LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. — FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Crews went into Manatee County communities impacted by Hurricane Debby on Monday.
FEMA specialists went door-to-door in the Summerfield Glades neighborhood, where some streets are still lined with debris and storm clean-up equipment.
“I had two cars in the garage, we couldn’t get them out because the street was three to three and a half feet deep,” said Richard Myles who has lived in his home almost thirty years.
He said about six inches of floodwater made in inside his home.
“I had carpeting, all the carpeting is gone, I had laminate in the den, that’s all gone, the drywall sucked up all the moisture and we were able to get it open and get it out of here,” said Myles who still considers himself lucky. “I have flood insurance, so I’ve been in contact with FEMA there and the insurance company and they’ve already had an adjustor out here.”
A few of his neighbors returned to flyers on their doors.
FEMA officials say this type of outreach serves as a good reminder for residents who do need that help.
“We catch people maybe in a cleanup mode and maybe they don’t realize that they needed to register for FEMA, so we make it easier for them, do it right on the spot then they’re in the system,” said Nate Custer, FEMA Spokesperson.
From neighborhoods in rescue mode, and now recovery mode, FEMA knocks on more doors, letting families know how to respond to that damage.
“It’s good to see somebody out doing something,” said Myles.
Monday, FEMA opened a disaster recovery center in Sarasota at: 2923 Ashton Road.