Residents with flood damage should register for disaster assistance

With a presidential disaster declaration approved this week for several counties in the state, including Lake County, there are steps now that residents need to take.  The disaster declaration is for recent severe weather and extreme flooding events in the area and covers the time period of September 9th through the 26th. It also includes both individual and public assistance.  

Residents affected by the disaster can now begin registering for assistance. Assistance will be approved or denied on an individual basis. There is no penalty for being denied for assistance, so citizens are encouraged to register even if they don’t feel their damages are enough. 

Some types of assistance that can be provided include: home repair, rental assistance if displaced, personal property loss, child care costs, medical bills, and vehicle damage.   

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance program provides grants to individuals and families for expenses related to home repairs and rental assistance. FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses eligible state and local governments, and some nonprofit entities, for damage to publicly owned infrastructure.

 Disaster Recovery Centers are expected to be set up within the next few weeks, where residents can speak with federal and state representatives face-to-face.  Lake County is currently coordinating this effort with FEMA and will make this information available to the public as soon as possible.

If you were affected by the recent flooding, please call and/or register online:

Phone:  1-800-621-3362

Online:  disasterassistance.gov

Google search:  Help after a disaster for additional questions