Six additional Disaster Recovery Centers are now staffed to help residents and business owners who have damage or losses as a result of Hurricane Gustav, according to officials from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

This brings the total number of DRCs to seven; however, additional centers will be announced as they become available. All DRCs are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. until further notice.

DRC locations are:
Assumption Parish
Lucky Hit Shopping Center
260 Hwy 70 Spur
Plattenville, LA 70390

Livingston Parish
Old State Police Camp
11845 Buddy Ellis Rd.
Denham Springs, LA 70726

Point Coupee
Scott Civic Center
1200 Major Parkway
New Roads, LA 70760

West Baton Rouge
Multi Purpose Facility
210 Turner Road
Port Allen LA 70767

Ascension Parish
Lemann Memorial Community Center
1100 Clay Street
Donaldsonville, LA 70346

East Feliciana Parish
American Legion Hall
12024 Liberty Street
Clinton, LA 70722

Terrebonne Parish
Houma Terrebonne Civic Center
346 Civic Center Boulevard
Houma, LA 70360

At these centers, residents can meet face-to-face with federal and state representatives who will answer questions about registration for disaster assistance and hazard mitigation, help with disaster loan applications, and provide information and contacts for other programs. Agencies represented include FEMA, the state and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

An SBA disaster loan specialist will meet individually with each applicant to provide assistance in completing his or her disaster loan application and to accept completed disaster loan applications. Returning the applications is an essential part of the disaster recovery process even for individuals who do not want a loan.

Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by Hurricane Gustav are encouraged to register for assistance by calling the telephone registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 1-800-462-7585). Applicants also may register online at www.fema.gov. Registration lines and online registration are available 24 hours a day seven days a week until further notice.

Residents are encouraged to register prior to visiting a DRC. Even if affected residents already filled out damage report forms with the state, or their county emergency managers, or voluntary agencies they must register with FEMA at the above numbers or Web site to be considered for federal assistance.