Flood Disaster Update: Registering With FEMA

By Mick Parsons For The Prairie Advocate News

Residents impacted by the July flooding will now be able to see some relief. Now that President Obama has declared the five northwestern Illinois counties, plus Cook and DuPage, as a Federal Disaster Area, residents can now register with FEMA to receive federal assistance. People impacted by the flood who want FEMA assistance need to call 1- (1- for the hearing impaired) between 7am and 10pm, or go online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Sam Ventura, a FEMA media coordinator who was in the area as part of the Preliminary Assessment Teams, reiterated several times how important it is for people to call in or go on line and register. “Sometimes people think that because they registered with local agencies or with the Red Cross that they’re in the clear; but they’re not.” When flood victims call the number, they will be asked a series of questions and must provide the address of the effected property, a current address and phone number, their social security number, and a list of damages. The phone call should take an average of 15 minutes.

After that, they will be contacted by an inspector who will set up an appointment to come out to inspect the damaged property. The inspector will verify the damage mentioned by flood victims as well as look for damages that may have escaped their notice. Ventura added that people need to know that the inspector is not the one who makes the decision as to whether someone receives FEMA aid; the inspector merely forwards the information on to FEMA.

Normally, however, victims who qualify should see aid in the form of a check or a direct deposit within two weeks of the inspector’s visit.

Since President Obama made the declaration, 17,500 registered claims have resulted in $9.4 million in payouts. Ventura encourages people to register with FEMA as quickly as possible; he also said that while there is a timeline – typically 60 days from the date of declaration – there’s no set budget and those who register towards the end aren’t going to get the short end of the stick. “It’s not a competition,” he said. Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will be established in the area to aid residents and flood victims. The Centers will be manned by representatives from FEMA, the Small Business Administration (SBA), as well as representatives from other agencies if they have useful information to assist flood victims in getting on with their lives. And that, Ventura added, is the most important thing: helping people get on with their lives. Ventura added that he’s not sure where the DRCs will be, but will announce the information as soon as it becomes available. “But,” he said, “to make the best use of the centers, it’s crucial that people call or go online and register with FEMA.”

Sale At The Savanna Cares Flood Donation Center

Big sale at the Savanna Cares Flood Donation Center this Friday and Saturday. Friday 8-2, hours for Saturday to be announced! Everything we have left after helping over 35 families must go. All proceeds will go to the City Of Savanna's flood fund. Anything left over will be donated to the Salvation Army.