SEMO, FEMA To Open Two Disaster Recovery Centers 

Release Date: April 26, 2005
Release Number: 1589-002

» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) have announced that two Disaster Recovery Centers will open this Wednesday to serve those affected by the spring storms and flooding that occurred April 2-4, 2005.

Homeowners, renters and business owners in declared counties who were affected by the disaster are urged to call and register for assistance first by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily). People may also register for assistance online anytime at www.fema.gov.

After applying, disaster victims may visit any center to meet face-to-face with disaster experts. The Disaster Recovery Centers will be at these locations:

ORANGE COUNTY
Orange County Office Building
150 Pike Street
Port Jervis 12771

ULSTER COUNTY
Town of Ulster Town Hall
1 Lohmaier Lane
Lake Katrine 12449

Centers will open on Wednesday, April 27 at 10:00 am
Thereafter, open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice

These are the first Disaster Recovery Centers to open in the state. More will be opening in other counties in the near future, according to state and federal officials.

Disaster experts at each center will be able to check on the status of assistance applications, provide information about various recovery programs and services available. Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be available to help applicants complete low-interest disaster loan packets.

The presidential declaration of April 19 made New York residents in the following counties eligible for disaster assistance: Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Orange, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga and Ulster.

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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 26-Apr-2005 15:20:10