FEMA Deadline Extended for Kīlauea Victims

Fissure 8 and Leilani Estates viewed from the south. Houses in the foreground are located in the southern portion of Leilani Estates. Fissure 8 and surrounding lava and tephra deposits are shrouded in steam, caused by rain water being heated by the warm deposits. PC: USGS

The FEMA registration deadline for Hawai‘i County residents to apply for disaster assistance for losses resulting from the Kīlauea Volcano eruptions and earthquakes has been extended to Sept.12, 2018.

Recovery officials encourage residents who have yet to register to do so by visiting the Disaster Recovery Center located at the Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, 15-3022 Kauhale St. in Pāhoa between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday.

The center is closed on Sundays.

Disaster assistance can include FEMA grants for temporary housing, home repairs and replacement, as well as low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans are available to businesses, private nonprofits, and homeowners and renters to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recovery programs.

Survivors may also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at (800) 621-3362 or (TTY) (800) 462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay service may call (800) 621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Sept. 12 is also the deadline to file a loan application with the SBA for physical damages. Applicants may apply to the SBA online. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.