News 12 at 11, April 2, 2008

BURKE, JEFFERSON COUNTIES, Ga.---The remaining disaster centers are packing up and moving on, but money for storm victims is still available.

"Yeah it took everything. It's just a clean lot," Rosa Castro said. The March 15th storms destroyed the home she grew up in.

"It's just childhood memories over there. And it's hard to replace those," she said.

But replacing her family's things is at least a little bit easier than the memories. Someone donated a mobile home for her and her husband.

"It still needs a little bit of work done on it, but other than that, it's good to live in," she said.

And while the home has been a great step to getting back on their feet, it doesn't cover everything. That's why she decided to apply for assistance from FEMA and Georgia's disaster agency, GEMA.

"Right now we're just waiting to see what they're gonna do," she said.

FEMA is packing up its disaster recovery centers this weekend, but with so people many affected, the agency wants people to know they can still apply for aid.

"We're honored to serve and that really is what it's all about. It's about serving our communities," said Libby Turner, a federal coordinating officer for FEMA.

Disaster victims in Jefferson and Burke counties are eligible for the assistance. Nearly 150 people there have already applied.

The deadline is May 19 FEMA says the amount of money given is based on the damage.

"It's hard to start over but day by day, it's getting better," Castro said.

And with money from FEMA, she says she might see a calm after the storm.

"I didn't think it would ever come this close to home," she said.

And within her small home-town of Matthews, there's still a lot of recovering to do. But with some help, this community is working to get back to normal.

Those wishing to apply should call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

Applications are also available online at www.fema.gov.

Disaster victims can also apply for loans with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Despite the name, individuals can apply. They have low-interest loans starting just under three percent.