Three Disaster Recovery Centers Will Close On Friday 

Release Date: March 15, 2000
Release Number: 1319-05

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CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Citing early success in assisting disaster applicants at the three fixed Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) established in Kanawha, Gilmer and Wetzel Counties on March 8th, emergency Federal and State officials announced today they would phase down those three centers this Friday March 17.

"We were extremely gratified by the activity at all three DRCs during the initial period of the post flood recovery," declared Justo Hernandez, Federal Coordinating Officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). His agency, along with officials of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services, (OES), made the joint decision to terminate these DRCs at this time.

"As a result of the early and extensive activity spurred by the ambitious efforts of the DRC workforce in monitoring applications, answering personal and general flood-related questions, providing information and referring flood victims to several other helpful recovery agencies, we believe the DRCs have responded effectively and swiftly," Hernandez added.

The DRCs scheduled to close are located in:

Kanawha County
Gilmer County
Wetzel County
Coonskin Armory
1701 Coonskin Drive
Charleston, WV 25305
Forestry Building-Eberle Hall
925 Mineral Road
Glenville, WV 26351
The Byrd Center
North Fork Road
Pine Grove, WV 26419

John Pack, Director of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services and State Coordinating Officer explained that applicants at the three fixed DRCs had trickled down to a "handful" of people and that it was time to reallocate available resources to better serve all applicants' needs.

Officials reminded flood victims that at this time there are three mobile Disaster Recovery Centers currently operating at various locations throughout the State. They will be joined by a fourth mobile unit Thursday, March 16, each at new locations. They are:

Harrison County
Cabell County
Calhoun County
Ritchie County
911 Dispatch Center
420 Buckhannon Pike
Nutter Fort, WV
Emergency Services Office
846 8th Ave
Second Floor
Huntington, WV
Community Resource Building
Corner, Johnson and North Side Rd
Grantsville, WV
Cairo Community Building
Town Square-Main Street
Cairo, WV

The four mobile centers will open at noon, Thursday (March 16) and will remain at each location for three days. Hours will be from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday while Friday and Saturday hours are 9 AM until 6 PM Both officials explained that FEMA's popular Helpline was available to the victims of the Feb. 18 storms, landslides and flash flooding by dialing the toll free number at 1-800-525-0321 or for the hearing impaired, 1-800-660-8005. Various forms of assistance are available and flood victims are encouraged to call with questions about disaster recovery programs or about the status of their applications.

Last Modified: Friday, 14-Nov-2003 10:34:29