By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY – Staff Writer

In the Twin Peaks Community Center at 675 Grandview Drive is the newly opened disaster assistance and recovery center, where representatives from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration), EDD (Employment Development Department, aka unemployment) and other agencies are present to assist those who have suffered losses and damages from the disaster of the winter storms, which started Feb. 21, 2023. Grants, loans and advice are available.

The experts are there to give information and assist renters, homeowners, business owners and nonprofits that suffered losses from the snowstorms, flooding, straight-line winds, landslides and mudslides. They have workers who speak English and Spanish who can assist homeowners, renters, businesses, STR owners and nonprofit organizations, including places of worship, that have had problems and issues when trying to apply online or who want or need one-on-one assistance in the application process.

They also have customer service representatives who may be able to check on or answer questions about the status of an application for assistance. FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. It is best to not wait to apply while waiting for your insurance agent to inspect and approve or deny coverage. Apply for disaster aid now and then inform them of any response from your insurance company when that answer arrives.

This aid and loans may also be available for those without primary insurance. It is to pay for losses from collapsed buildings, garages, carports, auto damage, docks, sunken boat costs, fences, trees into building, loss of income and wages and other losses created by the closure of the roads and businesses and loss of residences. Go to the center and explain your circumstances and apply for the disaster assistance with documentation of loss. There are no income limitations for assistance to be received from losses received.

The center is currently open all week, except Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. No appointments are necessary. Recovery specialists at the center can provide information on any rental assistance available and other programs or fax any requested documents to a FEMA processing center. They can also scan or copy new information or documents needed for case files.

Those who may have been denied or who have already filed an application can also ask for reconsideration on their disaster assistance, since many mountain residents who were affected applied prior to the official disaster declaration for this county and therefore were automatically denied. Residents may also follow up on previously filed applications, to see if they were received. Many mountain residents who have suffered significant damage have been in limbo on applications and responses.

The disaster assistance center will only be in operation at this Twin Peaks location for a short period of time, so it is recommended, if possible, to go to the Twin Peaks Community Center soon. When the number of applicants slows down, the disaster center operations will close, making application only available by computer. The deadline to apply for physical damage loans is June 2, 2023, and the application deadline for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans is Jan. 3, 2024.

However, it is not required to go to the disaster recovery center to apply for FEMA assistance. Applications can be made to FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA helpline at (800) 621-3362. (helpline operators are available from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. PDT daily). It is best to not wait to apply while waiting for insurance to inspect or approve or deny coverage.

Residents coming to the center should bring with them the physical address of the property damaged, their mailing address with post office box number and ZIP code and email address where electronic notifications can be received. In addition, they should bring a description of the condition of the damaged home or property, their insurance information, if available, Social Security number and a phone number where they may be contacted.