Disaster Recovery Center To Remain Open In Great Bend
Release Date: May 31, 2007
Release Number: 1699-015
» More Information on Kansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
WICHITA, Kan. -- The mobile Disaster Recovery Center operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Great Bend will now be open as long as there is a need in Barton County.
The Great Bend Disaster Recovery Center is in the Great Bend High School parking lot, 1800 Morton St.
Hours for the Disaster Recovery Center remain 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
"It is important the Disaster Recovery Center remains in this location until all the needs of Kansans in this area are met," said Michael L. Karl, federal coordinating officer. "It is vital everyone who suffered damage register with FEMA for assistance."
The Disaster Recovery Center is staffed by representatives from FEMA, who can answer questions about registering for disaster assistance and hazard mitigation, and representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help with disaster loan applications.
SBA representatives are at all of the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) to meet individually with each resident or business owner to answer any questions about SBA's disaster loan program, help them complete their SBA disaster loan application and accept their completed applications. Anyone not able to go to a DRC should call the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 for SBA information and assistance or visit the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
"Kansans will find written materials about assistance programs and the state and federal agencies to contact for assistance by visiting this Disaster Recovery Center," Angee Morgan, state coordinating officer, said.
Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the May 4-18 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in all 17 counties eligible for Individual Assistance are urged to apply for assistance by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center or by calling the telephone registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) which is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. For applicants with special speech or hearing needs, the TTY number is 1-800-462-7585. Applicants may also register online at www.fema.gov.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments 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.
SBA is the federal governments primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal Rights. If you are suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the Fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
Last Modified: Thursday, 31-May-2007 14:13:40