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HUDSON, Fla. (WFLA) — FEMA teams went out to help neighbors apply for assistance in Hudson Tuesday as applications are open for anyone in Pasco County.
On the coast of Pasco, it’s not easy asking people what they lost to Hurricane Helene.
The answer is clear driving down roads like Barnard Avenue in the Hudson Beach community where Cathy Van Stralen is seriously concerned for her neighbors.
“They’re dealing with monumental issues here health-wise and the stress,” said Cathy Van Stralen. “I’m worried about the heart attacks, I’m worried about rising blood pressure. I’m worried about whether or not they can deal with the pressure especially since some of the insurances because they realize they don’t have the coverage they thought they had.”
This is where the Federal Emergency Management teams can step in.
They’ve got several people in Hudson signed up for assistance this morning and they aren’t done door-knocking.
“To get FEMA to reimburse you for your damage, you have to have documentation,” said FEMA Spokesperson Jack Pagano.
FEMA applications are open until Nov. 27
“So write it down. Write down you lost your couch, here’s what the couch is worth and put it in the paperwork and apply,” said Pagano.
For those who weren’t as heavily impacted Van Stralen is begging for volunteers. These are some of the things she said are big needs in the area:
- Laundry pick up and drop off
- Hot showers
- Meal drop off
- Shelter, an extra room
- Walking dogs
The county has comfort stations open with hot showers, and laundry stations, but many can’t get to them because their cars were flooded or they’re more concerned about the recovery at home.
“People can’t leave their properties you know we’ve had some people break into houses recently,” said Van Stralen. “So people can’t leave their house because they’re too busy between the rain and trying to keep their stuff dry and they’re in a panic state. They’re traumatized. They don’t have time to go eat, they don’t have time to go take their laundry and sit there for three to four hours while they’re washing it so any of the burden that can be lifted would be a huge help.”
There has been a lot of help here but anything to ease the burden could be life-saving, especially on Barnard Avenue. Van Stralen said her neighborhood took on 4-5 feet of water in their homes, and people are not ok.
FEMA can reimburse for things like property damage and hotel stays.
New Port Richey residents can get help filling out the applications at the New Port Richey Public Library from Tuesday through Oct.12. The assistance is available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It won’t be open on Sunday, Oct. 6.
Click here to apply for FEMA assistance online. Another option is to call 1-800-621-FEMA or apply through the FEMA app.
FEMA told 8 On Your Side they’ve seen people take their bank routing card directly a Disaster Recovery Centers and get paid two days later.
The Disaster Recovery Center in Hudson is located at the Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter, 11611 Denton Ave. The center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Applying for FEMA assistance has to be done separately for every storm. Hurricane Debby’s FEMA application deadline is Wednesday.
FEMA said the Hurricane Helene FEMA application deadline will likely be extended but the sooner you apply the better.
