Disaster Recovery Centers To Close 

Release Date: September 24, 2004
Release Number: 1548-006

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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Orleans and St. Charles parishes will be closed permanently Sunday, September 26, at 6 p.m., according to the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Closing SundaySeptember 26 at 6 p.m.

Orleans
Municipal Training Academy
401 City Park Ave.
New Orleans, La 70112

St. Charles
St. Rose Primary School
11724 River Road
St. Rose, La 70087

"Help is still as close as a phone call," said Sandy Coachman, Federal Coordinating Officer. "The closing of the Disaster Recovery Centers does not in any way affect the services being provided to disaster victims."

Centers Remaining Open

Plaquemines
Buras Auditorium
35619 Highway 11
Buras, La 70041

St. Bernard
Sebastien Roy School
4301 Bayou Road
Reggio La 70085

To apply for disaster assistance or to check on the status of an application, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those who are hearing or speech-impaired can call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The lines remain open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster assistance may include temporary housing assistance and home repair grants as well as grants to meet serious needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other programs. The U.S. Small Business Administration also offers low interest loans for homeowners, renters and business owners. Other types of help include information about taxes, crisis counseling and disaster unemployment benefits.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the 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 13:27:17