Disaster Help is Available Even After Recovery Centers Close

OKLAHOMA CITY – The remaining Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) set up by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are closing this Friday, August 14 but FEMA help is still available for those in need.

Anyone who has not yet registered for disaster aid has until August 26 to do so. For the more than 10,000 Oklahomans who have registered, information and guidance is only a phone call or mouse click away.

“Residents and business owners across the state continue to work hard recovering from this year’s disaster, and some may continue to have questions about the disaster assistance process” said OEM Deputy Director and Oklahoma State Coordinating Officer Michelann Ooten. “It’s important for them to know where to turn to get their questions answered as the recovery centers close”.

The FEMA Help Line is 800-621-3362. Telephone operators are on duty from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Help is available on-line at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  Those who still need to register, update their information, or just ask disaster-related questions should contact FEMA using either method.

According to FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer John Long, “Our commitment is to help everyone in Oklahoma get all eligible disaster assistance. We just need you to register and stay in touch with us.”

The same goes for those who have applied for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Homeowners, renters and businesses of any size have access to SBA’s low-interest loans to recover from damage and losses and other economic setbacks attributed to the May 5 through June 22 severe weather and flooding.

The number for the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center is 800-659-2955 (Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339). The website for disaster questions and information can be accessed at www.sba.gov/disaster.