Remaining Disaster Recovery Center to Close, Federal Aid Still Available 

Release Date: June 17, 2008
Release Number: 1761-028

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ATLANTA, Ga. -- The temporary Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Bibb County will close Thursday, June 19 according to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which jointly operate the center. This is the remaining DRC open to give victims of the May 11-12 tornadoes an opportunity to meet in person with recovery specialists.

But applicants may continue to register for assistance or talk with specialists by calling FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) until July 22.  For those who are speech or hearing impaired, the TTY number is 800-462-7585. Both lines are open 24 hours daily. Applicants can also visit one of the three temporary SBA Loan Outreach Centers listed below.

"The last DRC will close this week, but Georgians affected by the early May storms and tornadoes can still register for assistance by telephone," said GEMA Deputy State Coordinating Officer, Joe McKinney. "If there is any doubt about qualifying for assistance, call to register. It's the only way to begin to determine eligibility."

Georgians whose homes, businesses or personal property were damaged in the May tornadoes may also register on the Internet at www.fema.gov until July 22.

"What's important is people can still register even though all the DRCs will be closed," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Jeff Bryant. "The telephone numbers are help lines. People can call to get information about the status of an application, to find out what to do to appeal a decision - or get answers to other questions about disaster assistance."

The DRC below will close 6 p.m. Thursday, June 19.

Bloomfield Middle School
4375 Bloomfield Drive
Macon, GA 31206

Friday, June 20, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will open an SBA Disaster Loan
Outreach Center (DLOC) in Bibb County at:

Bibb Fire Station #12
5565 Bloomfield Rd.
Macon, GA 31206
Hours 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Until further notice

For information about the other DLOC locations, see below.

Since FEMA and GEMA established the first DRCs in hard-hit Bibb County on May 25, more than 2,900 people have visited the 13 DRCs that were opened in the 10 counties eligible for federal assistance to individuals. Nearly 4,900 have registered and FEMA has provided about $1.5 million in federal assistance. As the result of a presidential disaster declaration May 23, individuals in Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh and Twiggs counties may be eligible for federal help with damages from the May 11-12 storms.

Small Business Administration Loans

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are the primary form of disaster assistance for uninsured losses. SBA disaster loans are not just for businesses. They are available to homeowners and renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations.

FEMA has referred nearly 2,700 Georgia assistance applicants to the SBA. The SBA, in turn, mailed loan applications to these individuals. If applicants wish to be eligible for some types of FEMA assistance, they must complete and return the home loan applications—even if they do not want a loan. No one is required to accept a loan.

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center Schedule

Industrial Training Building
West Georgia Tech College
166 Independence Drive
Carrollton, GA 30116
Hours 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Until Further Notice

Johnson County School
150 Trojan Way
Wrightsville, GA 31096
Hours 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
Until Further notice

SBA representatives at the DLOCs offer personal assistance in completing loan applications and can answer questions about SBA's loan program. SBA help is available as well by calling the SBA Helpline, 800-659-2955 or online at www.sba.gov.

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, 17-Jun-2008 12:46:06