Assistance Information Still Available As Disaster Recovery Center Sites Change 

Release Date: February 20, 2002
Release Number: 1401-16

» More Information on Oklahoma Ice Storm

» 2002 Region VI News Releases

Oklahoma City, OK -- Disaster recovery officials from the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management (ODCEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are continuing to provide information on disaster assistance and recovery to ice storm victims through the Disaster Recovery Centers and the FEMA toll-free application line.

As applications for disaster assistance are received, officials have adjusted the locations of the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) to accommodate applicants who may have questions about assistance and recovery programs. A new center will open in El Reno on Thursday morning, February 21, at 9 a.m. and residents of Guthrie will have a few more days to visit the Guthrie DRC, which will close operation on Sunday, February 24, at 6 p.m.

"We try to locate the centers where large numbers of residents have applied for assistance to be convenient for applicants in answering any questions they may have," James Roche, FEMA federal coordinating officer, said.

The joint FEMA/state Disaster Recovery Centers provide more detailed program information to those who have already applied for assistance. Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies staff the centers to answer questions and provide information on recovery, restoration and rebuilding. Loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration will be present to answer questions and help applicants complete their loan package.

The Disaster Recovery Centers are located at:

El Reno National Guard Armory, 2600 Melone Drive
Enid National Guard Armory, 600 East Elm
Ponca City Hutchins Memorial Auditorium, 5th and Overbrook
Weatherford National Guard Armory, 223 West Rainey Avenue

The centers are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, until further notice.

"These temporary centers offer applicants a chance to talk with recovery specialists in person," Fred Liebe, ODCEM state coordinating officer, said. "But applicants who have questions on the recovery process can also get information by calling the toll-free application line 1-800-621-3362, or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired."

Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 14:44:59