FEMA deadline approaches for parish residents

There’s a little more than a week left for Lincoln Parish residents to apply for FEMA assistance as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Laura.

The deadline is Oct. 27.

As of Monday, 2,179 parish residents had registered with FEMA. Some $483,635 is already in the hands of local survivors, FEMA Media Relations Specialist Hattie Stallworth said.

Anyone needing to register or do other business with FEMA relating to Hurricane Laura can do so in person at the drivethru disaster recovery center located in the Lincoln Parish Library parking lot.

The center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Entry is from the North Trenton Street side of the parking lot.

For people needing to turn in documentation already requested by FEMA, personnel at the drive-thru center are set up to make copies.

So far, the center has seen approximately 80 people in five days of operation, Stallworth said.

In addition to the drive-thru option, residents can also register with FEMA by visiting disasterassistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 and through the FEMA mobile app. To download the app text either ANDROID or APPLE to 43362.

Meantime, the state has launched an online hub for Hurricane Laura information at hurricanelaura.la.gov, which highlights news and links to resources. Additionally, the governor’s office has also established a Lauraspecific texting list to give people wanting updates on Hurricane Laura. Text LAURA to 67283 to receive updates.