Disaster Recovery Centers Hours Changed
Release Date: January 18, 2007
Release Number: 1670-013
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Effective Friday, January 26, the two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in the Binghamton area will close at 6 p.m., according to state and federal disaster recovery officials today.
Also, the DRCs will not be open this Saturday, January 20, and effective Monday, January 22, the DRC hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Federal Coordinating Officer Marianne C. Jackson of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said, “Visits to the centers have declined and after January 26 those with questions about disaster assistance can call the FEMA Helpline –1800-621-3362 – for much of the same help found at a DRC.”
State Coordinating Officer John R. Gibb, Director of the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), said, “We encourage those in Broome and Chenango counties affected by the November 16-17 severe storms and flooding to visit a DRC before they close. Disaster program specialists are available to assist with recovery issues.”
The DRCs are located at: Binghamton, Metro Center, 49 Court Street, and Town of Vestal, Vestal Library, 320 Vestal Parkway East.
Individuals can meet one on one with program experts to get answers to their recovery questions, check the status of their disaster assistance, get information about disaster resistant building techniques, and get help filling out their U.S. Small Business Administration loan application.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
If you have not registered for assistance, you can call the FEMA registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Individuals with hearing or speech impairments should call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The registration lines are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. You can also register online at www.fema.gov.
Those registered also can get help by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621 FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The telephone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 18-Jan-2007 19:23:32