TELFAIR COUNTY, Ga. — Applying for hurricane relief help from the Federal Emergency Management can be tough, especially if you're applying for the first time. The good news is that FEMA set up a mobile unit in Telfair County to help hurricane victims in person.
Bruce Bouch works for FEMA and says they're here to hopefully help folks get back to the way things were before Helene.
"Build back up. Bring everything back up. Is it going to be perfect again? Well, we'll see. But FEMA's ready to assist, and we're here for the long haul," Bouch said.
This week they've parked their disaster recovery center next to the McRae-Helena Piggly Wiggly at 48 East Oak Street.
"We're here to answer any and all questions. Get your application process started, follow up with the application process, and we have different ways to make that work." Bouch said.
FEMA has an app, a website you can access at this link, and a toll-free helpline you can call at: 800-621-3362.
But for some folks like Troy McRae, it's easier to get help in person, which is why he stopped by the mobile disaster recovery center Monday morning.
"No, being honest I really didn't recognize what FEMA was for. I'm trying to understand it still now," McRae said.
He said he's never had to request help from FEMA before, because he's never seen anything as destructive as Helene.
"A tree did fall to the side of my house, yes. But it, it didn't do quite that much damage than the wind did to the roofing," McRae said.
Bouch said they're happy to help anyone at the mobile center - whether you live in Telfair County or not.
"The process of the application can be daunting to some. Now with anyone that's really quick on electronics it's no big deal. But this is a brand new experience for many people," Bouch said.
The mobile center will be open through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily at the McRae-Helena Piggly Wiggly.
You can also find a representative from the U.S. Small Business Administration at the mobile center.
They have loans for homeowners and renters, along with businesses.
