CLANTON, Ala. — Disaster Recovery Centers operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency are open in Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, and Limestone counties to help survivors of the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding begin recovery.

Recovery Centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday in the following locations:

  • Baldwin County:
  • Elberta Town Hall, 10352 Main St., Elberta, 36530
  • Fairhope Civic Center (Delchamps Room), 161 North Section St.,  Fairhope, 36532
  • Etowah County:
  • Sardis City Hall, 1335 Sardis Drive, Boaz, 35956
  • Jefferson County:
  • Maurice C. West Community Center, 171 Second St. SW, Graysville, 35073
  • Kimberly Senior Center, 8013Warrior-Kimberly Rd., Kimberly, 35091
  • Lee County:
  • Smith’s Station Government Center, 2336 Lee County Road 430, Suite 101, Smith’s Station, 36877
  • Limestone County:
  • Ripley Woodmen of the World Hall-11281 Ripley Road, Athens, 35611

Specialists from AEMA, FEMA and the Small Business Administration will be on hand to answer questions. Survivors will be able to:

  • Discuss their individual disaster-related needs.
  • Submit any additional documentation needed, such as phone bills or letters from insurance companies.
  • Find out the status of an application.
  • Obtain information about different types of state and federal assistance.
  • Get help from SBA specialists in completing low-interest disaster loan applications for homeowners, renters and business owners.
  • Receive referrals to the American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations to help with immediate needs.
  •  Before going to a center, if possible, survivors should register with FEMA. Apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call (TTY) 800-462-7585.  Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance may include money to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs. Low-interest SBA loans may also be available for losses not covered by insurance or other sources.

Alabama residents should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization. FEMA registrants must use the name that appears on their Social Security card.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

  • Social Security number.
  • Address of the damaged home or apartment.
  • Description of the damage.
  • Information about insurance coverage.
  • A current contact telephone number.
  • An address where they can receive mail.
  • Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

For more information on Alabama disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4176. Visit the Alabama Emergency Management Agency website at ema.alabama.gov/ or Facebook page at facebook.com/AlabamaEMA

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FEMA/Alabama Recovery Centers Help Recovery Begin

Little Rock, Ark. – Besides the physical, emotional and mental challenges they pose, disasters such as the April 27 severe storms, tornadoes and floods may leave some survivors with legal issues. Arkansans who need help with storm-related legal issues but can’t afford a lawyer may find one for free. If you’re in this situation or know someone who is, this is what you need to know:

How to request free legal help:

  • To request a lawyer, call 844-344-7904 toll free.
  • The phone is staffed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Messages can be left at any time.
  • Callers should state they are seeking disaster-related legal assistance.
  • Those who qualify for the free service will be matched with Arkansas lawyers who have volunteered to help.
  • All calls are completely confidential.

Types of legal assistance include:

  • Assistance with insurance claims—life, medical, property, etc.
  • Help with replacing legal papers such as wills
  • Advice on problems with landlords
  • Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems
  • Help with home repair contracts and contractors or with building permits

This program is for survivors in the counties designated for federal disaster assistance to individuals:Faulkner, Pulaski, Randolph and White.

Disaster Legal Services are provided through a partnership among the Arkansas Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which funds some of the administrative costs.

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.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.  For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.

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 us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6, the R6 Hurricane Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionvi/updates.shtm and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Free Legal Services for Arkansas Disaster Survivors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida survivors affected by the recent series of storms, tornadoes and flooding can now visit disaster recovery centers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties if they have questions about disaster assistance.

The disaster recovery centers will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Center locations are:

Escambia County

Brownsville Community Center

2100 W. DeSoto St.

Pensacola, FL 32505

 

Santa Rosa County

Gulf Breeze Recreation Center

800 Shoreline Drive

Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

 

Pensacola State College – Milton Campus

5988 Highway 90

Milton, FL 32583

Specialists from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration will be on hand to answer questions. Survivors will be able to:

  • Discuss their individual disaster-related needs.
  • Submit any additional documentation needed, such as phone bills or letters from insurance companies.
  • Find out the status of an application.
  • Obtain information about different types of state and federal assistance.
  • Get help from SBA specialists in completing low-interest disaster loan applications for homeowners, renters and business owners.
  • Receive referrals to the American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations to help with immediate needs.

