Disaster Recovery Centers Ready To Help Alabama Flood And Storm Survivors 

Release Date: May 4, 2009
Release Number: 1835-003

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

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are opening in Alabama to help people affected by the storms and flooding that struck the state between March 25 and April 3. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are operating the centers jointly.

"Anyone who suffered uninsured or under-insured losses in Covington, Geneva and Houston counties can get person-to-person assistance from specialists skilled in many disaster-related subjects," said State Coordinating Officer Brock Long.

Centers will be open Tuesday afternoon at these locations:

Covington County EMA Office, 300 W. Watson St., Andalusia, AL 36420

Houston County Farm Center, 1701 E. Cottonwood Road, Dothan, AL 36301

Regular operating hours, starting Wednesday, will be 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

A Geneva County DRC will open later in the week.

"Before visiting the centers, if possible, people should register for assistance," said Federal Coordinating Officer Albie Lewis. "They should register even if they have insurance, but they should also call their insurance company right away."

Storm survivors may register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for the hearing- or speech-impaired. The toll-free numbers are available seven days a week, 6 a.m. to midnight CDT.  Help in languages other than English is available.

Disaster recovery specialists at the DRCs can check applicants' cases, answer questions about their claims, or review information FEMA needs to process their claims. Recovery specialists also can supply contacts for other programs that may be available for further assistance.

Customer Service Representatives (CSR) from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives will be at the DRCs to answer any questions about the SBA's low-interest disaster loan program 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. 

SBA CSRs will help complete and accept SBA disaster loan applications. Anyone who cannot visit a DRC should call the SBA Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday, toll-free at 800-659-2955 for information and assistance or visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/.

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: Tuesday, 05-May-2009 03:08:44