Mobile Disaster Recovery Center To Open At Ottawa Lake 

Release Date: May 29, 2007
Release Number: 1699-013

» More Information on Kansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

WICHITA, Kan. -- A federal-state Disaster Recovery Center will open Thursday to help Kansans in Ottawa County affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 through 18.

The mobile center, operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be located at Ottawa County Lake State Park, at the intersection of Kansas 106 and County Road 190, five miles north and 1 mile east of Bennington.

The Disaster Recovery Center will open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. After opening day, hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

“Opening this Disaster Recovery Center in Ottawa County will provide a convenient location for homeowners, renters and businesses to register for disaster assistance,” Michael L. Karl, federal coordinating officer, said.

The Disaster Recovery Center is staffed by representatives from FEMA, who can answer questions about registering for disaster assistance and hazard mitigation, and specialists from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help with disaster loan applications.

Kansans may register for assistance before visiting the Disaster Recovery Center by calling 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants with special speech or hearing needs can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Registration can also be done on line at www.fema.gov.

“ By visiting this Disaster Recovery Center, Kansans will find written materials about assistance programs and the state and federal agencies to contact for assistance,” Angee Morgan, state coordinating officer, said.

SBA representatives at all the Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to meet individually with each applicant to provide assistance in completing their disaster loan application, answer any questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, and accept completed disaster loan 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.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s 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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 29-May-2007 18:19:16