ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. – The devastation caused by the storms over a three-day period in July left countless families in St. Clair County scrambling to rebuild their lives. Now, two disaster recovery centers in Belleville and Cahokia Heights are offering a lifeline.
Two FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers have officially opened: one at the Southern Western Illinois Justice and Workforce Development Campus in Belleville, and the other at the Cahokia Heights Fitness and Community Center.
“Since the president approved our declaration on Sept. 20, we’ve been boots on the ground, trying to set up these disaster recovery centers, as well as sending our teams out door to door,” Leyla Gulen, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security FEMA Media Relations Specialist, said.
These centers provide in-person support to residents seeking federal assistance for damages to their homes, belongings, and businesses.
“This is a place where they can meet face-to-face with a specialist where they can ask questions and ultimately submit their application,” Gulen added.
Renters, homeowners, and businesses can all qualify for assistance, with up to $500,000 available for home repairs and $2 million for businesses to recover lost equipment or inventory.
“So if you’re a renter, you can only qualify for the interior context of the home or the property that you’re living at. You can qualify for up to $100,000 based on the assessment,” Timothy Watson, U.S. Small Business Administration’s public affairs specialist, said.
Those needing assistance have until Nov. 19 to apply for physical damage assistance and until June 2025 for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
FEMA and the SBA highly encourage residents to visit the centers to apply, but you can also call 1-800-621-3362 or go online to disasterassistance.gov for help. The centers are open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will remain open until further notice.
