FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open a Disaster Recovery Center beginning at 7am on Wednesday, October 10 at the Howe Springs Fire Department, located at 4395 South Irby Street, Florence, SC 29505.
Operating hours will be Monday – Saturday 7am – 7pm, and Sunday 9am – 6pm.
Representatives from FEMA will be at this location to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid. It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive state-federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.
To register go onlineto DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages, and phone lines are open 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week until further notice.
Have the following information ready when you apply:
• Social Security number (one per household)
• Address of the damaged home or apartment
• Description of the damage
• Information about insurance coverage
• Telephone number
• Mailing address
• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds
Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids.
Federal and state disaster assistance for eligible individuals and families can include money for temporary rental assistance and essential home repairs for primary residences and help with other serious disaster-related losses not covered by insurance.