Morgan City, LA – As the community of Morgan City recovers from the devastation of Hurricane Francine, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) have established a Disaster Recovery Center at the Morgan City Auditorium to provide vital assistance to affected residents and business owners.
FEMA’s Keith Jones emphasized that the center offers one-on-one personalized service to help individuals register for FEMA assistance. He urged those impacted by the hurricane to apply, even if they have insurance, as FEMA can provide aid for property damage, property losses, and serious needs. Jones noted that proof of residency, identification, and a home inspection are the primary criteria for eligibility.
In response to a question about high insurance deductibles common in the region, Jones clarified that while FEMA cannot cover deductibles, it can offer displacement and serious needs assistance that can be used at the applicant’s discretion.
Regarding the recently approved DSNAP program, Jones confirmed that FEMA helps fund the initiative but has no role in its execution or application, which is handled by the state of Louisiana.
For those interested in applying for FEMA aid, Jones directed them to the Disaster Recovery Center, the disasterassistance.gov website, or the FEMA hotline at 1-800-621-3362.
Alongside FEMA, the SBA has also established a Business Recovery Center to provide low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits. Renata Mason from the SBA explained that homeowners can borrow up to $500,000 for real estate damage and $100,000 for personal property, while renters can access loans of up to $100,000. She highlighted the favorable terms, including interest rates starting at 2.813% and a 12-month deferment period with no interest accrual.
Mason encouraged applicants to visit the Disaster Recovery Center for personalized assistance or apply online at lending.sba.gov.