Local

Brevard County Disaster Recovery Center shuts its doors

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — After receiving more than 500 requests for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Matthew, the Brevard County Disaster Recovery Center is closing Thursday.

Some residents stopped by Thursday to make a personal appeal for help.

Many services will still be available through the FEMA hotline, but the deadline to register for help is next week.

A woman’s Titusville home is just a short distance from the center on South DeLeon Avenue and she's looking for help to fix her home.

When Hurricane Matthew blew through Brevard County in October, it damaged the supports to Diane Baxter's roof.  She's managed to prop it up, but it's only a temporary fix.

Baxter does not have homeowner’s insurance, and made an appeal for FEMA assistance at the center.

“The insurance kept going higher, higher and higher. I don't have that kind of money. I'm on a fixed income,” said Baxter.

Baxter said she doesn't want her roof to collapse.

“The key is registering with FEMA before the deadline of Friday, Dec. 16. That gets you into the system and then you can stay in touch with FEMA and update us about your family's needs are,” said John Mills, FEMA External Affairs.

The registration doesn't have to be in person. Residents can register at 1-800-621-FEMA or online at Disasterassistance.gov.

“So far, we've approved and distributed more than $17 million to individual homeowners and renters with damage from Hurricane Matthew for things like basic home repairs, temporary rental assistance and other needs not covered by insurance,” said Mills.

More than $1 million of the grant money was distributed in Brevard.

“I'm very happy that FEMA is here, and I hope and I pray that they'll be able to help me,” said Baxter.

The deadline for some small interest loans for home and business repairs through the Small Business Administration is also Dec. 16.

More stories on WFTV.com: