FEMA And WEM To Open Disaster Recovery Center In Ladysmith On Wednesday
Release Date: September 13, 2002
Release Number: 1432-06
» More Information on Wisconsin Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
Ladysmith, WI -- To help meet the ongoing needs of Wisconsin residents and business owners affected by the recent disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) are opening a Disaster Recovery Center on Wednesday, September 18.
The center will be located on the Mount Senario College campus at 1500 College Avenue West in Ladysmith and will be open Monday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
To date, 137 Wisconsin residents have applied for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free application line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). After making the application call, people may visit the Disaster Recovery Center to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. Representatives from local, state and federal agencies, and some private-sector organizations will staff the center.
"At this time in the recovery process, people are beginning to think about putting their lives back together," Gracia Szczech, FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer, said. "Right now people want information about the status of their applications for assistance or help filling out their disaster loan application. They want to know what their options for rebuilding are, so they don't have to face the same disaster problems when severe storm and flooding occur again."
Some of the things people can accomplish at the centers include:
- Update information and check the status of their applications;
- Receive information on Disaster Housing and Individual & Family Grant Programs;
- Receive information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance;
- Assistance completing U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loan applications for homeowners, renters or business owners;
- Examine options for repairing or rebuilding in floodplains;
- Learn cost-effective measures to reduce the impact of future flooding or disaster losses;
- Receive state and federal disaster tax assistance referral information;
- Referrals to local agencies that provide crisis counseling;
- Receive referrals to American Red Cross, Salvation Army and other voluntary organizations to help with immediate unmet needs.
"This center will be open for only a limited time," said Alan B. Shanks, WEM State Coordinating Officer. "We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about mitigation methods to minimize future damage, or to have questions answered about their application."
The first step in receiving state and federal assistance made available under the September 10 Presidential disaster declaration is to apply by calling the toll-free FEMA application number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with a speech or hearing impairment may call to apply at TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both lines will be in operation between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily until further notice.
Individuals who are unable to visit the center and have general questions about disaster assistance, rebuilding or preventive measures to avoid future damages are urged to call the same numbers and select the option for "General Information."
Last Modified: Thursday, 31-Jul-2003 13:16:59