Deadline to apply for Hurricane Irma FEMA assistance extended

Florida Today

If you haven't yet applied for FEMA assistance to cover the cost of Hurricane Irma damage, it's not too late. The deadline to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been extended to Nov. 24.

Assistance is available to renters, homeowners and business owners in the 48 Florida counties, including Brevard, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie, that were declared disaster areas.

More:FEMA adds Oct. 1 flood victims to Hurricane Irma coverage

More:Nearly 40 percent of Irma-related claims settled

Brevard residents who live in areas that flooded during the Oct. 1 rains, which dumped 10 inches on some areas of the county, are also eligible to apply for assistance.

Lisa and David Justice, from left, and two of their five children, Hayley Ellenburg and David, Jr., stand by their manufactured home in Mims, which was destroyed from an apparent tornado spawned by Hurricane Irma. Several other nearby homes were damaged.

Lisa and David Justice and their five children had their manufactured home in Mims destroyed from a tornado spawned by Hurricane Irma. Several other homes were damaged by this same tornado.

Those individuals who suffered uninsured or underinsured damages and losses can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, on the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA). The toll-free line is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

Sweeping through Florida in September, Hurricane Irma damaged more than 5,900 homes and business - triple that of Hurricane Matthew last November. According to county estimates, that's $157 million in damages to homes and businesses - four times the $35 million worth of destruction inflicted by Hurricane Matthew.

Outside of what's covered by FEMA assistance, 35,531 insurance claims have been filed in relation to Irma, with almost half already been settled.