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Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FEMA takes final Mercer County applications as deadline arrives
Feb. 8—princeton — FEMA representatives staffing a disaster recovery center or working online Friday took the last applications from Mercer County residents working to get past the damages inflicted when Tropical Storm Helene hit the region last year. West Virginia FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Georgeta Dragoiu said that Friday was the last day for submitting disaster relief applications. Agency staffers were at the Lifeline Princeton Church of God near Princeton until 5 p.m. that day. The deadline was midnight Friday. The disaster recovery center will remain open until Feb. 14 to aid people who have filed applications. Located at 250 Oakvale Road, the center's hours of operation will be Monday, Feb. 10 to Thursday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. It will be closed Saturday and Sunday. "For those who have already applied and have questions about documents, help uploading documents, or they may have received a letter from FEMA that they don't understand, they may want to appeal the decision FEMA has made, we will be at the same location at Lifeline Church and available to answer those questions and walk them through that appeal process if they get a decision from FEMA that has been unfavorable," Dragoiu said. "That's why we're here, to meet people where they are in their local communities where we've seen the greatest impact from the storms," Dragoiu said. "And it's been in Bluefield. It's been in Princeton. That's why we chose these locations, to be accessible to people, one-on-one, sitting down with people face-to-face and being able to answer your questions and get that extra hand holding. That's what we really want people to feel from this experience, that we're here for them." "We have now approved more than $2.2 million in assistance for residents of Mercer County," Dragoiu said. "More than $1.4 million of that has been for housing assistance and that's included basic home repairs, rental assistance, coverage for personal property like a computer for example and then approximately $900,000 of that has been other needs assistance that people have had, so immediate needs like food and gas and baby formula." "We understand this is one of the worst days in people's lives and that's why we come here to be a part of the community and really meet people where they are," she said. "After someone has applied, we will call to follow up and make sure again that if people have questions or need help completing their applications. If you get a call from an unknown number, it may be from a FEMA representative trying to reach you. We will always leave a message and urge you to call back so we can complete that application. We have a team of people dedicated to making those calls, and because of those calls we've been able to help almost an additional 600 applicants process their applications and give around $700,000 more in aid because of those calls," she said. FEMA has repeatedly warned the public to beware of scam callers or visitors claiming to represent the federal agency. "I think there are a couple of things to remember. If you interact in person with a FEMA representative, they will always have a laminated ID and we will never call you and ask you for money or credit card information and we will never ask for your full Social Security (Number)," Dragoiu said. "We have your case number and we will provide that to you when we call you." "If you're ever in doubt, give us a call back at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)," she said. Homeowners, renters and business owners impacted by Tropical Storm Helene can still apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration physical disaster loan. "With the SBA, there is an additional 60 days that survivors can come to the center or go online at and complete the registration for the disaster that happened here for Helene," said Wakim Brice, officer in charge with the SBA in Mercer County. "So far we have taken 73 applications in and given over a quarter million dollars dispersed for residents to repair physical structures as well as their personal belongings that may have been damaged and assisted business owners as well as renters in the area, so we are gearing up for that," he said. SBA representatives will be available at the Princeton Public Library until Feb. 14, Brice said. The SBA's Customer Service Center can be reached at 1-800-659-2955 or by email at disastercustomerservice@ for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay service. The SBA is still encouraging small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in West Virginia to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by Post-Tropical Storm Helene. The declaration covers the counties of McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming in West Virginia, as well as Bland, Giles and Tazewell counties in Virginia, according to Janel S. Finley, a public affairs specialist with the SBA. Under this declaration, SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations that suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster, Finley said. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage, Finley said. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amount terms are based on each applicant's financial condition. SBA will partner with local stakeholders to conduct webinars and workshops targeted to small businesses and non-profit organizations in disaster-declared counties. Information on future events will be shared with the media. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@ Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FInal day for submitting FEMA applications is here
