FEMA Hands Out Millions to San Diego Flood Survivors

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FEMA money is beginning to flow. 

So far, officials for the Federal Emergency Management Agency have handed out $14.4 million to flood survivors, they say. The money is for residents and business owners who suffered property damage during the Jan. 22 floods. In particular, it is for people whose property was uninsured or “under insured,” as FEMA officials put it. 

At least, 5,500 people have applied for assistance. It’s unclear how many of them have received FEMA money. 

After a person applies for FEMA assistance, officials send out an inspector to verify property damage. So far, FEMA officials have inspected 4,200 properties. 

On average, FEMA officials have been paying out between $4,000 and $6,000 per property, they said. The cap on assistance per household is $42,500. 

One key step: A FEMA spokesman told Voice of San Diego that some applications are denied because residents fail to schedule inspection appointments. It’s a key step in getting assistance. Residents can appeal the agency’s decision. 

We reported in February that more than 1,000 San Diegans had been displaced by the Jan. 22 floods. The majority of residents hit hardest by the floods lived in the neighborhoods of Shelltown, Southcrest and Mountain View. Our Will Huntsberry reported how so many residents in those neighborhoods feel let down by local governments’ delayed recovery efforts. 

More info: Flood survivors don’t need to pay back FEMA grants. However, they can also apply for loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. NBC 7 has more on that.

San Diegans affected by the floods have until April 19 to apply for assistance.