Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) want those affected by the May 9 flood to know they are here, but disaster victims must ask for help to receive it.

“People must register, they must take that first step in the process,” Don Jacks, public information officer with FEMA said.

He spoke to the Daily News at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) set up at the library at Belfry. In addition to Belfry there are centers at the Johns Creek Elementary School in Pike County, as well as in Matewan, Varney and Gilbert in Mingo County.

Once a household is registered with FEMA, the process of recovery can begin with help from several governmental and community organizations. Applying is simple, and can be done by telephone, the Internet or at a DRC.

The advantage of the DRC is a face-to-face experience which can help applicants take advantage to the many forms of help available. Carl Sherrill, communications specialist for the Small Business Administration, says that personal attention is often the key to making applicants aware of the process.

“First and foremost, they need to register,” Sherrill said. “After registering with FEMA, they can then apply to the SBA for a loan to help them with damages. They need not be a business owner to apply and receive an SBA loan.”

However, the SBA application is an important step, even if applicants do not feel they will qualify for a loan.

“If for some reason, the SBA does not approve someone’s loan application, the agency can then refer you back to FEMA,” Sherrill said. “They may then be approved for a grant from them.”

FEMA and the SBA are working together at area DRCs to help people receive all the help, financial and otherwise, to which they are entitled.

FEMA is also in touch with local organizations, Information Officer Clare Eckert said.

“We work with faith based groups, people of that nature,” Eckert said. “We can help people get in touch with the voluntary organizations as well as government agencies.”

In addition to helping flood victims replace and repair their homes, FEMA also offers Other Needs Assistance (ONA).

“ONA covers things like as lost personal items such as clothes and dishes, medical and dental expenses and vehicles,” Eckert said.

Although registering with FEMA is the first step in receiving help, people need to understand that any financial assistance will come after insurance.

“We will pay after insurance has paid,” Don Jacks said. “But people can still register before their insurance company settles with them.”

Another point FEMA is working to make clear is how renters and landlords go about applying for disaster assistance.

“If you rent, you need to be the person who actually signed the lease, even if it is  your parents or someone else.” Eckert said. “You can receive assistance, but the person who should apply for repair to the building itself is the owner of that building.”

Only one application per household should be made.

“If, for example, someone rents an apartment in his or her parents’ home, then only one application should be made for that address,” she added.

One of the most important parts of any application is the phone number, FEMA representatives said.

“People need to make sure we can get in touch with them,” Eckert said. “If you are not living where the damage occurred, you can give a cell phone number, a work number or the phone number of a relative who will know how to get in touch with you. It is important that we can contact you so we can make our inspections and get any additional information needed.”

Many areas which flooded May 9 had not flooded before, and FEMA representatives say this proves the importance of being prepared.

“It is not a question of if it will happen again,” Jacks said. “It is simply a question of when. Being prepared includes things such as reviewing insurance policies, having copies of important papers, having medications ready, things of that nature.”

One of the most important facets of the help provided by FEMA is Disaster Mitigation. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds can be used to make improvements to property to reduce the loss of life and property in future disasters.

Some of examples of solutions to disaster risk include elevating flood prone structures, retrofitting buildings to minimize danger from high winds or other hazards, building floodwalls or relocating people to areas out of a flood plain.

The toll free number to register for FEMA services is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven day a week at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The Web site is www.disasterassistance.gov.