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The deadline for applying for FEMA disaster assistance has been extended a month, to Nov. 17th.
Home owners and renters whose property was damaged in the summer storms and live in the seven counties covered under the Aug. 19th presidential declaration may apply online or by phone (800-621-3362). To get more information, residents may also visit one of four Chicago-area disaster centers.
One of those centers is located in the former Old Navy store in Washington Square, 4905 W. North Ave. The Austin Recovery Center, open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, has recorded 5,305 visits since opening Sept. 1. AustinTalks was there the day the Austin center opened its doors.
As of Oct. 8th, nearly 13,000 households in four West Side zip codes that include much of Austin had registered for help, and about $29 million in grants had been awarded.
Across Illinois, about 124,000 households have registered for assistance, as of Oct. 13th, and $260 million has been approved through FEMA’s Individual and Household program. This is money for housing and other disaster-related needs that individuals receive directly.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is holding workshops this weekend to help residents learn cost-effective ways to protect their property from flooding in the future.
Homeowners and members of service clubs, civic organizations, church groups and others who suffered significant basement flood damage in this summer are encouraged to attend one of two workshops set for Saturday, Oct. 16th at either 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. in the Austin Recovery Center.
The workshop also will be held Monday, Oct. 18th at 6:30 p.m. at the Cicero Community Center, 2250 S. 49th Ave. in Cicero; and Saturday, Oct. 23rd at 11 a.m. at the Broadview Baptist Church, 2100 S. 25th Ave. in Broadview.
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