FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers To Close, But Help Continues To Be Available
Release Date: June 15, 2004
Release Number: 1519-008
» More Information on Ohio Severe Storms and Flooding
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Four Disaster Recovery Centers operating in Ohio will close by 6 p.m. today, but help will still be available for victims of the flooding that began May 18 in Athens, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Noble, Perry, and Summit counties.
The recovery centers will be replaced Wednesday morning by U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) workshops, which will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice. People who still have questions about assistance can call the toll-free registration line -- 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Victims who have questions regarding their SBA paperwork are encouraged to visit the SBA workshops where representatives can issue applications, answer questions and help complete the disaster loan applications.
Three workshops will be in the same locations as the recovery centers:
Athens County – Rural Action Building, 19627 Walnut Street, Trimble.
Cuyahoga County – Independence Fire Department training room, 6305 Selig Drive, Independence.
Lorain County – Carlisle Township Fire Department, 11950 La Grange Road, La Grange.
In Medina County, the workshop will open Wednesday in the Brunswick City Hall, 4095 Center Road.
“At this stage of the recovery process, the emphasis for assistance is to meet the long-term needs of victims,” said Dale W. Shipley, state coordinating officer for the disaster recovery and executive director of Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA). “Completing the SBA package helps those affected to get a determination of help available.”
Since the first disaster recovery centers opened on June 9, 367 owners, renters, and business owners have visited them. The temporary centers were established to provide detailed program information to those who have already registered for assistance. In addition to FEMA Human Services personnel and SBA loan officers, disaster recovery specialists staff the centers to answer questions and provide information on recovery, restoration and rebuilding.
Brad Gair, federal coordinating officer with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), noted that “Help with questions on federal and state disaster assistance is just a phone call away. Operators at the FEMA toll-free number are available from 8.a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week to help with many of the questions that were brought to us at the recovery centers.”
August 2 is the deadline to register for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.
The Ohio EMA coordinates State assistance and resources during an emergency and prepares the state for all hazards through planning, training, exercises and funding activities at the state and local level. This includes providing assistance to individuals and administering state and federal assistance to individuals and governmental entities recovering from disaster-related damage and costs. Ohio EMA coordinates homeland security funding, weapons of mass destruction training, anti-terrorism planning and training, and assists local and state agencies determine homeland strategies and priorities.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Jun-2004 11:39:11