FEMA opens Galena office for flood recovery

FEMA will open the center at 1 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church, 1026 W. State Highway 248. Representatives from the State Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration will also be available to assist flood victims from 1–7 p.m. today. After today, center hours will be 8 a.m.–7p.m. Monday–Saturday.

FEMA spokeswoman Amanda Johnson encouraged flood victims to first register with the agency by calling (800) 621-3362 or visiting its Web site at www.fema.gov. Registrants should use the name on their Social Security cards when registering online, according to a news release.

Disaster victims with follow-up paperwork may be directed to the center for face-to-face assistance, Johnson said, adding that FEMA does not duplicate flood-insurance benefits. FEMA also plans to open additional centers throughout the region, Johnson said.

A March 19 presidential disaster declaration includes Greene, Christian, Stone and Newton counties.

SBA spokesman Bill Koontz said businesses that suffered property damage or economic injury are eligible to receive low-interest SBA loans for up to $1.5 million. Physical damage loans allow business owners to repair or replace real estate, machinery or equipment damaged by the flooding while economic injury loans provide working capital to help cover normal obligations until normal operations resume.

The application deadline for physical damage loans is May 27 and Dec. 23 for economic injury loans.

Business owners interested in applying for SBA loans do not need an appointment to visit the disaster recovery center, although Koontz said they should bring a current profit-loss statements and tax returns to demonstrate their repayment abilities.

“We won’t know on the spot if they’re qualified,” he said.