Lake Station Disaster Recovery Center Closes Monday
New Valparaiso Site Opens Tuesday
Release Date: October 4, 2008
Release Number: 1795-012
» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms and Flooding
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The disaster recovery center at the VFW Hall in Lake Station will close on Monday, Oct. 6, at 8 p.m. and a new location will open in Valparaiso on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m., according to federal and state disaster officials.
A new disaster recovery center will open in the Valparaiso Fire Dept. #2 at 2605 Cumberland in Porter County on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and, thereafter, will be open Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until further notice.
Recovery specialists will be available at the Lake Station center tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Monday from 8 a.m. until closing at 8 p.m. Thereafter, those who suffered damage or loss in the recent severe storms and flooding will be able to visit the new center in Valparaiso or either of these remaining Lake County centers: Ivy Tech Community College, 1440 East 35th Ave., in Gary (open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and the former Manusczak Appliance Store, 9450 Calumet Ave. in Munster (open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Disaster recovery specialists will be available at all centers to meet face-to-face with those who have questions about their applications for disaster assistance, need help with disaster loan applications from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or information about other helpful programs and services, such as rental resources and hazard mitigation.
Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the severe storms and flooding are urged to apply for assistance with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or logging on to www.fema.gov.Those with hearing or speech impairments may call TTY 1-800-462-7585. The FEMA website and phone lines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with multilingual phone operators available at all times. Residents are encouraged to apply with FEMA prior to visiting a disaster recovery center..
Officials remind affected residents who have already filled out damage report forms with the State, or their county emergency managers, or voluntary agencies that they must register with FEMA at the above numbers or Web site to be eligible for federal assistance.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 06-Oct-2008 08:53:13