TAMPA, Fla. — Countless Floridians are still recovering from the aftermath of the recent hurricanes, and FEMA has been there to help those affected.
However, for those who were affected by Debby, the FEMA deadline is fast approaching for those still in need of assistance.
According to FEMA External Affairs Officer Brady Penn, the deadline to apply for assistance for Debby is Nov. 12.
What You Need To Know
- A disaster recovery center is open in Tampa at the Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library
- The deadline to apply for assistance for Debby is Nov. 12
- The center opens at 7 a.m. for 12 hours through Nov. 19
- Other FEMA hurricane deadlines include Nov. 27 for Helene and Dec. 11 for Milton
For Helene, you have until Nov. 27, and the Milton deadline is Dec. 11.
“Folks inside are working with survivors to get them registered for FEMA assistance, individual assistance, as well as work through any casework that they may have,” he said.
Every person coming into one of FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers is looking for help.
For DRC Manager Angelito Quijano and his team, they’re doing everything they can to provide for those in need.
“We’re here seven days a week, 12-hour shifts,” he said. “It’s the stuff that gets us up in the morning to actually do our job knowing that we are helping our communities.”
Quijano said listening to the stories of those they’re trying to assist is incredibly impactful.
He’s been doing this kind of work for years and no matter what part of the country he’s sent to, he tries his best to provide for those in need.
“I was in the hurricane response for Ian last year in Fort Myers, seeing the devastation there,” he said. “I just came back from Arkansas earlier this summer, seeing the tornado damage. It really affects you but it also reaffirms your belief in what we’re doing is correct.”