Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Three Parishes

Posted: Sep 1, 2012 10:01 PM

BATON ROUGE, La. - Three Disaster Recovery Centers have opened for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Isaac.
Specialists from the state of Louisiana, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. The centers, which opened Saturday, will operate all day Sunday and Labor Day as well. They will remain in operation until further notice.
"The recovery centers serve as a one-stop shop for folks who need one-on-one assistance," said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. "The state and federal professionals are there to help eligible survivors get help as quickly as possible."

Locations and hours:

Plaquemines Parish

Belle Chasse Auditorium

8398 Hwy. 23

Belle Chasse, La. 70037

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Sept. 2 until further notice

St. John Parish

1931 W. Airline Hwy.

LaPlace, La. 70068

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Sept. 2 until further notice

St. Tammany Parish

Towers Building

520 Old Spanish Trail

Slidell, La. 70458

Saturday, Sept. 1, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Sept. 2 until further notice

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

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it.

The presidential disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac now makes available federal assistance to eligible survivors in Ascension, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. John and St. Tammany parishes.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.