Pair of Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Northern Alabama

State/FEMA mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will set up shop in Alalbama’s Lauderdale and Tuscaloosa counties during the week of Oct. 17 to provide an opportunity for residents and displaced evacuees in the area to ask recovery specialists about disaster-related programs and services.

One DRC will open noon, Monday, Oct. 17 at the Northport Civic Center, 3500 McFarland Blvd. in the City of Tuscaloosa. After opening, hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice. All DRCs in Alabama are closed Sundays.

The Lauderdale County DRC will open at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Joe Wheeler State Park, 201 McLean Drive, Rogersville. The three day visit will end Thursday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m.

DRCs are one-stop information centers. Anyone with a disaster-related need may visit any center to talk face-to-face with disaster recovery specialists from the state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as representatives from other government agencies.

Center staff will provide information about a broad range of FEMA programs, including housing assistance, individual and household grants, and SBA low-interest loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. Mitigation specialists will provide practical guidance on rebuilding and repair measures to potentially reduce damage from future storms.

Before visiting a DRC, applicants should first register for assistance by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments who use special keyboard equipment (TTY) should call 800-462-7585. The lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice. Registration via the Internet is available online at www.fema.gov.

Applicants are reminded to bring their FEMA registration number and Social Security number when visiting a DRC. Those who have already registered for federal/state disaster assistance are not required to visit a center regarding their application, but are invited to do so for disaster-related information.