Disaster Recovery Centers Alter Schedules for New Year’s Weekend 

Release Date: December 28, 2006
Release Number: 1603-590

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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Mark your calendars! The New Year brings several scheduling changes to the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

On Friday, Dec. 29, 2006, the DRC located at 219 Loyola Avenue inside of the New Orleans Public Library will close its doors permanently. The Jefferson Parish DRC, located at 15 Westbank Expressway in the Westbank Shopping Center, will be open Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, but closed Monday, Jan. 1, 2007, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. It will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 9 a.m. Also on Tuesday, the new ‘Louisiana Welcome Home Center,’ which replaces the Loyola Avenue DRC, will open at 1250 Poydras on the 14th floor.

Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies and customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration are on hand at the DRC and Welcome Home Center to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various state and federal programs are also available for individuals and business owners. Normal operating hours for both the DRC and the Welcome Home Center are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Thursday, 28-Dec-2006 18:04:18