DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY TO RELOCATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
FEMA/VDEM News Desk -- (804) 217-8952
Colleen M. Hiam, SBA -- (716) 282-4612 ext. 202

October 15, 2003
PR #68 DR-1491-VA

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY TO RELOCATE

RICHMOND, VA -- The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located in the old Wal-Mart store in Gloucester, will relocate Oct. 16 to Hayes, where recovery specialists will assist individuals in Gloucester County and other communities who suffered losses and damages from Hurricane Isabel. The DRC will be relocated to:

Abingdon Fire and Rescue Facility
2676 Hayes Road
Hayes, VA

The DRC will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 17 and Oct. 18; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The DRC will be closed Sundays, and reopen on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents of localities that have been declared disaster areas can visit any DRC.

The DRC is designed to provide more detailed program information to people who have already applied for assistance by registering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by calling the toll-free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). People with hearing or speech impairments may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The lines are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Nov. 17, 2003.

For a list of DRCs currently open in Virginia, call FEMA's toll-free Helpline at: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's (VDEM) Web site at: www.vaemergency.com

Representatives from FEMA, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), other federal and state agencies, as well as voluntary organizations will be available to provide information on disaster recovery programs. Additionally, the SBA will be available to help individuals fill out applications for low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

More disaster information is available on the Internet at www.fema.gov or SBA information at www.sba.gov. Information is also available through the FEMA 24-hour fax-on-demand service by calling 202-646-FEMA.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management also has an Internet site at www.vaemergency.com.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or economic status. Anyone who believes he or she has been discriminated against should contact the federal or state coordinating officer.