Disaster Recovery Centers to close

The Disaster Recovery Center operating on Saipan will close at 6pm, Friday, Oct. 29. The centers on Rota and Tinian were closed Oct. 18, and will remain closed.

Although the centers will be closed, Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance is still available for those who were affected by Supertyphoon Chaba, and have already registered for assistance. Individuals or business owners who need to provide additional information concerning their application can call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For those with hearing or speech impairment, the TTY number is 800-462-7585. Beginning on Oct. 30, the helpline hours of operation will be noon to 8pm, Monday through Saturday.

“Help with questions on federal and state disaster assistance is just a phone call away. Operators at the FEMA toll-free number are available to help with many of the questions that were brought to us at the recovery centers,” said FEMA federal coordinating officer Mike Karl.

Since the Disaster Recovery Centers opened on Saipan Sept. 3, and on Tinian and Rota Sept. 5, more than 9,721 homeowners, renters, and business owners have visited one of the centers. The temporary centers were established to provide detailed program information to those who have already applied for assistance.

In addition to FEMA Human Services personnel and SBA loan officers, disaster recovery specialists staff the centers to answer questions and provide information on recovery, restoration and rebuilding.

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 the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

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FEMA CHANGES HELPLINE HOURS

The hours of operation for the disaster assistance helpline will change Oct. 30. The new hours will be from noon to 8pm local time, weekdays and Saturdays, until further notice. The helpline will be closed Sundays.

Those who sustained damage as a result of super typhoon Chaba, and have already registered for assistance, can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and TTY 1-800-462-7585 to discuss their application and update information. The FEMA registration line will no longer accept any new applications for assistance.