KINGSLAND, Ga. – Federal resources for people with damage from Hurricane Irma opened this week in Kingsland and Brunswick.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center at the Camden County Recreation Center, 1050 Wildcat Boulevard, in Kingsland is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and will be closed Sundays. The center will be open on Columbus Day.
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At noon Thursday a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opens at Ballard Park, 323 Old Jesup Road, in Brunswick. It will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 70 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Whilth Charlton County just added to the emergency declaration to include individual assistance, homeowners, renters and business owners in Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh counties who sustained damage or losses as a result of Hurricane Irma are eligible to register. People can meet one-on-one with FEMA staff at a recovery center or call 800-621-3362 (711 or Video Relay Service) and TTY 800-621-3362.
It is not necessary to visit a DRC to receive FEMA assistance, and people are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting a disaster recovery center, if possible. The quickest way to apply for federal assistance is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA mobile app.
People may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Because of high demand, lines may be busy. Officials urge people to be patient and try calling in the morning or evening when call volume may be lower. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, seven days a week.
“You may be able to get assistance from FEMA whether you have insurance or not," spokesman John Mills said. "Every household is handled on a case-by-case basis. Everyone’s exact situation is unique. Registering with FEMA will get you into that process."
Applicants will need to provide their Social Security number, the address of the damaged property and any private insurance information they may have.
The U.S. Small Business Administration will open a business recovery center Wednesday at the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Center, 715 Bay Street, in Brunswick. It will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Businesses and nonprofits can apply up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets. Loans for working capital, known as Economic Injury Disaster Loans, are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. SBA loan amounts and terms are based on each applicant’s circumstances. To be considered for this assistance, survivors need to apply by Nov. 14 for property damage and June 15, 2018, for economic injury.
Additional information on the disaster loan program may be obtained by calling SBA’s customer service center at 800-659-2955 or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from SBA.gov. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at Disasterloan.SBA.gov/ela. For more information about SBA recovery assistance, visit SBA.gov/disaster.