Columbia County Disaster Recovery Center to Close
DRC in Bloomsburg Closes Thursday, August 17
Release Date: August 15, 2006
Release Number: 1649-051
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HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Columbia County is scheduled to close August 17, announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).
The DRC will close at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 17. Families and individuals needing answers to their questions about disaster assistance and the registration process can still visit the DRC during normal operating hours, 10 a.m. 7 p.m., on Tuesday 8/15, Wednesday 8/16, and Thursday 8/17. After the DRC closes, applicants may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) for assistance with questions.
"Over 4,200 Pennsylvanians, living in disaster-designated counties, have visited DRCs to receive answers to their questions about disaster assistance and guidance on how to apply for the different programs," said Commonwealth Coordinating Officer James R. Joseph.
FEMA and PEMA opened DRCs as part of recovery efforts for the storms and floods that impacted many counties in Pennsylvania in late June. DRCs are staffed with recovery specialists from federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as various non-profit organizations and voluntary agencies. In total, 20 DRCs have been open in Pennsylvania . Some DRCs were fixed offices, while others were mobile, traveling to different cities to set up temporary centers. The Columbia County DRC, a fixed office that has been open since July 14, is the last to close in Pennsylvania, and has assisted more than 700 visitors.
The DRC is located at the following address:
Columbia County
Columbia County Agricultural/Human Resources Building
702 Sawmill Road
Bloomsburg , PA 17815
"Pennsylvanians can still get questions answered or apply for disaster assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or logging on to www.fema.gov ," commented Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Davies.
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.
Temporary housing assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not require that an applicant file for an SBA loan. However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for additional assistance under the part of the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. There are other ONA grants such as public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses that do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan to be eligible. FEMA will process applications for housing assistance regardless of whether the applicant has applied for an SBA loan and eligibility determinations for applicants requesting FEMA's temporary housing assistance will not be held up because the applicant has or has not filled out an SBA application.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Aug-2006 07:14:43