Disaster Recovery Centers Closed On Thanksgiving Day
Will resume normal operating hours on Friday, November 25
Release Date: November 17, 2005
Release Number: 1609-024
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Wilma
ORLANDO, Fla. -- All Disaster Recovery Centers in the state of Florida will be closed on Nov. 24, 2005, for the Thanksgiving Day holiday. The centers will reopen on Friday, Nov. 25, and resume normal operating hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days per week.
The Disaster Recovery Centers provide a single location where people are able to talk face-to-face with disaster recovery specialists. No cash, checks, debit cards or vouchers are distributed at Disaster Recovery Centers. Disaster Recovery Centers do, however, offer many types of recovery information. At the centers, visitors can also receive help filling out disaster loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Disaster Recovery Centers across the area affected by Hurricane Wilma have already served more than 65,000 residents.
To apply for federal disaster assistance, residents must first register with FEMA. There are two ways to register: log on to www.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairment. Both numbers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.
Disaster assistance may include grants to pay for temporary housing, help replace a destroyed home, or pay for minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. SBA also are available for residential and business losses not covered by insurance.
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is a collaboration of Florida 's state agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT's mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impacts. Visit www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information on the hurricane relief efforts.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003. For more information visit www.fema.gov.
Last Modified: Friday, 18-Nov-2005 09:19:06