FEMA And State To Open Disaster Recovery Centers In Five Locations
Release Date: September 30, 2002
Release Number: 1433-04
» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Indianapolis, IN -- To help meet the ongoing needs of Indiana tornado and severe storm victims, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) are opening five Disaster Recovery Centers tomorrow (October 1) in Marion, Morgan and Monroe counties.
The centers provide a single location where people who have already applied for disaster assistance via FEMA's toll-free application telephone number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), are able to talk face-to-face with recovery specialists. Representatives from state and federal agencies, and some local volunteer organizations, will staff the joint FEMA/SEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.
The centers are scheduled to open tomorrow and will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at the following locations:
MARION COUNTY LOCATIONS
| Lawrence City Hall 9001 East 59th Street |
Perry Township Gov't Center 4925 Shelby Street |
Warren Township Center 501 N. Post Road |
MORGAN COUNTY
Morgan County Emergency Mgt. Agency
1789 East Morgan Street
Martinsville
MONROE COUNTY
Enwright Center
7500 W. Reeves Road
Ellettsville
"At this time in the recovery process, people are beginning to think about putting their lives back together," Bill Lokey, FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer, said. "Right now people want information about the status of their applications for assistance or help filling out their disaster loan application. They want to know what their options are for rebuilding, so they don't have to face the same disaster problems when tornadoes and severe storms happen again."
Some of the things people can accomplish at the centers include:
- Inquiring about the status of their application;
- Referrals for temporary rental assistance resources;
- Assistance completing U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loan applications for homeowners, renters or business owners;
- Learn cost-effective measures to reduce the impact of future disaster losses;
- Receive information and detailed plans on how to construct a saferoom;
- Receive information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance;
- Receive referral information about state and federal disaster tax assistance;
- Receive disaster legal assistance from the Young Lawyers Association;
- Referrals to local agencies that provide crisis counseling;
- Receive information about the Individual and Family Grant Program;
- Receive referrals to American Red Cross and other volunteer organizations to help with immediate unmet needs.
"These centers will be open for a limited time," said State Coordinating Officer Patrick R. Ralston. "We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about mitigation methods to reduce future disaster damages or to have questions answered about their application."
The first step in receiving federal assistance made available under the September 25 Presidential disaster declaration is to apply by calling the toll-free FEMA application number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). There is also a special number, TTY 1-800-462-7585, for the speech or hearing impaired. Both lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EST) daily until further notice, and multilingual operators are available to take your call.
Individuals who are unable to visit one of the centers and have questions about disaster assistance, rebuilding or preventive measures to avoid future damages are urged to call the same numbers listed above and select the option for "General Information."
Last Modified: Thursday, 31-Jul-2003 12:36:41