State/FEMA Disaster Assistance Outreach Set for Decatur Jan. 23-26

The state of Alabama and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will have a Disaster Assistance Outreach unit in Decatur from Monday, Jan. 23 through Thursday, Jan. 26. The hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The four-day event will be held at the New Song Family Church , 4309 Highway 31 South in Decatur .

The purpose is to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees and displaced Alabamians develop long-term housing solutions. Anyone needing Katrina housing assistance is invited to attend. A Disaster Recovery Specialist will provide information and referrals to help in their recovery.

Individuals and families who have registered with FEMA can check the status of an existing application and get their questions answered on disaster programs, including housing assistance, and individual and household grants.

Individuals with disaster-related needs who have not yet registered for assistance are advised to call the FEMA teleregistration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362) before visiting the Outreach unit. The speech- or hearing-impaired may call (TTY) 800-462-7585. The lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice. Multilingual operators can assist applicants in many different languages.

Registration via the Internet is also available at www.fema.gov .