FEMA opens center for hurricane relief
South Floridians can get help at Boynton office
BOYNTON BEACH – The Federal Emergency Management Agency opened South Florida’s first disaster recovery center on Wednesday to help victims of Hurricane Irma get back on their feet.
Open seven days a week, the center in Boynton Beach guides people through the application process for disaster-relief benefits offered by FEMA and the Small Business Administration.
FEMA is looking to open additional centers in coming weeks in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, officials said.
About $163 million has been set aside to help Floridians with damage and losses not covered by insurance, said John Mills, an agency spokesman.
“We don’t want anyone to slip through the cracks,” he said.
About 150 people had inquired about assistance Wednesday afternoon at the Carolyn Sims Center in Boynton Beach. People moved through at a steady pace, and there were no long lines.
Lee Grimes Sr., 73, of Boynton Beach, said he’s weathered hurricanes going back to the late 1940s, and this one was the worst for him.
He said the storm damaged his roof, and he needs help.
“We need this,” Grimes said. “A lot of us don’t have the funds to do it.”
Assistance is provided on a case-by-case basis. FEMA won’t pay for items already covered by insurance, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.
FEMA generally offers up to two months of rental or hotel costs for people