FEMA Disaster Recovery Center In Picayune To Close 

Disaster Assistance Still Readily Available

Release Date: April 17, 2006
Release Number: 1604-325

» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina

BILOXI, Miss. -- The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Picayune, Pearl River County will close at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 21.

“The reduced level of activity at the Pearl River center means we’re moving forward in the recovery process,” said Jesse Munoz, deputy federal coordinating officer for the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Mississippi. “Although this DRC is closing, we want Mississippians to know that help is still available at other DRCs, the FEMA Helpline and the Web site www.fema.gov.”

On April 22 the FEMA/MEMA Disaster Recovery Center will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Assistance Center. The loan center will be open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., through May 26. SBA staff will be available to answer questions and provide assistance about their disaster loan program.

“SBA thought it was important to have staff in this location to assist those homeowners, renters, business owners and non-profit organizations that received damage from Hurricane Katrina with the SBA loan process,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

Individuals who suffered losses as a result of Hurricane Katrina are encouraged to visit the Pearl River Disaster Recovery Center before close of business on Friday, April 21. The center is located at:

Mississippi Mall
1310 S. Haugh Street
Picayune
Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday

The following DRCs remain open:

HANCOCK COUNTY
S. Coast Skate Park
118 Anderer Blvd.
Waveland

JACKSON COUNTY
Old K-Mart Building
3164 Bienville Blvd.
Ocean Springs

Pelican Landing Convention Center
6217 Highway 613
Moss

HARRISON COUNTY
Disabled American Vets Hall
2600 23rd Ave.
Gulfport

Snyder Recreation Center
2520 Pass Road
Point Biloxi

The Disaster Recovery Centers were established to provide detailed program information to those who have already applied for assistance. Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies are on hand to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners.

Although the deadline for new applications for disaster assistance has passed, people who applied for assistance may still check on the status of their applications and update their personal information by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired or by visiting the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Apr-2006 08:40:45