FEMA AND PEMA OPEN FIVE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS

DRCs to Open In Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Monroe and Wayne Counties on July 10

HARRISBURG – To help meet the ongoing needs of Pennsylvania’s recent severe storms and flooding victims, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Pennsylvania’s Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) are opening five Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) on July 10.  The centers provide a single location where people are able to talk face-to-face with recovery specialists.

Before visiting a DRC, you should begin the application process by calling FEMA’s toll-free number,

1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired.  Both numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are also available to answer your call. Those with Internet access can register online at www.fema.gov.

Representatives from local, state and federal agencies, and some private-sector organizations will staff the following joint DRCs:

All centers will open Monday, July 10 at 1 p.m.

Regular hours thereafter:

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays

All, except Wayne County, will close on Sundays

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FEMA/PEMA DRCs TO OPEN / Page 2

PLEASE NOTE: The Wayne County DRC is a MOBILE DRC. It will be traveling around the Wayne county area, visiting Equinunk, Waymart, Hawley and Honesdale starting July 12.

“At this time in the recovery process, people are beginning to think about putting their lives back together,” James R. Joseph, Commonwealth 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 for rebuilding are, so they don’t have to face the same disaster problems when the flooding happens again.”

Some of the things people can accomplish at the centers include:

·         Inquiring about the status of the application they have already made by phone;

·         Referrals for temporary rental assistance resources;

·         Assistance completing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loan applications for homeowners, renters or business owners;

·         Receive information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance;

·         Receive state and federal disaster tax assistance;

·         Receive disaster legal assistance from the State Bar Association;

·         Referrals to local agencies that provide crisis counseling;

·         Receive information about the Individual and Family Grant Program;

·         Examining options for repairing or rebuilding in floodplains;

·         Learn cost effective measures to reduce the impact of future flooding or disaster losses;

·         Receive referrals to American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations to help with

immediate unmet needs.

“Visiting a DRC is not mandatory but is an opportunity for people to have face-to-face contact with agency representatives,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Davies.  “Visitors can learn what their options are for repairing or rebuilding and learn what they can do to avoid future damages from severe storms and flooding so they don’t have to face the same problems again.”

The counties designated to receive individual assistance are: Bradford, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Columbia, Dauphin, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming.

Individuals who are unable to visit the centers and have questions about disaster assistance, rebuilding or preventive measures to avoid future damages are urged to call the same numbers and select the option for “General Information” or go online to www.fema.gov where valuable recovery information can also be found.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

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