FEMA help available to Debby victims in Tampa Bay area

FEMA is providing assistance over a dozen counties in Florida, including Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby.

Renee Bafalis is FEMA's Public Information Officer.

"The registration process is really the first step in your recovery," says Bafalis.  "We want to make sure that if you have insurance, that you also call your insurance company first, but you can also register with FEMA as well."

Four Disaster Recovery Centers are now open to help those whose homes or businesses were affected:

Pasco County DRC
Trouble Creek Square Shopping Center
4444 Grand Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL 34652

Pinellas County DRC
5851 Park Blvd.      
Pinellas Park, FL 33871  

Hernando County DRC
800 Gary Grubbs Blvd.
Brooksville, FL 34601

Highlands County DRC
4509 S. George Blvd.    
Sebring, FL

To register with FEMA, you can call 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. If you are deaf or heard of hearing, you can call 1 (800) 462-7585.  You can also go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov .