FEMA opens up center in Wheaton, Chicago to accept applications for flood assistance

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Owners of flood-damaged property as a result of the record September rainfall can apply for aid at two federal offices opening today.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be open from noon to 6 p.m. at the DuPage County Government Center’s Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, and in the physical education building at Northeastern Illinois University, 3600 W. Foster Ave., Chicago.

Len DeCarlo, Illinois spokesman for FEMA, said the offices will remain open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

“These are just the first,” DeCarlo said. “Other recovery areas will be opened in a few days. We will take care of as many folks as show up.”

Kane County was among seven counties declared federal disaster areas as a result of severe storms and flooding during the period of Sept. 13 and continuing.

FEMA assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Applicants are asked to try to apply on-line at www.fema.gov or by calling FEMA’s toll-free number first, 800-621-3362.

“It’s a different scenario for every applicant,” DeCarlo said. “We look at their housing needs. If they need a place to live, maybe we help with rental assistance. If they can repair their homes, we can help with funds.”

DeCarlo said if applicants have lost their phones and computer in the flood and cannot register on line, they can come into the center and use its facilities to register.

The record rainfall dumped 7.8 inches in Batavia, 10.5 in Elburn and 9.1 in St. Charles, Kane County Health Department spokesman Tom Schlueter said.

The deluge was so powerful, emergency crews and volunteers shoveled 215 tons of sand into 41,000 sandbags to hold back flood waters, Schlueter said.

In the days following, 118 homes were confirmed affected and 48 received major damage, Schlueter said.

But Kane County Director of Emergency Management Donald Bryant said he believes that number will increase as people file for assistance.

“Our information came during the response phase of flood, Bryant said. “Once FEMA gets through with their assistance program, that will give us a much better idea of how extensive this was and how much damage was actually done.”