Disaster Recovery Centers In Plaquemine And Franklin Convert To Disaster Loan Outreach Centers; Rayville DRC Closes 

Release Date: November 12, 2008
Release Number: 1786-097

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Gustav

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Upon completing its mission of servicing individuals seeking disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the agency will close its Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Plaquemine and Franklin on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 and will convert them to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008.

Iberville Parish
Iberville Parish Library 
24605 J. Gerald Berret Blvd.
Plaquemine, LA 70764 

St. Mary Parish
Broussard Building
500 4th St.
Franklin, LA 70538

The hours of operation for the DLOC will be Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The office will be closed on Sunday.

The DRC in Rayville, at the following location, will close on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 at the close of business.

Richland Parish
Rayville Civic Center
827 Louisa St.
Rayville, LA 71269

Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike needing further assistance may receive help by calling the toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)  (TTY 1-800-462-7585) which is open 24 hours a day seven days a week. 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, parish emergency managers or voluntary agencies that they must register with FEMA at the above numbers or Web site to be considered for federal assistance. All residents also are encouraged to get involved with the recovery process by helping spread the word about available assistance and the registration numbers. 

In addition to receiving help from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (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: Wednesday, 12-Nov-2008 14:18:09