Before going to a center, if possible, survivors should register with FEMA. Apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Disaster assistance may include money to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs. Low-interest SBA loans may also be available for losses not covered by insurance or other sources.

For more information on Florida disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4177. Visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

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State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties

Little Rock, Ark. – Storm survivors in the four disaster-designated Arkansas counties have plenty of options when it comes to asking for state and federal assistance.

A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open in Mayflower, Ark., on Thursday, May 8. Mobile Registration Intake Centers are opening Wednesday, May 7, in newly declared Pulaski and White counties, and registration teams are going door to door in affected areas in Faulkner, Pulaski, Randolph and White counties. (A DRC will open soon in Randolph County).

Meanwhile, storm survivors may continue to register online at www.disasterassistance.gov and by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.    

At the DRC, visitors will be able to talk to specialists from the state of Arkansas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Internal Revenue Service, the American Red Cross, plus other agencies and groups. Those professionals will be available to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

“Some folks prefer to meet face to face rather than do business over the phone or online,” said State Coordinating Officer David Maxwell. “The recovery center gives Arkansans that opportunity.”

Disaster Recovery Center Location:

Disaster Recovery Center

(Old Pawn Shop)

600 Highway 365

Mayflower, AR 72106

Monday to Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Sundays: 1 to 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, Mobile Registration Intake Centers (MRIC) continue to assist survivors in Vilonia and Mayflower, and will open today in Pulaski and White counties. Survivors can register for state and federal assistance and check the status of their applications at an MRIC.

“Disaster Recovery Centers put the federal and state personnel a survivor might want to meet under one roof, and MRICs offer a quick way for people to register,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) Timothy J. Scranton. “Both the fixed and mobile centers – and of course, our door-to-door outreach – are designed to offer the most convenience to tornado and storm survivors here in Arkansas.”

Mobile Registration Intake Center Locations:

Pulaski County:

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

27025 Kanis Road, Little Rock, AR 72223

White County:

4103 Highway 36 West
Searcy, AR 72143

(This is an open parking lot across highway from a volunteer fire department)

Hours for both:

Monday to Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sundays: 1 to 6 p.m.

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are canvassing neighborhoods to help people register and provide information. All team members wear FEMA shirts and have FEMA badges.

Survivors can continue to register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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Storm Survivors Have Many Ways to Register for Federal and State Help

PEARL, Miss. – Three additional disaster recovery centers are open in Itawamba, Lowndes and Rankin counties to assist Mississippi residents affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

The disaster recovery centers will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are located at:

Itawamba County

Mantachie Community Center

265 Tishtontee Drive

Mantachie, MS 38855

 

Lowndes County

New Hope Community Center

381 Stadium Road

Columbus, MS 39702

North of the high school, near the football field

 

Rankin County

Rankin County Extension

601 Marquette Road

Brandon, MS 39402

Specialists from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be on hand to answer questions. Survivors will be able to:

  • Discuss their individual disaster-related needs.
  • Submit any additional documentation needed, such as occupancy or ownership verification documents and letters from insurance companies.
  • Find out the status of an application.
  • Obtain information about different types of state and federal assistance.
  • Get help from SBA specialists in completing low-interest disaster loan applications for homeowners, renters and business owners.
  • Receive referrals to the American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations to help with immediate disaster-related needs.

Before going to a center, if possible, survivors should register with FEMA. Apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Disaster assistance may include money to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs. Low-interest SBA loans may also be available for losses not covered by insurance or other sources.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at www.msema.org/  or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/msemaorg.

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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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Additional Disaster Recovery Centers Open Mississippi

EVERETT, Wash. – One month after the State Route 530 Slide claimed the lives of at least 41 people, recovery continues. Local, state, tribal and federal partners have all collaborated in response to this tragedy.

The response of local community groups has been robust from the start. Immediately following the tragedy, the American Red Cross (ARC) began mobilizing response vehicles and trained disaster workers. To date, five ARC vehicles have been active in response and recovery, and a total of more than 400 trained workers – about half of them from Washington State – have responded. ARC has distributed more than 23,600 meals and snacks (in partnership with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief); 1,000 comfort and relief items; and more than 6,800 mental health or health-related contacts have been made. Additionally, ARC shelters have provided 140 overnight stays. The nonprofit has also provided transportation assistance to those who are experiencing significantly-increased commuting times due to the slide.