Feb. 7—PRINCETON — Today is the final day for Mercer County residents impacted by Tropical Storm Helene to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. Located in the Lifeline Princeton Church of God at 250 Oakvale Road near Princeton, the disaster recovery center will be open until 5 p.m. today, according to West Virginia FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Georgeta Dragoiu. People who cannot come to the disaster recovery center can still apply for FEMA assistance until midnight today, Dragoiu said. FEMA can be reached by calling 800-621-3362. Residents can also apply online at or download the FEMA app to their smartphone or tablet. The disaster recovery center will be open until Feb. 14 to provide service for disaster applicants. Its hours of operation will be Monday, Feb. 10 to Thursday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. It will be closed Saturday and Sunday. Homeowners, renters and business owners impacted by Tropical Storm Helene can still apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration physical disaster loan. Applicants can apply online at call "With the SBA, there is an additional 60 days that survivors can come to the center or go online at and complete the registration for the disaster that happened here for Helene," said Wakim Brice, officer in charge with the SBA in Mercer County. "So far we have taken 73 applications in and given over a quarter million dollars dispersed for residents to repair physical structures as well as their personal belongings that may have been damaged and assisted business owners as well as renter in the area so we are gearing up for that," he said. SBA representatives will be available at the Princeton Public Library until Feb. 114, Brice said. THe SBA's Customer Service Center can be reached at 1-800-659-2955 or by email at disastercustomerservice@ for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay service. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FEMA help tops $2 million in Mercer
Jan. 30—bluefield — Six weeks after a major disaster was declared for Mercer County, more than $2 million in federal aid has been approved for area residents. More than 955 households have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to date for assistance in recovering from the Sept. 24, 2024 storm. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is Feb. 7. "Getting $2 million into the hands of the people of Mercer County has been a team effort," Federal Coordinating Officer Georgeta Dragoiu said. "FEMA continues to work side-by-side with West Virginia and Mercer County emergency management and local officials to coordinate this mission. I also want to thank our state and local nonprofits and our private sector and media partners in getting the word out. We couldn't have reached this important milestone without them." "Recovery is always a team effort, and this milestone reflects the dedication of everyone involved — from FEMA to local officials, nonprofits, and community partners," West Virginia Emergency Management Division Deputy Director Matthew Blackwood added. "We remain committed to supporting the people of Mercer County as they rebuild and recover." Disaster assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and essential disaster-related needs. In December 2024 and January, FEMA deployed Disaster Survivor Assistance teams to visit storm-damaged homes across Mercer County and to register people and answer their questions about disaster assistance. The remnants of Hurricane Helene pounded the region — including Bluefield in particular — during the morning and afternoon hours of Sept. 24, 2024, downing thousands of trees and power lines across the region. The survivor assistance specialists visited more than 2,250 residences, interacting with more than 660 individuals, as well as 66 faith-based organizations and 245 businesses to meet survivors where they are. Housing inspectors have completed more than 640 inspections of disaster-damaged properties to verify damage. FEMA Enhanced Application Services specialists completed more than 470 follow-up calls with survivors, walking them through the application process and collecting information to help complete their requests for federal assistance, FEMA officials said. Their extra efforts led to more than $529,000 being approved for Mercer County residents' recovery. Federal disaster assistance is still available to residents of Mercer County. FEMA is encouraging all survivors who sustained disaster-related damage or losses to apply for assistance at Mercer County's Disaster Recovery Center. The Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Lifeline Princeton Church of God on 250 Oakvale Road near Princeton. This disaster recovery center's hours of operation are as follows: —Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. —Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. —Closed Sundays. Survivors can also call 800-621-3362, FEMA officials said. The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. They can also go online to or download the FEMA app on their smartphone. Jim Accurso, a public affairs specialist with the Small Business Administration, spoke Tuesday before the Bluefield Board of Directors and later the Mercer County Commission about the upcoming deadline to apply for SBA loans. "Deadline is coming on Feb. 7 to apply for the physical disaster loans," Accurso said after speaking with the board of directors. "Our economic injury loans, the deadline for that is not until Sept. 25, and those are for the businesses that had a setback related to the storm, working capital. If they need some help to get back on their feet; again, tied to the storms related to Hurricane Helene in late September. " SBA representatives are available at both the Princeton Public Library and the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center near Princeton, Accurso said. The Princeton Public Library, located at 920 Mercer Street, is open on the following days: —Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. —Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. —Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. —Closed Sunday. "Applying online can be done through Feb. 7 at Accurso said. "However, it's best done in person with a trained and experienced Customer Service Rep at one of our recovery centers." The SBA loans have interest rates as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations and 2.813% for homeowners and renters, Accurso said. People seeking more information about SBA loans can call SBA's Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@ or visit Applicants may also apply online via SBA's secure website at FEMA aslo offers other programs for people impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. Free disaster legal assistance is available to West Virginia storm survivors. This service offers counseling on insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, home-repair contracts, the replacement of legal documents destroyed by the storm and other legal matters. People seeking these services can call the legal hotline 866-255-4370. Disaster assistance grants from FEMA are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security (including disability benefits), Medicaid, welfare assistance, food stamps and several other programs. Disaster grants are money that does not have to be paid back to the government, FEMA officials said. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@ Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
