Recovery Specialist to Visit Smith and Upshur Counties

AUSTIN — Wildfire survivors in Smith and Upshur counties can meet with state and federal specialists at recovery centers in their areas. Starting today, specialists from the state of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. They also have brochures and other written materials on disaster recovery. The remaining schedule is:
*Smith County, County Office, 11325 Spur 248 in Tyler
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4

*Upshur County, First Baptist Church of Gilmer, 304 Buffalo Street
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7

Any Texan with questions about the recovery process or needing help registering with FEMA is urged to stop by a recovery center. Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it. Texans can register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov, or by telephone via FEMA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Assistants are available by phone from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.