Mike Haller Public Information Office
– Alaska Div. of Emergency Services 907-428-6031
Penny Rimbey U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
916-717-5835
News Desk Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA)
907-273-4219
ANCHORAGE, Alaska— The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Alaska Division of Emergency Services are opening two Disaster Recovery Centers on Wednesday, May 7, in Anchorage and Palmer.
The centers will be staffed with representatives of federal and state agencies who will provide information and answer questions about the assistance available to residents of the municipality of Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough designated federal disaster areas following the severe winter storm, March 6 –14. The Kenai Peninsula Borough also was declared in the April 26 Presidential declaration.
The Disaster Recovery Center locations and operating hours are:
| Anchorage | Mat-Su Borough |
| “Fire Prevention Building” 3630 East Tudor Road Anchorage Tuesday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
“Borough Administration Gymnasium” 350 East Dahlia Palmer Tuesday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
William Lokey, FEMA coordinating officer, and Jim Butchart, state coordinating officer, urge anyone who has suffered losses or is underinsured for their damages as a result of March 6-14 winter storm, to visit the centers.
“A variety of federal, state and voluntary agency programs are available for homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the disaster’s severe winds and freezing temperatures,” Lokey said. “Now is the time to find out about these programs and begin the process of recovering from this disaster.”
Eligible disaster survivors are urged to start the application process by calling toll-free,
1-800-621-FEMA (3362). People with hearing or speech impairments may call
TTY 1-800-462-7585 to apply. The hours to call are between 8:00am and 6:00pm Alaska time.
Programs available to eligible applicants include:
Disaster Housing Assistance, administered by FEMA, for individuals and families whose homes have been made uninhabitable due to the March 6-14 storm. The program also provides funding for temporary housing for people who must leave their homes during repairs to make their residences livable.
Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for homeowners, renters or business owners for repairs, replacement or rebuilding of disaster-damaged property.
Grants through FEMA and Alaska’s “other needs” assistance for people who have serious immediate needs resulting from the disaster that cannot be met by other sources.
Technical advice on common-sense strategies to minimize losses from future disasters.
“The Disaster Recovery Centers will remain open as long as necessary to help the people of Alaska recover from this disaster,” Lokey said.
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More information is available on FEMA’s For the Media site, at www.fema.gov/media, and radio actualities are available from the FEMA Radio Network (1-800-323-5248).