Camden County Opens Disaster Recovery Center

Camden County officials opened a Disaster Recovery Center Wednesday, designed to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy get the assistance they need in the wake of the storm.

The center, at the county Public Works complex on Egg Harbor Road in Lindenwold, was put together in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and FEMA staff will be on hand to help residents in the recovery process.

“We are proud to assist those who have been affected by the hurricane,” said Freeholder Ian Leonard in a statement. “If they are still displaced by the storm, we hope that they are able to reestablish a sense of normalcy in their lives as soon as possible.”

FEMA staff at the center will be able to help residents with registration, which expedites the overall process, and will have information on FEMA and Small Business Association programs available to homeowners and business owners who saw damage to or loss of property when the storm slammed into the East Coast two weeks ago.

Residents and business owners applying for relief should bring a copy of any insurance policies, proof of home ownership, receipts and cost estimates.

Assistance from FEMA includes rental payments for temporary housing, grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items and up to 26 weeks of unemployment payments.

FEMA inspectors will be assigned to assess damage and determine individual levels of assistance, whether for residents or business owners.

County residents who need to apply for FEMA assistance can call 1-800-621-3362 or go online at disasterassistance.gov.