FEMA Recovery Center Opens In Stamford

Stamford CT

07 December, 2021

8:28 PM

Description

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons announced Tuesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Stamford, located at the Harry Bennett Branch of the Ferguson Library, 15 Vine Road. Similar centers have opened up recently around Fairfield County in response to the remnants of Hurricane Ida which slammed into the region in early September. Stamford received nearly nine inches of rain which caused widespread flooding. Hours for the Stamford location are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sunday. Representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the center to help residents apply for disaster assistance, explain disaster assistance programs, answer questions about FEMA letters and the appeals process, and provide literature about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant. FEMA plans to operate the DRC until approximately Dec. 29, or as the demand warrants. Residents are encouraged to visit the DRC as soon as possible, as FEMA may adjust operating hours or days if there is insufficient activity. "Hundreds of Stamford residents and businesses experienced losses as a result of the remnants of Hurricane Ida," Simmons said in a news release. "It is important that we are partnering with FEMA in making this center available in Stamford to speed the recovery for our residents. I encourage residents who experienced a loss during the storm to come to the Disaster Recovery Center and speak with the FEMA representatives." Robert Fogel, Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA, said in a news release that DRCs "are just one of the tools" FEMA uses to help survivors through the registration and appeals process. DRCs are accessible for individuals with disabilities and have on-site communication accessibility tools like amplified listening devices and Video Remote Interpreting. Additional accommodations can be made upon arrival. ASL interpreters and multilingual services will be available upon request. Applicants are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property, businesses and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance. In addition to visiting a DRC, Connecticut residents can apply online here; via the FEMA app; or by calling the Disaster Assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. The deadline to apply for federal assistance is Dec. 29. Applicants for disaster assistance should have the following information prior to registration: Social Security number; address of the damaged primary residence; insurance coverage information; current telephone number and mailing address; and bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds. To help alleviate the risk of COVID-19 being spread through person-to-person contact, wearing a mask or face covering is required to gain entry. Hand sanitizer is available to survivors and staff. Disaster assistance may include financial help for home repairs along with other programs to assist families recover from the effects of the event.