FEMA Opens Miami, Venice Offices to Assist Hurricane Victims with Disaster Relief Paperwork

By David E. Hubler
Contributor, EDM Digest

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) opened a special office in Miami today to help victims of Hurricane Irma fill out paperwork for disaster relief funds, the Miami Herald reports.

The Miami office will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. The FEMA office is located at Miami Dade College’s Kendall campus, 11011 SW 104th St., Building K.

A second FEMA office will also open today in Sarasota County, at the Venice Community Center on 326 Nokomis Avenue South, the Sarasota Herald Tribute says. The Venice office will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Flood Damage Claim May Run into Billions of Dollars

Hurricane Irma has already resulted in about 20,000 federal flood insurance claims in Florida, according to The Real Deal, a South Florida real estate news site.

Roy E. Wright, head of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, said flood damage claims in Florida could total “several billion dollars.” Wright added that Hurricane Irma could generate more than the $11 billion in flood damage claims that resulted from Hurricane Harvey.

FEMA, Federal and State Officials to Provide Assistance at Both Centers

Recovery specialists from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the state government will be on hand at both centers. The recovery specialists will provide in-person support for hurricane victims filling out applications or trying to update their status.

FEMA officials are urging people to register before showing up at the center. Registration is the first step in recovery and requires information such as insurance policies and bank information for possible direct transfers of funds.

Registration can be completed online at DisasterAssistance.gov. More information is also available at the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or visiting fema.gov/hurricane-irma.

Organizations Available for Volunteers Who Want to Aid Recovery Efforts

Florida residents who wish to help in the Hurricane Irma recovery effort can check with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website or call 1-800-FLHELP1.

National VOAD members “are fully vetted, experienced and dedicated professionals who will use you time wisely,” the organization says. For those people who plan to help, VOAD has the following advice:

• Do not self-deploy.
• Volunteers should link up with affiliates or organizations training individuals in order to assist in a cohesive and organized fashion.
• Organizations should contact their local/state VOAD to coordinate volunteer efforts.
• Be patient. You will be contacted once public officials and disaster relief organizations have had an opportunity to assess the damage and identify unmet needs.