It has been a little over two weeks since Hurricane Helene struck, and the gulf coast of Florida and the southeast region of the united states is still reeling with the damage inflicted there. The storm submerged major portions of the area, caused blackouts in several states and hundreds of people died in the process. Right now, the residents are in the process of rebuilding as there are a lot of displaced families and no proper facilities.
Nevertheless, as the people in the state start to put up new structures, a very ferocious hurricane, hurricane Milton, is already headed towards the region. The National Weather Service has indicated that Milton will pose a potential threat to residents of the region recovering from the damages of Helene, as many of them will once again be forced to stop and leave the area.
The Financial Toll and Insurance Claims
The aftermath of Hurricane Milton and the eventual drawdown of the water levels would leave quite the financial hit from these two storms. It is expected that millions of dollars in insurance claims will be submitted by residential property owners. In the case of those who were either uninsured or insufficiently insured, public aid will be necessary in their recuperative process. The role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is essential in ensuring that the victims of such calamities recover. After any disaster, it can be helpful for the affected population to know how they can complete a FEMA disaster assistance registration.
FEMA Disaster Assistance
FEMA is engaged in all the domestic disasters which are declared or which are both man-made or natural. The agency goes to the extent of a number of disasters including but not limited to hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires in biological disasters. To begin with, As a response to hurricane Helene, FEMA has already made a major disaster declaration on the count of over 15 Florida counties rendering any residents within those regions eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. Such counties currently included in this declaration are but not limited to Charlotte, hillsborough, pinellas and lee debris removal action plans.
To date, however, there has been no FEMA disaster assistance declaration for hurricane Milton since it has not yet struck. Nevertheless, FEMA has already begun to cache supplies to assist local and state operations before the military’s arrival.
Steps to Apply for FEMA Assistance
Hurricane Helene had an adverse effect on the residents and those geared up for the arrival of hurricane Milton are able to lodge applications for FEMA assistance without any hassle. Here’s a step-by-step registration process:
1. Initial Registration: Make a call to the toll-free number for FEMA as which is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or register chores online at www.fema.gov. Be ready to furnish general information concerning your income, extent of insurance cover, and damage to your house.
2. Tracking Your Application: After you apply, you will get an application number. This application number should be protected, as it will be needed for all future correspondence and updates about your claim.
3. Inspection: A FEMA inspector will also contact you to arrange for an appointment to visit your house and examine damage caused by the disaster.
4. Eligibility Verification: A form will be provided which you will have to sign attesting that you or anyone in your household was a U. S. citizen or a qualified alien at the time of the disaster. Verification of identification will be required.
In addition to FEMA, there are other organizations like the Red Cross and local state agencies working alongside FEMA to provide relief to those in need. For uninsured residents or those experiencing significant financial hardship, applying for assistance early can make a difference in receiving timely aid.
Here is a summary you should know: If your home or car was damaged by Hurricane Milton, your insurance coverage and FEMA assistance depend on the type of damage and your existing policies. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind-related damage, such as broken windows or roof damage. However, it usually does not cover flood damage; for that, you would need separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer, Morgan Law Group, P.A.. For vehicles, comprehensive auto insurance covers hurricane-related damages, including flooding. FEMA may provide assistance for uninsured or underinsured losses, including essential home repairs and vehicle replacement, but only after insurance claims are settled or denied. To apply for FEMA assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
