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FEMA outlines individual assistance options and local Disaster Recovery Center for Baker County
Summary
FEMA specialist Lasharlda Lisi briefed the Baker County commissioners on individual assistance available under DR‑4806‑FL, described how residents apply (online, app or text ZIP to 43362) and announced a Disaster Recovery Center at Fire Station 20 in McClenny with published hours.
Lasharlda Lisi, an intergovernmental congressional affairs specialist with FEMA, told the Baker County Board of County Commissioners the presidentially declared disaster (DR‑4806‑FL) opens multiple FEMA assistance options for residents affected by Hurricane Helene. Lisi said FEMA provides individual assistance for housing needs and “serious needs assistance” for essentials such as food and medication, and that the program is delivered under the Stafford Act.
Lisi explained the typical recovery sequence. Residents should first seek payment from private insurance; FEMA provides supplemental aid if an insurance settlement is insufficient or delayed. She described expanded applicant eligibility under recent reforms, including simplified assistance for self‑employed applicants and replacement assistance for computing devices in some cases. “If you apply for assistance, you don't necessarily have to go to the same disaster recovery center in your respective county,” Lisi said, and she advised residents to text their ZIP code to 43362 or use the FEMA app to find the nearest center.
FEMA is operating a mobile Disaster Recovery Center at Fire Station 20, 11496 North State Road 121, McClenny, FL 32063; Lisi said the site was open today through Saturday and gave specific hours for that center. She also outlined inspection and appeals steps: after an application a home inspector will assess damage and FEMA will send an eligibility decision and instructions for appeals or additional documentation.
The presentation emphasized coordination with local volunteer agencies for unmet needs, and Lisi asked county officials to forward constituent complaints about denied or insufficient assistance to FEMA liaisons to help resolve cases. No formal board action was required; commissioners thanked Lisi for the briefing and for FEMA’s outreach.
