Four Disaster Recovery Centers Will Close And Two SBA Centers Open
Release Date: May 18, 2009
Release Number: 1831-032
» More Information on Florida Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Leon, Madison and Suwannee counties will permanently close on Wednesday, May 20, but help is still available. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will open two centers and have representatives available to discuss low-interest disaster loans in both Madison and Suwannee counties, and help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is as close as an open DRC, phone or computer.
FEMA and the State Continue To Help
After these four DRCs close their doors, storm survivors can still apply for FEMA assistance, get answers to questions and check the status of an existing application by contacting FEMA. The FEMA toll-free registration and Helpline hotline is 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with a speech or hearing impairment. Multilingual operators are available. Representatives will provide assistance from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Applications can also be completed and the status of any pending applications checked online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
It's not mandatory to visit a DRC, but storm survivors who visit the centers may apply for assistance, check the status of an existing FEMA application and get additional information about resources available to eligible applicants. Information about DRC locations can be found by calling FEMA's registration number or contacting a local emergency manager.
FEMA/STATE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS TO CLOSE WEDNESDAY, MAY 20:
MADISON COUNTY
Lee First Baptist Church
8157 E. Highway 90
Lee, FL 32059
CLOSING 6 P.M. WEDS. MAY 20
SUWANNEE COUNTY
Hatch Park Community Center
403 SE Craven St.
Branford, FL 32088
CLOSING 6 P.M. WEDS., MAY 20
SUWANNEE COUNTY
Suwannee Emergency Operations Center
617 Ontario Ave. SW, Suite 200
Live Oak, FL 32064
CLOSING 6 P.M. WEDS. MAY 20
LEON COUNTY
LeRoy Collins Leon County
Public Library, Program Room A
200 W. Park Ave
Tallahassee, FL 32301
CLOSING 6 P.M. WEDS. MAY 20
NOTE: DRCs are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Disaster Help From SBA
Storm survivors may visit SBA help centers, called Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs), in Madison or Suwannee counties for one week, starting Thursday, May 21. Visitors will get answers to questions about low-interest disaster loans, assistance with completing SBA loan applications and be able to submit completed applications.
Visiting a DLOC is not required, but after disaster strikes most federal assistance to residents and businesses comes in the form of low-interest disaster loans from SBA, so it's important for people who receive loan applications to complete and return them promptly. Those who receive an SBA loan application but fail to complete and return it might miss out on FEMA grant assistance they may otherwise be found eligible for.
For more information about SBA loans call SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (or 800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT (closed in observance of Memorial Day) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business loan applications may be downloaded from www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Applications may be returned at a DLOC or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, For Worth, Texas, 76155.
Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
SBA DISASTER LOAN OUTREACH CENTERS TO OPEN FOR ONE WEEK, STARTING THURSDAY, MAY 21:
MADISON COUNTY
Madison County Emergency
Operations Center
1083 SW Harvey Green Dr.
Madison, FL 32340
CLOSING 5 P.M. THURSDAY, MAY 28
SUWANNEE COUNTY
Hatch Park Community Center
403 SE Craven St.
Branford, FL 32088
CLOSING 5 P.M. THURSDAY, MAY 28
NOTE: DLOCs will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; closed Saturday and Sunday and Memorial Day.
The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and certain private non-profit organizations. These loans are to repair or replace homes, businesses and personal property not covered by insurance and damaged by the severe storms in north Florida.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 19-May-2009 08:38:56