FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Orange County to close permanently Friday

ORLANDO, Fla. — The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center that was opened at Barnett Park in Orlando after Hurricane Ian will close permanently at 5 p.m. Friday.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration were available there to help answer questions about claims and help survivors understand the disaster assistance programs available to them.

READ: 11-foot gator found in pool

Though the recovery center closes Friday, there are still a number of ways to contact FEMA for assistance.

Hurricane survivors can still reach out to the agency to check on the status of an application and get information about rental assistance help or other basic needs.

They can also provide information about their decision on a claim once it’s been made.

Even if FEMA can’t help in a particular case, they may still be able to refer survivors to other agencies or non-profit organizations that offer assistance that FEMA can’t provide.

READ: $10K reward offered for tips after woman killed outside Orlando shopping plaza

Help is available online at disasterassistance.gov or by phone through the FEMA helpline at 800-261-3362. The line is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is available in most languages.

Hurricane survivors can also get tips to help protect their home and property from natural disasters before they happen. Specialists are available through the FEMA Mitigation line at 833-336-2487, Monday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida as a Category 4 storm in late September. According to FEMA data, it was the third most costly tropical cyclone in U.S. history with damage totaling an estimated $113 billion.

As of March 6, $1.04 billion in financial help has been provided through FEMA’s individual assistance program.

READ: How UCF research could crack down on catalytic converter thefts

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved another $1.7 billion in disaster loans for businesses, homeowners and renters.

In all, federal financial support for Hurricane Ian recovery totals more than $6.5 billion.

VIDEO: Disaster recovery centers open to help Central Florida residents after Ian Residents in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties impacted by Hurricane Ian can now get some help at one of three new centers that opened this week. (Christy Turner, WFTV.com/WFTV)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2023 Cox Media Group