Gloucester County Disaster Recovery Center Opens to Help Irene Victims

Gloucester County residents who were affected by Hurricane Irene can get help locally, as a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open at the county services building in Clayton.

Residents can meet with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration representatives at the DRC, at 1200 N. Delsea Dr. in Clayton, seven days a week to get information on FEMA and state assistance for storm losses.

The DRC is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and though appointments aren't necessary, county officials urged residents to register before going over to the office.

There are three ways to register: Go to www.disasterassistance.gov or m.fema.gov, or call FEMA toll-free, at 800-621-FEMA (3362) between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

At the center, residents can:

• Receive information about different types of state and federal disaster assistance.
• Get help completing applications for U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations.
• Inquire about the status of applications for federal assistance.
• Receive referrals to voluntary organizations to help with immediate unmet needs.
• Learn cost-effective measures to reduce the effect of future disaster losses.