Disaster Recovery Center Open in Iberville Parish to Help Applicants 

Release Date: September 15, 2008
Release Number: 1786-021

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Gustav

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Residents and business owners now may visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Iberville Parish to meet face to face with state and federal disaster representatives.

The DRC is located at:

Iberville Parish Library
24605 J. Gerald Berett Boulevard
Plaquemine, LA  70764

The center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice, according to officials from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

All DRCs throughout the state were closed on Sept. 11 due to Hurricane Ike; however, the centers will be up and running to help meet the needs of Louisiana residents once officials determine it is safe for workers and residents to travel within those areas.

Additional centers will be announced as they become available. Applicants may visit any DRC, not just the one located within their parishes.

Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by Hurricane Gustav are encouraged to register for assistance before visiting a DRC.

Due to high call volume, officials encourage those individuals who have computer access to the Internet to register online at www.fema.gov. Residents also may register by calling the telephone registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 1-800-462-7585).

Telephone registration lines and online registration are available 24 hours a day seven days a week until further notice. Callers are encouraged to call early in the morning or late at night if they can to help alleviate the high call volume during peak hours.

Residents and business owners can get information about disaster assistance and hazard mitigation, disaster loan applications and other programs at the DRCs. Agencies represented include FEMA, the state and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

An SBA customer service representative can meet individually with each applicant to provide assistance in completing his or her disaster loan application and to accept completed disaster loan applications.  Returning the applications is a key part of the disaster recovery process even for individuals who do not want a loan.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Monday, 15-Sep-2008 13:10:19