HURRICANE IAN: How residents can apply for FEMA's assistance program

From Staff Reports
·2 min read
Chris Tyler, left, kitchen manager at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille and Ordjoul Shivers, a cook at the same restaurant, helps to remove sandbags Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 in St. Augustine. Hurricane Ian, that was later reduced to a tropical storm, ripped through the region Thursday bringing winds, rain, flooded roads, power outages and downed trees. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

St. Johns County residents and businesses may be eligible to receive assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses from Hurricane Ian.

Residents and businesses do not have to wait to find out if federal assistance will be available before beginning their clean-up. However, they should keep repair receipts and document damages whenever possible.

Disaster assistance may include financial help with temporary lodging and home repairs, as well as other disaster-related expenses.

Residents should notify their insurance agents of any damages sustained to their property. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance, though eligibility may be determined for expenses not covered under the policy.

Disaster assistance applications can be submitted at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily or by using the FEMA mobile app. If a relay service such as video relay service is used, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

The following information is required when applying for assistance:

  • Current phone number

  • Address at the time of the disaster and current address

  • Social Security number

  • General list of damage and losses

  • Banking information for direct deposit

  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Development Center will be providing information and resources on the Small Business Administration loan application process. For updates, go to sjcchamber.com.

For updates on Hurricane Ian recovery efforts in St. Johns County, go to www.sjcfl.us/hurricane or call 904-824-5550.

Business Damage Assessment Survey

Business owners who sustained damage or loss from Hurricane Ian are encouraged to complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey at floridadisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessments through FloridaDisaster.biz, which is a partnership between the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Dan Muse of Coastline Landscape tosses debris to help clean up Flagler College Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 in St. Augustine. Hurricane Ian, that was later reduced to a tropical storm, ripped through the region Thursday bringing winds, rain, flooded roads, power outages and downed trees.
Dan Muse of Coastline Landscape tosses debris to help clean up Flagler College Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 in St. Augustine. Hurricane Ian, that was later reduced to a tropical storm, ripped through the region Thursday bringing winds, rain, flooded roads, power outages and downed trees.

Debris collection

St. Johns County has opened the Stratton Road and Tillman Ridge transfer stations for household and yard debris for those conducting clean up after Hurricane Ian. This service is free for residents. Residents using this service are asked to separate trash from vegetation.

  • Stratton Road Transfer Station: 250 N. Stratton Road, St. Augustine

  • Tillman Ridge Transfer Station: 3005 Allen Nease Road, Elkton

Sewer service

The City of St. Augustine's sewer service has returned to normal operations, so water usage is no longer restricted. City water customers are now able to discharge water as usual and no longer need to limit the length of use. For questions or information, call 904-825-1040, option 6.

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: FEMA's disaster assistance may include financial help with lodging and home repairs