NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Nassau and Seminole counties may now apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damages and losses resulting from Hurricane Matthew, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday evening.
Brevard, Flagler, Indian River, Putnam, St. Johns, Duval and Volusia counties had already been designated for Individual Assistance.
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To be eligible for federal aid under FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred as a result of Hurricane Matthew, beginning on Oct. 3.
Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. If you preregistered with FEMA, you do not have to apply again. If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or
- On the FEMA Mobile App, or by
- Calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
- The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
- Multilingual operators are available.
- Don’t be discouraged if you do not have access to telephone or internet service. Disaster survivor assistance specialists are helping people register for assistance in designated counties. Additionally, disaster recovery centers are planned to open in the near future.
Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.
Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
Survivors should contact their insurance company to file their insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help.
Nassau County continues debris pickup
Nassau County will continue to pickup debris on county-maintained roads from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
Debris pickup will begin on the county's west side on Saturday.
To assist with cleanup efforts, residents are reminded of the following:
- Paper or plastic bags left at the curb will not be picked up, and may prevent the contractor from picking up any debris left at the site.
- Bagged debris will not be emptied by the contractor.
- Large limbs and logs may require additional equipment, therefore, this type of debris may be left behind on the first pass through a neighborhood.
- Separate the yard debris such as limbs, leaves and logs from construction/demolition debris. Failure to separate the debris will prevent the contractor from picking up any debris at the site.
- Appliances and furniture will not be picked up.
- Household hazardous waste such as paint cans, batteries and electronics will not be picked up.
Two locations are available for residents to drop off vegetative debris:
- Bailey Road Maintenance Yard at 3163 Bailey Road in Fernandina Beach
- Hilliard Maintenance Yard at 37356 Pea Farm Road in Hilliard
Proof of Nassau County residency is required to use the sites. Proof of residency may include a government issued ID, a utility bill, etc. The sites will accept vegetative debris only and will not be able to accept construction/demolition debris.
Updates concerning debris pickup will be communicated through the Nassau County Facebook page.
For additional information, please contact Nassau County Engineering Services at 904-530-6225 or Road and Bridge at 904-530-6175.