Federal disaster assistance now available | News

Tampa Bay, Florida -- On Tuesday, July 3, President Barack Obama declared 6 Florida counties a major disaster area after Tropical Storm Debby pummeled the state last week. 

The declaration is an order of federal aid assistance to the citizens of the Bay area's Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando and Highlands counties.

Related stories:

• Pasco declared major disaster area as 10 News helps get action
• Governor Scott requests public assistance in addition to the individual assistance after TS Debby
• Dozens of sinkholes open up in Hernando County 

Money for temporary housing and essential home repairs not covered by insurance is available. Renters, homeowners and business owners may register for help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Residents that have sustained losses or damages from Tropical Storm Debby can register with FEMA by one of the following methods:

• Call (800) 621-FEMA (3362), which is video relay service accessible. Assistance is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week.  If you are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY, call (800) 462-7585.
• Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
• By smartphone or tablet, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.

FEMA will ask for the following information:

• A telephone number where you can be reached
• The address where you lived at the time of the disaster and the address where you are staying
• Your Social Security number
• A general description of damage to your property and other losses
• Insurance company and policy number or agent if you have property insurance
• Bank account routing information if you want FEMA to use direct deposit

Federal disaster assistance helps eligible applicants with temporary housing, uninsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other disaster-related expenses and serious needs. 

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Businesses may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling (800) 659-2955, (800) 877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing or online at www.SBA.gov.  They may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA's website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Pasco County Info:

Residents are asked to register their damage with the County online at www.pascocountyfl.net or by calling the Resident Information Center (RIC) at (727) 847-8959 during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).  Residents who are in need of storm related assistance should contact the American Red Cross at (813) 348-4820.      

The City of New Port Richey has positioned a dumpster for residents affected by Debby at 6420 Pine Hill Road. Items such as carpets, lawn furniture, house furniture, fences, box springs, and mattresses will be accepted. Residents will have to show proof of residency in order to use the dumpster.

It will be available Friday, July 6 until 4 p.m.; Saturday, July 6 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Monday, July 9 through Friday, July 13 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Regular household garbage that is normally collected on their scheduled day should be separated from the storm debris. Residents are asked to separate the construction debris and white goods (for example, refrigerators) from normal household garbage.

Debris pick up will not begin until after Sunday, July 8. Pickup dates and the coverage areas will be published by the media and on the county website when established. Residents are encouraged to move their storm related debris curbside as soon as possible.

In addition, residents are reminded before they enter into contracts for repairs they should work with a licensed contractor. Remind the contractor as a customer you will verify their license by going online to MyFloridaLicense.com or by calling (850) 487-1395. For more information visit www.pascocountyfl.net.      

Tropical Storm Debby photos:

• Bayshore Blvd flooding
• Tropical Storm Debby local flooding and damage
• Tornado Damages 87 homes in Polk County
• Pass-A-Grille tornado damages home
• Tornadoes spawned by Tropical Storm Debby