Residents and business owners in St. Louis County who experienced damage from the severe storms and floods between June 16 and July 4 can now receive in-person assistance for federal aid applications.
FEMA has established a Disaster Recovery Center starting Friday, August 15, at the St. Louis County Public Works facility in Virginia, located at 7823 Highway 135.
The center will operate daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., serving visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
Staffed by FEMA, Minnesota state, and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives, the center will assist with federal disaster aid applications and document uploads and provide in-person answers to queries. It will also offer guidance on other available assistance and tips for making properties more resistant to disasters.
"A physical location where residents can receive assistance from trained professionals is an invaluable resource," said St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald, representing the most affected district by the June 18 storm. "The presence of all three agencies under one roof is particularly beneficial as it acts like a triage, directing individuals to the appropriate assistance programs they qualify for."
St. Louis County offers the Public Works Training Room for the Disaster Recovery Center free of charge.
Homeowners and renters eligible for federal financial aid may receive grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to compensate for uninsured property losses, and other programs designed to aid in recovery from the disaster's impact.
Furthermore, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recently opened a Business Recovery Center in St. Louis County at the Cook Fire/Ambulance Hall, located at 111 Second Street Southeast in Cook.
