FEMA and PEMA to Open Disaster Recovery Center in Berks County
Release Date: July 17, 2001
Release Number: 1383-15
» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Allison
Warminster, PA -- A Disaster Recovery Center will be open in Reading for three days this week to help Berks County homeowners, renters and businesses affected by Tropical Storm Allison.
The center will be at the Berks County Service Center, 633 Court St., Reading. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 19-21.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) officials are opening the center as an additional resource for those who may need help or who have questions about their applications or the application process. Representatives of state, federal and county agencies will be at the center, along with loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
"If you haven't registered yet for disaster assistance, call FEMA's toll-free registration line - 1-800-462-9029 - before you go to the Disaster Recovery Center," said Pete Martinasco of FEMA, the federal coordinating officer for the Pennsylvania disaster recovery.
"That toll-free call is the first step in getting help," Martinasco said. A special TTY number - 1-800-462-7585 - is available for speech- or hearing-impaired applicants.
"Pennsylvania officials at the Disaster Recovery Center will provide information on obtaining services such as driver's license replacement, insurance information, well-water testing and state tax information," said Karen Critchfield of PEMA, commonwealth coordinating officer.
Berks County was added July 6 to a presidential disaster declaration already in place for Bucks and Montgomery counties.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 15-Oct-2003 09:26:07