Disaster Recovery Centers to Open at CAP Offices

PINE RIDGE, S.D. – The Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are establishing Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in six locations for individuals who experience damage during the severe storms from May 8-29. The centers will be located at the CAP offices in the following locations:

• Aug 19-22: Wounded Knee District ,Manderson
• Aug 23-25: Porcupine District, Porcupine
• Aug 26-29: Medicine Root District, Kyle
• Aug 30-Sep 1: Eagle Nest District, Wanblee 
• Sep 2-4: Pass Creek District, Allen
• Sep 5-7: LaCreek District, Martin

Another DRC is open at the SuAnne Big Crow Recreational Center, 1 Positive Pl. – E HWY 82, Pine Ridge. In addition, transportation to Pine Ridge DRC from the Oglala District office every other hour starting at 9:00 a.m. Individuals are free to visit any DRC location.

The DRCs will be open from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. until further notice.  The DRC is set up for residents who would like to speak one-on-one to recovery representatives, but it’s not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance. Individuals who want to register with FEMA can call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or go online at www.fema.gov or www.disasterassistance.gov. The registration line is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. until further notice. Individuals may also register by smart phone at m.fema.gov. 

Even if residents previously registered with the tribe, with a voluntary agency, or provided damage reports they must still register with FEMA to access federal disaster assistance programs.

Customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the centers to answer questions about SBA’s federal low-interest disaster loans and help business owners and residents complete their application.

FEMA Mitigation specialists are scheduled to be on hand at the DRC to provide information and answer questions about cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.