Disaster Recovery Center in Lamar County to Close 

Disaster Assistance Still Readily Available

Release Date: December 13, 2005
Release Number: 1604-169

» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina

JACKSON, Miss. -- The disaster recovery center operating in Purvis in Lamar County will close at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005 due to reduced activity, federal and state officials announced today.

"The reduced level of activity at the recovery centers means we're moving forward in the recovery process," said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for disaster recovery. "It's important that disaster victims know that even though this site is closing, assistance is still available at other Disaster Recovery Centers in the state and through FEMA's toll-free number."

Individuals are encouraged to visit the Purvis Disaster Recovery Center before close of business on Dec. 22, 2005. The center is located at:

Lamar County
40 Deep South Lane
Purvis, MS
Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday until Thursday Dec. 22, 2005.

Assistance is still available at the following nearby Disaster Recovery Centers:

Forrest County
C.E. Roy Community Ctr.
300 E. 5th Street
Hattiesburg, MS
Marion County
Town Square Shopping Center
932 Highway 13 South
Columbia, MS
Locations open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Disaster Recovery Centers were established to provide detailed program information to those who have already applied for assistance. Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies are on hand to answer questions and provide recovery information. Officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to discuss disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners.

Officials encourage all Hurricane Katrina victims to apply for assistance before the Jan. 11, 2006 deadline by calling the FEMA toll-free application number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for speech or hearing-impaired, or visiting the FEMA website at www.fema.gov.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 13-Dec-2005 15:48:05