Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Open In Echols County 

Dougherty County Mobile DRC Closing After Tuesday

Release Date: May 4, 2009
Release Number: 1833-010

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

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (Mobile DRCs) operated by the State of Georgia and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are open in Dougherty and Brantley counties to assist people affected by the storms and flooding that began March 26.

"Individuals who reside in disaster-declared counties and suffered losses can receive person-to-person assistance at the center from specialists skilled in many disaster-related subjects," said Georgia Emergency Management Agency Director Charley English.

Echols County

The Mobile DRC in Echols County will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Thursday, May 7.  This Mobile DRC is located at the Echols County Community Center, 148 Church of God Street  in Statenville.

Dougherty County

A Mobile DRC, which has been located in Dougherty County since Friday, will close at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 5. That Mobile DRC is located at Thornton Gym, 210 Thornton Dr., in Albany.

"It's important that disaster survivors in Dougherty County know that even though our Mobile DRC is closing in their county, assistance is still available at five Disaster Recovery Centers in Georgia and through FEMA's toll-free Helpline," said Federal Coordinating Officer Terry Quarles.

DRCs remain open in Coffee County at the Weir Center, 200 East Bryan St., Bldg. F., Douglas;  in Decatur County at Chamber 1, 1213 Vada Rd., Bainbridge; in Lowndes County at the County  Civic Center, 2102 East Hill Ave., Valdosta; in Tift County at the Special Purpose Building, 202 Baldwin Dr., Tifton; and in Colquitt County at the Colquitt County Emergency Management Agency, 164 Veterans Parkway North, Moultrie.

Disaster officials ask that before visiting a center, people first apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are available seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time.  Help in all languages  is available.

When registering, applicants should have the following information readily available:

Registration takes about 20 minutes and once all essential information is recorded an application number is assigned.

Once individuals have registered, FEMA disaster recovery specialists can check an individual's case, answer questions about the application, or review information FEMA needs to process the application. Recovery specialists can supply contacts for other programs that may be able to help.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives will be on hand at the DRCs to meet with individuals and business owners to answer any questions about the SBA's low-interest disaster loan program. This program is for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These loans are to repair or replace real estate and/or personal property damaged by the late March and early April storms and flooding. If applicants receive a SBA application, the application must be completed to be eligible for some types of further FEMA assistance.

Representatives will help complete and accept SBA disaster loan applications. Anyone not able to go to a DRC should call the SBA Customer Service Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., local time, and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 800-659-2955. Information and assistance also are available by visiting the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

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 16:33:15