Disaster Recovery Centers Move Into Areas With Need 

Release Date: September 27, 2005
Release Number: 1606-005

» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita

AUSTIN, Texas -- Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers have moved into disaster-affected areas in Texas to help victims with disaster assistance questions, according to officials from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Governor’s Division of Emergency Management.

Disaster Recovery Centers provide a single location where people are able to talk face-to-face with disaster recovery specialists. The mobile DRCs can move quickly into areas affected by Hurricane Rita and are staffed to assist victims with their applications for federal disaster assistance. Visitors to the DRCs also may receive information about housing resources and referrals to agencies or organizations to help with their specific needs.

Representatives from state and federal agencies and voluntary organizations will be on hand to answer questions about assistance programs and services. Disaster assistance may include grants for temporary housing, minor housing repairs and other needs, such as transportation and medical expenses. Assistance may also be in the form of U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and business owners.

Individuals and business owners are urged to apply for assistance first by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For those who are speech or hearing-impaired the TTY number is 1-800-462-7585. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Texans may also register for assistance online at the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov.

Mobile DRCs will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, until further notice.

Mobile Unit #1
Tyler County
1495 South Magnolia Street
South Hwy 69
(Old Wal-Mart parking lot)

Woodville Mobile Unit # 2
Hardin County
Kountze High School
1488 FM 1293
Kountze

Mobile Unit #3
Chambers County
1700 Main Street
(Fort Anahuac Park)
Anahuac

These fixed-site federal and sate Disaster Recovery Centers are open, or will open as noted, until further notice:

Greater Austin Area DRC
825 East Rundberg Lane
Suite E
Austin (Closed on Sundays)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Kelly Air Force Base
809 Davy Crockett Road
Bldg. 171
San Antonio
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Amon Carter Exhibit Hall
3401 Burnett Tandy Drive
Fort Worth
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Island Community Center
4700 Broadway
Galveston
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Kelly Air Force Base
809 Davy Crockett Rd
Bldg. 1537
San Antonio
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Greater Houston Area DRC
6059 South Loop East
Houston
Opening Wed. Sept. 28
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dallas Convention Center
650 Griffin Street
Dallas
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. 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: Thursday, 29-Sep-2005 07:44:02