FEMA representatives remain in town today

After helping over a dozen local families yesterday, FEMA representatives will remain in McMinnville today in an effort to assist families affected by the April 7 tornadoes.

?You can call our 800 number or visit our Internet site any time,? said FEMA representative Randy Welch. ?But a lot of people want face-to-face contact. We can explain everything FEMA and TEMA has to offer.?

The mobile disaster recovery center will be at the Warren County Administrative Offices today from 1 to 5 p.m. The center is staffed by disaster specialists from FEMA, TEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Applicants with uninsured losses can check the status of their FEMA requests, get answers to questions, and check their eligibility for low-interest SBA loans that can be used for homes and businesses. Also available for those who qualify will be housing assistance and grants for special needs.

?We can give them cash to repair their homes if it?s a few thousand dollars or less,? said Welch. ?If it?s more than that, the Small Business Administration can offer low-interest loans less than 3 percent.

?I know nobody wants more debt, but if you have no insurance and you need to rebuild, this is an OK option. At just 3 percent interest, your payments won?t be that much.?

Welch also wanted to emphasize the psychological services that are available. He says storm victims who were displaced roughly two weeks ago may be experiencing some emotional issues for the first time.

?There?s a stress that can build up after living with family or friends for a couple of weeks,? said Welch. ?And by that time it?s finally beginning to sink in that your home is gone.?

If you can?t apply for assistance in McMinnville today, you can do so by phone by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The disaster recovery center will also be in Woodbury at the UT Extension office on 614 Lehman Street later this week. Center hours are Monday from noon to 7 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.