Have Damages from September's Flooding? FEMA Can Help

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — If you had first-hand experience of last September’s torrential rain and the flash flooding that followed, you probably don’t want to be reminded about the flood waters rushing into basements, destroying furnaces, water heaters, and even foundations. But as temperatures plummet around the state, having intact walls and foundations and working heating systems is more important than ever.

Fortunately, seven counties have been granted with Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA): Blue Earth, Freeborn, Hennepin, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele and Waseca. That means if you’re a homeowner, renter or business owner in one of those counties and have damages from the flooding, federal money is available to help you on the road to recovery. It’s important that you register with FEMA as soon as possible to see if you qualify for Individual Assistance aid.

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Individual Assistance comes in the form of grants and does not need to be repaid. It can include reimbursement for temporary housing and basic expenses, along with repairs of damages to items like furnaces and water heaters, and replacement work on damaged structures, according to a news release.

There are a several different ways to apply for the funds before the Jan. 30, 2017 deadline:

• Visit FEMA’s disaster assistance website.
• Get the FEMA mobile app.
• Call 800-621-3362.
• Visit one of the four Disaster Recovery Centers
  • DRC Waseca County. 303 South State Street, Waseca, MN 56093
  • DRC Blue Earth County. 204 S 5th Street, Mankato, MN 56001
  • DRC Freeborn County. 2510 Bridge Avenue, Albert Lea, MN 56007
  • DRC Hennepin County. 8600 Zane Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

There are a couple of things to remember about Individual Assistance. First, making a claim with your insurance (if you have flood coverage) will not automatically sign you up for disaster assistance. You’ll need to do both. Second, when you’re ready to register for Individual Assistance, you’ll want to gather the following information so your application won't be delayed.

• Your Social Security number.
• The address of the damaged primary residence.
• A description of the damage.
• Your insurance information, including policy number.
• Your current telephone number.
• Your mailing address.
• Your bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

Individual Assistance exists so that struggling families and business owners can get back on their feet after a disaster. If you have been affected by this summer’s floods, be sure to look into it before the Jan. 30, 2017 deadline.

Photo by Tony Z, used with permission