Disaster Recovery Centers To Close In Houston, San Antonio, Beaumont, Orange And Dallas 

Release Date: April 6, 2006
Release Number: 1606-185

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AUSTIN, Texas -- Another sign of progress in long-term disaster recovery for Texas will occur on Saturday, April 15, when the five remaining Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC), jointly operated by the State of Texas and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, close operations. At the end of the day (1 p.m. April 15), DRCs will close as follows:

The DRCs are rolled out during disasters to provide a close link to a wide variety of information from State, federal and local public and private agencies for survivors of natural catastrophes, such as Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. The hurricanes resulted in the DRCs in Texas being called upon to deal with a variety of evacuee issues never before seen in FEMA's history.

Anyone with questions about FEMA programs or their FEMA case can call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. There are also long-term recovery committees established in each area working with community-based organizations to ensure that unmet needs of evacuees are addressed. To obtain local recovery assistance information, dial 211, the Texas Information and Referral Network.

At one time during the response to Hurricanes Rita and Katrina in Texas, there were 27 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operating simultaneously to serve disaster survivors. Beginning with the Houston Astrodome and the Houston Reliant Center, 17 DRCs were operating to serve Katrina residents when Rita overran Southeast Texas Sept. 24.

Over the last six months, 419,470 applicants have visited the 22 fixed-site DRCs or the 22 mobile DRC vans, which made 76 stops in various locations to serve the public. The large DRC in Houston helped 188,228 applicants from Sept. 20, 2005 to March 31, 2006. The Dallas DRC handled 50,404 applicants; Jefferson County DRC in Beaumont, 21,527; San Antonio DRC, 28,215; and Orange DRC, 7,439.

Ruby Dailey, DRC coordinator for the State of Texas, and Pam Wade, Human Services Branch chief for FEMA's recovery operations in Texas, said an incredible effort was made throughout the relief effort by dozens of dedicated individuals.

"Evacuees can still call the 1-800-621-FEMA number or the 211 line for help," Wade emphasized. She said the DRC staff members found working the hurricanes to be both heartbreaking and uplifting, as evacuees described their personal experiences with the disaster and their joy at receiving help from various agencies to put their lives back together.

"We appreciate the enormous efforts of many individuals from the many agencies, both public and private, who have contributed generously of their time to bring information to the DRCs," said State Coordinating Officer Frank Cantu of the Governor's Division of Emergency Management.

"The DRCs are one of the best examples of cooperation of governmental entities in behalf of the citizenry ever created," said Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman, top field official for FEMA's recovery operations in Texas. "They have served a critical need in this disaster and all of us at FEMA are grateful for the efforts of all the DRC staff."

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, 16-May-2006 12:23:44