Disaster News

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Small Business Administration

February 25, 2009

Oklahoma City – A Disaster Recovery Center will open Friday, Feb. 27, in Oklahoma City, emergency-management officials announced today.

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will operate the new center at the following location:

American Legion Hall
917 NW 92nd St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73114

The new Disaster Recovery Center will be the second facility established to assist Oklahoma residents recovering from recent severe storms and tornadoes. A center serving Carter County opened Saturday, Feb. 21 at:

16999 U.S. Highway 70 (U.S.70 and Newport Rd.)
Lone Grove, OK 73443

Both Disaster Recovery Centers will be open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday – Saturday and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

“This new center opening will make it convenient for people from the area to receive assistance and have their questions answered at one location in face-to-face meetings with federal, state and local disaster specialists,” said State Coordinating Officer Fred W. Liebe.

Residents of Carter, Logan and Oklahoma counties may be eligible for disaster assistance under a presidential disaster declaration issued Feb. 15 for severe storms and tornadoes.

Residents with damages are urged to call the FEMA toll-free helpline, 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585, to start the registration process or register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Phone lines are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Applicants can register anytime online.

“We encourage anyone who was affected by the storms to call the toll-free number or register online even if they have applied to other service agencies,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Doug Mayne. “Don’t assume you will not be eligible for our help.”

Disaster Recovery Centers will provide written materials on various assistance programs, including temporary housing assistance, individual and family grants and low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses for losses not fully covered by insurance or other compensation. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury. SBA offers low-interest working capital loans (called Economic Injury Disaster Loans) to small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster.

Residents and business owners can receive more information about SBA disaster loans and help with the application process by calling the SBA at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, by email at disasterassistance@sba.gov, or by visiting the SBA web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

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