“From the very start, we’ve remained committed to supporting Snohomish County as survivors continue in the recovery process,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin. “Our work has only just begun. We’ll stay focused on every disaster survivor for as long as necessary.”

On April 2, 2014, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Washington.The declaration made federal funding available to survivors in Snohomish County – including members of the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip tribes – through the Individual Assistance program. Assistance may include funding for increased commuting costs and other disaster-related needs. To date, nearly $300,000 has been distributed in disaster assistance to eligible individuals and households through the Individual Assistance program. Additional funding is forthcoming.

Twenty-eight state agencies, as well as the Washington Conservation Corps, and the Washington Service Corps have provided assistance throughout the past 30 days in response to the disaster. Assistance provided to date includes search and rescue, and fatality extraction; security; emergency response and incident management personnel; environmental monitoring and hazardous materials recovery and disposal; aviation services; donations management; and administration of disaster assistance programs, among other services and activities.

All along, federal agencies have joined forces with and supported state and local search and rescue teams. Under a mission assignment from FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed a temporary structure to hold back water and help dry out areas where search teams can complete their work. The barrier – which is called a berm – is 3,000 feet long and made from 20,000 tons of rock, gravel and earthen materials.

Local, state, tribal and federal support of tribal response and recovery needs remains a top priority. Since the slide, there has been a coordinated partnership among tribal and local charitable organizations and other groups. One example is the ongoing work of the Sauk-Suiattle tribe and ARC as they manage direct distribution of food and other resources to tribal members.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams continue to provide in-person, tailored information and services. DSA has been in contact with 382 survivors and have already registered 102 survivors for FEMA assistance. They have provided 19 case inquiries (looking up information upon request), 35 case updates (updating information, as needed), and 139 whole community referrals. The teams have visited 17 community locations and 18 business locations.

Approximately 29 local voluntary organizations, Washington Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WAVOAD) members, and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) have provided multiple services to survivors of the SR530 Slide. These disaster specific services include emergency financial assistance, financial assistance for transportation, emergency feeding, children’s disaster services, hospitality, spiritual and emotional care, and funeral assistance.

Local, state, tribal and federal agencies also continue to use the best resources to support survivors. Experts have been brought in to provide geologic monitoring of the site, incident management and hazardous materials recovery.

Under the Public Assistance program, federal funding was made available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and debris removal. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will cover 75 percent of eligible costs.    

Public Assistance funding will cover eligible costs associated with search and rescue operations. The Washington State Patrol deployed air support, chaplains, perimeter security, traffic control and provided regular records to the medical examination team. Additionally, nearly 600 National Guard soldiers were deployed to assist with the search.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is processing mudflow damage claims. FEMA is working with “Write Your Own” policy partners to pay eligible filed claims as soon as possible. FEMA encourages all homeowners that sustained damage as a result of SR530 Slide to file claims with their insurance company as soon as possible.

In addition to the Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs, low-interest disaster loans are available to eligible homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit groups through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). As of April 23, nearly $400,000 has so far been approved in SBA loans for survivors of the SR530 Slide.  

“We will continue to work with local, tribal and state officials to ensure that every survivor of this tragedy receives all of the disaster assistance for which they are eligible,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Hall. “We remain committed to the mission, and we are looking ahead to a rapid recovery.”

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One Month after the SR530 Slide, Recovery Continues

EVERETT, Wash. – Commuting cost assistance is now available to eligible survivors of the March 22, 2014 SR530 Slide who are faced with long detours around the closed roadway between Arlington/Oso and Darrington.

As a result of the slide, SR530 remains impassible and the use of alternate routes has significantly increased the residents’ commuting distance and cost.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program’s ‘Other Needs Assistance (ONA)’ provision will help with the increased cost of commuting.  Applicants whose essential commute required travel on SR530 and who are now traveling more than 25 miles one way around the closed portion of SR530, may be eligible.  Essential trips include recurring travel for work, school, or recurring medical appointments.

 “This program is the first-of-its-kind for Washington disaster response,” said Kurt Hardin, state coordinating officer for the SR530 Slide disaster. “We believe it will provide significant aid to Darrington-area residents who face lengthy commutes to job sites as a result of the SR530 Slide. For those eligible for this new program,” he added, “eligibility is back-dated to March 22.”        

