Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New FEMA location Opens In St. Simons This Weekend

flooded car
Marc Averette
/
Wikimedia Commons

A Georgia Disaster Recovery Center will open Saturday, Oct. 21 at 8 a.m. in St. Simons to assist Glynn County residents that still need help recovering from Hurricane Irma.

The center will be open for one week and will be staffed by representatives of the State of Georgia, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The center is located at:
St Simons Island Police Station Precinct
1965 Demere Road
St Simons Island, GA 31522

Hours of operation will be:
Saturday:  8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday:  Closed
Mon. – Fri:  8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday:  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The center will be closed permanently on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 3 p.m.

Residents can talk with recovery staff about recovering from hurricane damage, complete and submit an SBA low-interest disaster loan, receive recovery information and discuss other matters of concern.

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to receive FEMA assistance. All that is required is to register with FEMA.

Georgia residents may visit any DRC for assistance. Other open DRCs are:

Camden County
Camden County Recreation Center
1050 Wildcat Blvd Kingsland, GA 31548

Chatham County
Southwest Chatham Library 2nd Floor
14097 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA  31419
Closing permanently on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.

Coffee County
Fire Department – Fire Hall
941 Mahogany Road
Douglas, GA  31533
Closing permanently on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.

Glynn County
Ballard Park Complex
323 Old Jesup Rd
Suite 102
Brunswick, GA 31520

FEMA advises the fastest way to apply for federal assistance is online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA mobile app.

Applications can also be made by phone at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or VRS) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines may be busy. FEMA suggests calling in the morning or evening when the call volume may be lower. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

Have the following information ready when applying:

  • Social Security number
  • Address of the damaged home or apartment
  • Description of the damage
  • Information about insurance coverage
  • A current contact telephone number
  • An address where you can receive mail
  • Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds

Applicants will receive a unique registration number, which will verify their identity to FEMA during recovery. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance in Georgia is Nov. 14.
The SBA offers low-interest, long-term disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofits.

After registering with FEMA, if you are referred to SBA, you should complete the loan application even if you do not plan to accept a loan. It is a step in the federal disaster assistance process. If you do not qualify for a home loan, you may become eligible for grant assistance from FEMA. You do not have to accept a loan if one is offered.

Additional information on the disaster loan program may be obtained by:

Calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing)

Sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov

Homeowners, renters and businesses can find an electronic loan application on the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Questions can be addressed by calling the SBA disaster customer service center at 800-659-2995 or (TTY) 800-877-8339 orwww.sba.gov/disaster.