations made by phone or over the internet.”
While those numbers may seem high, they include areas of higher population density, like Tampa, and York urges anyone who is in need of assistance, even if just minor, to register before the deadline.
“We want to make sure that anyone who needs help registers,” he says. “If you don't come in and tell us you need help, we don't know. Many people may even intend to register, but then they get busy – next thing you know, the registration window has come and gone, and people end up not being able to register or apply for the assistance they need.”
This includes individuals who may not think the damage to their home requires assistance, he adds. Homeowners who, for example, may have experienced minor flooding or leaks during the storm, but simply wiped away the water or swept it out the door, cleaned up and thought that was the end of it, only to discover mold, buckled floorboards or water damage months later. Better to register now, he suggests, so that you're in the system if the damage gets worse. Damages can show up and worsen over time. York suggests that anyone who has experienced damage, even minor damage from the storm, should register even if the damages don't seem “that bad.”
For those who have already registered, it is encouraged that you keep up communication with FEMA, and update them if your situation changes. This includes if your living address or phone number changes after the time of your registration. FEMA may attempt to contact you about your request, and they need to be able to reach you.
There are many different ways to register; online at disasterassistance.gov, by downloading the FEMA app, by calling (800) 621-3362, or by visiting any of the in-person DRCs. A DRC is a Disaster Recovery Center, and currently FEMA has several set up in communities across northern Florida.
If the number of registrations in an area are low, a DRC may be closed down. In the event of your nearest center shutting down, individuals can go to the next closest DRC – you are not limited to the center you registered at. If you are temporarily displaced from your usual place of residence, any recovery center can register you.
York would like to add that even places of worship can register for assistance with FEMA. The following is a list of FEMA locations:
Jefferson County: R.J. Bailar Public Library, 375 S. Water St., Monticello – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Madison County: Career Source North Florida, 705 E. Base St., Madison – 8 a.m to 8 p.m. daily
Suwannee County: Agricultural Coliseum Exhibition Building 2, 1302 SW 11 St., Live Oak – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Taylor County: Steinhatchee Community Center, 1013 S. Riverside Dr., Steinhatchee – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Pinellas County: Palm Harbor CSA, 1500 16th St., Palm Harbor – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave., South Petersburg – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Levy County: Cedar Key Fire Station parking lot, 489 1st St., Cedar Key – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat-Sun
Inglis Community Center, 137 Hwy. 40 W., Inglis – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Citrus County: West Citrus Community Center, 8940 W. Veterans Dr., Homosassa – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Columbia County: 180 E. Duval St., Lake City – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Dixie County: Dixie County Public Library, 16328 SE US-19, Cross City – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sat.
Hamilton County: 1153 NW US Hwy. 41, Jasper – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Hernando County: Hernando Public Library- Spring Hill Branch, 9220 Spring Hill Dr., Spring Hill – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Lafayette County: Mayo Community Center, 150 NW Community Cir., Mayo – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily