Southbury — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has officially set up shop in town, opening a temporary Disaster Recovery Center in Town Hall on Wednesday to assist residents and business owners who suffered losses as a result of the Aug. 18 floods.

"We're visiting homes. We're trying to get people to register. I want to tell folks today, you can't get any assistance for help in your recovery if you do not register. You must register with FEMA," said Bob Fogel, FEMA's federal coordinating officer in Connecticut.

FEMA will open a similar center in Wilton on Thursday at Our Lady of Fatima Church at 229 Danbury Road.

Since the flood, FEMA has so far distributed $3.7 million to more than 1,100 residents, agency representatives said Wednesday in Southbury.

Of those funds, $2.4 million has been distributed in New Haven County, with $1.3 million distributed in Fairfield County, Fogel said. In Southbury, $852,000 has so far been disbursed to residents.

The federal agency provides grants of up to $42,500 for structural damage and up to $42,500 for personal losses.

Representatives from FEMA as well as the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the centers to help residents and business owners apply for FEMA grants and low-interest SBA disaster loans.

Homeowners, nonprofit organizations and renters who need recovery assistance as well business owners can apply for the SBA loans, said Anna Nunez, SBA public affairs specialist.

Businesses are eligible for loans of up to $2 million for working capital. Homeowners are eligible for low-interest loans up to $500,000 for disaster-related repairs or replacement, according to Nunez. Meanwhile, homeowners and renters are also eligible for loans up to $100,000 to replace damaged personal property, including clothing, furniture and appliances. Nunez said the first payment on such loans is not due until 12 months after the funds are disbursed.

In addition to the Disaster Recovery Centers, FEMA will also send trucks and pop-up tents for temporary mobile centers in each of the impacted towns in the coming days and weeks.

"We want to make sure we hit every area. So where we go, we have a mobile unit with a FEMA truck and a tent that can help register," Fogel said, adding the agency strives to cover as much of the impacted areas "to maximize the number of people knowing to get registered. You can't get any benefits if you don't register."

On Wednesday, a mobile unit was stationed in Newtown. Next week, the truck is expected to visit Oxford.

"For FEMA, business means handing out money; it's that simple. Handing out money that people need to build back," said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. "And in this instance, my hope is that the homeowners and businesses will build back better with resilience, because we know that the next storm could be as catastrophic as this one."

The number of residents who have so far received assistance is "amazing," Blumenthal said. FEMA is "doing really amazing work. It's a success story in the making, even after catastrophe struck," he said.

Residents seeking assistance need to provide documentation related to storm damage as well as identification, Fogel said. At the centers, FEMA representatives are able to provide residents with customized services, help scan documents and check on the status of cases, Fogel said.

The agency will be in the area for at least 30 days, and "as long as it takes," FEMA spokesman Leo Skinner said.

After individuals register, a FEMA inspector will come to their homes within three to five days, Skinner said. In another three to five days, they can expect to receive grant money, if they qualify, Skinner said.

Although he is pleased with the speed of FEMA's response in providing disaster aid, Blumenthal said that is still "not much solace" for those who have lost their homes in the flooding.

"But we're going to do everything we can to get them back on their feet," he said.

Southbury First Selectman Jeff Manville attributed the federal response to the town's emergency management structure. Southbury was able to get storm-related damage information compiled and to send data to the federal government quickly, he said.

"I think everybody is a survivor, given the impact," Manville said of the residents of the town, which saw widespread damage after the rainstorm and flooding.

"I'm sure many of them are still in shock, dealing with what's going on, looking for hope," he said. "We're always looking for hope. I think by FEMA's presence here, the Small Business Association, I think they're seeing that there's hope and that there's recovery and hopefully that will lend to more patience."

The leaders also cautioned residents to be on the lookout for fraud. As FEMA disaster survivor assistance teams visit up to 300 homes a day in the area, residents should ask to see their FEMA badge, which has a photograph and a chip, Fogel said. He encouraged residents who suspect fraud to call 1-800-621-3362.

"They will confirm whether FEMA had anybody in that area or not. ... We know there's fraud that occurs during disasters," Fogel said. He also warned residents to be wary of individuals who wear FEMA shirts but do not produce an agency badge.

Residents can register in person at the centers in Southbury or Wilton, call the agency at 1-800-621-3362 or register online by visiting Disasterassistance.gov or using the FEMA app. The centers will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.