Columbia County citizens who suffered significant uninsured losses from flooding in last week's severe storm can now apply for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Citizens may apply via telephone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Online application will begin on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, and at www.fema.gov/assistance.

Disaster assistance is money or direct assistance to individuals, families and businesses in an area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance.

Housing Needs:

Temporary Housing (a place to live for a limited period of time): Money is available to rent a different place to live, or a government provided housing unit when rental properties are not available.

Repair: Money is available to homeowners to repair damage from the disaster to their primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, and functional.

Replacement: Money is available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing their destroyed home.

Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home. This type of help occurs only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible.

Non-housing Needs:

Money is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes:

Disaster-related medical and dental costs.

Disaster-related funeral and burial cost.

Clothing; household items (room furnishings, appliances); tools (specialized or protective clothing and equipment) required for your job; necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies).

Fuels for primary heat source (heating oil, gas, firewood).

Clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, air purifier, dehumidifier).

Disaster damaged vehicle.

Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster (moving and storing property to avoid additional disaster damage while disaster-related repairs are being made to the home).