Third Local Assistance Center To Open In Los Angeles County 

Release Date: February 10, 2005
Release Number: 1577-007

» More Information on California Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides

PASADENA, Calif. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) announced that an additional Local Assistance Center (LAC) will open in Los Angeles County on Saturday, February 12, 2005, to serve those who suffered damages during the severe storms of December 27, 2004 - January 11, 2005.

On February 10, 2005, LACs opened in Castaic and North Hollywood. The centers provide people with an opportunity to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists.

Affected homeowners, renters and business owners should register for assistance first by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585 for those who are speech- or hearing-impaired.

The new LAC location:

Los Angeles County
Altadena Community Center
730 East Altadena Road
Altadena, Calif.
Open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily

Representatives of state, federal, and voluntary agencies, as well as loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), will be on hand to answer questions and provide recovery information.

OES coordinates overall state agency response to major disasters in support of local government. The office is responsible for ensuring California's readiness to respond to and recover from natural, manmade and war-caused emergencies and for assisting local governments in their emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery efforts.

SBA is the federal government's 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.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Thursday, 10-Feb-2005 11:38:57