Disaster Recovery Center To Open In El Reno
Release Date: February 19, 2002
Release Number: 1401-15
» More Information on Oklahoma Ice Storm
» 2002 Region VI News Releases
Oklahoma City, OK -- To help meet the ongoing needs of Oklahoma winter ice storm victims, the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management (ODCEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open an additional joint Disaster Recovery Center in El Reno on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 9:00 a.m.
El Reno
National Guard Armory
2600 Melone Drive
Four Disaster Recovery Centers are already in operation and 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 voluntary organizations, will staff the joint FEMA and ODCEM Disaster Recovery Centers in El Reno and these other four locations:
Enid -- National Guard Armory, 600 East Elm
Guthrie -- Logan County Courthouse, 1st Floor Suite 103
301 East HarrisonPonca City -- Hutchins Memorial Auditorium, Osage Room
5th & OverbrookWeatherford -- National Guard Armory, 223 West Rainey Avenue
All five centers will be open 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, until further notice.
So far, 1,727 people have visited the joint Disaster Recovery Centers since they opened February 13. The center located in Woodward closed Tuesday after serving a total of 46 people.
Center Opens In El Reno
"Right now people want information about the status of their applications for assistance or help filling out their disaster loan form," James Roche, federal coordinating officer, said. "They want to know what their options for repairs are, so they dont have to face the same problems when an ice storm or another type of disaster happens again."
Some of the things people can accomplish at the community-oriented 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 spring storm preparedness;
- Learn common-sense and cost effective measures to reduce the impact of future disaster losses;
- 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," Fred Liebe, ODCEM state coordinating officer, 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 (1-800-621-3362). 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: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 14:46:27