FEMA opens disaster recovery center in Mims on Friday to help people affected by Hurricane Ian
Mims #Mims
A Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center is opening Friday in Mims to help Brevard County residents who suffered losses and damage as a result of Hurricane Ian.
The center is located at the Cuyler Community Building, 2331 Harry T. Moore Ave. Its hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Brevard County officials said the Mims location was selected because the majority of damage due to Hurricane Ian is in the north area of the county.
Ian passed through Brevard County on Sept. 29 as a tropical storm with sustained winds of about 65 mph.
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Representatives from FEMA, the state of Florida, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other entities will be at the Mims center to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans.
This photo, provided by Jason Reichman, owner of Loughman Lakeside Restaurant & Bar on Hatbill Road in Mims, shows the flooded areas around his restaurant.
They also can help people apply for federal disaster assistance.
FEMA has 14 other disaster recovery centers open throughout Florida. It hopes to open at least one in all 26 Florida counties where residents are eligible for individual assistance for storm-related losses.
If possible, residents should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center. To register, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.
Help is available in multiple languages, and phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
Residents should have this information to apply online or in-person at the disaster recovery center:
Contact Information (telephone number, mailing address, Social Security number).
Household income.
Address of damaged home or apartment.
Description of damage/lost items.
Photos of damaged home and belongings.
Information about insurance coverage.
Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.
Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service also can call 800-621-3362.
People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585.
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All disaster recovery centers are accessible and are equipped with tools to accommodate people who need disability-related communication aids.
Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for people who want disaster assistance.
But the centers are a way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and registration assistance.
These services may include:
Status of FEMA application.
Disaster recovery guidance.
Clarification of any written correspondence received.
Housing assistance and rental resources information.
Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance.
Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bydaveberman.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: FEMA Hurricane Ian disaster recovery center opening in Mims on Friday