Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Moves to Haywood County
Release Date: March 21, 2008
Release Number: 1745-039
» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Haywood County residents who were directly affected by the Feb. 5-6 tornadoes and severe storms can get face-to-face help by visiting the Disaster Recovery Center at the Parks and Recreation Building, 100 Boyd Ave., Brownsville. The center will be open from 12 p.m.- 6 p.m., Monday, March 24, then from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 26.
The Disaster Recovery Center, jointly operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), is being supported by a specially equipped communications vehicle.
The center will provide a range of services for residents who suffered losses and damage from the tornadoes and storms including:
- Guidance regarding disaster recovery;
- Clarification of any written correspondence received;
- Housing assistance and rental resource information;
- Answers to questions, resolution of problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance;
- Status of applications being processed by FEMA;
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) program information; and
- Information from representatives of other federal, state and local agencies.
Before visiting any Disaster Recovery Center, residents should apply to FEMA by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY (800) 462-7585, or on the Web: www.fema.gov.
When disaster-affected residents visit a Disaster Recovery Center, they should have identification, Social Security number, insurance information, proof of address and contact numbers with them in order to expedite the application process.
FEMAs temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
All FEMA assistance is subject to eligibility criteria and may vary from disaster to disaster. SBA eligibility criteria are applied to all applicants. Applicants who do not qualify for an SBA loan are reviewed for grant assistance in compliance with the limits established by the state.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal Rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 800-323-8603.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments 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, 21-Mar-2008 13:59:33