New FEMA centers open for Helene victims across the CSRA

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - FEMA has been boots on the ground in our community for the past two weeks after Hurricane Helene.

But now, it has some more semi-permanent places to help people, not only in Richmond County but in other locations across the CSRA:

• Augusta: At the HUB for Community Innovation, 631 Chafee Ave. The office is open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. And on Sundays on 1 to 6 p.m.
• Barnwell: Barnwell Regional Airport, 155 State Road S-6-398, open Oct. 13-15 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Batesburg-Leesville: Batesburg-Leesville fire station, 537 W. Church St., open Oct. 13-16 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Ridge Spring: The Saluda County Emergency Management Division will be offering assistance in filling out their applications on Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ridge Spring Civic Center on West Main Street.
• North Augusta: Nancy Carson Library, 135 Edgefield Road, open through Saturday, Oct. 19, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saluda: County istration building, 407 W. Butler Ave. Open Oct. 17-19 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sandersville: 514B N. Harris St. The center will open on Monday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m. Hours are: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.

Additional centers will open soon in more affected areas. To find other center locations, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a ZIP code to 43362.

There are several kinds that you might be eligible for, including individual assistance for immediate needs after the storm as well as funding for people working in agriculture and loans for small businesses.

Nonprofits can also get assistance from FEMA and you might be eligible for an extension on your taxes from the IRS.

Workers with FEMA say it’s best to not delay applying.

“It is a pretty painless process, you come here to the disaster recovery center and we will guide you step by step,” said Nikki Gaskinscambell, a media relations specialist for FEMA. “Our FEMA representatives are more than happy to help disaster survivors who are coming to any location that we have open in the state of South Carolina as well as the state of Georgia.”

FEMA tells us if you’re eligible for aid, their goal is to get money in your pocket as soon as possible.

Each application takes about 20 minutes to complete.

The process itself might be quick, but people we spoke to at these centers Monday say ‘Be ready to wait.’

We heard of people waiting hours in line to get their turn for help.

“I started the process but I was just trying to get some documents ed, can’t get them ed,” said Denise Moore, who is applying for FEMA assistance. “It’s a big problem like, too many people, not enough help.”

If you don’t need help applying, FEMA says you can skip the line by applying online or on their app.

Helene left widespread damage across our area. Debris is in the process of being removed by various counties.

Since then, some people have been putting in damage claims both with insurers and FEMA.

Now, Jovanna Garcia, media relations specialist for FEMA, says it’s important for the agency’s staff to be in direct with people impacted by Helene.

“We’ve been here since day one, since the beginning. Actually, pre-positioned before the hurricane hit. But the thing is that in order for families and those that were impacted to feel that a sense of us being here, a sense of us here to help, having this community center here, localized in an area that has been heavily impacted, but it’s also accessible for a lot of people to receive assistance,” said Garcia.

Garcia said FEMA is not going to leave anytime soon.

“We’re here to stay until everyone receives the assistance necessary for them to start their recovery process,” Garcia said.

She says they want people to come to the center and with FEMA.

You can update and check your registration there.

Garcia says these are the top things to do when applying for FEMA assistance:

• File a claim with your insurance company
• with FEMA Follow up with FEMA
• Meet with an inspector
• Keep up with your information with FEMA.

Garcia also had important advice as the process goes on.

“The most important thing is that once they , they have to keep up with their information updates. They’re going to get a call from an inspector, and inspectors got to come out to the home. But the biggest thing is staying informed with us,” she said.

If you get a determination letter or need to follow up with documents, you can go to the center as well.

If you cannot get there, you can call 800-621-3362 or visit disasterassistance.gov. There are options for different languages if needed.

The HUB will also have a small business office to help business owners recover from Helene. They can help you with disaster loan applications, accepting documents and providing application updates.

The deadline to return applications for damage is Nov. 29.

Questions and answers for S.C. residents

What you’ll need to get FEMA help

• Social Security number
• Insurance information
• Damage information
• Annual household income, before taxes
• information
• Direct deposit information (optional)

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