Adams and Wilkinson County Residents Can Visit Disaster Recovery Centers for Help
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Release Number: 1794-007
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Gustav
LONG BEACH, Miss. -- Residents and business owners located in Adams and Wilkinson counties who suffered losses or damages as a result of Hurricane Gustav during the period of Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, 2008, can meet one-on-one with disaster recovery specialists at newly opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC), according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
The DRCs are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Their locations are:
Adams County
VFW Hall
370 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive
Natchez, MS 39120
Wilkinson County
Wilkinson County Industrial Complex
1495 U. S. Highway 61 South
Woodville, MS 39669
Representatives of FEMA, MEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and other federal, state and voluntary agencies will be on hand to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various assistance programs also are available to individuals and business owners.
Victims of Hurricane Gustav are urged to apply for assistance before visiting a DRC by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at www.fema.gov . The speech- or hearing-impaired should call TTY 1-800-462-7585.
"Don't make the assumption that you aren't eligible if you sustained only minor damage from Hurricane Gustav," said MEMA Director Mike Womack. "Residents often don't know what programs they may be eligible for until they register for assistance."
Once registered, FEMA recovery specialists can check an individual's case, answer questions about their claim, or request additional information FEMA may need to continue processing their claim. Recovery specialists also can supply contacts for other programs that may be able to help.
The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These loans are to repair or replace houses, personal property and to assist businesses damaged by the severe weather.
SBA representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the SBA disaster loan program; help applicants complete their disaster loan application and accept the completed application. Anyone not able to go to a DRC should call the SBA Customer Service Center, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-800-659-2955 for information and assistance or visit the SBA website at www.sba.gov or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Storm victims can visit SBA's secure web site at http://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply online for disaster loans.
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, 08-Oct-2008 01:31:19