Thousands are still taking advantage of help from FEMA nearly two months after Hurricane Matthew. The deadline to apply for help is in just two weeks.

  • Deadline approaching to apply for FEMA
  • Disaster Recovery Centers set up to help hurricane Matthew victims
  • FEMA registration ends in two weeks

John Dimaria and his wife are still trying to recover from the storm's passage in early October.

"We're looking at probably around $18,000 worth of damage," said DiMaria.

Saturday, the couple went to the disaster recovery center in the Palm Coast library.

FEMA and the Small Business Administration have these centers set up throughout several counties to help victims still feeling the impact of Hurricane Matthew. 

"What we're living with now is the uncertainty of the roof leaking and also the screen enclosures, the screen falling down with everything," said DiMaria.

FEMA has provided more than $16 million in grants for victims with basic repairs and temporary housing not covered by their insurance since October.

"We're still seeing dozens of people everyday," said John Mills, spokesman for Florida FEMA.

Mills said so far residents in Flagler have received $865,000, Brevard $1.1 million, and Volusia $5.1 million in relief funds.

"FEMA programs are not designed to make you whole or to build everything back, but the programs are designed to help provide people a hand up to get them back on their feet," said Mills. 

"If it wasn't for SBA and FEMA, we would have probably just have patched a few of the leaks and patched some of the stuff on the roof and just left it at that," said DiMaria.

But he's getting the help he needs before the December 16th deadline and hopes others take advantage. FEMA said it can't stress enough that time is running out and these centers are beginning to close.

"At least this gives us the certainty we can repair everything, get everything done, and move on from it," said DiMaria.

FEMA has also approved about $47 million in flood insurance claims for Florida residents affected by Hurricane Matthew. SBA has approved about $39 million in disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses.

  • DRCs are still open 9 a.m. -6 p.m. Monday - Saturday in the following locations, until further notice:
    • Volusia County – Florida Dept. of Health, 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach
    • Flagler County – Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Pkwy NW, Palm Coast
    • Brevard County – Harry T. Moore Social Services Center, 725 S. Deleon Ave., Titusville