UPDATE: FEMA has extended the hours of the MRIC until 7 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 26. The hours are now 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., according to Lowndes County Public Information Officer Meghan Barwick.

Originally posted 3:35 p.m. Oct. 21, 2024. Updated 6:25 p.m. Oct. 22, 2024.

VALDOSTA — A Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC) will open in Lowndes County for survivors who incurred losses due to Hurricane Helene. The MRIC will open at the Lowndes County Civic Center, Building D, at 2108 E Hill Ave. in Valdosta, for five days from Tuesday through Saturday.

FEMA personnel will staff the MRIC from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day to assist with registration and answer questions about disaster assistance programs, FEMA said in a press release.

The sole function of MRICs is to register survivors, FEMA said. Anyone who needs help with an appeal, uploading paperwork, or other services should visit the Disaster Recovery Center, which is open at Valdosta Fire Department Station #8 (former Church of the Nazarene), 4434 N. Forrest St. Extension. The DRC is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1-6 p.m.

In addition to visiting an MRIC, the easiest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov, FEMA said. Survivors may also call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern time seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, such as a videophone, give FEMA the number for that service.

Applicants for disaster assistance should have the following on hand before contacting FEMA: their Social Security number, address of the damaged primary residence, a description of the damage, information about their insurance coverage, current contact number and address where they can receive mail, and bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

The MRICs will be accessible to individuals with disabilities, and accommodations can be made upon arrival. On-site communication accessibility tools will be available, including amplified listening devices and video remote interpreting. ASL interpreters and multilingual services will be available upon request.