FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Re-opened in Arecibo

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

The government of Puerto Rico and FEMA re-opened the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Arecibo.

DRCs serve homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Specialists from the government of Puerto Rico and municipalities, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, nongovernmental organizations and the local community, will be on hand to help survivors register for assistance, answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

The Arecibo DRC is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is located at:

2nd Floor Coliseo Manuel G. Iguina Reyes

Expreso Jose De Diego

PR-129 Interior

Arecibo, PR 00612

Survivors impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362) (voice, 711/VRS - Video Relay Service). TTY call 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish). Lines are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. If you suspect anyone of fraud, call the FEMA disaster fraud hotline at 1-800-720-5721.

Registering with FEMA is the first step toward qualifying for disaster assistance which may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacements and disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

To find location and hours of a DRC near you, visit fema.gov/DRC.