Missouri Flood Aid Winding Down

Families, individuals and businesses in Missouri that have suffered damage from the mid-March severe storms and flooding have less than one month to register for help from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Deadline for registering for FEMA assistance in the 35 counties declared for Individual Assistance is May 27, 2008. To register or to check the status of an existing registration, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired. Online, go to www.fema.gov.

May 27 is also the deadline to submit loan applications to the SBA. While no one is required to take out an SBA loan, applications are a key part of the FEMA application process. A loan denial may open up other assistance to eligible applicants.

Registration for FEMA assistance must be done separately from registering for aid from any other organization. Don't let anyone discourage you from registering. Register even if you have insurance.

To date, FEMA has approved more than $10.25 million in aid to disaster victims, while the SBA has approved more than $2.94 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses.

Those with questions about SBA loans are encouraged to visit any Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) opening this week in the disaster-affected areas:

The DLOC for Franklin County opens Monday, April 28, at 1516 W. St. Louis St., Pacific, MO 63069. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The DLOC for Cape Girardeau County opens Monday, April 28, at 502E W. Main St., Jackson, MO, 63755. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The DLOC for Wayne County opens Wednesday, April 30, at Piedmont City Hall, 115 W. Green St., Piedmont, MO 63957. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SBA representatives at the DLOCs are able to provide loan applications, answer questions, explain the application process, and help individuals complete their disaster loan applications. For more, visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.