Antonio Martin isn't sure where he'd be without help from disaster relief agencies in Live Oak.

For the past week he's been living in a shelter set up at the Suwannee County Agricultural Colosseum  waiting for Debby's floodwaters to leave his neighborhood.

American Red Cross Representative, Lou Palm says shelter residents have a special reason to smile today, "Today's the 4th of July, and thanks to the community of Live Oak, we have a great picnic going on for our clients and our staff, to just give that light-hearted moment where they can forget about their problems while burning something on the grill."

Smith says he's found an escape to from his problems in the shelter and a home away from home.

"That's what they make it feel like, and we're supposed to be in a bad situation, but they just turn it into a good situation."

A bad situation that appears to be getting better.

Early Wednesday morning Suwannee County was added to the list of declared disaster areas in the state as a result of Tropical Storm Debby.

The assistance includes grants for temporary housing and repairs as well as low cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

For Smith and his family, it's an assistance that they hope will help them move forward.

"I'm so blessed that that they've turned this neagtive into sucha positive moment for me."

Clay, Columbia, and Bradford are some of the other counties included in the disaster declaration.

Those interested may go online to apply for FEMA assistance or donate to their area Red Cross.