Disaster Recovery Centers in Somerset County to Close, But Assistance Is Still Available

HUNT VALLEY, Md. – The Disaster Recovery Center operating in Crisfield will close at 5 p.m. Friday, January 18.

Those affected by the disaster that still have questions about assistance or low-interest disaster loans can call the toll-free application line – 1-800-621-FEMA or TTY 1-800-462-7585. For more information about this disaster, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4091, or www.sba.gov/sandy.

Somerset County residents affected by Hurricane Sandy also can apply for federal assistance through a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone. Visit m.fema.gov and follow the link to apply online for federal assistance and other recovery help.

“At this stage of the recovery process, the emphasis for assistance is to meet the long-term needs of victims,” Ken Mallette, Executive Director, Maryland Emergency Management Agency, said. 

Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Lapinski of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also noted that “Help with questions on federal and state disaster assistance is just a phone call away.  Operators at the FEMA toll-free number are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help with many of the questions that were brought to us at the recovery centers. We will also have community relations specialists who will remain available in Somerset County to offer advice with registration and submitting paperwork.”

Since the Disaster Recovery Center opened on December 18 in Crisfield, more than 1,100 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.

February 12 is the deadline to apply for assistance. There are two easy ways to begin the application process.  You may call FEMA’s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585.  Both numbers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice, and multilingual operators are also available to answer your call. Residents with Internet access now have the option to register on the agency’s website at www.disasterassistance.gov where valuable recovery information is also available.

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.