Inspections began today in Wayne County to determine if residents could qualify for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The county was only approved for assistance to help repair community infrastructure when a federal declaration was issued for April 28-May 11 severe weather.
FEMA inspectors are scheduled to meet with local officials to tour the affected area, according to FEMA spokesperson Darrell Habisch. A decision on the additional designation should not take long, he said.
The major disaster declaration included individual assistance for 27 Missouri counties, including Butler, Reynolds, Ripley, Carter and Dunklin.
Residents have until Aug. 1 to apply for assistance for physical property damage, with nearly 1,500 applications from across the state already approved. FEMA has already granted more than $7.8 million in housing assistance and approximately $1.5 million in other assistance. Other assistance can include help with items such as medical and dental needs, medication or replacement of tools for self-employed workers, said Habisch.
Residents can visit disaster recovery centers for additional help, or contact FEMA online at www.disasterassitance.gov and by phone at 800-621-3362.
A disaster recovery center opened Tuesday at the Ellington City Hall, 100 Tubbs Ave. This center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Saturday.
The Poplar Bluff center closed Monday, but centers are also still open in Doniphan and Van Buren.
Residents can receive help at any disaster recovery center, according to FEMA.
Centers are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Ripley County Caring Community Partnership building in Doniphan and the Van Buren Youth and Community Center.
Individuals can also receive low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration to help with repairs and recovery.
A FEMA inspector should contact applicants within 10 days after registration to schedule an appointment. These inspectors will determine eligibility.
Decisions letters should be issued within 10 days of the inspector's visit.