LINCOLN — The Federal Emergency Management Agency will open two disaster recovery centers Friday in Elkhorn and Blair to assist Nebraskans in the wake of the Arbor Day tornado.
The two centers, located in Douglas and Washington counties, provide one-on-one assistance through FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration recovery experts, providing information about available services, explaining assistance programs, and helping survivors will assist in completing related applications and checking the status.
Gov. Jim Pillen requested, and President Joe Biden granted, federal financial assistance and a major disaster declaration nearly a week after the April 26 storm.
The locations are:
- douglas county — Omaha Police Department Community Room C116; 20924 Cumberland Drive Elkhorn, Nebraska, 68022.
- washington county — First Lutheran Church, 2146 Wright St., Blair, Nebraska, 68008.
Centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice, with the exception of the Blair Center, which will open at 1 p.m. this Friday before continuing its normal schedule.
The Center is physically accessible and equipped with supportive and adaptive technology for people with disabilities and access and functional needs. This includes amplified phones, closed captioning phones, video calls, and wheelchair ramps.
How to apply for support
FEMA said affected Nebraskans should apply online or by phone before visiting a center. Our staff will assist you directly with the application if necessary.
Apply:
Anyone who uses a relay service, such as video relay service or closed-caption phone service, can provide FEMA with the number for that service.A video on how to apply is available here.
financial support
FEMA can provide eligible applicants with funding for critical needs assistance, temporary housing costs, home repairs, and other needs not covered by insurance.
The money provided does not have to be repaid and can be used to pay for hotel accommodations. Relocation, removal or storage costs. Home repairs (new or existing damage exacerbated by the storm). Repair and replacement of personal items. Or childcare.
The money also goes towards life-saving and life-sustaining needs such as water, food, first aid, prescriptions, formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene products, and transportation fuel. It may also be used for goods.
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