Path to restoration: Wells Disaster Center offers lifeline after devastating storms

WELLS, Maine — York County residents and business owners affected by the January storms can now access federal aid and resources at the Wells Disaster Recovery Center.

The center at Wells Fire Station, 585 North Berwick Road (Route 9), is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, including weekends. Appointments are not required.

“Come in,” said Madaline Trepagnier, the Disaster Recovery Center manager. “We are the steppingstone to help you on your path to recovery.”

The center, which includes representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and York County Emergency Management Agency, was established after President Joe Biden formally declared a disaster for eight coastal Maine counties. Any York County resident impacted by the storms – whether a tree fell through their roof in an inland town, rising seawater flooded their home or damaged a dock along the coast, or a renter lost personal property as a result of the storms – may be eligible for assistance through FEMA.

Previous story:Maine to receive federal aid for January storms that devastated coast

Also, individuals, families, business owners and some nonprofits may apply for low-interest disaster loans – some with interest as low as 2.68 percent – through the U.S. Small Business Administration, said SBA Public Affairs Specialist Brian Beard.

And while folks may register online, York County Emergency Management Agency Director Art Cleaves recommends an in-person visit – sitting down and speaking with representatives from FEMA and the SBA.

“It is critically important people go to the Disaster Recovery Center because there are nuances in the system,” Cleaves said. And he noted, there may be help through the SBA that might not be available through FEMA.

Wells resident John McCarthy stopped by the Disaster Recovery Center on Thursday, March 28, to register and talk with a FEMA representative. 

“My basement flooded,” he said, creating damage throughout the space. 

Once someone registers with FEMA and with the SBA, they will receive a follow-up call, and an inspector will arrange to come view the property.

FEMA personnel, with proper identification, are also knocking on doors in some neighborhoods, offering to register people whose properties sustained damage.

Trepagnier, who has been through a disaster herself – surviving Hurricane Katrina nearly 24 years ago, said many of her fellow FEMA workers are also disaster survivors.

“We know what it’s like,” she said. “It’s one step at a time.”

She noted some people who apply may receive a letter outlining their application has been denied – but that could be for something minor like the agency needing more information to proceed. She said folks with a denial letter should read the document and respond.

“FEMA may be able to help,” she said. “Don’t just toss the letter.”

Beard pointed out that homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits in York County who had damage from the January storms can apply for low-interest SBA disaster loans to cover damage not covered by insurance or another source. 

As an example, he spoke of a family in Tennessee whose manufactured home was flattened in a hurricane. They were insured, said Beard, but the payout was designed to go directly to their mortgage. Initially denied assistance, the couple applied for and was approved for a low-interest SBA loan.

“If you are refused, it’s important to follow up,” Beard said.

He pointed out that owners of seasonal properties that are used as rentals, and who pay tax on the rental income, could apply for a business loan with an interest rate of 4 percent.

And there may be funds available for mitigation, designed to help folks rebuild stronger.

Beard said folks who are undecided about an SBA loan may apply now and have until May 20 to decide whether to proceed. 

May 20 is also the deadline to register with FEMA. Those with questions may call FEMA at 800-621-3362 or visit disasterassistance.gov. Representatives say help is available in most languages. 

The SBA customer service center may be reached at 800-659-2955, or online at https://lending.sba.gov.  

Those registering with FEMA or seeking a loan through the SBA at the DRC should bring documents with them – insurance information if available, social security numbers, financial information, repair estimates, and the like. If repairs have been made, folks should bring a receipt.

The Disaster Recovery Center is accessible to people with disabilities.