Gulf Coast DRC Operations Temporarily Suspended Until Jeanne Passes 

Release Date: September 25, 2004
Release Number: 1539-145

» More Information on Florida Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Frances

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Eleven Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) located on Florida’s Gulf Coast affected by Hurricanes Charley and Frances will temporarily suspend operations until Hurricane Jeanne, presently approaching the Florida coastline, has passed.

Gulf Coast DRCs suspending operations at 6 p.m., Saturday, September 25

Harold Recreation Center DRC
23400 Harold Avenue
Port Charlotte, Fla.
(Charlotte County)

Winn Dixie Parking Lot DRC
27680 Bermont Road
Punta Gorda, Fla.
(Charlotte County)

Old K-Mart Building DRC
2205 West US Hwy 90
Lake City, Fla.
(Columbia County)

S. Fla. Comm. College DRC
2251 NE Turner Street
Arcadia, Fla.
(DeSoto County)

Elks Club DRC
318 West Main Street
Wauchula, Fla.
(Hardee County)

George Boulevard DRC
4505 George Boulevard
Sebring, Fla.
(Highlands County)

Fisher of Men Lutheran Church DRC
10360 String Fellow Road
Pine Island, Fla.
(Lee County)

Lee County Public Works DRC
1500 Monroe Street
Fort Myers, Fla.
(Lee County)

Summerlin Square Mall DRC
17105 San Carlos Boulevard
Fort Myers, Fla.
(Lee County)

Eagle Ridge Mall DRC
Unit 308, 451 Eagle Ridge Drive
Lake Wales, Fla.
(Polk County)

George Mullen Building DRC
4956 City Center Bldg, Room 4
North Port, Fla.
(Sarasota County)

All 11 centers will suspend operations on Saturday, September 25 at 6 p.m.. When Hurricane Jeanne has passed and safety and security inspections, conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Florida’s State Emergency Response Team (SERT) have been completed, DRC operations will continue.

This temporary suspension of DRC activities frees up local first responders to concentrate on providing all necessary emergency needs to their communities. It also allows residents to focus their attention on the pending preparations. DRC personnel will be ready to get back to work quickly after the danger has passed.

Should Hurricane Jeanne make landfall along the Florida coast, a survey of all DRC locations will be conducted. Once the DRC sites are inspected and approved for service, they will reopen to continue with their mission of assisting those affected by Hurricanes Charley and Frances.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 28-Sep-2004 13:13:23