FEMA sets up shop to aid recovery
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has set up shop in Columbia to help residents facing losses from early May flooding.
A Disaster Recovery Center, operated by the commonwealth and FEMA, opened Wednesday at the courthouse annex at 424 Public Sq. The center is now open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Staff at the center can check individual cases, answer questions about claims or review information needed to process claims.
Recovery specialists from FEMA Individual Assistance, FEMA Mitigation, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the commonwealth can also supply contacts for other programs that may be able to help.
SBA representatives will be at the disaster centers to answer questions about the SBA low-interest disaster loan programs for homeowners, renters, businesses and private, non-profit organizations of all sizes.
The loans are to be used to repair or replace real estate or personal property damaged by the storms and flooding.
Representatives at the DRC will help complete and accept SBA disaster loan applications. Anyone not able to go to a DRC can call the SBA Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Call SBA toll-free at 1-800-659-2955 for information or assistance. Visit the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
