FEMA Disaster Center Now Open In Chester County: Helpful Info On Getting Assistance

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — The deadline is Nov. 10 to register for FEMA disaster aid if you've had losses due to Hurricane Ida, and the center where Chester County residents can get help applying is open now in Downingtown.

As Chester County cleans up from Ida's floods, the process of evaluating the damage lead to disaster declarations across the County, as well as the declaration that cleared the way for federal disaster aid.

President Joe Biden last week approved Pennsylvania's request for a major disaster declaration to be issued following the devastating impact of the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The move cleared the way for the allocation of federal aid and resources to local, county, and state governments to assist in recovery.

The historic storm brought at least $117 million in damages to public infrastructure in the state. Biden's approval seemed a given, as the threshold to receive aid is $19.7 million. Residents in the hardest-hit counties in the southeast, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York, are eligible for individual assistance.

The Pennsylvania FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened Monday at Ashbridge Square Shopping Center, 945 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown. A news release from Chester County said the center is there to help those whose homes or personal property were affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida between Aug. 31 -Sept. 5.

The disaster center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be closed on Sundays.

Public bus transportation from Coatesville, through Downingtown to West Chester, includes a stop at Brandywine Square, within close proximity to the Ashbridge Square Shopping Center. View SEPTA's schedule here.

Chester County continues to provide updated information on Hurricane Ida at its website.

Also, find information from FEMA directly on this page: How to Register with FEMA for Disaster Assistance in Pennsylvania | FEMA.gov. The deadline is Nov. 10 and the center is there to help those affected through the process as needed.

FEMA also provides a page explaining: What to Expect After Registering for FEMA Disaster Assistance in PA | FEMA.gov.

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Pennsylvania state agencies, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process, and get updates on applications.

Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center is not required to register with FEMA. Other ways to register are by phone, online, and even on a FEMA app.

Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. 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 (Video Relay Service) 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 here.

Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov where information is also provided in Spanish.

Download the FEMA mobile app. Available at Google Play or the Apple App Store and also in Spanish.

Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities. They have assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to use amplified telephones, phones that display text, amplified listening devices for people with hearing loss, and magnifiers for people with vision loss. Video Remote Interpreting is available and in-person sign language is available by request. The centers also have accessible parking, ramps, and restrooms.

FEMA's Individual Assistance program is designed to help survivors with immediate essential needs and to help displaced survivors find a safe, functional place to live temporarily until they can return home. Many survivors may have additional needs beyond what can be provided by FEMA.

The agency works closely with state, federal, faith-based, and voluntary agencies to help match survivors who have remaining needs with other sources of assistance.

For information about SBA's disaster assistance, call 1-800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people may call 800-877-8339.

Additional agencies and services will be present once the DRCs reach full operational capability next week. All centers will follow COVID-19 precautions and masks will be required by both FEMA specialists and survivors.

Justin Heinze contributed to this report.

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