Sabine Pass Disaster Recovery Center to End Operations 

Release Date: October 18, 2008
Release Number: 1791-157

» More Information on Texas Hurricane Ike

AUSTIN, Texas -- A FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center in Jefferson County will end operations at the close of business Monday, Oct. 20. 

Until then, the center will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Monday and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the SPISD Vocational Building, 5601 Gulfway Drive, Sabine Pass, TX 77640.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) jointly run the recovery centers to assist Texans whose losses and property damage were the direct result of Hurricane Ike.  Since the center opened, more than 300 residents received face-to-face assistance.

"We are determined to make sure every Texan affected by Hurricane Ike gets all help possible," said State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun. "Even when the local center demand drops enough that it closes, FEMA information is still available through its toll-free number."

"More than 700,000 people have applied for disaster assistance," said Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman. "We want applicants to follow through with the process by staying in touch with FEMA through the Helpline," she said. 

Residents can apply or follow up on their applications by going online to www.fema.gov, or by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Residents should register only once; duplicate registrations may cause delays in the delivery of assistance.

Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repair and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also are available for homeowners, renters and business owners for losses not covered by insurance or other sources.

More information is available online at www.fema.gov or www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem. 

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, 20-Oct-2008 09:40:03