MASON COUNTY — Individuals and businesses in Mason County which sustained losses as a result of the June derecho have until Dec. 19 to apply for reimbursement for those losses from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In addition to residents of Mason County, residents of Boone, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Roane, Tyler, Webster, and Wood counties who suffered losses between June 29 and July 8 should apply with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 (1-800-621-FEMA).

FEMA grants may help qualified applicants with temporary housing, home repair, medical, funeral, or dental expenses, loss of personal property, or other disaster-related expenses and serious needs.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin had requested FEMA amend the previously issued federal declaration to include individual assistance. Local emergency management agencies, including in Mason County, worked with state homeland security officials to collect information from individuals who sustained losses. These losses were ultimately presented to FEMA for consideration of the federal, financial assistance.

Government agencies and municipalities were first declared eligible for FEMA assistance, in part because this data was more readily available and easier to collect - unlike the individual claims. The individual losses took slightly longer to collect.

FEMA’s says its mission is to “support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.