Release Date: September 23, 2008
Release Number: 1786-037
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC) opened today in Oberlin to help residents affected by recent hurricanes. This center will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. through Saturday, Sept. 27 and is located at:
Allen Parish
Allen Parish Center
609 Tiger Lane
Oberlin, LA 70655
Another fixed-site DRC also opened today at:
St. Mary Parish
Amelia Park
1109 Lake Palourde Bypass Road
Amelia, LA 70380
Currently, DRCs are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. except for the mobile sites, according to officials from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
At the centers, residents and business owners can meet with representatives from the state, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Red Cross to get answers and information. Applicants can get disaster loan applications and information and drop off completed applications. Returning the applications is a key part of the disaster recovery process even if you do not want a loan. If you do not return the applications, the process for individuals to get aid ends. Please complete the application as you may be eligible for other needs through the state or non-profits.
Applicants don't have to visit centers in their own parishes; they can go to the centers nearest to where they work or where they currently are staying. As a reminder, please register before you visit a DRC and bring your registration number. Those with computer access to the Internet should register online at www.fema.gov in order to free up the telephone registration lines for those who do not have computers.
FEMA mitigation specialists also are on hand at the DRCs to give advice on ways to minimize or eliminate damage to their property from future storms. This free service is available to anyone, not just those who had damage from the recent hurricanes.
Callers can help out by calling before or after peak hours or on Sundays to reduce wait time. Residents may call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 1-800-462-7585) 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Applicants who had damage from both hurricanes must register twice, once for each disaster.
Other DRC locations are:
Assumption Parish Ascension Parish
Napoleonville Community Center Old All Star Ford Building
4770 Highway 1 13192 Airline Highway
Napoleonville, LA 70390 Gonzales, LA 70737
Avoyelles Parish East Baton Rouge
Avoyelles Parish Shopping Center Louisiana Leadership Institute
(Next to Popeye's Chicken) 5763 Hooper Road
816 Tunica Drive East Baton Rouge, LA 70811
Marksville, LA 71351
Iberville Parish Jefferson Parish
Iberville Parish Library Avondale Park
24605 J. Gerald Berret Boulevard 709 South Jamie Boulevard
Plaquemine, LA 70764 Avondale, LA 70072
Lafourche Parish Livingston Parish
Old Walmart Building Old State Police Camp
4876 Highway 1 Classroom # 2
Mathews, LA 70375 11845 Buddy Ellis Road
Denham Springs, LA 70726
Orleans Parish Orleans Parish
Main Library New Orleans Recreation Department
219 Loyola Avenue Community Center in Algiers
New Orleans, LA 70112 6600 Belgrade Street
New Orleans, LA 70131
Point Coupee Parish St. Tammany Parish
Scott Civic Center Public Works Building
1200 Major Parkway 1100 Mandeville High Boulevard
New Roads, LA 70760 Mandeville, LA 70471
Terrebonne Parish West Baton Rouge Parish
Old Bingo Hall Old City Hall
805 Barrow Street 750 N. Jefferson
Houma, LA 70360 Port Allen, LA 70767
West Feliciana Parish (Mobile DRC open through 6 p.m. Thursday Sept. 25)
West Feliciana Health Unit
5154 Burnett Road
St. Francisville, LA 70775
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: Friday, 26-Sep-2008 13:44:41