Some Ind. FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers Close; Help Continues to be Available

A few days remain for Indiana residents who wish to visit the temporary Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Gibson, Martin and Washington Counties .

The DRC operating in Washington County will close at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, while the centers in Gibson and Martin Counties will close at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19.

Federal Coordinating Officer Ron Sherman of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stressed that “Help with questions on federal disaster assistance is just a phone call away. Operators at the FEMA toll-free number are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week to help with many of the questions that are brought to the recovery centers.”

Assistance is still available and those who have questions about grants or low-interest disaster loans may call the toll-free application/helpline 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech and hearing impairments.

“The temporary centers are opened to provide detailed program information. In addition to FEMA and SBA personnel, disaster recovery specialists are available to answer questions and provide information on recovery, restoration and rebuilding,” said Phil Roberts, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) state coordinating officer. “At this stage of the recovery process, the emphasis for assistance is to meet the long-term needs of victims.”

The first Disaster Recovery Center opened on Jan. 31. Since then 1,018 homeowners, renters, and business owners have visited one of the 20 centers located around the state.

Anyone may visit the center closest to them. They do not need a reservation or need to reside in that specific county.