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Rep. Tom Petri has received the following information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding the availability of assistance:
Residents of Adams, Calumet, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson, Manitowoc, Marquette, Sheboygan, and Winnebago Counties can use the toll-free application telephone number below and on-line registration to apply for FEMA assistance if they are recovering from damage caused by severe storms and flooding that have occurred since June 5.
State and federal officials encourage those affected by the disaster to apply for assistance immediately by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or going online to www.fema.gov. The toll-free line will be in operation 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Those with speech or hearing impairments may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.
The Wisconsin Emergency Management has also opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Dodge, Fond du Lac and Winnebago Counties. The DRCs are set up to help individuals and business owners who are registered for disaster assistance by answering their questions and providing them with information on FEMA disaster programs. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) staffs the DRC with customer service representatives who can help explain the disaster-loan program to homeowners, renters and business owners. Representatives from other state, federal and volunteer agencies also may be able to assist the applicants.
For more information on-line go to: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/
Dodge County DRC
Public Safety Building
128 Cross St.
Juneau, WI 53039
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Daily
Fond du Lac County DRC
UW Fond du Lac Campus
400 University Dr.
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily including over the 4th of July Holiday Weekend
Winnebago County DRC
South Park School
1551 Delaware St.
Oshkosh, WI 54902
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Residents may visit ANY DRC in Wisconsin for assistance.
For a full list of counties on-line go to:
President Bush's disaster declaration authorizes FEMA to provide individual assistance for eligible applicants. The Individual Assistance program includes a wide range of aid, including emergency home repair, temporary disaster housing, replacement grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs. FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy.
Officials remind affected residents they must register with FEMA to be eligible for federal assistance. Filing damage reports with state or county emergency managers or voluntary agencies will not start the federal disaster-assistance process.
All residents are also encouraged to get involved with the recovery by helping spread the word about available assistance. Tell your neighbor.
When applying for help, be sure to have the following information available:
• Your current telephone number;
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you now are staying;
• Your Social Security number, if available;
• A general list of damages and losses you suffered;
• If insured, the name of your company or agent and your policy number;
• General financial information;
• Bank account coding if you wish to speed up your assistance with direct deposit.
Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other help may come in the form of low-interest loans. The FEMA representative will explain the details to you when you call. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
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