FEMA’s Last Disaster Recovery Center To Close Its Operations 

Release Date: April 23, 2007
Release Number: 1603-1630

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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that it will be closing its last Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Louisiana on April 30, 2007 at 5 p.m.

The DRC, located at 500 Westbank Expressway in the Westside Shopping Center in Gretna, has seen 124,828 applicants since its opening on September 9, 2005.

Since the peak of the disaster, 59 DRCs in Louisiana served as one-stop information centers for all disaster victims. During these visits, applicants had the opportunity to speak with federal, state and local recovery specialists and customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration to gain additional assistance.

If applicants need further assistance, they can call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585 or visit the Welcome Home Center currently located at 1250 Poydras Street on the 14th floor. The center is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Welcome Home Center includes FEMA disaster recovery services, as well as the Small Business Administration, the city of New Orleans’ Welcome Home staff, the Louisiana Department of Social Services, Disaster Child Care through the Church of the Brethren (counseling and play activities for children to help them deal with grief and loss issues), counseling services provided by Louisiana Spirit and Louisiana State University clinicians, Odyssey House and Housing Authority of New Orleans.

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: Monday, 23-Apr-2007 15:02:29