RALEIGH, N.C. – After three weeks of being on site in Bladen County to assist victims of Hurricane Matthew, the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in the Powell Melvin Agricultural Center will close Friday.
“At this time, visits to the center have decreased. Therefore, FEMA and the state will close the center and relocate resources to other centers in the affected counties,” read a press release.
Though the recovery center in Bladen County is closed, the deadline for filing applications has been extended. The original date of Dec. 4 has been changed to Jan. 9, 2017.
“Gov. McCrory asked for an extension, and received it,” said FEMA Media Specialist Rita Egan. “We want to make sure everyone who needs help gets it.”
Those need it can still get help by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, by using the ReadyNC and FEMA mobile apps, or by visiting one of three web sites: DisasterAssistance.gov, readync.org, or FEMA.gov/DRC. Additionally, Disaster Recovery Centers remain open in Columbus, Cumberland and Robeson counties, and residents in Bladen County can still speak with a representative in person at one of those sites.
To date, FEMA has received 72,197 applications from North Carolina residents and has approved $74.8 million in aid for the Tar Heel State, $1.9 million of which will be funneled to some of Bladen County’s 2,721 applicants.
Though 45 counties were designated as eligible for individual assistance, two counties — Cumberland and Robeson — comprise nearly half of the federal funds approved for North Carolina. Residents in Robeson County have been approved for $19.8 million in aid, and Cumberland victims will be seeing at least $12.5 million. Designations for other nearby counties include $5 million for Columbus County and $1.7 million each for Pender and Sampson counties.
FEMA representatives continue to encourage applicants who receive a disaster loan application from the Small Business Administration to complete and return the SBA application, even if they don’t want a loan. Filling out the application keeps the federal assistance process moving.
“If you don’t fill out the loan application, the system assumes you no longer want to participate in the process,” said Egan.
The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners and renters, as well as businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations to cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. The loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate other benefits. Thus far, SBA has approved $32.5 million in loans to victims of Hurricane Matthew.
“Unless you have a really good relationship with your bank, you can’t find a loan with an interest rate this low,” said SBA Public Information Officer Gary Colton. “And these loans can help pay the deductible on your insurance.”
Residents interested in obtaining a loan may do so by calling 800-659-2955, by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or by visiting www.sba.gov/disaster
Volunteer organizations continue to play a role in North Carolina’s recovery. North Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief, United Methodists, Mennonite Disaster Service, United Way, the American Red Cross, and Catholic Charities are just some of the organizations providing assistance to those with unmet needs. Assistance ranges from flood debris clean-up and shelter to food, home repairs, and counseling.
“The recovery from Hurricane Matthew is far from over,” said Mike Sprayberry, North Carolina’s Emergency Management director. “Volunteer organizations are a crucial part in helping people recover. Because there is much work left to be done, I encourage anyone who is able to volunteer with these organizations to please do so.”
Disaster survivors in North Carolina can call 2-1-1 or visit nc211.org to find available services in their community.
According to recovery officials, fraud unfortunately follows many disasters. FEMA representatives ask Bladen County residents to remember the following guidelines:
- There is no fee required to apply for, or to receive disaster assistance from, FEMA. There is also no fee to schedule or obtain a housing inspection from FEMA.
- FEMA does not endorse any commercial businesses, products or services.
- FEMA does not charge for its services.
- Residents should be expecting FEMA inspectors and have an appointment with someone whose name they know ahead of time.
- All federal employees have an official badge/ID. Ask to see it.
- Anyone who suspects fraud should call the North Carolina consumer hotline at 877-566-7226 or FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.