Four New Disaster Recovery Centers Open For Storm Survivors In Florida 

Release Date: May 2, 2009
Release Number: 1831-006

» More Information on Florida Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Four additional Florida Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will open at noon Saturday, May 2, in Calhoun, Holmes, Lafayette and Washington counties to serve homeowners, renters and businesses affected by severe storms that began March 26. This will bring to eight the number of DRCs assisting survivors of the 14 counties eligible for Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

DRCs OPENING AT NOON SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2009:

CALHOUN COUNTY
Magnolia Vol. Fire Dept.
21252 NW Magnolia VFD Rd.
Altha, FL 32421

HOLMES COUNTY
New Hope Vol. Fire Dept.
1243 Hwy. 179-A
Westville, FL 32464

LAFAYETTE COUNTY
Mayo Community Center
150 SW Community Cr.
Mayo, FL 32066

WASHINGTON COUNTY
Wausau City Hall
1607 Second Ave.
Wausau, FL 32463

OTHER DRCs CURRENTLY OPEN IN THE 14 DESIGNATED COUNTIES:

HAMILTON COUNTY
Jasper Civic Center
1129 4th Street NW
Jasper, FL 32052

MADISON COUNTY
Lee First Baptist Church
8157 E. Highway 90
Lee, FL 32059

SUWANNEE COUNTY
Hatch Park Community Center
403 SE Craven St.
Branford,  FL 32088

SUWANNEE COUNTY
Suwannee Emergency Operations Center
617 Ontario Ave. SW, Suite 200
Live Oak, FL 32064

DRCs are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Storm survivors who visit the centers may apply for assistance, check the status of an existing FEMA application and get additional information about resources available to eligible applicants. The centers are staffed with specialists from FEMA, the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a variety of disaster-recovery representatives from local and voluntary agencies. They have access to important resources and can help individuals on the road to recovery.

Counties in which applicants may be eligible for Individual Assistance include: Calhoun, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Walton and Washington counties. Visiting a DRC is not mandatory, but those wishing to do so may go to any center for help. 
 
It is recommended that homeowners and renters register before visiting a DRC. This can be done online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling FEMA's toll-free registration and Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with a speech- or hearing-impairment. Multilingual operators are available. Representatives will provide assistance from 7a.m to 10 p.m. local time until further notice. 

"We'd like to remind applicants that registering for help from the American Red Cross is different from registering for FEMA assistance," said Federal Coordinating Officer Jeff Bryant. "The only ways to register for FEMA assistance are by calling FEMA's toll-free telephone number, going online to its Web site, or stopping by a Disaster Recovery Center."

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and certain private non-profit organizations. These loans are to repair or replace homes, businesses and personal property not covered by insurance and damaged by the flooding in Florida. 

SBA representatives will be on hand at the DRCs to meet with individuals and business owners to answer any questions about SBA's disaster loan program, help them complete their SBA disaster loan application and accept completed applications.  Anyone not able to go to a DRC should call the SBA Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT Saturday, toll-free at 800-659-2955 for information and assistance or visit the SBA website at www.sba.gov.

Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA's web site at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

Last Modified: Monday, 04-May-2009 12:06:28