Tuesday, July 2, 2024
FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Center at Gatesville Junior High on Monday to provide one-on-one help to those affected by the severe storms that caused damage to several homes, businesses, and properties between April 26 and June 5.
Homeowners and renters in Coryell County can visit the center to meet face-to-face with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to determine their eligibility for disaster assistance. Applicants may qualify for recovery needs such as basic home repairs, personal property losses, and other expenses related to storm damage.
“This is your one stop shop to talk to FEMA and see how we might be able to offer you some disaster assistance in the form of grant money that does not have to be repaid,” FEMA Spokesperson Nikki Gaskins Campbell said.
The center at Gatesville Junior High operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day until further notice. Residents do not need an appointment to visit the center.
“This is going to be open as long as we see foot traffic. Our goal is to try to reach out to as many people as possible and offer convenience to disaster survivors,” Campbell said. “We don’t have a hard date to close this location yet.”
Campbell emphasizes that any assistance received from FEMA is only a piece of the puzzle in disaster recovery. Depending on the extent of the damage, FEMA may help cover some of the losses, but not enough to bring the property back to its pre-disaster condition.
“It’s important to stress and manage expectations. Any assistance that a survivor receives is typically focused on short-term recovery,” Campbell said. “Where we can’t make you whole, we will refer you to other partners that are also critical or key in helping disaster survivors.”
While FEMA mainly focuses on assisting homeowners and renters with damage to their personal property, SBA can also help businesses of all sizes in disaster recovery.
Homeowners and renters can still qualify for disaster assistance regardless of insurance status.
“Your insurance may not cover everything. Whether you are uninsured or underinsured, please reach out to us because you could be leaving money on the table,” Campbell said.
FEMA encourages homeowners and renters to visit a Disaster Recovery Center for a convenient, face-to-face option, but they can also apply for disaster assistance online or by phone through the following resources:
The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is July 16.
“Recovery is never a sprint; it is always a marathon,” Campbell said. “We will be here in the state of Texas for quite some time, and we just encourage people while we’re here to reach out to us."
With more than a dozen Disaster Recovery Centers and counting, residents can visit any center in Texas. To find a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, visit fema.gov/drc
Gatesville Junior High School is located at 307 S. Lovers Lane.
Learn more about Texas disaster recovery at fema.gov/disaster/4781
