WASHINGTON – A new Disaster Recovery Center will open tomorrow in Cherokee County to assist individuals, households and businesses affected by the recent storms and flooding in Iowa.
The Cherokee County Disaster Recovery Center is located at 530 W. Bluff St., in Cherokee, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday until further notice.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), Disaster Recovery Center visitors may:
• Get help completing applications for federal low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations
• Inquire about the status of applications for federal assistance
• Obtain referrals to voluntary organizations that may help with immediate unmet needs
• Learn cost-effective mitigation measures to reduce the impact of future disaster losses
Representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration can help answer questions and provide recovery information. Additional materials about assistance programs from other federal and state agencies are available at the centers.
“In the past, these Disaster Recovery Centers have been helpful for face-to-face interactions for Iowans simply looking for information,” Senator Chuck Grassley said.
There are also Disaster Recovery Centers in Delaware, Hamilton, Jasper, Mahaska, Polk, Story and Wright counties. Before visiting a Disaster Recovery Center, registration should be completed with FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov; or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- or speech-impaired. The numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily, until further notice.
For other Disaster Recovery Center information, Iowans should visit www.fema.gov/assistance/opendrcs.shtm.