On Monday evening, October 22, 2018, in the Vernon, Florida High School Auditorium in Washington County, officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, Army Corps of Engineers and many other state and local agencies held a town hall meeting to address concerns about relief efforts spawned by damage caused by Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018.
Hosted by Vernon High School Principal Brian Riviere and moderated by Washington County Commission Chairman Tray Hawkins, each agency representative addressed the audience of about a hundred people, explaining their respective agency and what they offered in the way of assistance.
Present also were representatives from several state and local elected offices, as well as Washington County Commissioners Todd Abbott, Steve Joyner and Alan Bush.
FEMA representatives were set up in the foyer of the auditorium, with several workstations, aiding attendees in filling out paperwork necessary to start the assistance process.
A FEMA spokesperson explained that homeowners should contact their insurance company first, and that although insurance might cover part of your damage, you still could be eligible for FEMA assistance.
The maximum FEMA benefit is typically $33,000 but some people receive less than this amount, depending on scale of loss and damage, as well as existing insurance coverage. Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or download the app from www.FEMA.gov.
The Small Business Administration explained that they were a source of low-interest disaster assistance loans for small businesses as well as homeowners, renters and non-profit organizations, and that information is available at www.SBA.gov.
Colonel Drew Kelly from the US Army Corps of Engineers explained ‘Operation Blue Roof’ and his organization’s efforts to help by restoring temporary roofs on damaged homes in order for the homeowner to be able to stay in the building. Operation Blue Roof can be contacted at 888-ROOF-BLU, and there was a contingent on site, offering signups for the service.
Joe Taylor, Superintendent of Schools for Washington County, Florida spoke about the resumption of public school for teachers only on Tuesday, October 23, and that all students would be attending regularly scheduled classes, starting on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.
Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews explained that there were many predatory visitors to the area, looking to prey on older citizens and that everyone should be aware of scammers and thieves for the duration of this emergency.
Many attendees had specific questions, most of which were satisfactorily answered by representatives of the respective organizations.
This entire Town Hall Meeting, with most of the same participants, will be repeated on Tuesday evening, October 23, 2018 at the Chipley, Florida High School Auditorium in downtown Chipley, Florida, at 6:30PM and the event is open to the public.
View more information along with interviews with these representatives on Facebook at Real Florida Magazine.
