TALLAHASSEE – The State of Florida and FEMA announced the opening of Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Sarasota and Charlotte counties.
A DRC location for DeSoto County is still being determined, FEMA officials said Tuesday.
Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida state agencies, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance and disaster loans, update applications and learn about other resources available.
“It's a one-stop shop for assistance,” Andrew Romer, a FEMA private sector manager overseeing the area, said. “There will be more coming this week.”
Another DRC has also recently opened in Hardee County.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
Home Depot, 12621 S McCall Rd, Port Charlotte, FL 33981
HARDEE COUNTY
Wauchula Civic Center, 515 Civic Center Dr., Wauchula, FL 33873
SARASOTA COUNTY
Shannon Staub Public Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port, FL 34289
All centers are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
OTHER OPTIONS
Survivors can also go online to disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
Help is available in most languages.
If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities.
They have assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to interact with staff.
Video Remote Interpreting is available and in-person sign language is available by request.
The centers also have accessible parking, ramps, and restrooms.
In addition to the centers, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing neighborhoods in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian to help residents apply for FEMA assistance and answer questions about federal assistance.
DSA teams wear FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. There is no charge for service.
FEMA Individual Assistance can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs.
For more information about Hurricane Ian recovery in Florida, visit fema.gov/disaster/4673 and floridadisaster.org/. Follow us on Twitter: @FLSERT and @FEMARegion4.