FEMA opens recovery center in Statesboro

STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has set up a recovery center at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds in Statesboro.

They're in town to help residents who suffered damage after tropical storms Debby or Helene. The help is for damaged items that were uninsured.

If you have insurance, Debra Young, a spokesperson for FEMA, suggested you file a claim with them first.

"If you had damage to your home there is assistance for home damage and also there is assistance for lost property," said Young. "If you had something essential property that was lost, we may be able to help you with that."

She said that you'll need some documentation of the damage in order to be approved. Your application will be approved in the same amount of time whether you apply in person or online.

"Some people may be really savvy online, and it will be easier for them to do it that way," said Young. "Some people may feel more comfortable calling the 800 number and doing the application that way and some people need to come and talk to someone in person, so we encourage them to do that if that's what you'd be more comfortable with."

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If you visit any of FEMA's recovery centers, their team can answer any questions you may have, check the status of your application or help you file one.

Young said if you have someone with a disability in your home that was damaged, they will 'upgrade' your space to be better accommodating to their disability, even if it wasn't there before.

"A ramp or grab bars, or any kind of assistive device they may need there's also help for those folks, and that's something new we just started doing," said Young.

With several counties seeing flash flooding last week, Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for 23 counties – Bulloch and Chatham included. FEMA will not be able to help with that flooding as Federal Disaster Relief has not been requested yet.

The recovery center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. You can file online or over the phone at 1-800-621-3362.