Disaster Assistance Outreach Unit Comes to Gadsden
Release Date: February 1, 2006
Release Number: 1605-173
» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Katrina
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Outreach unit will visit Gadsden on Saturday, February 4 through Thursday, February 9. The unit will be closed on Sunday, February 5. Hours on Saturday are 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The hours Monday through Thursday are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The five-day event will be held at the East Gadsden Community Center, 921 Wilson Ave. in Gadsden.
A Disaster Recovery Specialist will be there to assist evacuees and Alabamians affected by Hurricane Katrina as they develop their long-term housing solutions. Information on housing options here and in other states will be available, as well as information on volunteer organizations that are currently assisting hurricane survivors. Anyone needing Katrina housing assistance is invited to attend.
Individuals and families who have registered with FEMA can check the status of an existing application and get their questions answered on disaster programs, including housing assistance and individual and household grants.
Individuals with disaster-related needs who have not yet registered for assistance are advised to call the FEMA teleregistration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362) before visiting the Outreach unit. The speech- or hearing-impaired may call (TTY) 800-462-7585. The lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice. Multilingual operators can assist applicants in many different languages. Registration via the Internet is also available at www.fema.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 01-Feb-2006 12:23:27