SPRINGFIELD, IL — Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will be opening Friday, December 6, 2013 to serve people who were affected by the recent severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes.

DRC services include help with applying for disaster assistance and finding out about other disaster programs available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local agencies, and voluntary organizations. Residents must apply with FEMA even if they already provided damage information to local officials, other agencies or organizations.

Tazewell County

Festival of Lights East Peoria Illinois (FOLEPI)

2200 E. Washington St.

East Peoria, IL 61611

Hours: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., 7 days a week, until further notice

Massac County

Brookport Library

7415 S. US 45

Brookport, IL 62910

Hours: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., 7 days a week, until further notice (Due to inclement weather, the Brookport DRC opening on Friday, December 6, may be delayed until the afternoon).

Individuals can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CST seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster recovery officials work closely with community leaders to find DRC locations that provide safe and easy access for all survivors. More centers will open as sites are identified and approved.

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 FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: Don Jacks, 304-542-6258

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