FEMA gives out $45,300 to Gilchrist County’s flood victims

By Carrie A. Mizell

As of last week the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had awarded $45,300 in individual assistance to Gilchrist County residents affected by floodwaters in late March.
According to Robert Hoffman, public information officer for FEMA, 22 applicants within the county have received a total of $43,933 in housing assistance and $1,366 for other needs such as dental work and funeral expenses.
All north Florida residents affected by the flooding can register for state and federal assistance up until June 29 at 10 p.m. Though disaster recovery centers closed two weeks ago, Hoffman explained that homeowners, renters and businesses that suffered losses as a result of the flooding and who have not already done so can register by calling FEMA toll free at 800-621-FEMA. Registration can also be completed online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
Some of the types of assistance available to eligible applicants through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP): Temporary Housing, which is a place to live for a limited period of time. Money is available for eligible applicants to rent a different place to live. Money is also available to eligible homeowners to repair damage from the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary and functional. Money is also available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. That includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage as well as other expenses.
According to Hoffman, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profits and businesses of all sizes. Within four days of registering for FEMA assistance an inspector will visit and inspect the damage to deterime if an applicant is eligible for financial assistance.
Hoffman said many people misunderstand FEMA’s role in a disaster.
Many people think FEMA should be on the scene of a disaster immediately, but Hoffman said that is the job of local law enforcement and emergency services. Hoffman explained that once county officials determine that a disaster has exceeded its resources they ask state officials for help. State officials then evaluate the extent of the damage and how many counties have incurred damage. It is then up to the state’s disaster team to ask the governor to ask the president of the United States to declare the incident a true disaster.
According to Hoffman, FEMA also provided public assistance in Gilchrist County, which would be to institutions who provide public services, though at press time he was unsure of a total paid out.
“FEMA has improved greatly since Katrina,” Hoffman said. “We reacted very quickly to this flooding. We were writing checks within several weeks.”