Recovery Centers To Help Disaster Victims
Release Date: June 29, 2004
Release Number: 1519-023
» More Information on Ohio Severe Storms and Flooding
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- To help individuals in the counties just declared eligible for disaster assistance, disaster recovery centers will open in four more locations this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) announced today. Ten new counties were declared eligible today for assistance after the flooding that occurred between May 18 and June 21.
The centers, staffed by state and federal disaster program representatives, are intended to meet the needs of individuals who have already registered for assistance under President Bush's disaster declaration and who may have further questions about their cases. People who had property damage can register by calling FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. seven days a week.
The schedule to date for the recovery centers:
|
Tuesday, June 29 through July 3 |
Logan County Hi-Point Career Center 2280 State Route 540 Bellefontaine |
July 1-3 |
Portage County Ravenna City Hall 210 Park Way Ravenna |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 29-July 1 |
Crawford County Galion High School 200 North Union Galion |
July 2-3 |
Richland County Central School 19 High School Avenue Shelby |
The Logan and Crawford County centers will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. today (June 29). After that, the centers' hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. More centers will open in other counties next week. Their schedule will be announced later.
"While no one has to visit these centers to register for government help, people who suffered damage in the spring flooding can get valuable information and assistance if they need it," said Dale Shipley, state coordinating officer for the disaster recovery.
Visitors to the centers can:
- Receive information on disaster assistance programs
- Receive information about U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans and get help in completing disaster loan applications
- Get referral information for other programs, such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance
- Learn about cost-effective measures to reduce the impact of future disasters
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: Tuesday, 29-Jun-2004 12:50:31