Upcoming Changes At Disaster Recovery Centers

PURVIS, Miss. – There will be changes this week at Disaster Recovery Centers in Mississippi.

The State of Mississippi and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all Disaster Recovery Centers. When traffic slows, a center may change hours or be considered for possible closure.   

The last chance to visit two centers will be Sat., March 2 until 6 p.m.:

Marion County

Mount Carmel Church of God, 573 Mount Carmel Church Rd., Foxworth

Wayne County

Waynesboro Fire Station, 710 Wayne St Waynesboro

Survivors can still meet face-to-face with disaster-recovery specialists at three centers where hours and days of operation will change this week. Effective Sat., March 2, these disaster recovery centers will serve storm survivors 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Effective Sun., March. 3, these centers will be closed Sundays.

Forrest County:

Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12th Ave., Hattiesburg

Petal Civic Center, 712 S. Main St., Petal

Lamar County:

Lamar Park, 226 Pinewood Drive, Hattiesburg

Individuals can register for help online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants also may call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use        711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate     7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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