FEMA Urges Wildfire Victims to Seek Aid

EAST TEXAS — Federal officials are urging residents who have been affected by wildfires to register for assistance. “It doesn’t matter how little damage they had. If they had damage to their primary residence, they need to register,” FEMA spokeswoman Margaret Broadbent said. “We may can help them.”

Wildfire Recovery Assistance centers have been making their way to Northeast Texas towns hit by wildfires, and centers will remain open this week in Longview and Gilmer for people who have questions about assistance, Broadbent said. A recovery center will be open Wednesday and Thursday at the Longview Exhibit Building, 1123 Jaycee Drive. Officials will be available to answer application questions or for those who would like to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Upshur County recovery center will reopen today at the First Baptist Church of Gilmer, 304 Buffalo Street, from 9:00am to 6:00pm. A recovery center in Cass County also will be open today at the law enforcement training center, 1031 CR 1913. “If you were affected by the fires, you can go to any recovery center that is convenient for you,” Broadbent said. Broadbent encourages residents to seek services.

FEMA has approved almost $900,000 to date to help wildfire survivors who have applied for federal and state assistance.