COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – If you live in Columbia County, you may see some folks with a badge and a polo that has a FEMA badge on it.
Officials hit the ground Tuesday to speak with people living there after many residents saw damage due to Debby.
“We are just out here seeing who needs that assistance who has registered and who has not registered,” said Tina James.
James is a Disaster Survivor Assistant Specialist with FEMA. She is going door to door in Lake City.
“We are hoping to get this entire area canvassed. On an average day in a neighborhood this densely populated we could do anywhere from 50-60 homes,” she said.
Columbia County Emergency Management shared some basic information to identify FEMA.
And just because they have a FEMA shirt on does not make them FEMA members.
FEMA officials will have an official badge which you can always ask them for. It will have a name and picture. FEMA inspectors may have your address from your FEMA disaster assistance application that you provided when you filed your FEMA application. FEMA also may call you from FEMA-issued phones with an area code you do not recognize. If you have a question as to whether or not FEMA is at your door you can call 386-719-7530.
“This is a way for our residents to start trying to get back on their feet. FEMA is not designed to make them whole with the services they provide but they can help start putting them in that direction,” said Columbia County Emergency Management Director Shayne Morgan.
Morgan says FEMA is doing more than going door to door, they will have a place for you to come soon.
“In the coming days a physical disaster recovery center will be set up,” said Morgan.
FEMA says if you need to call to get registered or have questions, you can call 1-800-621-3362.
“You can call this number and speak to an actual warm body and not an automated person and you are getting your registration done,” James said.
FEMA says the most important thing to do is get registered. When you fill out an application you will need your address with ZIP code, condition of your damaged home, insurance information (if available), social security number, phone number where you can be contacted, and address where you can get mail or email address to receive electronic notifications.
When you apply you will receive a FEMA registration number. Make sure you save it. You will need it to contact FEMA.
You can register online by going to DisasterAssistance.gov.