Applicants are required to meet FEMA’s eligibility criteria in order to be considered for increased commute cost assistance. Self-employed individuals and small business owners incurring additional business costs due to the increased commute should apply to the Small Business Administration for any economic impact or damage their business received as a result of the slide.

To request commute cost assistance, applicants must first be registered with FEMA. Once registered, applicants will receive a Request for Information (RFI) letter asking for names of individuals in the household who have increased commute times; the number of days per week each individual regularly commutes to work, school, or recurring medical appointments; and how many additional miles over 25 one way their daily commute has increased.

This program is one example of continuing disaster partnerships between federal and state agencies. Nonprofit groups and voluntary agencies’ response, in light of this situation, has been tremendous. The American Red Cross has been providing financial assistance to help with transportation, utilities, and other disaster-related needs. Community Transit now operates Route 231, an emergency bus route, between Darrington and Everett until further notice.  For more information on this route, visit www.communitytransit.org/darrington.

“We are working closely with local, state and tribal partners to ensure that all survivors receive the assistance for which they are eligible,” according to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Branch Director Christy Grant. “This assistance will help those impacted by this historic event as they continue in recovery.”  

Local, tribal, state, and federal partners will continue working together as long-term recovery continues.

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Commuting Cost Assistance Available For Eligible SR530 Slide Survivors

DENVER – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Colorado Springs will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., MDT, for five days beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5, and closing Saturday, Nov. 9.

Colorado residents who suffered losses and damages as a result of the severe storms and flooding can get face-to-face disaster information at this DRC:

EL PASO COUNTY

Security Fire Department

400 Security Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80911

All DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the FEMA in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

Representatives from FEMA and the SBA are among the agencies represented at each DRC to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.

Survivors with disaster losses will save time by registering with FEMA before going to a DRC.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MDT, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

For individuals who have hearing and visual disabilities or are deaf, DRCs can provide accommodations such as:

• Captioned telephones, which transcribe spoken words into text
• The booklet “Help After a Disaster” in large print and Braille
• American Sign Language interpreters available upon request 
• Magnifiers and assistive listening devices
• 711-Relay or Video Relay Services

For more information on the Colorado disaster operation, visit fema.gov/disaster/4145.

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A New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in El Paso County

DENVER – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Colorado Springs will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., MDT, for five days beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5, and closing Saturday, Nov. 9.

Colorado residents who suffered losses and damages as a result of the severe storms and flooding can get face-to-face disaster information at this DRC:

EL PASO COUNTY

Security Fire Department

400 Security Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80911

All DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the FEMA in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

Representatives from FEMA and the SBA are among the agencies represented at each DRC to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.

Survivors with disaster losses will save time by registering with FEMA before going to a DRC.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MDT, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

For individuals who have hearing and visual disabilities or are deaf, DRCs can provide accommodations such as:

• Captioned telephones, which transcribe spoken words into text
• The booklet “Help After a Disaster” in large print and Braille
• American Sign Language interpreters available upon request 
• Magnifiers and assistive listening devices
• 711-Relay or Video Relay Services

For more information on the Colorado disaster operation, visit fema.gov/disaster/4145.

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A New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in El Paso County

DENVER – Cañon City’s Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., MDT, seven days beginning Thursday, Oct. 31. This is the first DRC in Fremont County.

Colorado residents who suffered losses and damages as a result of the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides can get face-to-face disaster information at this DRC:

Fremont County

Garden Park High School 

201 North 6th Street

Cañon City, CO 81212

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., MDT, seven days a week at first.

Closed every Sunday beginning Nov. 10.

All DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

Representatives from FEMA and the SBA are among the agencies represented at each DRC to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.

Survivors with disaster losses will save time by registering with FEMA before going to a DRC.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MDT, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

For individuals who have hearing and visual disabilities or are deaf, DRCs can provide accommodations such as:

• Captioned telephones, which transcribe spoken words into text
• The booklet “Help After a Disaster” in large print and Braille
• American Sign Language interpreters available upon request 
• Magnifiers and assistive listening devices
• 711-Relay or Video Relay Services

For more information on the Colorado disaster operation, visit fema.gov/disaster/4145.

Original article:  

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Cañon City

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