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The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be helping residents impacted by Hurricane Ian at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. (FEMA)
A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened Thursday morning at the Putnam County Fairgrounds with the goal to help those who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian.
While residents have the option of seeking help through the federal agency online, rather than in person, the agency plans to have representatives available at the fairgrounds daily, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., through Nov. 26.
The Putnam County Fairgrounds is located at 117 Yelvington Rd, East Palatka next to the UF/IFAS Ag Center.
"Residents will be able to drive in and park, go inside a large climate-controlled tent, and meet face to face with FEMA to discuss Individual Assistance and related assistance issues," a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health in Putnam County said in an email. "There will be bottled water and light snacks provided."
FEMA spokesperson Jann Tracey encouraged people to take advantage of the in-person option if they want help with paperwork.
"(Staff) can walk you through the application process line by line so you don't make a mistake," she said.
Tracey said the center provides "one-stop shopping" for storm-related needs, including legal help, help for senior citizens and help from children and family services. She said staff are "well-versed in getting you as much as possible that you're entitled to."
Tracey said $850,069 in FEMA funds had already been approved for Putnam County relief as of Thursday and 2,619 local families had registered for assistance.
"FEMA's whole purpose is to jumpstart a recovery, to give people a leg up to get going," the spokeswoman said.
Tracey said staff will be at the fairgrounds "as long as there's a need" for FEMA assistance in the area.
It is not necessary to visit a center to apply. Survivors can go to disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. The line is available each day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
In addition to the centers, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing neighborhoods in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian to help residents apply for FEMA assistance and answer questions about federal assistance. DSA teams wear FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. There is no charge for service.