The Federal Emergency Management Agency opened a Disaster Recovery Center this weekend in Pasco County to help residents affected by Hurricane Hermine.
The damage from Hermine is still being calculated, but is estimated to be about $18 million.
After a lengthy process that was stalled a few days by Hurricane Matthew, a FEMA disaster recovery center is now open to residents and business owners in Pasco County.
It's at the Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter in Hudson, at 11611 Denton Avenue.
“We do have some county folks there that will help you with things the county has to offer,” said Kevin Guthrie, Pasco's emergency management director.” “There's also a state representative there from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, as well as the Small Business Administration, and obviously, also FEMA."
A Disaster Recovery Center is a mobile office where survivors may go for information about FEMA or other disaster assistance programs, and to ask questions. Agency representatives at the centers answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.
Guthrie said a lot of people are expected to use the service.
“We had over 2,000 people already pre-register, which is very consistent with what we saw in our initial damage assessment. We had 2,800,” Guthrie said.
Also, 28 businesses have reached out for support.
Residents and business owners with storm damage need to bring an ID and proof of residency, proof of home ownership, and if applicable, insurance coverage information.
The disaster recovery center is open until Nov. 11. The last time Pasco County opened a disaster recovery center was after Tropical Storm Debbie in 2012.
For more information, residents can call 1-800-621-FEMA or check the MyPasco app.
