State, Federal Disaster Recovery Center Opens Sunday in Orleans Parish 

Release Date: March 3, 2007
Release Number: 1685-007

» More Information on Louisiana Severe Storms and Tornadoes

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open Sunday, March 4, 2007, in Orleans Parish to serve individuals who suffered losses from storms and tornadoes on Feb. 12 and 13 in Jefferson, Orleans and St. Martin parishes.

The DRC will be at the Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, 4128 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, 70122. Hours of operation on Sunday will be noon to 6 p.m. and then 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

According to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) a second DRC is planned for Orleans Parish soon.

After registering, individuals may visit any DRC location. Two other DRCs are open as follows:

St. Martin Parish, Fire Training Center, 1035 Ruth Bridge Highway, Breaux Bridge, 70517
Jefferson Parish, Avenue D Gym, 1200 Avenue D, Westwego, 70094

The DRC hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice.

SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the DRCs to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application.

DRCs provide residents an opportunity to meet face-to-face with representatives from state, federal, and voluntary agencies to get information on the disaster assistance that may be available to them. No cash, checks, debit cards or vouchers are distributed at DRCs. These centers are for the dissemination of information to assist in victim recovery.

Before visiting a DRC, individuals should register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY, 1-800-462-7585, for those who are hearing- or speech-impaired. The FEMA registration line is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday - Saturday, until further notice. You also can register online at www.fema.gov.

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.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or repairing disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Last Modified: Monday, 05-Mar-2007 09:02:49