TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A disaster recovery center is open in Citrus County to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by Tropical Storm Debby. It will remain open through Wednesday, Aug. 8. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.
The center is located at:
Citrus County Emergency Operations Center
3549 Saunders Way
Lecanto, FL 34461
Representatives from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U. S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the center to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.
If possible, before going to a disaster recovery center, people with storm or flooding losses should register with FEMA. There are three ways to apply:
· By calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Help is available in most languages, and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
· Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
· By tablet or smartphone using the FEMA app or m.fema.gov.
Anyone who sustained damage in any of the 22 Florida counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any disaster recovery center.
Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.
Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Survivors and businesses may apply online at SBA’s secure website https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; or obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY) or online at www.sba.gov.