Chicagoans who got slammed by the September floods have until January 19, 2024, to reach out for a federal lifeline. It’s been a rough go for residents, especially those hailing from Hegewisch, Pullman, and South Shore neighborhoods, since the severe weather rolled in on September 17. A considerable number of locals suffered considerable property damage, leaving them to scoop up the pieces of their waterlogged lives.
For residents with damage to their homes or businesses, this means they can get grants for temporary housing and home repairs, not to mention low-interest loans to cover property losses that insurance leaves in the lurch. Applications have been open for a while, and now, with the deadline fast approaching, the city's urgent message is getting louder: It's now or never to file for federal help. According to a report from the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, locals have a few ways to sign up: by phone, online, or through the FEMA app.
It's not just a matter of fixing up homes. The Small Business Administration (SBA) also opened its doors on November 27, 2023, catering to entrepreneurs and business owners at a location on 322 S. Michigan Avenue. Their goal is to prop up the backbone of the city’s economy and bolster the local businesses that hold communities together.
Battered by the storms, folks in Cook County and Chicago are not left to fend for themselves. There's a safety net ready to catch when asked for—a helping hand from FEMA, not just in grants and loans but through resources that could mean the difference between getting back on your feet or sinking further. Everyone's pushing the same message now: call 800-621-FEMA, hit up disasterassistance.gov, or download the FEMA app. Time's ticking, and January 19 isn't as far off as it seems.
