Mobile Recovery Centers Open For Three Days In Evangeline And Tangipahoa Parishes 

Release Date: October 24, 2002
Release Number: 1437-82

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Baton Rouge, LA -- The two joint federal-state mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) currently visiting outlying parishes in southern Louisiana will each make three-day stops in Ville Platte and Roseland next week. DRC staff will meet one-to-one with parish residents to provide disaster-related information and answer questions relating to available disaster assistance programs.

On Sunday, Oct. 27, the first of the mobile units will begin operations in Tangipahoa Parish at 63101 Commercial St. (US Hwy 51), Roseland, La. Hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center ceases operations close-of-business Tues., Oct 29.

The second unit will open on Mon., Oct. 28 through Wed., Oct. 30 in Evangeline Parish at the Civic Center, 704 N. Solieau, Ville Platte, La. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

To date, 4,706 Tangipahoa residents have registered for some form of disaster assistance since President Bush declared the parish eligible for federal and state individual assistance programs for losses and damages caused by Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili. Since the President expanded the declared disaster area on Oct. 18, 1,367 Evangelinians have registered for assistance related to damage caused by Lili.

Each mobile center, staffed by State and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recovery specialists and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan officers, has telecommunication and network computer links to assist registrants as well as provide updated information on applications already filed.

DRC staff will provide information on available programs, including housing assistance, individual and family grants, SBA low-interest loans, business loans, mitigation and other disaster-related programs to help cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Visitors to any DRC first should register for assistance at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments who use special keyboard equipment (TTY) should call 800-462-7585. The lines are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 22-Apr-2003 15:03:03