Two Disaster Recovery Centers To Close Friday; SBA Workshops Open On Monday
Release Date: August 14, 2003
Release Number: 1476-34
» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Kokomo, IN - Two Disaster Recovery Centers will close tomorrow (Aug. 15), but U.S. Small Business Administration Workshops will open on Monday in those cities to continue to provide assistance with low-interest loan applications for homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began July 4th.
On Friday, August 15, the joint Disaster Recovery Centers in Bluffton and Ft. Wayne will close at 6 p.m. The DRC in Kokomo at Johanning Civic Center 1500 N. Reed Road (U.S. 31) will continue to operate until further notice, but will not be open on Saturdays or Sundays beginning this weekend. The Kokomo DRC will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice.
Two SBA Workshops will open on Monday, August 18. One will be located at The Lutheran Foundation, Duemling Clinic Building, 3024 Fairfield Avenue, in Ft. Wayne and the Bluffton Workshop will remain at the Wells County EMA Office location at 223 W. Washington St., Suite 101. Both Workshops will open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
"This is a normal transition of the temporary disaster recovery locations," Thomas J. Costello, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinating officer, said. "Our visit numbers have been reducing steadily and that is usually a good indication that people are receiving the assistance they need."
More than 2,000 applicants have visited one of the 10 DRCs, which were opened throughout northern and central Indiana.
SBA totals have been climbing and residents may still need assistance with low-interest loan applications, which will continue to be available at the workshops. Disaster officials pointed out that if you received an SBA loan application it is very important to complete the application and return it as soon as possible, even if you have not received a final settlement from the insurance company. If the loan application is not returned it will delay other forms of disaster assistance.
Two other SBA Workshops were opened last week. One is at the Adams County Complex, 313 West Jefferson St. in Decatur and the other in the Rosedale Town Hall at 52 West Middle St. Both locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday until further notice. The FEMA representative currently working at the Decatur workshop will only be available through close of business tomorrow (Aug. 15).
Those who suffered damages or loss from the tornadoes, flooding and severe storms that began July 4 through August 6 can still apply for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free application number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both lines are open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday thru Saturday.
The deadline to call and apply for disaster assistance is 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9.
Although the DRCs are closing, except the Kokomo location, FEMA officials noted that assistance is still only a toll-free call away. Applicants may call those same toll-free numbers to check on the status of their claim, update application information, and to receive information about other state and federal disaster assistance programs.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Aug-2003 17:55:27