| Deadline approaches for flood assistance | | Posted: Friday, June 18, 2010 8:01 pm
| Time is running out for Tennesseans who suffered flood damage during the May storms, according to an official of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“We have a deadline, which by law has to be July 6. Anybody who is not registered by then for state and federal assistance is urged to register immediately,” said Mike McCormick, public information officer at the FEMA field office in Jackson.
To register, call 1-800-621-3362. Or register online at www.fema.gov.
“As long as they’re in the system by July 6, we can match up their needs with the assistance we have available,” he said.
The assistance includes:
• Housing and repair grants from FEMA
• Low-interest disaster loans from U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Help from the State of Tennessee
• Free legal help
• Crisis counseling for individuals and families.
“All that is available but not if they don’t register by July 6,” McCormick said. “Also, flood insurance. Even if you have flood insurance, it doesn’t cover everything. We have assistance that can fill in the gaps in their coverage.”
How does one know if he or she qualifies for help?
“Even if you think you don’t qualify, let us decide, not your neighbor,” he said. “If you or someone you know had flood damage, call or go online and register and get help.”
Published in The Messenger 6.18.10 | | | | |
