Federal and State Assistance is Available for Pinellas Residents in Aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby

Residents and business owners who were hit badly by Tropical Storm Debby can now turn to Washington D.C. and Tallahassee for help in the cleanup.

This is only for residents whose current insurance does not cover the storm damage.

The Federal Emergency Management Agencyo  (FEMA), in association with state and local agencies, has made federal assistance available to several counties in Florida affected by Tropical Storm Debby, including Pinellas County.

Residents must first file a claim with FEMA either online or through the agency's mobile and tablet app. Residents can also call FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or (800) 462-7585 (TTY). Operators will man phone lines daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Deadline to file a claim is Sept. 1.

When filing a claim, the following items of information are required. If filing a claim by phone, please have the following information at hand:

• A telephone number which you may be reached.
• Home address where you lived at the time Tropical Storm Debby hit. If you moved since, please have your new address available, even if it is temporary.
• Social Security number.
• Description of damage.
• Name of your insurance company, policy number and name of agent.
• A bank account with routing information (if a checking account, the routing number is the first nine digits in the lower left-hand corner of a check) if you want FEMA to reimburse you through direct deposit.

FEMA representatives will also be going door-to-door to inspect areas hit by Tropical Storm Debby.