ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The deadline for Hurricane Ian victims to file for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and a Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loan ends at midnight.

What You Need To Know

  •  The deadline to apply for FEMA Hurricane Ian assistance and/or a low-interest SBA loan is Thursday at 11:59 p.m. 

  •  Those affected by Hurricane Nicole will have until Feb. 13

  •  If affected by both storms, people may need to apply for each

  • The number for details on disaster assistance through FEMA is 1-800-621-3362

Staffed in-person centers have been busy working down to the minute before the deadline to help applicants in need of assistance. Those applying do not need to have all their corresponding insurance details processed before seeking that FEMA help by 11:59 p.m. Thursday.

Some of the neighbors seeking help could include homeowners, renters, small business owners, and nonprofits.

“When there’s a disaster the SBA helps homeowners, renters, as well as businesses of all sizes and nonprofits,” the Office of Disaster Assistance’s Laurie Dana said.

“Homeowners … can borrow funds to make repairs to their primary residence and homeowners and renters can apply for disaster loans to replace the contents of their homes that was damaged by the hurricanes as well, and that includes automobiles, clothing, furniture, anything that was damaged,” she said.

In Seminole County, where more than 11,000 people have submitted aid applications, Josh Zwarycz was at his childhood home off Lake Harney in Geneva helping his mother. He said his mother relied on FEMA assistance after the storm left her home underwater for several weeks.

"You can see everything is ripped out," he said. "Over here is, like, the water line — it was up to here."

His mother, Angela Zwarycz, currently lives in a temporary home in front of the house where she raised four children — a building that is now being used as a storage space for Josh's landscaping business. But before that, FEMA helped her find a place to live while the property was still under water.

"They gave me a place to stay, different hotels," Angela said. "It just — it just takes a slow process, but they, they're helping."

She said she is hopeful that funding will come through to help her rebuild her home.

"It means everything," she said. "Because this is all I have."

In the meantime, Josh said he was glad for the temporary housing that was provided for his mother. 

"She's always wanted an RV," even if this wasn't the ideal way for her to get one, he said, adding that he's "happy she has this amazing thing."

FEMA is assuring people that its crews will still be on-hand in the field to continue recovery efforts, even after this application period ends.

The number to call for FEMA information is: 1-800-621-3362.