Over 85,000 People Registered For Disaster Aid

Over 85,000 people have registered for federal disaster assistance with FEMA after the devastating floods ravaged thousands of homes in south Louisiana. FEMA Spokesperson Maria Padron says to register, call the disaster hotline at 1 (800) 621-FEMA and the lines are open until 10 p.m. seven days a week. She says the next step is an inspector will come out to the home to verify the losses.

“Then the person is going to get a package in the mail, then sometimes they’re going to get an SBA loan application. It’s important for them to return that packet.”

Padron says in the next few days FEMA will be opening disaster recovery centers so flood victims can come in and ask questions. She says the amount of money you receive goes on a case by case basis.

“No two neighbors are going to get the same amount because everybody has different things in their homes, different damages. The maximum is $33,000.”

Padron says the average payment received is about $2,000 and money could come quickly if your paperwork is filed promptly.

“There are some people who are getting money already, they have money in their pocket already.”