Connecticut Governor Rell Announces Deployment of Mobile Disaster Recovery Center

Will Facilitate FEMA Aid for April Nor’Easter; Center Rolls Into Bridgeport This Saturday

June 15, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today said FEMA’s mobile disaster recovery centers will fan out across the state over the next several days to help property owners, renters and business owners affected by the April 15 nor’easter apply for federal assistance in recovering from the storm.

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Beginning Saturday, June 16 and continuing until June 19, a mobile DRC will be stationed in Bridgeport.

After its visit to Bridgeport, the mobile DRC will then be deployed to eastern Connecticut until demand is met there. After demand is fulfilled, the mobile DRC will be redeployed to other areas of the state.

In addition, fixed DRC sites are planned for the following cities and towns: Norwalk, Greenwich, Danbury, Windsor, Waterbury and New Haven. Exact locations in each of the cities and towns will be publicized within the next several days.

“People who intend to visit either the mobile or fixed locations should call prior to their visit to initiate a claim file by telephone,” Governor Rell said. “We are thrilled that FEMA is responding quickly to our needs.”

The easiest way for most residents to contact FEMA will be through a toll-free hotline, (800) 621-FEMA [(800) 621-3362]. Users of TTY service can call 800-462-7585. Phone lines are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT. Residents can also apply for assistance through the Internet by visiting FEMA online at www.fema.gov.

On Wednesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, acting on appeal led by Governor Rell, reversed an earlier decision and ruled that residents of Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London and Windham counties would be eligible for individual assistance. For homeowners and renters that aid may include grants and low-interest loans for repair or replacement of damaged property, while business owners may be eligible for low-interest loans.

Callers are advised to have the following information available to help speed up the application process:

* Your current phone number
* Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
* Your Social Security number, if available
* A general list of damage and losses you suffered
* Good directions to the property that was damaged
* If insured, your insurance policy number, or the agent's and company’s name
* General financial information

Individual and household assistance may include:

* Temporary Housing - Homeowners and renters may receive rental assistance to help with housing costs while displaced from their own homes or apartments or while looking for new, permanent housing
* Repair - Homeowners may qualify for grants to repair disaster damage not covered by insurance. These funds are intended to make their homes safe and habitable, which will not necessarily return them to their pre-disaster condition
* Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - Applicants also may receive grants for serious disaster-related needs not met by insurance, volunteer agencies or other sources. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage and other eligible expenses
* Disaster Loans - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) makes low-interest disaster loans available to residents of the counties included in the disaster declaration. The SBA provides three types of disaster loans:
o Home disaster loans to homeowners to repair or replace storm-damaged homes and, to renters and homeowners alike, to replace lost personal property
o Business physical disaster loans to business owners to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, including inventory and supplies
o Economic injury disaster loans which provide capital to businesses and agricultural cooperatives to help them through the recovery period.

Source: Connecticut Governor