FEMA opens a new disaster center in Putnam County to help those affected by Hurricane Ian

EAST PALATKA, Fla. — The State of Florida and the Federal Emergency Management Association have opened an additional Disaster Recovery Center in Putnam County.

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The new center is located at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 117 Yelvington Rd., East Palatka and will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida state agencies, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help by applying for federal assistance and disaster loans, updating applications and learning about other available resources.

Currently, all centers are operating seven days a week and no appointment is necessary to get assistance.

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It is not necessary to visit a center to apply. Survivors can go online to disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Help is available in most languages.

If you use a relay service, such as video relay or captioned telephone, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply, visit Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance.

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Interpretation services and translated materials are available at these centers to help you communicate in the language with which you feel most comfortable. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible.

In addition to the centers, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are canvassing neighborhoods in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian to help residents apply for FEMA assistance and answer questions about federal assistance. DSA teams wear FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. There is no charge for service.

FEMA Individual Assistance can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs. For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4673. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) on Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

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