Linn County Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Palo 

Release Date: July 8, 2008
Release Number: 1763-073

» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Linn County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Palo is closing permanently at the 7 p.m. close of business today, Tuesday, July 8, 2008.  The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operate DRCs to provide face-to-face assistance to those affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning May 25 and continuing.

The Palo DRC at the Palo Fire Station, 505 Vinton St., Palo, IA 52324, has been visited by nearly 900 people since it opened on June 18, 2008.

A second DRC in Linn County is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. Saturday. Located at Prairie High School, 401 76th Ave., Cedar Rapids, IA 50616, that center has seen nearly 1,100 persons since it opened, also on June 18, 2008.

The Linn County DRC at the Westdale Mall, 2600 Edgewood Rd., S.W., Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, is slated to remain open until further notice. Its hours are weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

Those seeking FEMA assistance are encouraged to register before visiting a DRC. If they visit a DRC after registering, they should not re-register because that may delay FEMA assistance. Only one registration per household is allowed. Registration is done by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585, or online at www.fema.gov.

FEMA disaster assistance specialists and representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available at each DRC to answer questions. Other state, federal and non-profit organizations will have information at the DRC as well.

When applicants call to register, they will be asked to provide current contact information - address and phone number - their Social Security number, insurance information, a brief description of damage sustained as well as the specific location of damaged property. Direct deposit is available for those who are eligible for assistance and can provide their bank information.  Those who suffered additional storm-related damage after registering should call the toll-free registration line again to report the additional damage

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: Wednesday, 09-Jul-2008 15:34:50