Disaster News
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency 

For Immediate Release:
September 15, 2007 

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS OPENING IN ATOKA AND GARFIELDCOUNTIES

OKLAHOMA CITY – In an effort to reach out to disaster-declared counties, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are opening in Atoka and Garfield counties, said officials with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Applicants in any declared county may receive services at any DRC location.

Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies will be available to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners.

Before visiting any of the DRCs, disaster victims are urged to register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or on-line at www.fema.gov. The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired. Those who have questions may visit a DRC to meet with disaster recovery specialists.

The schedule for upcoming Disaster Recovery Centers follows:

DRCs are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday Hours: 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Sept. 19-Sept. 24
Atoka County
Atoka Police Dept. Building
1002 W. Liberty Road
Atoka, OK74525                                                           

Sept. 19-Sept. 24
Garfield County
Oakwood Mall
4125 W. Garriot Road, Suite XE
Enid, OK73703

SBA Customer Service Representatives are at the DRCs to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help each individual and business owner complete their application.

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations for losses not fully covered by insurance. The SBA may loan up to $200,000 to repair or replace homes and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Up to $1.5 million is available for uncompensated business disaster losses.

Residents and business owners can receive information about SBA disaster loans and help with the application process by calling the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

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