Disaster Recovery Center To Open Tuesday In Hurley 

Release Date: May 6, 2002
Release Number: 1411-02

» More Information on Virginia Severe Storms and Tornado

Wise, VA -- Federal and state officials have established a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Buchanan County to assist victims of severe storms and flash flooding in late April and early May.

The center will be located at Hurley Middle School, State Route 643 in Hurley and will open Tuesday, May 7, operating from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

At the center, disaster recovery specialists will provide assistance and answer questions from residents who have experienced damages and losses from severe storms, and flooding that occurred over the period of April 28-May 3. A presidential disaster declaration was issued May 5 that covers the counties of Buchanan and Tazewell.

To register for federal and state disaster assistance, residents of the two declared counties can call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) toll-free registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362), available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Those that have registered are not required to visit a DRC. However, if they want to talk about their application with someone face-to-face, they should visit the DRC and bring their registration number with them.

DRC specialists will provide information on disaster programs including: grants to pay for temporary housing needs, minimal home repairs and other serious disaster related expenses. Residents and business owners also may be eligible for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance. A FEMA mitigation specialist will also be at the center to provide help in longer-term flood-damage solutions. Virginia officials will provide information on legal services, state tax assistance, disaster unemployment assistance and social services programs.

Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage to their homes, personal property or business caused by the late April and early May storms, are encouraged to call the FEMA toll-free registration number to register for assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments should call toll-free (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The center will also be accessible for those with physical disabilities.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 26-Aug-2003 16:43:39