MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The former UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus is once again a hub for storm relief resources.
FEMA opened a new recovery center for residents and business owners who were impacted by the July tornado.
“If they suffered damage to their primary residence, if they suffered damage to the place they were renting, or to their only vehicle. If they had childcare expenses, storage expenses, medical,” explained Erendira Strittar with FEMA.
The center is open until further notice, but applications close December 7. You can apply on FEMA’s website.
Alongside FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration is also providing support.
“The tornados have actually obliterated complete buildings are gone,” said Janell Dixon with the SBA. “Homes are gone; all the residents are needing assistance. A lot of the small businesses are needing assistance as well. So that’s why we’re here, I feel like I’m here to be a light in the community because I’m a survivor of Hurricane Katrina myself, so I know what it’s like to start from ground zero and build yourself back up.”
Winnebago County Emergency Management Director Eric Rasumssen said the county is continuing work to return to normalcy.
A resource center where residents and business owners can go to seek answers and help, is one more tool in the toolbox.
“We’re just continuing to see a transition to different types of needs as people do navigate that process,” Rasmussen explained. “What do those permits look like? What is the actual work that’s going to be done or needs to be done to help them get back to a state of pre-disaster normal.”
FEMA officials added it’s important to keep track of every expense through receipts and invoices. Submitting those alongside your request lets FEMA know how much aid is needed for each applicant.
