MOBILE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER TO OPEN IN LANCASTER COUNTY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

October 23, 2003
NR #92 DR-1491-VA

MOBILE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER TO OPEN IN LANCASTER COUNTY

RICHMOND, VA -- A mobile Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open Saturday, Oct. 25, through Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Lively to assist individuals in Lancaster County and other areas that suffered losses and damages from Hurricane Isabel. The DRC will be located at:

Upper Lancaster Volunteer Rescue Squad
123 Norris Road
Lively, VA

The DRC will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25; noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26; and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27 and Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Mobile DRCs provide a way for FEMA recovery specialists to travel from place to place, reach individuals in remote areas and offer them the opportunity to apply for disaster assistance. Residents of localities that have been declared disaster areas can visit any DRC. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Nov. 17, 2003.

Individuals can still apply 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. Individuals can also call the FEMA Helpline at the above listed numbers to ask questions and get answers about assistance. The lines are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

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.