Four Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Southern Alabama Counties of Henry, Dale, Montgomery and Dallas
Release Date: March 7, 2007
Release Number: 1687-004
» More Information on Alabama Severe Storms and Tornadoes
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Four new Disaster Recovery Centers open Thursday, March 8, 2007, in southern Alabama in the counties of Henry, Dale, Montgomery and Dallas, according to officials from the State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These counties are now eligible for federal disaster funds for Individual Assistance (IA) due to the tornadoes that struck March 1, 2007.
Disaster victims are urged to register for assistance by first calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY (800) 462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired. Those affected by the storms can also register online at www.fema.gov or visit the recovery center to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists.
Representatives of the state, federal and voluntary agencies, as well as loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration who will assist individuals with information about personal SBA disaster recovery loans, will be available to answer questions and provide recovery information. Materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners. No cash, checks, debit cards or vouchers are distributed at recovery centers. The centers provide disaster recovery information to assist in recovery by those affected by the tornado.
The hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST 7 days-a-week until further notice. These recovery centers are located at:
Henry County
County Shop
1023 County Road 53
Abberville, ALDale County
Echo Community Bldg.
8714 E County Road 36
Ozark, ALMontgomery County
Volunteer Fire Dept.
153 County Shop Road
Hwy 331 South
Ramer, ALDallas County
Town Hall
14761 Main Street
Orville, AL
Individuals and businesses that were affected by the March 1, 2007, tornados in these counties are eligible for Individual Assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, that can include:
- Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable
- Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance
- Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs
- Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for other benefits
- Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance
- Loans for primary residence and personal property, including renter losses; loans for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance; loans for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact
- Other relief programs include crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.
Henry, Wilcox and Coffee counties are also eligible to request assistance through FEMA's Public Assistance Program. Under the federal disaster declaration, state and affected local governments are eligible to receive at least 75 percent of the approved costs for emergency protective measures and debris removal, as well as repairs to:
- Roads and bridges
- Water control facilities
- Buildings and equipment
- Utilities
- Parks/recreational facilities
In addition, the disaster declaration provides for FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to assist State and local governments in avoiding or lessening the impact of natural hazards through safer building practices and the improvement of existing structures and supporting infrastructure. The program contributes to the development of a long-term comprehensive mitigation program by funding measures designed to achieve the goals of the State Hazard Mitigation Plan.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
Last Modified: Thursday, 08-Mar-2007 08:58:31