Manatee County Added to the Hurricane Hermine Individual Assistance Declaration

From Manatee County Government:

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Nov. 4, 2016) – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Manatee County may now apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damages and losses resulting from Hurricane Hermine.

Hurricane Hermine impacted Manatee County with heavy rains and gusty winds the final days of August and the first days of September. Even though the storm passed to Manatee County’s north, the stalled rain bands created heavy rainfall and gusty winds. The barrier islands experienced minor storm surge. Reports of local rainfall were more than nine inches for the storm, storm surge measured three feet, and wind gusts reached 54 mph.

Manatee County residents with storm damage are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. If you preregistered with FEMA, you do not have to apply again. If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or

• On the FEMA Mobile App, or by

• Call 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance Team (DSAT) members are planning to visit Manatee County’s impacted neighborhoods to help residents register for assistance. FEMA is also planning to send a mobile disaster recovery center to the area in the upcoming weeks.

Assistance for eligible residents can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. Residents should contact their insurance company to file their insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help.

Media inquiries about this program may be emailed to FEMA-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov or by calling (202) 646-3272.

Photo via Shutterstock