FEMA opens disaster recovery center in Kerrville

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Homeowners, renters and eligible non-residents impacted by the severe storms and flooding in Kerr County can apply for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration starting Thursday, July 10.

The disaster recovery center will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at First Baptist Church, 625 Washington St. in Kerrville.

Claims should first be filed with insurance companies. Federal funding is available for those whose policies don't cover all damages.

FEMA staff can help in several ways, including:

• Checking the status of an application already in the system and making minor changes to applications.
• Contacting faith-based organizations, community groups, private sector businesses and public libraries that may have the capability to distribute disaster-related information to residents in the impacted counties.
• Identifying organizations providing disaster-related services and/or resources to the public for long-term recovery.
• Gathering information about impacts to communities.
• Providing flyers explaining how to apply for disaster assistance.

For information and to apply online visit the Small Business Association's website at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call the SBA at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Survivors may also apply for assistance through FEMA's website, disasterAssistance.gov, which is the fastest method, or by downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages.

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