Seattle Earthquake Recovery Center Opens At Pioneer Square March 9  

Release Date: March 8, 2001
Release Number: 1361-11

» More Information on Washington Earthquake

Olympia, WA -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), US Small Business Administration (SBA) and Washington Emergency Management Division will open an Earthquake Recovery Center in Seattle, Wash., Friday, March 9 to offer face-to-face help to residents and businesses affected by the Nisqually earthquake.

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Small Business Administration, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), US Housing and Urban Development and American Red Cross will be available at the center. The SBA will offer help on low-interest disaster loan information for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. Assistance on hazard mitigation, legal services (information material only) and disaster-related unemployment assistance will also be available.

The facility space is being donated by United Way of King County and is located at:

Pioneer Square
Lowman Building
107 Cherry St.
3rd floor
Seattle, Washington

Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until further notice. The center will be closed on Sundays.

To register for disaster assistance, individuals and businesses need to call the toll-free number, 1-800-462-9029. Hearing or speech-impaired persons may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.

FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate individuals for their entire loss. FEMA may help pay for basic needs not covered under insurance policies. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other forms of help may be loans.

Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to cover private property damage that is not fully compensated by insurance or other sources. Disaster loans from SBA are the primary source of funds for repairing earthquake damage.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 28-Oct-2003 11:23:41