Disaster Recovery Center To Open In Roper For Five Days
Release Date: October 8, 2003
Release Number: 1490-39
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Raleigh, NC-A state-federal mobile Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open in Roper Saturday morning and remain there through Wednesday, October 15.
The recovery center will be at the Community Pride Center, U.S. Highway 64 East in Roper. It will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
"The centers are located to serve people from several areas," says Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "The goal is to make them close to most of the people who need them, yet still be within an easy drive for outlying areas. Anyone can go to any DRC. For that reason, not every county will have one, or need one. Call to apply first, then go to the one nearest you."
Other DRCs are open now in Ahoskie, Bayboro, Beaufort, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Gatesville, Harlowe, Hertford, Kill Devil Hills, Swan Quarter, Tarboro, Washington and Windsor. (Those in Harlowe and Tarboro close at the end of the day Thursday, October 9. The Tarboro one is repositioning to Roper.) Only the centers in Bayboro, Gatesville and Roper will be open Sunday.
The hours at all centers are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Before visiting the centers, residents must first have applied for aid by telephone. The FEMA toll-free numbers to apply for assistance are 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- or speech-impaired.
The centers provide a chance to meet face to face with disaster recovery experts, and get personal guidance through the next steps. Officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be on hand to help with low-interest disaster loan applications.
Anyone throughout the 36-county disaster declared area may visit any DRC for help. The 36 counties that have been declared disaster areas are Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Person, Pitt, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wilson.
"Even people who have no damage may want to come to a DRC," said Szczech. "Our specialists there have lots of information on how to make your home or business safe against disasters, having a family disaster plan, flood insurance, and so forth. Also, state and volunteer agencies may be able to provide assistance even if you are not eligible for any federal program."
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 Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 08-Oct-2003 10:57:54