Franklin, Wakulla Counties Among Others Getting FEMA Assistance - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Tropical Storm Debby is long gone, but her destruction still remains for 11 Florida counties and now that the federal government has designated those counties as a disaster area, assistance is on the way.  

At the request of the Franklin County Commissioner, the county's Emergency Operations Director requested to apart of the group getting assistance from FEMA, that's because Tropical Storm Debby stalled over Franklin County, causing major flooding problems that damaged both properties and homes.  

Tuesday, the President designated 11 Florida counties as disaster areas, meaning FEMA will step in to provide assistance to Debby survivors. In Franklin and Wakulla counties the amount of rainfall was the main concern, which resulted in overflow of the Carrabelle, Crooked and Sopchoppy Rivers.  

Franklin County Emergency Center officials are trying to set up a one-stop shop resource center for residents, bring together FEMA, local governments and non-profits in to help. Employee Joe Taylor is grateful FEMA is helping Franklin County.  

"We are a community that in our day-to-day existence we have only been getting by, so a storm like this only makes those needs much more intense. So, yeah it's really important that they get the help that they need," Taylor said.  

To get help or if you have any questions, you can call the Franklin County Emergency Management Center hotline at (850) 653-4206. 

Here's how to report your losses to FEMA:

Money for temporary housing and essential home repairs not covered by insurance is available. Renters, homeowners and business owners may register for help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

If you live in one of the designated counties and sustained losses or damages from Tropical Storm Debby, you can register with FEMA by one of the following methods:

·         Call 800-621-FEMA (3362), which is video relay service accessible. Assistance is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

·         Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

·         By smartphone or tablet, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.

 FEMA will ask for the following information:

• The telephone number where you can be reached;
• The address where you lived at the time of the disaster and the address where you are staying;
• Your Social Security number;
• A general description of damage to your property and other losses;
• The name of your insurance company and policy number or agent if you have property insurance; and
• Your bank account routing information if you want FEMA to use direct deposit.

 Federal disaster assistance helps eligible applicants with temporary housing, uninsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other disaster-related expenses and serious needs.
 
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Survivors and businesses may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) or online at www.SBA.gov. They may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA's website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.