Disaster Recovery Center is an Option, Not a Necessity

CHICAGO, IL – If you’re waiting for a Disaster Recovery Center to open in your county, be patient and know that you can register for assistance by phone or online at any time.

Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are working together to find locations that can best serve Illinois residents affected by this spring’s storms and flooding.

“We look for facilities that are safe and accessible to all disaster survivors who want in-person help in understanding the application process and what additional state and federal assistance may be available,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken, who serves as state coordinating officer for the presidentially declared disaster.

FEMA safety and security personnel inspect each facility, with state and federal Individual Assistance staff, to determine suitability, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and availability for short-term or extended use as a Disaster Recovery Center.

“Our centers can be in a fire house, a public library, a municipal facility, a commercial storefront or, in good weather, even a parking lot where FEMA staff can work from a converted RV that we use as a mobile Disaster Recovery Center,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Moore.

Individuals can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via web-enabled smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m.to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week.

Disaster Recovery Centers offer information about other disaster programs available from the U.S. Small Business Administration, state and local agencies, and voluntary organizations. Residents must apply with FEMA even if they already provided damage information to local officials, other agencies or organizations.

Just remember: a visit to a Disaster Recovery Center is an option, not a necessity and you can go to any center in your area. For Illinois locations and hours, go to fema.gov/disaster/4116. 

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema, and youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 609-508-2238