Tacoma/Pierce County Disaster Recovery Center to Open March 13 

Release Date: March 12, 2001
Release Number: 1361-17

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Olympia, WA -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Washington Emergency Management Division, Pierce County and the City of Tacoma will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Tacoma, Wash., Tuesday, March 13, to offer face-to-face help to residents and businesses affected by the Nisqually Earthquake.

Representatives from FEMA, SBA, the American Red Cross, Pierce County Emergency Management and the City of Tacoma will be present at the center. Information from the Internal Revenue Service, Housing and Urban Development, legal services and Washington State Employment Security will be available.

The SBA will provide low-interest disaster loan information for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes and FEMA will provide help with hazard mitigation and other assistance, including housing.

The facility will be located at:

3639 South Pine St.
Tacoma, Washington
(Former Costco building)

Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until further notice. The center will be closed on Sundays.

To register for disaster assistance, individuals and businesses need to call the toll-free number 1-800-462-9029. Hearing or speech-impaired persons may call TTY 1-800-462-7585. The lines are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST, seven days a week.

FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate individuals for their entire loss. FEMA may help pay for basic needs not covered under insurance policies. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other help may be in the form of loans. FEMA representatives will explain the details when called on the toll-free registration number.

Low-interest loans from SBA are available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to cover private property damage that is not fully compensated by insurance or other sources. Disaster loans from SBA are the primary source of funds for repairing earthquake damage.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 28-Oct-2003 11:15:59