Story Published:
Dec 3, 2008 at 8:42 AM CST
Story Updated:
Dec 3, 2008 at 11:15 AM CST
ROCKAWAY BEACH, Mo. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency set up a disaster recovery center here, one of the hardest hit areas from the rain storm in September. The agency is offering individual assistance, meaning homeowners who paid for repairs or temporary housing can register for help.
Any homeowner in Taney, Webster, Stone or Texas Counties can go to Rockaway Beach and register for federal aid. The average homeowner usually gets about $3,000.
FEMA set up shop in Rockaway Beach on Tuesday afternoon but only a dozen or so people signed up for assistance by the end of the day.
"We encourage anyone to come down, whether they think they had enough damage. Some people think, 'Well, it wouldn't cover this or I already received a check from the last disaster.' Call and find out. That's the only way you're going to know," said Joe Castel, a FEMA officer.
Registration doesn't take more than a few minutes but the entire process takes about a couple weeks. FEMA sends an inspector to your home and, if approved, you'll get a check.
Rockaway Beach Mayor Larry Cline says this is the fourth time the town suffered flood damage this year.
“As mayor of Rockaway, FEMA was in here because we had some damage here in Rockaway and I’ve got nothing good things to say about FEMA. They were here and worked hard. They got things expressly for us because Rockaway Beach isn't a real rich town,” said Cline.
The Disaster Recovery Center is open until 7 p.m. Wed., Dec. 3, and will move to the football stadium at Reeds Spring High School on Thu., Dec. 4 until Saturday. You can also register by phone at 800-621-3362. The deadline is Jan. 12.
