RECOVERY CENTER TO OPEN IN CITY OF RICHMOND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

October 3, 2003
PR #36, DR-1491-VA

RECOVERY CENTER TO OPEN IN CITY OF RICHMOND

RICHMOND, VA -- A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 4 in Richmond to assist those who suffered losses and damages from Hurricane Isabel. For a list of DRCs currently open in Virginia, visit: www.vaemergency.com.

Carillon at Byrd Park
1300 Blanton Ave.
Richmond, VA 23221

Hours of operation of the DRC will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., until further notice.

Residents of jurisdictions that have been declared disaster areas can visit any DRC.

Individuals can still register 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 midnight seven days a week. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Nov. 17, 2003.

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 those affected 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; more SBA information is available 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.