A Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Ottawa
Release Date: October 11, 2008
Release Number: 1800-006
» More Information on Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The state of Illinois and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open a fifth Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in LaSalle County to serve residents and businesses affected by the severe storms and flooding that began on Sept. 13.
Before visiting a DRC, those who sustained losses in the designated counties (Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, LaSalle and Will) should apply for assistance online at www.fema.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free numbers will operate 24 hours, seven days a week.
The new center is a Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC), which is a traveling DRC equipped with computers and satellite uplink capabilities. The MDRC will be located at the following site until further notice:
LaSalle County
Ottawa City Hall
301 W. Madison Street
Ottawa, Ill.
The MDRC opens at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13. Daily hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, until further notice.
DRCs are for those who have further questions or concerns about their application process. Services people can expect to receive at a DRC include:
- Guidance regarding disaster recovery;
- Clarification of any written correspondence received;
- Housing Assistance and Rental Resource information;
- Answers to questions and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance;
- Status of applications being processed by FEMA;
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan applications and information, staff to explain the application process as well as help individuals and business owners complete their applications;
- Information from representatives of other federal, state and local agencies; and
- Cost-effective ways to reduce future disaster damages.
When disaster-affected residents visit a DRC they should bring identification, social security numbers, insurance information, proof of address and contact phone numbers in order to help speed up the assistance process.
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: Tuesday, 14-Oct-2008 11:48:06