FEMA: Two Weeks Remain to Apply for Florence Disaster Assistance

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 29 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

If you are a North Carolina homeowner, renter or business owner who sustained property damage or loss caused by Hurricane Florence you have two weeks left to register for federal disaster assistance.

The deadline to apply for assistance from FEMA and for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but eligible homeowners and renters may be able to receive money from FEMA for losses not covered by insurance to help pay for basic home repairs, temporary rental assistance and other needs such as replacing personal property. FEMA Individual Assistance is grant money that does not have to be repaid.

Individuals and businesses in designated counties may still register for assistance by:

* Calling the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY) anytime from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available. You can update your contact information, ask questions about a letter from FEMA, get information about FEMA home inspections, or learn how to appeal a FEMA decision.

* Going online to DisasterAssistance.gov.

* Downloading the FEMA mobile app.

* Downloading the ReadyNC app.

* Visiting any of the recovery centers that remain open. To find center locations and current hours, download the FEMA mobile app, the ReadyNC app, or visit FEMA.gov/DRC. Center hours and operations are adjusted based on visitor demand. The centers are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, Monday through Saturday, until further notice, with the exception of Sampson County, which is open Thursday to Saturday. All are closed Sundays. In-person American Sign Language interpreters are available by calling or texting 202-655-8824. To access a video in American Sign Language, go online to FEMA Sign Language Interpreter Info.

If you have questions about an SBA low-interest disaster loan, you may contact SBA's Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing [email protected] or visiting SBA's website at Small Business Administration: Disaster Assistance. People who are deaf and hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.

If you have unmet disaster-related needs, you may call the statewide referral service at 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 (TTY), or text Florence to 898211.

For more information on North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Florence, visit ncdps.gov/Florence and FEMA.gov/Disaster/4393. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.