Fema And Ohio EMA Open Disaster Recovery Center In Franklin County On September 2 

Release Date: August 29, 2003
Release Number: 1484-28

» More Information on Ohio Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds

Cridersville, OH -A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Westerville, in Franklin County on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 to assist residents affected by the recent flooding with their applications for federal and state disaster assistance. The center will remain open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., September 2 through September 6, 2003.

The center in Westerville will be operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

At the center, applicants can talk one-on-one with specialists in housing assistance programs, get help in applying for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses, obtain information about insurance and receive advice from mitigation experts on steps to take to protect their property from future disasters.

The center will be open at the following location from Tuesday, September 2 through Saturday, September 6, 2003:

Westerville City Building
Disaster Recovery Center
64 East Walnut Street
Westerville, Ohio 43081

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Disaster-affected residents should register first by calling the toll-free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585 for people who are speech- or hearing-impaired. The line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The line will be closed Sunday and Monday, August 31 and September 1, in recognition of Labor Day.

"We urge anyone who suffered damages or losses in the flooding to register with FEMA as soon as possible," said Federal Coordinating Officer Ron Sherman.

"Federal aid cannot compensate people for all their disaster losses," Sherman added. "But the combination of grants and loans is intended to get them started on the path to recovery."

Applicants should have the following information available if possible when they call:

Applicants who need further information or assistance with completing their SBA applications are encouraged to visit the most convenient SBA Workshops located in Akron, Warren and Youngstown, Ohio.

Housing assistance is available for eligible residents whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began July 21, 2003. Grants are available for temporary rental housing, for essential repairs to make a residence livable, and for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other programs.

SBA low-interest disaster loans may be available to homeowners, renters and businesses to restore or replace underinsured or uninsured disaster-damaged real and personal property in declared counties. Loans may also be offered to small businesses only in declared and contiguous counties for working capital to assist them during the disaster recovery period.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available for those who are out of work as a result of the disaster including self-employed persons, farm owners and others not covered by regular unemployment benefits.

Tax assistance: Underinsured or uninsured casualty losses on home, personal property and household goods may be deducted on federal income tax returns. For more information, residents of the declared counties may call the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040.

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: Friday, 29-Aug-2003 11:26:20