The state and federal Disaster Recovery Center in Schenectady County, operating in the Rotterdam Square Mall, 93 West Campbell Road in Rotterdam, closed Tuesday, Oct. 18, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Several centers remain open to serve the public. People who were unable to visit the Schenectady facility closing Tuesday can seek information and guidance at those facilities that continue to operate throughout the area affected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Currently, most of these centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Applicants for assistance will be advised where the closest Disaster Recovery Center is located during the registration process. For those who have already registered, phone FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362. A link to a list is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or can be reached directly at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.
The centers are staffed with disaster recovery specialists who can provide information and answer questions about storm-related assistance, according to FEMA and state officials.
FEMA strongly urges people adversely affected by the recent storms and flooding to register with FEMA before visiting the centers.
To register by phone, call the Helpline listed above. People with hearing disabilities can use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device or smart phone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to “apply online for federal assistance.”
Information to have ready when registering with FEMA includes the address of the damaged property, names of members of the household, a general description of the damage, the Social Security number of any family member living in the home, the extent of insurance coverage and certain other information needed to expedite the process.
