Hernando County Emergency Management announces that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is accepting applications for assistance from individuals in Hernando County.

Here are some tips to help you register for FEMA disaster assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

1. If you do not have website access, you can register by telephone:

• Standard telephone number: call 800-621-3362
• If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY: call 800-462-7585
• If you are using 711 or Video Relay Service: call 800-621-3362
• Telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week

1. FEMA assistance for individuals may include grants for rent, temporary housing and home repairs to primary residences, as well as funding for other serious disaster-related needs:

• If individuals have insurance, FEMA may still assist with disaster-related expenses that were underinsured or not covered by other policies

1. A FEMA inspection happens only after an individual applies for assistance:

• The FEMA contracted home inspector contacts the individual to schedule an inspection
• The inspection generally takes 30-40 minutes or less
• Inspection consists of a verification of disaster-related losses and a review of ownership or residence records
• The FEMA Individual Assistance Inspection Process webpage has extensive information about the inspection process and documentation needed. For more information, go to www.FEMA.gov and search for FEMA Inspection Process.

1. When a FEMA contracted home inspector comes, you should check for proper identification in the form of a prominent badge with the inspector’s photograph.

• If you suspect that someone is posing as a FEMA housing inspector, call the toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or call local law-enforcement officials at (352) 754-6830

1. After your inspection, several steps happen:

• FEMA reviews your application
• You receive a letter by email or physical mail, depending on your preference, which outlines the decision about the claim
• You may receive a visit from more than one inspector

For more recovery information visit FEMA’s Hurricane Irma web page at www.fema.gov/hurricane-irma.

Hernando County Government’s Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor and inform our community about storm impacts. Visit the following web and social media sites for more information.

• For the latest local conditions and a complete list of news alerts go to www.HernandoCounty.us/em
• Report road closures by calling (352) 754-4083 or go to hernandocounty.us/em/road-closures for a complete list
• Sign up to receive weather alerts at www.AlertHernando.org
• Follow us on Facebook @HernandoCoGov
• Follow us on Twitter @HernandoCoGov

• Help us track damage from Hurricane Irma by using #HernandoRecovers