Lake Charles Disaster Recovery Center to Close Dec. 22
Release Date: December 18, 2006
Release Number: 1668-041
» More Information on Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding
ALEXANDRIA, La. -- The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) on Power Center Pkwy in Lake Charles will close on Friday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. after more than 250 visits, according to officials at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP).
"We are pleased that so many victims were able to use this disaster recovery center" said Lee Champagne, federal coordinating officer. "The closure of the DRC reflects that at this time both FEMA and state officials believe victims in the area have received appropriate disaster registration information and the opportunity to apply for individual assistance."
The deadline to apply with FEMA for assistance is Jan. 2, 2007. After the DRC closes, Louisiana residents can still register for assistance and access disaster information by calling FEMA's helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 only for the speech or hearing impaired. Both lines are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Residents can also register online at www.fema.gov.
"We would like to encourage residents who suffered uninsured damages from the severe storms and flooding to register for assistance as soon as possible," said Col. Tom Kirkpatrick, state coordinating officer. "Don't disqualify yourself from assistance by not applying."
Representatives of state and federal agencies, including customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), are available at the DRC to answer questions and provide recovery information. The SBA makes low-interest federal disaster assistance loans available to homeowners, renters, business of any size and private non-profit organizations as well as to qualified small businesses that have suffered economic injury as a result of the disaster. No cash, checks, debit cards or vouchers are distributed at DRCs. These centers are meant to provide information to assist in victim recovery.
FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must complete and return them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 18-Dec-2006 15:22:00