Benton County Disaster Recovery Center to Close Saturday 

Release Date: February 28, 2008
Release Number: 1745-014

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

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Disaster Recovery Center located in Benton County will close Saturday, March 1.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Saturday at the center in the Big Sandy School, 13305 Highway 69N.

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.

"We believe it's time to close the Benton facility," TEMA Director James Bassham said, "because the decrease in numbers of visitors indicates we've reached those who sought assistance."  Bassham encourages everyone who began the FEMA process to follow through with it, saying that residents "will get everything for which they are eligible." 

According to Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech, FEMA's Individual Assistance program "has already approved nearly $85,000 to help Benton County residents with housing and other disaster-related needs."  She said Benton County residents eligible for grants from FEMA or loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration have already begun to receive assistance.

Although the center is closing, Szczech said FEMA's community relations staff will continue reaching out to individuals in Benton 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'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.

All FEMA assistance is subject to eligibility criteria and may vary from disaster to disaster.  SBA eligibility criteria are applied to all applicants.  Applicants who do not qualify for an SBA loan are reviewed for grant assistance in compliance with the limits established by the state.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal Rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 800-323-8603.

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: Friday, 29-Feb-2008 08:06:23