FEMA disaster center to open in Chinook

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Chinook to help people with questions about filing for assistance for flood damage.

The center opens officially at 1 p. m. Saturday, Sept. 17, and will be open 9 a. m. to 7 p. m. through Monday, Sept. 19.

Centers already have operated in Havre and the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.

President Barack Obama declared a federal disaster in Montana due to flooding this spring, allowing local governments and cooperatives to apply for assistance. He later amended the declaration to allow private property and business owners to also apply for assistance.

Residents and businesses in Blaine, Phillips, Hill and Chouteau counties and the Fort Belknap Reservation are eligible for disaster assistance from FEMA and the U. S. Small Business Administration.

To be eligible for assistance, people must register with FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Registration by mobile device is also available at m. fema.gov. Those with a speech or hearing disabilities can call (800) 462-7585 (TTY).

The center is staffed by disaster recovery specialists who can provide information and answer questions about flood-related assistance. Before going to a disaster recovery center, those with storm losses are encouraged to register with FEMA.

Visitors to the Disaster Recovery Center are encouraged to bring their letter from FEMA and other paperwork they may need. Staff at the Disaster Recovery Center can quickly review and update applicant information and provide specific answers to individual questions and concerns.