Shelby Disaster Recovery Center to Close 

Release Date: February 21, 2008
Release Number: 1745-008

» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Disaster Recovery Center located in Memphis to serve Shelby County will close Saturday, Feb. 23.

The center in the Hickory Hill Community Center, 3910 Ridgeway Road, Memphis, will remain open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until it closes Saturday evening.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) jointly run the recovery centers to assist Tennesseans whose losses and property damage were the direct result of the tornadoes and severe storms of Feb. 5-6.

"The response from Shelby County residents has been impressive," TEMA Director James Bassham said.  "We think we've reached everyone who is eligible for assistance and started them on the road to repairing their lives.  We believe it's time to close the Shelby facility.  We are glad that so many people took advantage of the process and we want them to follow through with the process.  If they qualify," he added, "they'll get everything for which they are eligible." 

Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech underscored Bassham's view.  "Shelby County residents eligible for grants from FEMA or loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration should begin to receive checks from those agencies soon, if they haven't already," Szczech said. 

She added that, for Shelby County, FEMA has approved more than $184,000 for individual assistance, nearly $146,000 in housing assistance and more than $38,000 to meet other necessary disaster-related items such as funerals, job-related clothing or equipment, or dental needs and transportation.

Although the center is closing, Szczech said FEMA's community relations staff will continue outreach such as door-to-door canvassing in Shelby County and FEMA inspectors will continue visits to damaged property.  Residents will be able to apply or follow up on their applications by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY (800) 462-7585 or by going online at www.fema.gov.

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: Thursday, 21-Feb-2008 14:33:58