Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Extend Outreach 

Release Date: October 22, 1999
Release Number: 1292-79

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RALEIGH, N.C. -- As the federal-state disaster recovery effort gains momentum, mobile disaster recovery centers will begin making rounds in two additional disaster-stricken counties in the next two weeks.

A mobile center will be making its first visit to New Hanover County on Saturday, Oct. 23. The initial stop will be in Wilmington at 928 North Fourth St. and will remain in operation there until Saturday, Oct. 30. That center will then move to Castle Haynes opening Monday, Nov. 1, at Saint Stanislaus Church, 4849 Castle Haynes Road. It will remain in operation through Saturday, Nov. 6. Both locations will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

A second mobile unit will visit Pasquotank County on Monday, October 25. The center will be located at the Providence Fire Department, 1995 North Road Street, in Elizabeth City. Hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The centers are staffed by state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) specialists and are intended to help individuals who have already called the application hotline at 1-800-462-9029 to register for assistance. Center staff will provide information on available programs, including housing assistance, rental resources, Small Business Administration low-interest loan applications, business loans, mitigation and other disaster-related issues. The staff also helps storm victims determine the status of applications already filed.

Recovery officials said that the centers can provide crisis counseling services to any individuals who are experiencing stress due to the consequences of the disaster. Individuals and families seeking crisis counseling services do not have to be registered with FEMA to get crisis counseling.

Individuals with hearing or speech impairments who use special keyboard equipment (TTY) should call toll-free 1-800-462-7585. Officials say that after registering, applicants should bring their registration number as well as their social security numbers when visiting a disaster center.

Last Modified: Thursday, 11-Dec-2003 13:55:08