FEMA And Oklahoma To Open Five Disaster Recovery Centers
Release Date: February 12, 2002
Release Number: 1401-06
» More Information on Oklahoma Ice Storm
Oklahoma City, OK -- To help meet the ongoing needs of Oklahoma winter ice storm victims, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management (ODCEM) are opening five Disaster Recovery Centers on Wednesday, February 13. The centers provide a single location where people are able to talk face-to-face with recovery, restoration and rebuilding specialists.
Representatives from local, state and federal agencies, and some private-sector organizations, will staff the joint FEMA and ODCEM Disaster Recovery Centers.
The centers are scheduled to open Wednesday, February 13, and will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday. The centers are located in:Enid - National Guard Armory, 600 East Elm
Guthrie - Logan County Courthouse, 1st Floor Suite 103 301 East Harrison
Ponca City - Hutchins Memorial Auditorium, Osage Room 5th & Overbrook
Weatherford - National Guard Armory, 223 West Rainey Avenue
Woodward - 1623 Texas Street
"At this time in the recovery process, people are beginning to think about putting their lives back together," James Roche, federal coordinating officer, said. "Right now people want information about the status of their applications for assistance or help filling out their disaster loan application. They want to know what their options for repairs are, so they don't have to face the same disaster problems when an ice storm happens again."
"The recovery centers are community-oriented and address ongoing needs of people from areas affected by the winter ice storm. People are starting to make choices and the centers will serve as resources to help them with those decisions," Fred Liebe, state coordinating officer, said.
Some of the things people can accomplish at the centers include:
- Inquiring about the status of the application they have already made by phone;
- Referrals for temporary rental assistance resources;
- Assistance completing U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loan applications for homeowners, renters or business owners;
- Obtaining referral information about local permitting;
- Examining options for repairing or rebuilding in floodplains;
- Receive information on tree damage, repair and maintenance and winter and spring storm preparedness;
- Learn common-sense and cost effective measures to reduce the impact of future disaster damages;
- Receive information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance;
- Receive state and federal disaster tax assistance;
- Receive information about the Individual and Family Grant Program;
- Receive referrals to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other voluntary organizations to help with immediate unmet needs
"These centers will be open for a limited time," Liebe said. "We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about mitigation methods to minimize future damage, or to have questions answered about their application."
The first step in receiving state and federal assistance made available under the February 1 Presidential disaster declaration is to register by calling the toll-free FEMA application number, 1 800 621-FEMA (3362). There is also a special number, (TTY) 1 800 462-7585, for the speech or hearing impaired. Both lines are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice.
Individuals who are unable to visit the centers and have questions about disaster assistance, rebuilding or preventive measures to avoid future damages are urged to call the same toll-free numbers.
Last Modified: Monday, 25-Aug-2003 13:41:10