Two Dorchester Recovery Centers To Close 

Release Date: November 3, 2003
Release Number: 1492-62

» More Information on Maryland Hurricane Isabel

Baltimore, MD - Two of the three Dorchester County Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will end operations on November 5, 2003, but state and federal officials want residents to know that help is still just a phone call away.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) helpline number will still be available for those who have questions or want to check on the status of their applications. The number is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for hearing or speech impaired. Residents who have been affected by Hurricane Isabel and haven't applied for assistance, also may call this number to register for help. The deadline to apply for assistance is November 18, 2003.

The toll-free hotline for Maryland Department of Human Resources is 1-888-756-7836, for individuals who may need assistance from local or state departments or agencies. Those with questions about their insurance may call the Maryland Insurance Administration at 1-800-492-6116.

The following DRC will close on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 at 5 p.m.:

Hooper Island
Hooper Island Volunteer Fire Department
2725 Hoopers Island Road
Fishing Creek, MD 21631

Wingate
Lakes & Straits Volunteer Fire Department
2103 Farm Creek Road
Wingate, MD 21675

The two remaining Recovery Centers located in Baltimore County (Essex) & Dorchester County (Cambridge) will remain open until further notice. Call the FEMA helpline for times and locations of these centers.

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: Monday, 03-Nov-2003 07:41:08