FEMA Rebuilding Centers at Lowe's in Jacksonville, Wilmington 

Release Date: December 4, 1999
Release Number: 1292-131

» More Information on North Carolina Hurricane Floyd & Irene

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) specialists will staff information centers at the Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouses in Jacksonville and Wilmington next week to demonstrate rebuilding techniques that reduce disaster damage risk.

The centers will operate 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, through Sunday, Dec. 12. Visitors can go to the centers at any time during those hours. No appointment is needed. After Dec. 12, the centers will relocate to other Lowe's locations in eastern North Carolina.

"This is an opportunity for citizens who have experienced loss and damage to their properties from recent hurricanes to talk to someone about what to do next," said Gavin Smith, assistant director for mitigation with the North Carolina Emergency Management Division. "We want people to be able to get answers in just a few minutes."

The FEMA specialists will provide advice about rebuilding to protect homes and businesses from all types of natural disasters. Visitors to the center can view drawings and models illustrating various rebuilding techniques. Photographs on display will show how disaster-prevention measures taken prior to Hurricane Floyd substantially reduced property damage.

"We are urging those who rebuild to take the opportunity to make their properties more disaster resistant," said Todd Davison, FEMA's deputy federal coordinating officer for mitigation.

Property owners can pick up printed information about such topics as wet flood-proofing floors and walls, preventing mildew, reducing risk to manufactured homes, constructing safe rooms, elevating heating and electrical panels and water heaters, and installing back-flow valves on sewer/septic systems.

Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouses host the information centers in hurricane-damaged communities as part of Project Impact, FEMA's nationwide initiative to make communities more disaster resistant through partnerships with local business and community leaders.

Last Modified: Thursday, 11-Dec-2003 13:16:47