A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is opening in Jim Wells County Wednesday to help those affected by recent flooding. The Alice center will open at 1 p.m. today at the Boys and Girls Club, 3001 Old Kingsville Road.
Starting Thursday, the center will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center will operate on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Going to a DRC is not a requirement of registration, but specialists there provide guidance regarding disaster recovery and rental resources, explain written correspondence received from FEMA, inform survivors of the status of their application, make referrals to other organizations and answer questions.
Residents of Jim Wells County who suffered damage from the severe storms and flooding that occurred from June 19 – July 13, 2018 might be eligible for programs that address certain needs.
After conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments in the county, FEMA amended the Major Disaster Declaration of July 6 to include Jim Wells County for its Individuals and Households Program.
FEMA encourages survivors of the flooding to self-assess their situation. For homeowners and renters, first determine if your home is safe, sanitary and functional. If your dwelling fails by any of these measures, you should seek assistance.
If your home suffered serious damage as a result of the floods, and your insurance (homeowner or flood) does not fully cover the cost of repair or replacement, you might consider registering with FEMA or other agencies. Help is available through many federal, state and local entities as well as several nonprofits like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
To see what federal help for which you might qualify, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/find-assistance. Fill out the brief questionnaire and you will be directed to the appropriate sources.
Applying for federal aid is a two-step process that involves registering with FEMA and SBA disaster loans. After you register with FEMA, apply for a low-interest disaster loan with SBA. There is no charge to apply for the loan and if approved, no obligation to accept it.
Residents of Jim Wells County who have already registered with FEMA do not need to apply again, but should follow up with their applications. Registering with other organizations, such as the Red Cross, is not the same as registering with FEMA.
Federal disaster aid does not affect other government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicaid, and is not considered taxable income.
Only one person per household is eligible to register. Survivors must use the name that appears on their Social Security card and have insurance and disaster information available at registration. The deadline for application is Sept. 4, 2018.
To register with FEMA:
- Log onto DisasterAssistance.gov;
- Download the official FEMA app at Google Play or the Apple App Store;
- Or, visit fema.gov/mobile-app. to download the app.
- Call 800-621-3362.
Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or VRS or require accommodations while visiting a center, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in American Sign Language (ASL) at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.
For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.
