FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open
Release Date: September 25, 2008
Release Number: 1795-003
» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms and Flooding
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today opened Disaster Recovery Centers in Munster, Lake Station and Gary for residents with property damages from recent severe storms and flooding.
The three facilities, known as DRCs, will be open Monday through Saturday until further notice.
DRC locations and hours of operation:
Manuszczak Appliance Store
9450 Calumet Ave.
Munster, IN 46321
Hours: Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Lake Station - VFW
2750 Central Ave.
Lake Station, IN 46405
Hours: Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (close at 5 p.m. Wednesdays)
Ivy Tech Community College
1440 East 35th Ave.
Gary, IN 46409
Hours: Monday - Saturday 8a.m. to 8p.m.
Additional DRC locations will be announced in the coming days.
DRC staff answer questions about registration for disaster assistance and hazard mitigation, help with disaster loan applications and provide information and contacts for other programs. Several state agencies, including housing support, social services, unemployment insurance, insurance information, public health information, and transportation assistance, will also staff the centers.
Before visiting a DRC, homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the severe storms and flooding are urged to register for assistance by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The registration lines are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For speech- or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is 1-800-462-7585.
Applicants also may register on-line at www.fema.gov.
Officials remind affected residents who have already filled out damage report forms with the State, or their county emergency managers, or voluntary agencies that they must register with FEMA at the above numbers or Web site to be eligible for federal assistance.
SBA representatives at the DRC will meet individually with each applicant to provide assistance in completing their disaster loan application, and to accept completed disaster loan applications. Returning the applications is an essential part of the disaster recovery process even for individuals who do not want a loan.
SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations for losses not fully covered by insurance. The SBA may loan up to $200,000 to repair or replace homes and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Up to $2 million is available for uncompensated business disaster losses.
Residents and business owners can receive information about SBA disaster loans and help with the application process by calling the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or visiting the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 26-Sep-2008 14:41:48