Disaster Recovery Centers Ready To Help Mississippi Flood Survivors 

Release Date: May 13, 2008
Release Number: R4-08-124

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been deployed to assist Mississippians affected by the storms and flooding that began March 20. Individuals who reside in Bolivar, Warren, Washington and Wilkinson counties who suffered uninsured or under-insured losses will receive person-to-person assistance at the centers from specialists skilled in many disaster-related subjects.

Centers scheduled to open on Tuesday, May 13 at 12 p.m. will be located at:

Bolivar County
Rosedale Courthouse
801 Main St. Rosedale, MS 38769

Washington County
Washington County Emergency Management
910 Courthouse Alley Greenville, MS 38701

Warren County
King’s Community Empowerment Center
224 R.L. Chase Circle Vicksburg, MS 39183

Wilkinson County
Wilkinson County Industrial Complex
1495 US Hwy 61 South

Disaster officials ask that before visiting the centers, people first apply for assistance by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech-impaired. The toll-free numbers are available seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT. Help in other languages also is available.

Once registered, FEMA disaster recovery specialists at the DRCs can check an individual’s case, answer questions about their claim, or review information FEMA needs to process their claim. Recovery specialists can also supply contacts for other programs that may be able to help.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives will be on hand at the DRCs to meet with individuals and business owners to answer any questions about the SBA’s low-interest disaster loan program for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These loans are to repair or replace real estate and/or personal property damaged by the March 20 storms and flooding.

Representatives will help complete and accept SBA disaster loan application. Anyone not able to go to a DRC should call the SBA Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday, at toll-free 1-800-659-2955 for information and assistance or visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.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.

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.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call (800) 659-2955 or online at www.sba.gov.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 13-May-2008 14:47:58