Last Chance to Meet with Recovery Specialists in Some Counties

AUSTIN – Wildfire survivors in Upshur, Smith and Rusk counties have one last chance to meet with state and federal specialists at recovery centers opening for a final time in area communities. Starting Thursday, 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:

Upshur County
First Baptist Church of Gilmer
304 Buffalo St.
Gilmer, TX 75644
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28

Smith & Rusk Counties
Bethel Baptist Church
13108 Hwy 64 East
Tyler, TX 75707
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 1-2

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 termed 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 go to http://www.disasterassistance.gov to register online or check on the status of an earlier registration or at m.fema.gov via the web-enabled phone. They can also call one of 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. The registration deadline is December 8.