FEMA Deadline for Irene, Lee Registrations Approaching

If you sustained losses or damages from or , time is running out to register for help.

This Wednesday, Dec. 14 is the deadline to apply for assistance from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA must have your application by the end of business that afternoon.

You can apply in a number of ways:

• By phone: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
• Online: www.disasterassistance.gov
• Smartphone or tablet: m.fema.gov
• TTY: 1-800-462-7585
• Video Relay Service: 1-800-621-3362

What you’ll need when you apply:

1.     Your Social Security Number (including your spouse)

2.     Private insurance information, if available

3.     Address and zip code of the damaged property

4.     Directions to the damaged home or property

5.     Daytime telephone number and current mailing address

Even if you are unsure of your eligibility, or if you’re not sure if you intend on receiving assistance, it’s important to register with FEMA. By doing so, it lets FEMA know where damage occurred and provides survey teams a more accurate picture. In the emergency preparedness community, this helps in mapping out areas where resources need to be pooled in the event that another similar disaster happens again.

If you don’t register by Wednesday, you will not be eligible for any FEMA assistance, even if minor issues now grow into larger problems later, Tim Elbertson, Montgomery County Department of Public Safety Community Outreach coordinator said in a press release.

In Montgomery County, so far there have been more than 3,200 registrations as a result of the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.