Disaster Centers To Close
Release Date: March 13, 2001
Release Number: 1360-10
» More Information on Mississippi Tornadoes and Severe Storms
Tupelo, MS -- Two disaster recovery centers that have been helping Mississippi families hit by the February tornadoes with their requests for federal and state assistance will close Wednesday having completed their mission, officials announced.
The centers, which will shut down at 6 p.m., are in Starkville at 106 Miley Rd. and in Greenwood in Old Fire Station No. 3, 106 E. Claiborne St. Recovery centers in Columbus, Pontotoc and Durant remain open and a mobile center will open at noon Wednesday in Ackerman at 223 W. Main Street.
"When visits to these centers drop off it means we've met the needs of those in the nearby disaster counties who had registered for assistance and wanted additional information," said John D. Hannah of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), head of federal recovery operations.
Hannah said the information provided by the recovery centers is readily available over FEMA's toll-free Helpline by calling 1-800-525-0321 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.
Leon Shaifer, the state official in charge of recovery for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said other centers will phase out as the demand for their services declines. Shaifer said all of the services provided by the centers, including help with low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, will continue to be available by calling the Helpline.
Shaifer urged all Mississippians in the disaster counties who suffered losses in the storms to register using the toll-free number, 1-800-462-9029 (1-800-462-7578 for the speech or hearing impaired).
Last Modified: Monday, 27-Oct-2003 14:04:33