Mobile DRC Open At Greensburg Courthouse 

Release Date: May 12, 2007
Release Number: 1699-001

» More Information on Kansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

GREENSBURG, Kan. -- In the shadow of the battered Greensburg Courthouse in Kiowa County Kansas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) started taking applications for federal aid from storm victims two days after the catastrophic storm hit this small town of about 2,000 Kansans and the counties of Kiowa, Edwards, Pratt, and Stafford.

Applications for federal aid are being taken from a mobile Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in the parking lot of the Greensburg Courthouse. Over 720 individuals have registered for FEMA's Individuals and Households Program. The mobile DRC is staffed with professional FEMA applicant services specialists trained to help.

The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest loans to residents, businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations in the town of Greensburg and the counties of Kiowa, Edwards, Pratt and Stafford to repair or replace property damaged by the severe tornadoes, storms, and flooding that occurred beginning May 4, 2007.

Staffing the mobile DRC from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., trained disaster aid specialists are available to answer questions and provide information on programs. Phones are available onsite for applicants to register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or for the speech-or-hearing impaired TTY 1-800-462-7585.

A larger DRC is also open at the Barclay College, Hockett Auditorium located at 100 East Elm Street in Haviland from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

Representatives of the state, federal and voluntary agencies are available in Haviland to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners. No cash, checks or debit cards are distributed by FEMA at the DRCs. Centers are for the dissemination of information to assist in victim recovery.

SBA representatives are at both DRC locations to explain how SBA low-interest disaster loans can help homeowners, renters, businesses, and private non-profit organizations pay for their disaster losses, SBA officials said.

"These representatives also answer any questions about SBA's disaster loan program, assist applicants with completing their loan applications, and accept completed applications," said Mark Randle, Information Officer for the SBA. Anyone not able to visit a DRC may call the SBA's Customer Service Center toll-free at 800-659-2955 or visit the Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Disaster victims are urged to register for assistance first by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired. Victims can also register online at www.fema.gov or visit a DRC to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. Trained personnel are available to take applications 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time Monday-Friday and on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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: Wednesday, 23-May-2007 15:04:46