Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Now is the Time to Register with FEMA

DURHAM
Jan 11, 2017

With the two-week extension for those affected by Hurricane Matthew in North Carolina, survivors who have not registered with FEMA for damage from the storm should do so now.

Governor Roy Cooper requested the extension so that residents could have more time to register or reconsider registering with FEMA. State and FEMA officials hope those who suffered flood damage from Hurricane Matthew Oct. 4 - 24, 2016 will take this extra time to do so.

You may be a survivor who has previously not wanted to register.  If you had damage from Hurricane Matthew’s floods, FEMA recommends you should reconsider. Don’t overlook possible help.  Perhaps you’ve been meaning to register for assistance but it keeps slipping your mind. Make a plan to register as soon as possible.  And, remember, the deadline is now Monday, Jan. 23, 2017.

Registration is convenient and easy. Survivors who still need to register with FEMA may do so:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
  • Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

Visit one of the three FEMA/North Carolina Emergency Management Disaster Recovery Centers in Fayetteville, Lumberton and Tarboro.To find a disaster recovery center near you, call the FEMA Helpline or text DRC and your zip code to 43362. You also can find a center near you online tofema.gov/drc.

FEMA assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants for rent, temporary housing and home repair to their primary residence, transportation as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

If you have been offered an application for a U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loan, the deadline to submit the completed document also has been extended to Jan. 23.

Submitting a loan application does not imply your acceptance of a loan, but it is a necessary step to being considered for other forms of disaster assistance.  

Even if you have insurance, you should still register because your insurance may not cover all of your losses.

For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339. SBA representatives also are available at any disaster recovery center, SBA disaster loan outreach center, or business recovery center. SBA Business Recovery Centers are located in Greenville, Fayetteville and Lumberton.

If you need advice in repairing or rebuilding your home, take advantage of the following events taking place this week:

Homeowners, renters and business owners whose properties were damaged by Hurricane Matthew flooding can find information and guidance on their next steps toward recovery at the Lumberton Disaster Recovery Resource Fair.

The resource fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Robeson Community College Workforce Business Center – Building 18. The center is located at the college at 5160 Fayetteville Road, Lumberton. 

FEMA representatives are conducting Mitigation outreach, which includes advice as well as free pamphlets and brochures, through Friday at the following locations: Duplin County’s Building Inspection office, 119 Middleton Cemetery Lane, Kenansville 28349; Moore County’s Crain Creek Fire Department, 4525 Lobelia Road, Vass 28394; and Cypress Point Fire Department, Woodlake Station, 205 Murdock C Rd., Vass 28394. InPender County, the event will be held at the Department of Planning and Zoning, 805 S. Walker St., Burgaw 28425.

For more information on North Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4285 and readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @NCEmergency.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against,respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA on twitter at @femaregion4Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailingdisastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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