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FEMA pledges help for Irma victims

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The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency says financial help is available for those who lost property to Hurricane Irma.

Administrator Brock Long visited with officials in Collier and Lee Counties Wednesday.

He says anyone affected by Irma should log onto Disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362 to begin the process of registering for support, but that support won't come overnight.  "I think if I could flip a switch and turn the lights back on and get the fuel you need we would have done it," said Administrator Long.

Some of the hardest hit areas, including Marco Island, are still without power.

"It's been a hassle, gas, ice food, and just trying to get back to normalcy," said Tyler Parrish who rode out Irma on Marco Island.

His grandmother applied for FEMA aid after her condominium was condemned.

"The water surge came up about 7 feet, most of the cars were flooded, our car got completely flooded."

FEMA Aid won't cover everything you lost but it will provide funds to buy essential items lost in the storm and pay for a place to stay while you are displaced.

Storm victims have 60 days to apply, and will need their social security number and address of damaged property.

Florida counties designated for FEMA Individual Assistance include: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia.