FEMA Deadline for Hurricane Relief is Wednesday

Wednesday (Dec. 14) is the deadline for people to apply for any type of assistance from FEMA for damages caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee back in September, according to a spokesman for the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety.

Registering storm damage with FEMA gives survey teams a more accurate picture of where the damage happened, the county spokesman said, in a statement on Monday. "This helps us in the emergency preparedness community to map out areas where we need to pool our resources in the event that another disaster like this happens again."

If people don't register before Dec. 14, the county stresses, they won't be eligible for any FEMA assistance in the future. The message is this: This is especially important, since small problems can sometimes grow into larger issues down the road.

How to apply:

• By phone: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
• Online: www.disasterassistance.gov
• Smartphone or tablet: m.fema.gov
• TTY: 1-800-462-7585
• Video Relay Service: 1-800-621-3362

What you’ll need when you apply:

1. Your Social Security Number (including your spouse)
2. Private insurance information, if available
3. Address and zip code of the damaged property
4. Directions to the damaged home or property
5. Daytime telephone number and current mailing address

In Montgomery County, so far there have been more than 3,200 registrations as a result of the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.