FEMA Disaster Recovery Center closing in Savannah

Published: Oct. 19, 2017 at 8:15 PM EDT|Updated: Oct. 20, 2017 at 9:45 AM EDT
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SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - FEMA is closing its doors in Savannah, but the Disaster Recovery Center does not want people to worry, as there are still other ways to get the help you need if you haven't yet recovered from the hurricane.

The center, located at Southwest Chatham Library, will close Saturday. They're urging disaster victims to get their applications for recovery in immediately. Disaster survivors have less than a month to register with FEMA. With Nov. 14th being the deadline for registration, FEMA wants to make sure people know what to do and where to go even though their office is closing for good.

FEMA Spokeswoman Crystal Pulk says there will still be other disaster recovery centers, just not in Savannah. The closest will be in Glynn County. Pulk says after looking at numbers for the Savannah center, FEMA figured it's time to help people in other counties who are still being affected.

"Maybe not having the DRC not open right now is the best way, and what we are seeing is that folks are getting the assistance that they needed and they've contacted us and we're helping them through that process," said Pulk-Buchanan.

"Hurricane season's not over anyway, shoot," said hurricane victim, Darren Painter.

Savannah has been home to Darren painter for 35 years and home to his family since the 1950s. This hurricane season was one they had never experienced - damages he and his dad had never seen.

"A lot of stuff, his insurance just didn't cover, and you know how that goes. It's just lost treasure you can't get back," he said.

Painter's dad lost almost everything when Irma made its way to Savannah.

"It shocked him so bad, he's been in the hospital ever since," he said.

Painter says his dad has gone through FEMA to get the help he needed to recover. However, he says there are still people here who haven't fully recovered, and he doesn't think FEMA should be closing its doors so soon.

FEMA says that even though people still need disaster recovery relief, they still have a number to call and can still go to the closest county for help.

To apply for assistance online, visit our Hurricane Irma Recovery Information section.

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