Federal agencies ready to offer disaster aid to area flood victims

Area residents who suffered flood damage between Dec. 23 and Jan. 9 may seek federal grants and loans to put their lives back together.

The first step in seeking such assistance is to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Deanna Frazier — a spokeswoman for FEMA’s disaster assistance efforts in Cape Girardeau, Scott, Ste. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties — said flood victims may register by calling (800) 621-3362 or going online to www.disasterassistance.gov.

Those seeking assistance will need to provide their Social Security number, permanent address, phone number and flood insurance information, if applicable.

Frazier said regular homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. Property owners with flood insurance will be able to file insurance claims. If an insurance claim doesn’t address all the damage, the property owner can seek assistance from FEMA.

Property owners who don’t have flood insurance may qualify for federal disaster grants, Frazier said.

“The average FEMA grant is $2,500,” said Frazier, who now is stationed in Cape Girardeau to assist with disaster aid. Flood victims could receive a maximum grant of $33,000, she said.

FEMA offers three kinds of financial aid: rental assistance for up to three months for those displaced by flooding, a grant for home repairs and some money to replace personal belongings.

“We understand that $33,000 may not get them back to their pre-disaster position,” Frazier said. “What it is designed to do is get them to a safe, sanitary and functional environment.”

FEMA doesn’t provide loans, but the U.S. Small Business Administration does.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to area businesses and residents, SBA officials announced.

Businesses of all sizes and private, not-for-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Small businesses and agricultural cooperatives, as well as most private, not-for-profit groups, may receive disaster loans to help meet working capital needs caused by a disaster, SBA officials said.

The SBA offers a maximum loan of $200,000 for homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Those seeking any type of federal disaster aid must register with FEMA within the next two months. A disaster aid determination will be made after a FEMA inspector surveys the damage, Frazier said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641