Mobile disaster recovery center set for Aug. 25-27 at Whitley Co. Health Department

Those affected by the July 31 flash flooding in Whitley County or other flooding events across eastern Kentucky, who want to talk to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official in-person, can go to the Whitley County Health Department on Thursday, Aug. 25, through Saturday, Aug. 27, where a mobile disaster recovery center will be set up.

The health department is located at 368 Penny Lane in Williamsburg off Exit 11, and the mobile disaster recovery center will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday. A mobile disaster recovery center was also held at that location Sunday through Tuesday of this week.

FEMA representatives will be at the centers to help with applications for federal assistance and provide information about other disaster recovery resources.

FEMA financial assistance may include money for temporary housing, basic home repairs or other uninsured, disaster-related needs, such as childcare, transportation and medical, funeral or dental expenses.

It is not necessary to go to a mobile center to apply for FEMA assistance. Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and ​Whitley​ counties can go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or use the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

When applying for assistance, it’s important to have some critical information in hand:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted;
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying;
• Your Social Security number;
• A general list of damage and losses;
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit; and
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: How to Register with Disaster Survivor Assistance – YouTube.

Flood survivors who apply for FEMA assistance may be referred to the SBA. It is important to submit an SBA application so you can be considered for additional FEMA grants.