Mobile disaster center opens Thursday in Inez

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — FEMA representatives attended a special Martin County Fiscal Court meeting Tuesday to advise residents ahead of the mobile disaster center that will open Thursday in Inez.

The mobile disaster recovery center will be open Aug. 18-20 and Aug. 25-27 in the parking lot behind the Martin County Business Center (welfare office) to serve residents affected by recent flooding. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“During the time that this is open, you can come in to make a claim, check the status of one, and if you got a denial notice, they can help you appeal that,” Martin County Judge/Executive Colby Kirk said. “Just because you get a letter that says ‘you’re denied’ doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. It may be as simple as needing another piece of documentation – a photo, driver’s license, or something that may have been left out. They can help individuals appeal their claims and try to get them the help that they need.”

Residents with damage to private driveways or bridges must file a claim for individual assistance.

“They can help you with that at that center,” said Kirk.

“The most important thing is documentation. You have to take photos of all your damage and when you come to this center bring the photos with you. You’ll need a photo ID, Social Security card and proof of address showing that’s where you live.”

Kirk said FEMA might call residents. “So if you get a phone call from an out-of-state or different area code number, you need to answer that. FEMA will reach out only a certain number of times before they give up.”

FEMA has been in the community for the past two weeks.

“They’ve been to 370 homes or businesses,” said Kirk. “Of those 370, they’ve interacted with 170.”

The judge added that individuals who want to start a FEMA process could also call 1-800-621-3362.

Kirk introduced FEMA representative Teronda Givens, who said FEMA would reach out to residents three times and follow with an email.

“You will then receive a letter determining what your case is,” Givens said. “Whatever that letter says is not necessarily the last or final answer. So just be sure to read until the end of the letter and if you have any questions or would like more information, call the number listed there. The letter will also give instructions on what you need to do for your case. You can bring the letter to the disaster recovery center.”

Residents can visit the mobile center in Inez or centers in other counties.

“You do have options,” said Givens, adding that residents who are unable to leave their homes can contact FEMA, and representatives will come to their homes to assist them.

Givens said if residents need help salvaging family treasures such as photos, quilts or documents, they can go to the mobile disaster center for information from the Heritage Emergency National Task Force. fema.gov/assistance/save-family-treasures. For legal assistance, call 1-844-478-0099 and for prescription assistance, call 1-855-793-7470.

“We’re here at your service to help you,” said Givens.

Kirk said having a contractor’s estimate of property damage when residents go to the disaster center would speed up their process.