Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers To Open In Kosciusko And Lake Counties
Release Date: April 29, 2009
Release Number: 1832-002
» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Two mobile Disaster Recovery Centers will open Thursday to serve residents and business owners who sustained losses or damage as a result of the severe storms and flooding March 8 - 14, according to state and federal disaster officials. The centers will be in Kosciusko and Lake counties.
The locations are:
Kosciusko County
Old Church Annex
202 W. Main St.
Warsaw, Ind.
Lake County
Ross Township Fire Dept.
26 W. 73rd Ave.
Merrillville, Ind.
The centers will be open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EDT).
Applicants can meet face-to-face with disaster recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and other agencies who will answer questions and provide recovery information.
Residents of the 13 Indiana counties designated eligible of federal and state disaster aid can visit any of the five DRCs located throughout the state. Designated counties are Allen, Carroll, DeKalb, Fulton, Jasper, Kosciusko, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall. Noble, Pulaski, White and Whitley.
The other locations are:
White County
White County
Emergency Manager's Office
315 N. Illinois Ave.
Monticello, Ind.
Pulaski County
Winimac Municipal
Utility Complex
623 W.11th St.
Winimac, Ind.
Fulton County
Rochester Fire Dept.
Training Room
2006 E. State Rd. 14
Rochester, Ind.
Disaster victims are urged to register for assistance before visiting a DRC. Residents and business owners may register on line at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585 for those who are speech- or hearing-impaired. The FEMA registration/helpline numbers are operational everyday from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. (EDT), seven days a week.
Once applicants have registered, FEMA recovery specialists at the recovery centers can check the status of their application, answer questions about an application, or identify information FEMA needs to continue processing the application. Recovery specialists also can supply contact information for other programs that may be able to help.
The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These loans are to repair or replace homes or personal property and to assist businesses recover from the severe storms and flooding.
'Anyone not able to visit a DRC should call the SBA Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EDT) Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EDT), Saturday, at 1-800-659-2955 for information and assistance. Victims may apply online at disasterloans.sba.gov/ela/. Applicants also may visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov or by e-mailing 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: Thursday, 30-Apr-2009 15:31:46