It’s been nearly two months since strong storms spawned nine tornadoes across Ohio, ranging from the Indiana border to the Mansfield area. FEMA assistance is now available for people in 11 counties.
Homeowners and renters with disaster-related losses in Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Richland and Union counties can now apply for disaster assistance from FEMA. That can be done by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, downloading the FEMA mobile app, or going online to disasterassistance.gov. FEMA crews are also setting up disaster recovery centers in the affected counties to help people in person.
“Not every disaster is the same. That goes for the survivors; we need to hear your story and how this impacted you. That also goes into the declaration process as well. We need to know exactly what happened to make sure we are able to provide the services we do,” said Craig Browning, FEMA spokesperson.
Browning said it’s hard to put a number on what people are eligible for because the range of destruction from March 14 was so great.
“There’s really not a set number. Because the way a specific storm or catastrophic event affected one person, their neighbor may have been affected differently,” he said.
In Delaware County, the Berkshire Campground is starting to look like normal again. The campground was hit hard by the storms. Many people live there most of the year or year-round in RVs and campers.
“We’re on this field back here. The wind came straight across. It took my camper, moved it into the middle of the road,” said Leslie Kirkman. “When I came back I had to redo all my jacks on the bottom, redo the canvas and do the jack on the front, luckily the base stayed together.”
Leslie Kirkman moved her pop-up camper to the campground just 10 days before the tornadoes. On March 14, she closed up her camper and got out.
She has insurance and was covered, but not everyone was.
“Most of us at least, I think, have insurance as well. I know I do,” she said. “I feel bad for anyone who didn’t have insurance honestly. Campers aren’t cheap and it’s not cheap to live in one. It’s cheaper than a house, obviously. When you’re entire life is in a box, everything is precious that is inside of it.”
Browning said that’s where the FEMA aid comes in. It picks up where insurance payments, or your own savings, left off.
“We could potentially supplement someone who potentially is underinsured or does not have insurance,” he said.
To register with FEMA, you must have the following information available:
- a current telephone number
- your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
- your social security number
- a general list of damages and losses
- banking information if you choose direct deposit
- if insured, the policy number or the name of your agent and insurance company
Those who already made repairs or started are still able to apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA will inspect your home to determine the amount of aid you are eligible for.