WISE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER TO CLOSE MAY 1

Media Contacts:
FEMA - Josie Pritchard (276) 973-0078
VDEM - Suzanne Simmons (276) 973-0063

        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
        April 24, 2002
        FEMA-1406-DR-VA-NR34

WISE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER TO CLOSE MAY 1

WISE, VA. - The disaster recovery center (DRC) in Wise serving victims of the March flooding will close at 7 p.m.Wednesday, May 1. The DRC is located on Industrial Park Road behind the K-Mart.

Federal Coordinating Officer Louis Botta said, "The numbers of people coming to the Wise center have decreased significantly."

Although the DRC in Wise is closing on May 1, information will still be available by calling the FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment can call TTY 1-800-462-7585.

Flood victims can continue to register for disaster assistance using FEMA's registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA, (1-800-621-3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired. Both Helpline and Teleregistration are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Information on the Southwest Virginia disaster is also available on FEMA's homepage on the Internet at www.fema.gov, or VDEM's homepage at www.vaemergency.com. Information also is available through FEMA's 24-fax-on-demand service by calling (202) 646-FEMA. RADIO NEWS DIRECTORS: For recorded actualities on response and recovery operations call the FEMA Radio Network at 1-800-323-5248.