FEMA teams on the ground, Disaster Recovery Center now open at LeRoy Collins Library

Almost two months have passed since the May 10 tornadoes, but many impacted residents are now seeking assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Recently, the organization deployed its Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams to offer its services, going door-to-door in residential areas that were severely damaged by the storm.

Now, a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is officially open at LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Public Library, 200 W. Park Ave., where residents can speak to FEMA representatives about their individual cases and find additional resources to assist them.

Among those who visited the center on its opening day was Brian Kreuch, a retired military veteran.

The morning after the storm, Kreuch discovered two trees that hit his family home on Old Saint Augustine Road. His cars were also a casualty: One was totaled and another severely damaged.

While assistance teams have yet to make their way to his neighborhood, Kreuch says he came to the library because of his mistrust with offering personal information online, as he and his wife have had previous issues with identity theft.

"I don't want to put my Social Security number, date of birth or any of my personal information on a website ever again, if I can avoid it," Kreuch said. "I'd much rather do it in person, even though I'm going through a federal agency. That's why I'm here today. I didn't want to do it on the web."

Kreuch said that in his visit he learned FEMA can help close the gap between what his insurance company will pay and the cost of roof repairs, if the offers don't match.

FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer John Brogan says DSA teams are sent to the most impacted areas to reach survivors as early as possible. However, the Disaster Recovery Center is strategically located in a space that is easily accessible.

"Usually, we can see where the damages are, but oftentimes the locals know where the spots are that are accessible for public transportation and they're well-known," Brogan said. "So when we say the downtown library, people in Tallahassee know where that is."

Local and community organizations, like the Florida Department of Children and Families, Advantage Aging Solutions, and the Small Business Administration join FEMA at the Disaster Recovery Center to further assist residents in areas FEMA may not.

Brian Santamaria, a public information officer for the Small Business Administration, says the organization is providing disaster assistance to business owners, homeowners, renters and non-profit organizations by offering low-interest rate loans.

"The programs are mainly used as a stop-gap for insurance purposes, so we can get someone paid out within 21 days," Santamaria says. "Typically, insurance companies can take about three months. But with our program, we can help somebody get their roof repaired rather quickly."

Business owners can use SBA funding for payroll, to replace or repair inventory, and operating expenses. The last day to apply for SBA services is August 16, Santamaria says. Applications can be found online or at the FEMA disaster center.

The Disaster Recovery Center does not have a set closing date, Brogan says it will remain open until the demand for their services settles down. August 19 is the last day to apply for FEMA services regarding damages from the May 10 storms.

FEMA teams busy canvassing impacted neighborhoods

While the center in Tallahassee is open until further notice, DSA teams continue traveling through impacted residential areas. Phillip Shedd is the crew lead for a team of five assistance workers deployed from across the U.S. and its territories. Now, he and his team are targeting impacted residents in the Woodville area.

"DSA teams can only do a limited number of things within the programs we have," Shedd said. "So we take registration, but a lot of the time we need additional supporting documentation, so we can move forward in your case. If you had car damage and title of your car wasn't handy, or if we need the deed to the home, that's not something we, as DSA, can handle. So that's why the DRC is important."

The Disaster Recovery Center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Sunday. On July 4, it will be closed for the holiday.

Ways to apply:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov

• Use the FEMA App

• Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m

Democrat Writer Mycah Brown can be reached at MJBrown@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FEMA Disaster Recovery Center open at Tallahassee library