Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Lake Charles to Assist Residents 

Release Date: September 29, 2008
Release Number: 1786-041

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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open Monday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. in Lake Charles to assist residents who had damage or losses from hurricanes Gustav and Ike, according to Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials.

Disaster Recovery Center location and hours of operation:

Calcasieu Parish
Trinity Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
1701 Ryan St.
Lake Charles, LA
Open Monday, Sept. 29, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 30, open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until further notice)

Additional Disaster Recovery Center locations will be announced in the coming days.

Disaster Recovery Center staff can answer questions about registration for disaster assistance and hazard mitigation, help with disaster loan applications, and provide information and contacts for other programs. Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike are encouraged to register for assistance 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

Residents are encouraged to register prior to visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
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.  

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives at the Disaster Recovery Centers will help each individual complete his or her disaster loan application. They will also accept completed disaster loan applications.  Returning the applications is essential for qualifying for future disaster assistance even for individuals who do not want a loan.

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: Monday, 29-Sep-2008 11:22:35