By M. Scott Carter
Two new Disaster Recovery Centers have opened in Little Axe and Moore to assist residents recovering from wildfires that caused widespread damage in central Oklahoma April 9-12.
The centers will be operated by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Two other Disaster Recovery Centers remain open in Midwest City and Ratliff City.
The center will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 109 E. Main St., Moore or the Little Axe High School gymnasium, 2000 168th Avenue NE.
Disaster assistance staff will answer questions and help with registration for disaster assistance and hazard mitigation, assist with disaster loan applications and provide information and contacts for other programs.
“We want to assure that everyone gets the assistance they need and encourage residents of the nine declared counties to register for assistance with FEMA” said Fred W. Liebe, OEM state coordinating officer for wildfire disaster recovery.
Carter, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, McClain, Murray, Oklahoma, Payne and Stephens counties are included in the June 19 presidential disaster declaration .
“Disaster Recovery Centers provide an excellent one-stop source for information on a wide range of state and federal disaster assistance available to residents affected by recent wildfires,” said Kenneth R. Tingman, FEMA federal coordinating officer for Oklahoma disaster recovery. “We are committed to assuring that all those facing loss or damage to their homes have safe and sanitary housing as they move toward recovery.”
State and federal disaster experts will be available at Disaster Recovery Centers to provide housing support, insurance information, public health information and vehicle assistance. SBA representatives provide one-on-one assistance with applications for low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses for losses not fully covered by insurance or other compensation.
Before visiting a disaster Recovery Center, homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the wildfires are urged to register at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Registration lines are open from 7 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Applicants also may register on-line at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
