Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Anaheim
Release Date: March 25, 2005
Release Number: R9-05-030
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Pasadena, Calif. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) announced that a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open in Anaheim on Monday March 28, 2005, to serve residents who suffered damages during the severe storms of December 27, 2004 - January 11, 2005.
The Anaheim DRC will remain open through close of business April 6, 2005 and will operate Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beginning Monday, April 11, this center will become a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster Office.
Disaster victims should first register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585 for those who are speech- or hearing-impaired.
"The only way to register for FEMA and state disaster assistance is over the phone. The registration process takes just a few minutes," said Federal Coordinating Officer, David Fukutomi. "If residents still have questions about their application status, they can call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or visit the DRC."
The center will provide people with an opportunity to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. Representatives of state and federal, as well as loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), will be on site to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners.
At the request of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, FEMA added six counties to the disaster declaration on March 16, after reviewing additional disaster assessments provided by the state. Residents and business owners in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties may be eligible for disaster assistance if they suffered damages and losses as a result of the December 27 - January 11 storms.
"Now that federal and state assistance is available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in Orange County, we encourage those who have registered to take advantage of the services offered at the Disaster Recovery Centers," said Henry Renteria, Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, and State Coordinating Officer.
Anaheim DRC
Orange County East Anaheim Police and Community Center
8201 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd.
East Anaheim
Mon-Wed: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thurs-Sun: Closed
OES coordinates overall state agency response to major disasters in support of local government. The office is responsible for ensuring California's readiness to respond to and recover from natural, manmade and war-caused emergencies and for assisting local governments in their emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery efforts.
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 disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
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: Friday, 20-May-2005 11:33:03