FEMA and Ohio To Open Disaster Recovery Center On Wednesday
Release Date: October 2, 2000
Release Number: 1343-05
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Xenia, OH -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Xenia on Wednesday, October 4, disaster officials announced today.
The temporary center will be located on the second floor of the Juvenile Court Building, 61 Greene St. in Xenia. The office will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday. Parking is available nearby in the city public lot.
The center will be staffed by representatives of FEMA and Ohio EMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and other federal, state and voluntary agencies. They will provide information and answer questions about the assistance available to residents of Greene County who have already applied for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free number, 800-462-9029. For the speech or hearing impaired, the number to call is TTY 800-462-7585.
"A variety of federal, state and voluntary agency programs are available for homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the storms and tornado that occurred struck the area September 20," said State Coordinating Officer Dale Shipley. "We urge anyone who suffered storm-related damage or loss to apply for assistance as soon as possible by calling the toll-free number."
FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Lou Botta explained that those who have applied for assistance may visit the Disaster Recovery Center if they have questions regarding programs and services available to eligible applicants. Those programs include disaster-housing grants, low-interest loans for repair, replacement or rebuilding of disaster-damaged property, grants for serious immediate needs resulting from the disaster that cannot be met by other sources and/or technical assistance on common-sense measures to reduce future disaster risks.
"We will have detailed information about safe rooms and construction techniques using wind resistant fasteners that can be utilized to help survivors reduce future disaster losses," Botta said. "We realize that we can not stop disasters, but want to provide information so local residents can rebuild better and safer."
Federal and state officials reminded residents of the Greene County to begin the assistance process immediately with a single toll-free call. The numbers are 800-462-9029 or TTY 800-462-7585 and available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
"The call is fast, efficient and confidential, and it's the only way to get the assistance process going," Botta said.
Last Modified: Thursday, 13-Nov-2003 10:19:02