PEMA, FEMA To Open Three Disaster Recovery Centers 

Release Date: September 25, 2004
Release Number: 1555-003

» More Information on Pennsylvania Severe Storms and Flooding associated with Tropical Depression Frances
» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Depression Ivan

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- State and federal officials announce the opening of three Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) to assist those who suffered losses and damages from Tropical Depression Frances and Tropical Depression Ivan. The Disaster Recovery Centers will be at the following locations:

ALLEGHENY COUNTY BLAIR COUNTY NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Comm. College of Allegheny
Allegheny Campus
Physical Education Bldg.
845 Ridge Ave.
Pittsburgh 		Sheetz Distribution Center
Sheetz Way, off Quarry Road
Claysburg 		Forks Twp. Community Center
500 Zucksville Rd.
Easton

Centers will open on Monday, Sept. 27 at noon
Thereafter, open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

These are the first Disaster Recovery Centers to open in the state. More will be opening in other counties in the near future, according to state and federal officials.

"These centers will provide personal assistance and information to disaster victims with direct access to local, state and federal specialists," said State Coordinating Officer David M. Sanko. "The information available in the DRC will include disaster housing assistance for families displaced from damaged homes, low-interest federal loans, and grants for those who are ineligible for loans."

Individuals may talk with representatives about flood and homeowner's insurance, health and welfare assistance, well water testing, crisis-counseling, and senior citizen services. Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be available to help applicants complete low-interest disaster loan packets.

"Visiting a DRC is not mandatory but is an opportunity for people to have face-to-face contact with agency representatives," said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Davies.

Before visiting a Disaster Recovery Center, flood victims, who sustained damage in the counties listed below, should first register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). People with hearing or speech impairments may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.

The designated counties are:

Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming and York.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Monday, 27-Sep-2004 09:58:26