As Hurricane Francine struck St. Mary Parish earlier this month, it significantly impacted many local businesses. Yet, despite the profound challenges, our community is showing remarkable resilience and strength.
As recovery efforts begin, support is available for business owners facing challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine. If your business has been affected, please know that help is available.
This blog offers essential information on recovery resources and assistance programs available for businesses in St. Mary Parish following Hurricane Francine, highlighting how they can access much-needed support.
FEMA Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Francine Recovery
FEMA offers help for both individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Francine. They can provide support for serious needs, temporary housing, basic home repairs, and the replacement of lost personal property. FEMA’s disaster assistance also now includes new benefits that offer flexible funding directly to survivors.
Here’s how to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance:
- Online: Head to disasterassistance.gov. The website walks you through the application process step by step. You can fill out forms, upload documents, and track your application status all in one place.
- Mobile: Download the FEMA App on your smartphone. It provides real-time alerts and updates on recovery programs. You can also start your application right from the app. Download it at https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products.
- Phone: Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. It’s open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time. Their trained representatives can guide you through the application process and answer any questions you might have about Hurricane Francine’s assistance.
For more details on the application process, you can visit this link: https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20240917/how-apply-fema-assistance-louisiana-after-hurricane-francine
They’ve also put together a helpful video explaining the steps that you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI.
Disaster Recovery Centers for Hurricane Francine Support
If you prefer in-person assistance, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are local hubs that offer personalized help for your recovery needs.
In St. Mary, the FEMA DRC is located at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium, 728 Myrtle St., Morgan City, LA 70380. They’re open Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 5 pm.
At the DRC, you can apply for assistance, learn about available disaster programs, and check your FEMA application status.
They also offer referrals to other helpful agencies that may offer assistance and provide information about SBA programs. These are just a few of the services available to support your recovery.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about the process to get disaster assistance, the DRC is definitely a great place to start. The team there can answer your questions and help you find the right support for your situation.
These recovery resources are designed to help St. Mary businesses get back on their feet after Hurricane Francine. Each program and tool we’ve discussed is meant to aid your recovery process.
If you have questions or need more information, our team at the St. Mary Economic Development office is ready to assist. Give us a call at 337-828-4100 and we can point you in the right direction.
Our community thrives when we support each other. If you know a business owner or nonprofit leader who could benefit from this information, please pass it along. With these recovery tools and our community’s spirit, we’ll rebuild and move forward together.