Enterprise Disaster Recovery Center to Close Saturday
Disaster Assistance Still Available
Release Date: March 28, 2007
Release Number: 1687-036
» More Information on Alabama Severe Storms and Tornadoes
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Disaster Recovery Center operating in Enterprise will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, officials from Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.
The recovery center located at the Enterprise Recreation Center at 421 E. Lee St. has been visited by 719 people. The three recovery centers that had been open in Coffee County served 1,276 disaster victims.
“The reduced level of activity at the centers means we are moving forward in the recovery process,” said Gracia Szczech, federal coordinating officer for disaster recovery. “It’s important that disaster survivors know that even though this site is closing, the same assistance programs are still available to them through FEMA’s toll-free number and website.”
Although it is not necessary to visit a recovery center to register for assistance, those wishing for assistance in person with a recovery specialist should visit the disaster recovery center by this Saturday.
Officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration will still be available at the Recreation Center site in Enterprise to discuss disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes even though the functions of a disaster recovery center will end. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners.
Alabama residents affected by the March 1 storms and tornadoes are urged to register for assistance by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362) 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The TTY number is (800) 462-7585 for those who are speech or hearing impaired. Applicants can also register on line at www.fema.gov.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 29-Mar-2007 11:21:18