A Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center for people affected by August’s record flood from Suicide Basin is scheduled to open Wednesday at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library.
The center is scheduled to be open 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, but will be closed Nov. 4-6 due to the national election.
“Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain disaster assistance programs, help people complete or check the status of applications for federal assistance, and get information on additional resources offered by the State of Alaska,” a press release issued Monday by FEMA states.
People can also apply for assistance at http://DisasterAssistance.gov, or call (866) 342-1699 between 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays.
The flooding that peaked on Aug. 6 damaged nearly 300 homes, hundreds of vehicles, and other infrastructure and property. President Joe Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for the incident Oct. 17, although the availability of assistance and loans is in question due to funds being depleted by other major U.S. disasters.
Congress is in recess until Nov. 12, at which point lawmakers are expected to take up the question of providing more funds. Federal aid agencies have encouraged eligible residents to submit applications regardless to speed up the providing of assistance if it becomes available.
The federal emergency declaration for Juneau means individuals affected by the Suicide Basin flood are eligible for twice as much household assistance available under a state disaster declaration that covers up to $22,000 of damage to residences and $22,000 for belongings inside homes. However, if individual disaster assistance funds are limited that means residents may get less than the maximum $22,000 authorized.
Meanwhile, the Small Business Administration has run out of funds to provide low-interest loans to homeowners and businesses to repair property damaged by disasters.
