POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A new FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened in Polk County, giving another resource to people impacted by Hurricane Ian.
The DRC is located at the W.H. Stuart Center at 1702 S. Holland Pkwy in Bartow and will be open 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., seven days a week, FEMA said in a release.
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The release says that the center aims to provide disaster survivors with information from Florida state agencies, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Staff will be available to help survivors apply for federal assistance and disaster loans, update applications and learn about other available resources, the release shows.
Residents must have the following info to apply, according to county officials:
- Your address with zip code
- Condition of your damaged home
- Insurance information, if available
- Social Security number
- Phone number where you can be contacted
- Address where you can get mail or email address to receive electronic notifications
In addition, disaster assistance funds can be sent directly to your bank account, so residents will also need to provide bank account type, account number and bank routing number.
When you apply, you will receive a FEMA registration number. Save it. You will need the number whenever you contact FEMA.
Residents do not have to visit a DRC to apply. They can go online to disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
FEMA noted that help will be available in most languages.
FEMA Individual Assistance can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs.
For more information about Hurricane Ian recovery in Florida, visit fema.gov/disaster/4673 and floridadisaster.org/.
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