Wildfire Recovery Centers Opening in Marion and Henderson Counties

AUSTIN – Wildfire survivors in Marion and Henderson counties can meet with state and federal specialists at recovery centers opening soon in area communities. Starting Saturday, 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 schedule is:

Marion County
Jefferson Visitor Center & Tourism Office
305 East Austin Street
Jefferson, TX 75657
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 28

Henderson County
Emergency Operations Center Training Facility
622 S. Prairieville
Athens, TX 75751
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26

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 officials say the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it.

Texas homeowners, renters, and business owners can register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They can also register 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.