New FEMA Registration and Helpline Hours Phonelines Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday 

Release Date: November 15, 1999
Release Number: 1295-23

» More Information on New Jersey Hurricane Floyd

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The hours of operation will be changing for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s toll-free teleregistration and Helpline numbers. Beginning Monday, November 22, 1999, individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Floyd can register for assistance by calling the toll-free number from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at 1-800-462-9029. Persons with a speech or hearing impairment can call 1-800-462-7585 (TTY).

For those who need information about the status of their application, or have questions about specific disaster recovery programs, the Helpline hours will also be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. That toll-free number is 1-800-525-0321. People with hearing or speech impairments may call the TTY Helpline at 1-800-462-7585.

Both the teleregistration and Helpline phone banks will be closed on Thursday, November 25, 1999, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The lines will resume operation on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 8am.

Representatives from FEMA and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management are encouraging all affected by the storm to register for assistance. "Often, people disqualify themselves, thinking they can handle their own recovery," said Federal Coordinating Officer Peter Martinasco. "However, a few months down the road, they find that the damage and costs are greater than they thought. That’s why it is so important to register immediately, before the deadline has passed." The extended deadline to register for federal disaster assistance is December 17, 1999.

Last Modified: Friday, 05-Dec-2003 12:48:03