State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Lee County

CLANTON, Alabama, March 14 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following fact sheet:

The State of Alabama and FEMA will open two disaster recovery centers in the Lee County cities of Smiths Station and Opelika Friday, March 15.

The centers offer in-person support to individuals and businesses in Lee County affected by the recent tornadoes.

Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the state and other interests will be at the centers to talk about available assistance and to help anyone who needs guidance. The centers are located at:

Mount Olive Baptist Church, 784 Lee Road 298, Smiths Station, AL 36877

Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EDT) daily

Providence Baptist Church, 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika, AL 36804

Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CDT) daily

Disaster survivors can visit either of the centers.

SBA disaster assistance employees are committed to helping businesses and residents rebuild as quickly as possible. They are available to answer questions about SBA's low-interest disaster loan program and help business owners and residents apply to the SBA.

The centers are accessible to people with disabilities. Centers have assistive technology equipment allowing disaster survivors to use for people with vision loss. Video Remote Interpreting is available by request.

The centers also have accessible parking, ramps and restrooms.

Homeowners, renters and businesses should register for disaster assistance before visiting a recovery center by:

* Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.

* Calling 800-621-3362 (TTY) 800-462-7585

The following information is helpful when registering:

o Name and Social Security number of the primary applicant;

o Name and Social Security number of secondary/co-applicant (encouraged but not required)

o Current and pre-disaster address

o Names of all occupants of the pre-disaster household

o Current contact information

o Types of insurance held by the household

o Household pre-disaster annual gross income

o Losses caused by disaster

o Banking information for direct deposit of financial assistance, if requested.