FEMA sets up shop in Valley to help survivors of historic flooding get back on track

FEMA has arrived in Valley to help survivors of the historic flooding start on the right path to recovery. People who live in one of the nine federally declared disaster areas for individual assistance can stop in and get help on receiving federal assistance.

The Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Valley Veterans Club located at 111 East Front Street. People who are residents of, or were in, Butler, Cass, Colfax, Dodge, Douglas, Nemaha, Sarpy, Saunders, or Washington Counties when the historic flooding occurred can stop by, however you must first qualify for assistance.

“To qualify for assistance you need to have your primary residence within those counties or have been within the county for a reason,” said Darrell Habisch of FEMA.

The location in Valley is the first to open, with a second soon opening in Bellevue. FEMA says to be very detailed and bring as much information as possible to expedite the process.

“I would bring the description of the damage. I would document the damage. Bring your address of where the damage occurred. Also all of your contact information of where we can reach you today and how can reach you,” Habisch said.

For now, there is not a timeline on how long FEMA will be in Valley or its other future locations, nor is there a deadline on when people can come in for assistance. When those are determined, FEMA will notify the public.

FEMA urges patience as it will take weeks, months, possibly even years before the regions devastated by flooding return to their pre-flood state.

For more information federal relief assistance, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/