Waveland Disaster Recovery Center Closes Aug. 18
Release Date: August 9, 2006
Release Number: 1604-414
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
BILOXI, Miss. -- As the last Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Mississippi, located in Waveland, closes Friday, Aug. 18, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remains committed to the recovery of victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“The Waveland DRC closing is a major milestone in the recovery process for Mississippi,” said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for Mississippi disaster recovery. “It signals that the state has moved to another level in its recovery.”
“Assistance is still available to eligible applicants through the FEMA Help Line,” said Russo.
The Waveland center opened as a seven-days-a-week operation approximately one week after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. Over 46,000 individuals who sustained losses visited the DRC from September, 2005 through July.
It also was in July when the Waveland DRC reduced its hours of operation as the number of visits dropped off. “The reduction in the number of visits to the Waveland DRC shows that the residents of Hancock County are moving forward to re-establish their lives and their communities,” said Russo.
FEMA established a total of 34 fixed centers and several mobile DRC units that visited throughout the state. The Disaster Recovery Centers were established to provide detailed program information to those who had already applied for assistance. Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies have staffed DRCs to answer questions and provide recovery information. DRCs also provided written materials about various assistance programs to individuals and business owners.
Individuals who sustained losses as a result of Hurricane Katrina are encouraged to visit the Waveland DRC by close of business Friday, Aug. 18. The center will maintain regular hours from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through its last day of operation.
South Coast Skate Park
118 Auderer Blvd.
Waveland, MS 39576
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Although the deadline for new applications for disaster assistance has passed, people who applied for assistance may still check on the status of their applications and update their personal information by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the speech-or hearing impaired or visiting the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 10-Aug-2006 10:46:54