South Florida homeowners who are still trying to clean up after a record-setting flood can now apply for federal help to start their recovery.
Two eight-member crews with the Federal Emergency Management Agency fanned into neighborhoods Monday morning to knock on doors and help the application process along. Although those affected can apply on their own by phone or online, FEMA officials said they hope their in-person assistance will make the process smoother for those still reeling from their losses, and for those who can’t access the applications because they haven’t had their Internet connection restored.
And “some may want to talk to a real person,” said FEMA spokesman John Mills.
“We want to meet survivors where they are,” he said. “People have gone through a very traumatic experience. We don’t want people to slip through the cracks.”
Broward County Lamar Fisher walked with the FEMA crews on their first day going door-to-door. He said residents were “extremely grateful” for the help. “They weren’t expecting it so quick. The sooner they get in the system, the sooner they’ll get the financial aid to fix their homes. Time is of the essence for these folks,” he said.
South Florida was drenched by nearly 26 inches of rain on April 12. The flooding resulted in major damage to almost 1,100 homes. In the aftermath, the flooding also closed the airport for almost two days, Broward schools were closed, and gas deliveries to the port were slowed, leaving many pumps at gas stations empty.
Gov. Ron DeSantis asked President Joe Biden for a major disaster declaration for Broward County after the rains began inundating east central Broward County, especially Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach and nearby areas. Biden approved the declaration Friday, making federal money available.
Mills, the FEMA spokesman, said it wasn’t yet clear how many days the Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams would be in town knock on doors. But residents don’t have to wait for an in-person visit to apply.
Here’s what you need to know about FEMA’s application process and other flood-related assistance:
- The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program allows businesses affected by the flooding to apply for zero-interest loans. Go to www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply.
- Residents who had damage to their homes or cars can apply for federal relief grants by calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Residents who are applying to FEMA by phone or online should be prepared to have a spot visit by a contractor to verify damage before funds are provided. All contractors and FEMA crews will have identification, and will not ask for money.
- Affected residents are urged to go to www.Broward.org/flood for information, including seeking help from volunteers to assist with cleanup.
The money FEMA is providing are grants, and do not need to be paid back. It is intended to cover things not covered by insurance, such as basic home repairs, temporary rental assistance for those who need to relocate, or replace personal property that was destroyed, such as furniture.
There is no dollar amount attached to each grant, because each situation is different, and the amount of assistance provided is related to the severity of documented losses the survivor has faced, Mills said.
“Everyone went through the flooding and the storms together, but everyone’s exact situation is unique,” Mills said. “Some people have insurance, some people don’t, some have families, maybe a larger family, maybe a person who lives alone, maybe an elderly couple. We’ll work with each of those households on their specific needs.”
Nancy Andrade said she’ll apply for assistance. But no matter how much money FEMA gives her, it won’t ever replace what she has lost. Recently laid off from her job, Andrade searched for ways to slash her budget and closed down a storage unit. The boxes, which included her children’s baby photos, were left piled in her living room.
“I was trying to save money to get rid of the storage unit,” she said.
She slept through the flooding, and woke up to find her two small dogs seeking refuge on a bag of laundry. “Otherwise they would have drowned,” she said.
Eight inches of water flooded her home, damaging clothes and furniture, and Andrade and the dogs huddled on a couch until the waters resided, “which took almost the whole day.” Then, it rained again the next day and her home flooded a second time. She said amid a mold concern, her lease was terminated. She’s now staying with a friend in Miami while she looks for a new home and a new job.
The childhood photos for her two children, now adults, were ruined. She said she hopes to find a restoration service.
“It’s been a lot,” she said. “It’s been overwhelming. At the risk of sounding glib, when it rains it pours.”
Mills said the crews will work quickly to “jumpstart recovery for survivors.”
But “it will take some time,” he warned. “There are a lot of people who do need a hand up. People are hurting, and they need a little bit of financial assistance to help get back on their feet. For some people it may be a few hundred dollars, or a few thousand dollars may help them tremendously with their recovery.”
Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @LisaHuriash
