View full sizeA local FEMA office will open Friday at the Ware Building on Cheney Road in Mannington Township.The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, and residents can come to get one-on-one assistance, information on recovery resources, U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans, flood insurance, and mitigation.
FEMA Public Information Officer Brad Craine said the Salem County DRC is an invaluable resource to area residents.
“It’s a one-stop center,” said Craine. “You can come in and get your questions answered seven days a week.”
Craine said they will have FEMA application assistants and experts on hand. They will also have bilingual support.
“The county is very pleased that FEMA is setting up a processing center here in Salem County,” said Freeholder Director Lee Ware. “The Ware building is centrally located and the center will be open daily, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.”
Ware said this will give residents ample opportunity to meet with representatives from FEMA and get help as soon as possible.
So far in Salem County, 229 people have registered for FEMA relief. Throughout the state of New Jersey more than 36,000 have applied, totaling $55 million in aid for disaster survivors.
Craine said registering with FEMA is the most important step to securing assistance. Residents should have their Social Security number, private insurance information, address, ZIP code, directions to the damaged property, and a daytime telephone number handy when registering.
Craine said the registration process could take up to 15 to 20 minutes.
“Residents who may be eligible for individual assistance grants should register with FEMA as soon as possible,” said William L. Vogel, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer in New Jersey.
Online FEMA registration is available anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Residents are reminded that once they register for FEMA aid, an inspector will come to their property to assess the damage.
“You should expect a call to set up an appointment within a few days after registering,” said Craine.
More than 700 inspectors have been working throughout New Jersey to get claims processed as quick as possible, Craine said.
Residents are reminded to be vigilant of scams. FEMA inspectors will be easily identified by FEMA photo ID badges. They will also make an appointment by phone before coming to your home.
In other news related to the storms which impacted Salem County in the past month, it was announced late Thursday that President Obama has issued a major disaster declaration for Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester counties to help them recover from the severe flooding which took place Aug. 13 to 15.
In Salem County, Pittsgrove Township was particularly hard hit by the flooding produced by the heavy rainfall.
