The first batch of FEMA travel trailers reached the Florida Keys on Wednesday to help Monroe County residents who lost their homes or whose homes are uninhabitable.
At least three trailers arrived at the U.S. military's Naval Air Station Key West located in Boca Chica Key, according to a Monroe County statement.
FEMA has so far authorized sending 84 trailers for approved Monroe County residents.
“This is great news,” Monroe County Assistant County Administrator Christine Hurley said Wednesday, adding the trailers will become livable as soon as they are hooked up to electricity, water and sewage services.
FEMA hopes to put the trailers on pads in the near future. The trailers may be ultimately placed on approved private property sites, or at six larger sites approved by FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Monroe County also said a Disaster Recovery Center will open on Thursday in Key West to help victims.
"Disaster Recovery Centers offer in-person support to individuals and small business owners," Monroe County said in a statement.
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Recovery specialists from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Florida government, as well as numerous volunteer groups, will be on-site to help residents in filling out applications, updating their status or in other related needs.
The DRC, open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. until further notice, will be at the Key West Fire Station #2 located at 616 Simonton Street.
