Ann Arbor residents who reported damage from the April tornadoes can now seek in-person assistance as federal and small-business officials staff a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at the Ann Arbor Westgate Library. The center opened Aug. 13 and will remain open through Aug. 17, offering one-stop guidance for applying for disaster relief tied to storms that occurred April 10–21, 2026.
Who can get help and when
The recovery center operates daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is aimed at homeowners whose primary residences were damaged by the storms during the specified April dates. FEMA assistance is limited to damage directly caused by the qualifying storms and does not extend to secondary properties.
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Aug. 13–17, 2026 |
| Hours | 8 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Location | Ann Arbor Westgate Library |
| Who qualifies | Owners of primary residences with storm damage from April 10–21, 2026 |
What the assistance covers
FEMA grants are intended to help with costs that insurance does not fully cover. According to agency staff at the center, eligible uses include repairs to primary living spaces and replacement or repair of personal property damaged in the storms.
- Repairs to primary living areas
- Replacement or repair of furniture and household items
- Vehicle damage related to the storms
- Heating, cooling and other essential appliances
FEMA representatives caution that federal grants alone may not restore a home to its exact pre-storm condition. For homeowners facing gaps between grant awards and the full cost of recovery, staff from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available at the library to discuss low-interest disaster loans.
"We have all this assistance without making any payments for a year, and without interest for a year as well," said Vanessa Santiago, an SBA public relations specialist, noting the loans can also fund mitigation work to better prepare homes for future disasters.
What applicants should bring
Officials staffing the recovery center are advising residents to document damage thoroughly when they apply. One Ann Arbor resident, who visited the center to begin the process, described the experience as clarifying but unfamiliar.
"It's unscripted. There are no arrows. You just have to document, document, document every bit of damage and hope that it gets noticed by the insurance company," said Brian Delaney, an Ann Arbor resident who sought help after the April storm.
At the center, staff can help applicants understand what documentation is useful and how to complete forms. They can explain the distinctions between FEMA assistance and SBA loans, including how an SBA loan might be used to bridge funding shortfalls or to finance mitigation improvements.
Local consequences and next steps
The presence of a recovery center in Ann Arbor aims to reduce barriers to federal assistance by providing in-person help for navigating applications and documentation requirements. For many residents, the immediate task is establishing eligibility and assembling evidence of storm-related losses so that FEMA and insurers can evaluate claims.
Residents who cannot attend during the posted hours can still apply online through FEMA's website or contact the agency by phone, but officials say the in-person option helps those who find the paperwork or claims process confusing. Ann Arbor residents with storm-related damages are encouraged to visit the Westgate Library site during the operational dates to learn what relief may be available and to discuss options with both FEMA and SBA representatives.
