The phones in Cindy Lawrence’s office haven’t stopped ringing.
Lawrence, the director of Lowndes County Emergency Services, said her office has been deluged with calls since Friday evening, when the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it would make funds and other assistance available to those whose private property was damaged or destroyed by the Feb. 23 tornado in Columbus and the flooding that occurred throughout the county.
“There were so many calls, but there was only so much information we could give out,” Lawrence said.
But answers — and help — are on the way.
This Friday, FEMA representatives will begin processing applications for assistance at East Columbus Gym, 222 Lawrence St. The FEMA office there will be open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday this week, then during the same hours Monday through Friday as long as there are applications to process.
“I know there are a lot of people who are asking questions,” Lawrence said. “Starting Friday, they’ll be able to get the assistance they need to start the process of getting what they need.”
Lawrence stressed that before visiting the FEMA office to begin the application process, they must first register with FEMA and obtain a registration number either by phone — 1-800-621-3362 — or online at www.DisasterAssitance.gov.
“That’s very important,” Lawrence said. “Without a registration number, FEMA can’t begin an application.”
In addition to FEMA, the Small Business Administration will be on hand to help those seeking business loans to repair/rebuild their businesses.
Applicants should also bring other information FEMA will need to process applications.
“We are working hard to make sure that every single person eligible for FEMA individual assistance gets the help needed for these funds,” Columbus Mayor Robert Smith said in a statement. “I have assigned staff to work with FEMA, MEMA and Lowndes County Emergency Management to help citizens with this process and we are encouraged by their work.
“We have come a long way, but have even more to do,” he added. “We won’t stop until everyone has received all the assistance they can.”
News of the FEMA funding is still filtering through the community.
Barbara Ann Lowery, whose home on 14th Avenue North was destroyed by the tornado, learned of the funding Thursday.
“I hadn’t heard about it,” Lowery said. “We’ve been out of our house since the tornado. Right now, we’re living in a rental house. We didn’t really know what we were going to do. We wanted to rebuild the house, but the money we got from insurance wasn’t enough to do that. So this is really good news.”
Lawrence noted funds are available not only for home and business owners, but for renters who lost their personal property.
“For renters, one thing they’ll have to have is a letter from their landlord saying they lived at the place at the time of the tornado,” Lawrence said.
The arrival of FEMA won’t end the phone calls to her office entirely, Lawrence said.
And in one case, in particular, her office is the right place to call.
“If you are disabled and can’t get to the FEMA office, you can call our office and someone from FEMA will come to your home and help you with the application,” Lawrence said. “Again, they’ll need to have their FEMA registration number before they call.”
Lawrence’s office number is 662-329-5110.
How to apply for FEMA funds, other storm assistance
You’ll need the following information to complete your FEMA funds registration:
■ Name and address
■ Social Security Number (SSN) OR the SSN of a minor child in the household who is a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National or Qualified Alien.
■ Number of occupants living in household at time of the storm
■ Annual Household Income at time of storm
■ Contact Information (phone number, mailing address, email address and damaged home address)
■ Vehicles damaged and Auto Insurance
■ Homeowner or Rental Insurance Information (coverage, insurance company name, etc.)
■ Bank Account Information: name, type of account (checking or savings), routing number and account number. (if you are eligible to receive financial assistance, the money can be deposited in your account)
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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