How FEMA assistance has helped

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It's been a month since the President declared a major disaster for Hampden and Worcester counties. So far, FEMA has declared $5 million for disaster assistance for individuals and business owners.

Since the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been called in more than 3,000 applications have been filed for assistance and FEMA wants people to continue, even if they are unsure if they are eligible.

Daniel Llargues, a Public Information Officer for FEMA said "We cover the unmet needs, whatever the insurance company's not going to cover, won't cover, we might be able to cover it with a grant."

So far, people in neighborhood hit by the tornado have seen some immediate assistance. Ana Gelinas of Springfield said, "The one very helpful thing was the disaster cards that they handed out for replacing all the food items that were lost."

For those who haven't filed, there still is time. "If you register today we will be able to send an inspector out to your property as soon as possible, 24 hours that's how long it's taking for us to get an inspector out to your property," said Llargues.

But if the government shuts down on August 2nd because of the Federal Debt ceiling, there could be problems in the long run. As with all federal agencies, FEMA receives a budget appropriated by Congress but they also are given an amount of money in a Disaster Relief Fund. There is still more than 1.3 billion dollars available in that fund.

That's good news for now for those still cleaning up and trying to move on like John Malmborg of Springfield, "Just trying to get back to some sense of normalcy, it's not going to look like that, not in my lifetime with the trees down, just trying to get some sense of normalcy back would be great."

The deadline to apply for federal assistance is August 15th.