KENT COUNTY, Mich. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open a Disaster Recovery Center on Monday to help people in Kent County impacted by severe weather last August.
The center, located at the Henze Center Community Room— Alpine Township Fire Station 1, will operate from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through Saturday, March 16.
READ MORE: EF-1 tornado with 110 mph winds touched down in Kent County
“If you don't ask for help, you won't be eligible for it," said Matt Groesser, the Kent County Emergency Management coordinator. "If you incurred really any type of financial burden as a result of this storm, go get yourself registered.”
READ MORE: President Biden approves relief for damage from August 2023 storms
Groesser says the weather event, which included a tornado, straight-line winds, and flooding, caused $4.5 million in damage and impacted 250 structures.
At the disaster recovery center, specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, challenge letters of ineligibility, answer questions, and more.
“FEMA can help with things like short term housing," said Groesser. "If your house was in inhabitable based on the damage that it sustained, if you incurred cost over the last six to seven months, that may be an eligible expense.”
Multilingual operators will be available to assist those who require language support.
READ MORE: FEMA crews help Kent Co. people, businesses register for assistance
Residents and business owners who suffered property damage or other losses can apply for assistance without visiting a center by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, or downloading the FEMA App.
Applications must be submitted by April 8.
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