Disaster Recovery Center opening this week to aid storm victims

Disaster Recovery Center opening this week to aid storm victims

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Were you adversely impacted by the recent storms? Help is on the way for homeowners, renters and small business owners via a Disaster Recovery Center that’s opening this Thursday at the San Mateo County Event Center, according to the County of San Mateo’s Executive’s Office.

The center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.—including weekends—from Thurs., Feb. 9, through Thurs. Feb. 23 and will “help residents affected by recent storms learn about available assistance from local, state and federal agencies,” said the County Executive’s Office.

One-stop shopping for crucial info will be available from County, state Office of Emergency Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reps, who will provide the following services: Employment assistance; record replacement; veterans assistance; access and functional needs assistance; information on housing options; referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance; and info on Small Business Administration programs.

The County Executive’s Office recommends checking out the following info before heading over to the San Mateo County Event Center: Disaster Assistance Basics (English) (Spanish); Assistance for Families and Individuals (English) (Spanish); Programs to Support Disaster Survivors (English) (Spanish); What information does FEMA require? (English) (Spanish); and Assistance for Governments and Nonprofits (English) (Spanish).

Those who “sustained damages or losses due to the New Year’s storms” can apply now for FEMA disaster assistance, per the County Executive’s Office, adding that this type of assistance might include grants “to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses, transportation, childcare and moving and storage expenses.” Those wanting to apply should be mindful of the application deadline of March 16, 2023.

FEMA assistance became accessible when the County was added to the “major disaster declaration” following the series of December storms, per the County Executive’s Office.

For more info about the Disaster Recovery Center, or about applying for FEMA disaster assistance, click here. The San Mateo County Event Center is located at 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo; look for the Disaster Recovery Center in Cypress Hall.