FEMA aid for Isaias damage is open to Escambia households until Dec. 28. Three help sites open Sunday, Nov. 1, through Wednesday. Where they are and how to apply.
Escambia County households with damage from Hurricane Isaias can now apply for federal disaster aid. FEMA added the county to its Individuals and Households Program on Oct. 29. The deadline to apply is Monday, Dec. 28.
Three registration points open at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, where state staff will help people apply.
Where to get help applying
Escambia County announced the registration points Saturday. All three are in Pensacola:
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Bayview Senior Center | 2000 E. Lloyd St. |
| Escambia County Central Office Complex | 3363 W. Park Place |
| Cokesbury Church | 5725 N. 9th Ave. |
They are open 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, then 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, through Wednesday, Nov. 4. State Emergency Response Team staff will be at each one, the county said. The county will post any change on MyEscambia.com.
What was approved
President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Florida on Tuesday, Oct. 27. FEMA numbered it DR-4955. The state had asked for it on Oct. 15, according to FEMA’s declaration record. It covers storm damage from Oct. 6 to Oct. 12.
At first the declaration covered only government costs in Escambia. FEMA’s designated areas record shows help for individuals was added on Oct. 29. For Escambia it now lists:
- the Individuals and Households Program, including housing assistance
- disaster unemployment assistance
- crisis counseling
- Public Assistance for debris removal, emergency work, roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings, utilities and parks
- Direct Federal Assistance
The county said residents also get access to disaster legal services and case management. The Public Assistance categories pay back the city, the county and other public bodies for work such as the debris pickup now underway.
Seven other Florida counties have the household program for Isaias, FEMA’s county list shows. They include Santa Rosa, across the bay, and Okaloosa.
This replaces the Oct. 9 emergency declaration, which covered only emergency work by governments. Our Oct. 15 story explained that gap.
How to apply
You must register with FEMA first, the county said. There are three ways:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov: enter your location and choose “Apply Online.”
- By phone at 800-621-3362, every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. The TTY number is 800-462-7585.
- On the FEMA app for your phone.
Or go to one of the three registration points above for help in person.
What it means for you
- Apply by Monday, Dec. 28, FEMA’s record shows. Register even if you are still waiting on insurance.
- File with your insurer too. FEMA does not pay for losses insurance already covers.
- Have your damage photos and records ready. The city asked residents to keep them after the storm.
- FEMA does not charge to apply. Treat anyone who asks for a fee as a scam. The county takes price-gouging reports at 866-966-7226.
- The county’s damage report is not an application. If you filled in the Citizen Damage Report, you still need to register with FEMA.
- Call 850-471-6600, the county’s Citizen Information Line, with questions.
Our Isaias recovery page has the latest on debris, parks and city services. Homes in the city’s redevelopment districts can also apply for CRA emergency repair grants.
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