San Andreas, CA…The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened an Assistance Site for Calaveras County residents to register for disaster assistance. The address is 509 E St Charles St, San Andreas, CA 95249. The assistance center opens today from the hours of 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and will remain open as long as needed. For more information, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

FEMA assistance is not a replacement for insurance but can assist with basic needs to help start your recovery from the severe storms and flooding. This includes assistance to make essential home repairs, find a temporary place to stay, and repair or replace certain household items.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster. For more information or to apply for assistance visit: https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/

A few tips to help you through the recovery process:
• Take pictures of damages and document, document, document.
• Contact your insurance carrier/broker and find out what is or isn’t covered on your policy and determine what your out of pocket deductible is.
• Do not delay making necessary repairs but keep track of all expenditures and keep receipts.
• A FEMA provided home inspector will schedule a time to calculate and verify your losses. NOTE: FEMA inspectors have a government issued identification badge and will call in advance to schedule an appointment. Do not fall victim to fraudulent individuals pretending to be from FEMA or SBA.

Mitigation is also an important part of the recovery process and will help to reduce the loss of life and property damage by lessening the impact of a disaster. A FEMA mitigation specialists can answer questions and share home- improvement tips and other proven building methods to prevent or lessen damage from future disasters. The free information geared to do-it-yourselfers and general contractors, and specialists can share techniques for rebuilding hazard-resistant homes.

Additionally, homeowners or renters may receive temporary financial help to rent a place to live if a home is unlivable because of the storms, and a survivor has no insurance coverage for temporary housing.
Other kinds of help FEMA may be able to assist with are:
• Child-care expenses
• Medical and dental expenses
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Damage to essential household items (some appliances, computers, tools, cleanup equipment, moving/storage expenses)

To apply call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at http://disasterassistance.gov. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

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