FEMA helps people in Putnam County after Hurricane Matthew

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — FEMA representatives are visiting people who live in the Federal Point area of East Palatka in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

It has been two days since Putnam County was approved for individual and public assistance through FEMA.

Capt. Paul Flateau, from Putnam County Emergency Services, told Action News Jax that the public assistance will be a tremendous help.

"We are fiscally restrained, and we try to live within our means and we try to do a good job meeting our budget, but something like this, a response to a major disaster is very costly," said Flateau.

Flateau said it will help with crews responsible for clearing debris from roads and properties, as well as helping to fix washed out roadways.He said his biggest concern right now are people who were displaced from their homes and need a safe place to stay.

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Adam Haley, who lives in East Palatka near the St Johns River, said a FEMA representative is supposed to be at his home Friday. Haley is hoping they can assist with the cost of evacuating their home for several days.

"If anything just to help with the assistance with the living we had to go through, we were out of power for five days. I am retired and on a fixed income," said Haley.

Cox Media Group