FEMA, SBA continue to provide aid one month after storm

Kasmira Smith, The Valdosta Daily Times, Ga.
·4 min read

Oct. 2—VALDOSTA — It's been one month since Hurricane Idalia swept through South Georgia with high speed winds toppling over trees, damaging homes and dislocating several families. Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) remain in the local area assisting residents with applications seeking aid to fix the lagging effects of the storm.

"To date, FEMA has approved more than $2 million in disaster assistance for eligible survivors. This is grant money that doesn't have to be repaid nor does it impact a survivor's current federal benefits, such as Social Security. The grant money is also not considered taxable income. This is grant money intended to be used for a survivor's recovery," Nikki Gaskins, the FEMA media relations specialist, said in an email Monday.

Storm survivors from Cook, Glynn and Lowndes counties have been able to receive assistance since Sept. 17 when the State of Georgia and FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Lowndes County.

The center operates from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for seven days a week and houses trained specialists from FEMA's Individual Assistance program who can help survivors face to face through the recovery process, explaining the types of assistance available from FEMA, such as housing and other needs assistance.

Awarded assistance varies based on each person's situation.

"Everyone's situation is different," Gaskins said. "The average FEMA grant is typically around $5,000 to $8,000. Sometimes that can be more, and sometimes it can be less. Any assistance an eligible survivor receives from FEMA is not typically enough to take a person back to their pre-disaster condition. When it comes to recovery, FEMA is a piece of the puzzle, but it is certainly not the entire piece. It takes the community, nonprofits, houses of worships to assist homeowners and renters in their journey to recovery."

The Small Business Administration had two Business Recovery Centers located at the Lowndes-County Chamber of Commerce Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and within the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. The chamber location has previously closed, but representatives from SBA have established mobile sites for residents who do not have transportation to the DRC.

SBA has lent about $3.183 million to survivors as of Sept. 30 close of business, according to Sharon Gadbois, the SBA public affairs specialist said in a phone call Monday.

Businesses are still encouraged to complete an application. Gadbois said disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a loan, and an individual should apply as a backup just in case unforeseen issues arise.

Additional SBA Business Recovery Centers mobile sites will set up at the following locations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m each listed date:

—Oct. 2-3, Redland Baptist Church, 4888 Rocky Ford Road, Valdosta, GA 31601.

—Oct. 4-5, Morningside Baptist Church, 425 Connell Road, Valdosta, GA 31602.

—Oct. 9-10. First Baptist Church of Lake Park, 601 W. Marion Ave., Lake Park, GA 31636.

The deadlines for both FEMA assistance and SBA application are soon approaching.

"It's hard to believe we are already in October. The deadline to register for FEMA assistance, which is Nov. 6, is right around the corner. If someone lives in Glynn, Cook or Lowndes County and they suffered damage to their primary residence, we encourage them to reach out to us. Don't wait until the last minute. Come see as at the Lowndes County civic center. We have FEMA representatives who would love to help you and walk you through the process and answer any questions you might have," Gaskins said.

Gadbois added that applicants and site visitors should bring their mobile phone, email address and password when they visit the DRC or BRCS.

One common misconception while applying for FEMA assistance is that the award is based on income or insurance. Gaskins said otherwise.

"FEMA's disaster assistance program isn't dependent on how much a person makes. When a person registers with FEMA for disaster assistance, we do ask how much income a person makes because in some instances we may also refer them to the Small Business Administration for assistance consideration," Gaskins said. "Some residents think they shouldn't apply to FEMA because they have insurance. However, there are instances where they are actually underinsured. So for eligible survivors, FEMA may be able to fill in the gaps if their insurance doesn't."