POLK COUNTY, Fla. — FEMA crews are making their way through Polk County neighborhoods, trying to connect people with federal assistance and local resources.

They have a lot of ground to cover, and they try to walk door-to-door to as many homes as possible.

Their first stop in Polk County was at Twin Palms Mobile Home Park. After several knocks on a door, no one answered, but FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Leader Ernestine James left a flyer behind.

“We do get residents that are not at home yet, and we find that they haven’t made it back post-storm,” she said. “They left, they evacuated, they moved out, and they’re making their way back slowly, but surely. One resident at the time.”

James said she and her team picked the senior living community because several homes were damaged during hurricanes Helene and Milton. Some residents lost their roofs during the storms.

“You can see the wind damage, the water damage, the vegetative debris, so it was identified and rightly so. It definitely needed our attention out here,” James said.

The crew made their way through the neighborhood, looking for people in need of assistance and resources.

They eventually met Roseanne MacDonald and her husband. The couple said they’ve tried getting in touch with FEMA for the past two weeks.

“It’s so busy and everything, so it’s good that (FEMA) came. Very good,” MacDonald said.

During their visit, FEMA specialists read the MacDonalds their rights as applicants, then got started on the couple’s assistance application.

Specialists ask residents to follow up throughout the process.

In the meantime, FEMA will determine the next steps, while James and her crew have boots on the ground.

“Reaching as many homes as we can,” she said.

FEMA also encourages homeowners and renters to apply for assistance online.