Disaster Recovery Centers To Open In Five Counties, Closing In Four Other Counties* 

Release Date: February 29, 2008
Release Number: 1746-005

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LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Disaster Recovery Centers in four counties that have been serving victims of the early February storms will close soon. Centers will open in five other counties. Counties where centers are closing include Muhlenberg, Allen, Hardin and Mercer. Centers will be opening in Christian, Monroe, Meade, Fayette and Hart counties.  Dates, times and locations for each center are listed below.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management Agency (KYEM) jointly run the recovery centers to assist Kentuckians with obtaining grants and loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for losses caused by the tornadoes and other extreme weather Feb. 5-6. People in nine counties became eligible for federal assistance as the result of a presidential disaster declaration.

"We want everyone in these counties who suffered losses to have the opportunity to come to a Disaster Recovery Center and talk in-person with people who can answer their questions, help them with the process of registering for assistance or applying for an SBA loan and refer them to other sources of assistance," said KYEM's Charlie Winter, who is leading the commonwealth's recovery effort. "Anyone who was unable to visit a center while it was open in one county may use a center that is open in another county."

However, it is not necessary to go to a center to apply for federal assistance. In fact, FEMA encourages anyone with storm-related losses to register or follow up on their applications either by calling FEMA or online at the FEMA Web site, www.fema.gov. For telephone registrations, the toll free numbers are (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or, for the hearing- and speech-impaired, TTY (800) 462-7585.  The lines are staffed every day from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST and translators are available if needed.

Federal grants may not be provided for insured losses. However, people with insurance should register with FEMA. "Sometimes people do not receive the amount of insurance benefits they expected," said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Bolch. "If you are registered with FEMA, you may qualify for a grant. If you aren't registered, you won't have that opportunity. We want everyone to receive all assistance to which they're entitled." Although centers are closing in some counties, FEMA's community relations staff will continue outreach there, such as door-to-door canvassing, and FEMA inspectors will continue visits to damaged property.

The following centers are closing:

Muhlenberg County
Muhlenberg Community Career Development Center
50 Career Wy
Central City, KY
Closing 6 p.m., March 1

Allen County
East Allen Fire Department
1600 Lafayette Road
Scottsville, KY
Closing 6 p.m., Feb. 29

Hardin County
Emergency Management Office
1450 Rineyville Road
Elizabethtown, KY
Closing 6 p.m., March 1

Mercer County
450 East Factory St. (Lions Park)
Harrodsburg, KY
Closing 6 p.m., March 1

The following centers are opening:

Christian County
Crofton City Hall
101 East Mill Street
Crofton, KY
Opening March 3, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., until further notice

Monroe County
Economic Development Center
202 North Magnolia Street
Tompkinsville, KY
Opening March 2 noon to 6 p.m., then daily 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., until further notice

Meade County
Meade Fairgrounds
Highway 1692 at 1051
Brandenberg, KY
Opening March 3, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., until further notice

Fayette County
Campbell House
1375 South Broadway
Lexington, KY
Opening March 3, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., until further notice

Hart County
Bonnieville Fire Dept.
7650 North Dixie Highway
Bonnieville, KY 42713
Opening March 3, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., until further notice

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.

*This release has been modified from its original version.

Last Modified: Friday, 29-Feb-2008 16:38:03