Disaster News

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Small Business Administration

February 19, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Lone Grove for residents with property damages and who were otherwise affected by the recent severe storms and tornadoes.

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open Saturday, Feb. 21, at 9 a.m. and will be open seven days a week until further notice.

DRC location and hours of operation:

16999 U.S. Highway 70 (US70 and Newport Rd.)

Lone Grove, OK 73443

Hours: Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday – 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

DRC staff will answer questions and assist with registration for disaster assistance and hazard mitigation, help with disaster loan applications and provide information and contacts for other programs. Several state agencies, including those offering housing support, disaster food stamps and other social services, unemployment benefits, insurance information, public health information, and transportation assistance, will also staff the centers.

Before visiting a DRC, homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the severe storms and tornadoes are urged to register for assistance by calling FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362). The registration lines are answered 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST seven days a week. For speech- or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is 800-462-7585. Applicants also may register on-line at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Officials remind affected residents who have already filled out damage report forms with the State, their county emergency managers, or voluntary agencies that they must register with FEMA at the above numbers or Web site to be eligible for federal assistance.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives at the DRC will meet individually with each applicant to assist in completing disaster loan applications and to accept completed applications. Returning SBA applications is an essential part of the disaster recovery process even for individuals who do not want a loan.

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, email at disasterassistance@sba.gov, or visit the SBA web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. (Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339 TTY).

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