News and Media: Disaster 4738

 Hurricane Idalia survivors should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft scams after a disaster. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors. In other instances, imposters may pretend to be officials of FEMA or other government agencies.

FEMA has added 25 counties in Georgia to last week’s presidential disaster declaration for assistance, under FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program. In his major disaster declaration of Sept. 7, President Biden declared Cook, Glynn and Lowndes counties eligible for federal Individual Assistance as well as Public Assistance funding for debris removal and emergency services. These three counties are also included in the PA amendment.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are working in communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia to help residents of Cook, Glynn and Lowndes counties apply for FEMA assistance and provide referrals to other disaster resources.

Georgia homeowners and renters in Cook, Glynn and Lowndes counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Idalia may apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Georgia to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Idalia on Aug. 30, 2023.