VALDOSTA — Residents in the counties covered by a recent disaster declaration are encouraged to sign up for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Michael Hart, a FEMA spokesperson, told The Valdosta Daily Times Thursday that residents could qualify for immediate assistance for critical needs as well as longer-term help to rebuild.

Hart said the first step should be to contact your insurance carrier. Homeowners insurance covers many kinds of damage, but flood damage will require that you had flood insurance.

Immediately after speaking with your insurance carrier, contact FEMA, he said. You can call 1-800-621-3362, or you can visit disasterassistance.gov online, or you can download the FEMA app and register through it.

“If they call the 1-800 number, they will speak with a person right away,” he said. Otherwise, the online processes make arrangements for a technician to contact you by phone or text.

The technician will walk you through the process of qualifying for assistance. Some paperwork will be required, such as insurance paperwork and proof of residence, but the technician will guide you, Hart said.

Money can be sent quickly for serious needs like food, water, personal hygiene items, medications, fuel, etc., Hart said.

“For home repairs, there’s a process, but the sooner they get the process started, the sooner they can start receiving their funds,” he said.

Assistance is not only for homeowners, he said. Renters can apply too.

Hart said FEMA has teams “on the ground” to help survivors apply for assistance. Some are going door-to-door while others are visiting shelters.

He said the Red Cross has 10 shelters open throughout the region with a current occupancy of more than 500 people. For information about a shelter near you, visit RedCross.org.

In Valdosta, Park Avenue Church, 100 E. Park Ave., is a shelter. Lanier Primary School at 28 S. Valdosta Road in Lakeland, is one too.