SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A disaster recovery center is open in Minnehaha County. FEMA, the State of South Dakota, the US Small Business Administration and other organizations will all have representatives at the center to help explore options that will suit your needs.
If you’re a homeowner, renter or business owner you can register for disaster assistance a multitude of ways. You can:
- Register online by clicking here
- Register by calling the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362
- Register at one of FEMA’s recovery centers
If you live in Brookings, Charles Mix, Davison, Hanson, Hutchinson, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, Moody or Yankton counties or the Flandreau or Yankton Indian Reservations, you are eligible for assistance.
Corey Williams is a U.S. Small Business Administration Public Information Officer. He says if you’re unsure whether you’re covered or not, stop in and see.
“Well the center is so helpful because it’s kind of that one stop shop for disaster recovery. You have your FEMA customer service representatives there to look into your case as far as the status of your grant. But you also have the disaster recovery specialists there from SBA to be able to even help you complete the application, in some instances, we actually close the loans at the centers,” Williams said.
The centers are also able to give you other options for coverage. Nate Custer with FEMA says if you’re from any of the 11 counties eligible for assistance, you can go to any disaster recovery center to apply. You may have more options than you think.
“They always wonder, why SBA, I don’t have a business. Well, homeowners can actually borrow up to $200,000 to repair/replace disaster damage real estate and up to $40,000 to repair/replace disaster damage personal property, which would include any vehicles that were lost,” Williams said.
Three more centers will be opening next week.
