New Disaster Recovery Centers Opening In Three Alabama Counties
Release Date: September 27, 2005
Release Number: 1605-043
» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Katrina
MONTGOMERY, Al. -- The joint state/FEMA outreach to Alabama’s disaster-declared areas has been extended to Green, Pickens and Sumter counties with three Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) opening in the next few days. The centers will serve area residents and displaced evacuees from neighboring states recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
| The new centers will be located at: | Dates: | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|
Green County
|
Noon, Wednesday, Sept. 28 through Wednesday, Oct. 5. (mobile center) |
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, six days a week. Closed Sundays. |
Pickens County |
Noon, Friday, Sept. 30 through Friday, Oct. 7. (mobile center) |
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, six days a week. Closed Sundays. |
Sumter County |
Thursday, Sept. 29 – Until further notice |
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, six days a week. Closed Sundays. |
The DRCs are staffed by disaster recovery specialists from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the state of Alabama, and representatives from other government agencies and volunteer organizations. These specialists are available to meet one-on-one with disaster survivors to explain various programs, help with paperwork, and track or update application information.
Specific program help includes housing assistance, individual and household grants, and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loan applications for homeowners, renters and businesses. Mitigation specialists will also be available at the centers, to provide practical guidance on rebuilding and repair measures to potentially reduce damage from future storms.
Before visiting any DRC, first register for assistance by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments who use special keyboard equipment (TTY) should call 800-462-7585. The lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice. Registration via the Internet is available on-line at http://www.fema.gov.
Applicants are reminded to bring their FEMA registration number and Social Security number when visiting a DRC. Anyone who has already registered for federal/state disaster assistance is not required to visit a center regarding their application, but is invited to do so for disaster-related information.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages the federal response and recovery efforts following an incident of national significance. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 28-Sep-2005 07:31:34