Could use some help ... I'm about to start on my disaster relief this afternoon. [View all]

[lpbk2713]

Does anyone here have any helpful tips or useful links? I have extensive damage from Hurricane Irma. I most of all need a new roof. A lot of shingles were blown off. There's no wood showing and there's no leaks ... yet. It is a 25 year old roof on a house built in 1963. I'm in Lakeland, not near any water bodies. It has been through a few hurricanes but it couldn't take this one. It is a peaked roof with asphalt shingles. The house is a single story in a 'T' design. The entire utility room roof will have to be replaced, wood and all. The wood was older than I thought where I couldn't see it and now I have sky in some places where I used to have roof. Thankfully my electric panel wasn't flooded although I did see water dripping down the outside door. I didn't want to touch it. When the power came back on late Wednesday (09/13) I had power right away and there was no noise or smoke or strange smell coming from the electric panel. I wonder if later on there may be some corrosion to deal with. My window unit air conditioner hasn't worked since late Sunday when there were three power surges before the power went out for good. I also had water come in under one door facing where the storm winds were coming from. It was soaked and it really smelled bad for a few days. I know most policies don't cover water damage so I will probably have to cover that one myself. I don't expect a lot of reimbursement from my insurance company. Has anyone here ever had any experience with FEMA Disaster Relief? I'm not necessarily looking for a total grant but is it possible to get a small interest loan? I have no idea what the dollar value of the damage might be because no professional has looked at it yet. I have some money in savings. Will they make me use that before they consider offering me any assistance? I am 73 yo and my only steady income is my monthly SoSec check. Any help from personal experiences or useful links would be greatly appreciated. That you all for reading my OP. And many thanks in advance for any assistance you offer.