Indian River County Disaster Recovery Center Closing But FEMA Is Just One Phone Call Away 

Release Date: April 14, 2005
Release Number: 1539-433

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- The need for face-to-face disaster assistance to last year’s hurricane victims has declined, according to officials of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Florida’s State Emergency Response Team (SERT). FEMA and SERT have provided that service through Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) at locations throughout Florida since August 2004.

As a result of the decline in requests for one-on-one type of assistance, the DRC located at the Indian River County Main Library in Vero Beach will close permanently at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Thursday, April 21.

Although the deadline to apply for disaster aid has passed, disaster officials encourage those storm victims who have questions about the various disaster assistance programs to visit the DRC before it closes. Disaster officials will continue to be available weekdays now through next Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Applicants also may visit the DRC to check on the status of their application.

To date, the DRC located at the Indian River County Main Library has assisted more than 31,787 storm victims since opening on Sept. 18, 2004. Statewide, more than 583,514 Floridians have been helped at one of the 150 DRC locations.

Residents may continue to have their questions answered by calling the FEMA Helpline, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday. The hearing- or speech-impaired should call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Applicants may also visit one of the centers that will remain open as long as there is need for face-to-face assistance.

Listings of the DRCs that will remain open are below.

Brevard County
Job Link DRC5275 Babcock Street NEPalm Bay, FL 32905

Charlotte County
Dion Building DRC
4356 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33980

Orange County
Nicor Building DRC
1602 Goldenrod Drive
Orlando, FL 32793

Palm Beach County
Countyline Plaza DRC
556 N. US 1
Tequesta, FL 33469

Escambia County
Area Field Office (AFO) DRC
33 Brent Lane
Pensacola, FL 32503

Polk County
Eagle Ridge Mall DRC
451 Eagle Ridge Drive, Unit 308
Lake Wales, FL 33853

St. Lucie County
K-Mart, City Center DRC
9300 US 1
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

Brevard CountyJob Link DRC5275 Babcock Street NEPalm Bay, FL 32905Charlotte CountyDion Building DRC4356 Tamiami TrailPort Charlotte, FL 33980 Orange CountyNicor Building DRC1602 Goldenrod DriveOrlando, FL 32793Palm Beach CountyCountyline Plaza DRC556 N. US 1Tequesta, FL 33469 Escambia CountyArea Field Office (AFO) DRC33 Brent LanePensacola, FL 32503 Polk CountyEagle Ridge Mall DRC451 Eagle Ridge Drive, Unit 308Lake Wales, FL 33853St. Lucie CountyK-Mart, City Center DRC9300 US 1Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

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

Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Apr-2005 12:13:41