FEMA Urges Hurricane Victims to Download App; apply for funds

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – After multiple hurricanes hit Florida this year, members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency are urging residents who suffered damage to download their app and continue to apply for federal assistance. FEMA said $705 million in personal assistance was approved for hurricane victims in Florida this year. FEMA also helped place approximately 26,545 people in temporary shelters for those who had nowhere to stay after Hurricanes Debbie, Helen and Milton.

“We want people to know that we are here and that we care,” said Olivia Dengering with FEMA. is awaiting potential assistance from a government agency. She encourages everyone to download the FEMA app on their phones.

By creating a profile and answering a few questions, hurricane victims can upload photos and provide details about each incident they experienced. The information is then processed to further determine eligibility. “Once you create a profile, there will be an area to request help, then an area to check my status, then you can come in and see for yourself how communication works between you and FEMA,” Dengering added. You can apply for assistance for each storm, there are specific deadlines.

For Hurricane Debbie, the deadline to request assistance is November 12th. For Hurricane Helen, November 27th. The deadline for submitting requests for financial assistance related to Hurricane Milton has not yet been announced.

For more information about registering for FEMA assistance, visit: DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA mobile app or by calling their toll-free number. 800-621-3362.

Copyright WWSB 2024. All rights reserved.