Disaster Recovery Centers Come to Louisiana Parishes 

Release Date: November 15, 2006
Release Number: 1668-009

» More Information on Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding

ALEXANDRIA, La. -- In an effort to reach out to residents in disaster-declared parishes, two mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will visit Caldwell, LaSalle, Morehouse and Winn parishes the week of November 19, 2006, said officials at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP).

Residents who were affected by the severe storms and flooding which began on October 16, 2006 are urged to register for assistance first by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired. Victims can also register online at www.fema.gov or visit a DRC to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists.

Representatives of state and federal agencies, as well as customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, will be available to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners. No cash, checks, debit cards or vouchers are distributed at DRCs. These centers are for the dissemination of information to assist in victim recovery.

The following is the schedule for the mobile DRCs for the week beginning November 19, 2006:

LaSalle Parish
City Hall
1907 Louisiana Street
Olla, La.
Open: November 19 - noon - 6 p.m.

Caldwell Parish
Community Center
6539 US 165
Columbia, La.
Open: November 19 - noon - 6 p.m.
November 20-22 - 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

LaSalle Parish
Court House
1050 Courthouse Street
Jena , La.
Open: November 20-22 - 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Morehouse Parish
Bastrop Courthouse
202 E. Jefferson Street
Bastrop, La.
Open: November 24-25 - 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
November 26 - noon - 6 p.m.

Winn Parish
Grove Street Recreation Center
800 N. Grove Street
Winnfield, La.
Open: November 24-25 - 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
November 26 - noon - 6 p.m.

The SBA makes low-interest federal disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations for losses not fully covered by insurance. In addition, the SBA makes federal disaster loans available to qualified small businesses that have suffered economic injury as a result of the disaster. These loans are at low interest rates and long terms that make the loans affordable to almost any budget. The SBA may loan up to $200,000 to repair homes, up to $40,000 to replace disaster-damaged personal property and a maximum of $1.5 million is available for businesses.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must complete and return them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 15-Nov-2006 15:30:34