Panhandle DRCs Begin Operations 

Release Date: September 19, 2004
Release Number: 1551-003

» More Information on Florida Hurricane Ivan

ORLANDO, Fla. -- State and federal officials announce that four immediate response mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are set up in Florida’s Panhandle and began operations on Sunday, September 19. These centers are providing initial services for Hurricane Ivan victims until long-term DRCs in these areas are established and become fully operational. Representatives from state and federal agencies, as well as loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration, will be on hand to answer questions and provide recovery information.

Bay County
Parker City Hall DRC
1001 West Park Street
Parker, Fla.

Escambia County
Agricultural Building DRC
6001A Industrial Boulevard
Century, Fla.

Okaloosa County
Spanish Trail Fairgrounds DRC
205 Stilwell Boulevard
Crestview, Fla.

Santa Rosa County
Gulf Breeze Life Center DRC
4115 Southside Drive
Gulf Breeze, Fla.

Victims of the hurricanes are urged to register for assistance first by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585 for those who are speech- or hearing-impaired. After applying, those who have questions may visit a center to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists.

All DRCs are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. DRCs in the areas impacted by Hurricanes Charley and Frances continue to assist applicants. A list of these centers, along with the four Panhandle DRCs, are listed on page three. There are now 29 centers operating.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Helpline is experiencing a record number of calls. Because of this high volume, residents with only minimal losses, owners of commercial properties, and those who are able to start the recovery process now are urged to wait a few days before calling the Helpline. The Helpline is the option on the FEMA 800 number for people who have already registered to find the status of their application and get answers to various questions.

The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is a collaboration of Florida’s emergency management agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT’s mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impact. Visit http://www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information on the hurricane relief efforts.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 21-Sep-2004 14:30:19