DRC, FEMA (Disaster Recovery Center), No. Crawford High School (Opened 6/18/08 - Closing 7/6/08)

Published - Thursday, July 03, 2008
Westby Times
FEMA offices in Vernon, Crawford counties to close Sunday
by Matt Johnson

The Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Centers in Vernon and Crawford counties will close on Sunday at 6 p.m.

FEMA announced the offices, located in Viroqua and Soldiers Grove, would be closing. However, those with questions can still call the FEAM toll-free helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

“The number of applications received in these two areas has declined, and we feel that the majority of those needing assistance have taken advantage of these centers’ services,” Dolph Diemont of FEMA said.

Diemont heads up FEMA’s disaster response and recovery in Wisconsin.

The centers were opened after Vernon and Crawford counties after the Kickapoo River watershed flooded after heavy rains fell on June 6-7. In Vernon County, severe flooding occurred in Ontario, La Farge, Viola and Readstown. County officials have said damage from the flood may total $75 million. The flooding was the start of what has become known as the “Great Flood of 2008,” which has swamped communities in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. There have been 24 deaths due to the flooding and 38,000 people have been left homeless.

In Wisconsin, 29 counties were deemed federal disaster areas and residents in those counties are eligible for FEMA assistance. As of Monday, about 450 FEMA claims had been made in Vernon County.

Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Johnnie Smith said officials operating the FEMA offices in this area will be transferred to other areas in need.

“When we determine an area has been successfully served, we can then close that center and move its staff to a new area that has yet to be served,” Smith said.

To date the disaster recovery center in Viroqua has aided 160 FEMA aid applicants with questions while the center in Soldiers Grove had helped 100 FEMA aid applicants.

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Crawford, Vernon County Disaster Recovery Centers to Close July 6
Release Date: June 30, 2008
Release Number: 1768-040

Madison, Wis. -- The Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Crawford and Vernon counties will end operations at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, disaster officials announced today. Applicants with questions still can call the toll-free helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA.

"The number of applications received in these two areas has declined, and we feel that the majority of those needing assistance have taken advantage of these centers' services," said Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) Dolph Diemont. "Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of Wisconsin keep DRCs open for as long as needed in each location." As FCO, Diemont heads up the U.S. government's side of the disaster response and recovery in Wisconsin.

To date, the DRC in Crawford County, at North Crawford High School, 47050 County Road X in Soldiers Grove, has provided help to nearly 100 individuals and business owners. In Vernon County, the DRC at Living Faith Church, 852 N. Main St. in Viroqua has assisted more than 160 applicants with their disaster-related questions and concerns.

"We take a close look at all DRC activity and are committed to providing the best service possible to all those applying for disaster assistance," Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Johnnie Smith said. "When we determine an area has been successfully served, we can then close that center and move its staff to a new area that has yet to be served."

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MADISON, Wis. -- All 12 federal/state Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will be open over the 4th of July Holiday weekend to assist applicants with their disaster-assistance questions and concerns, disaster officials announced today.

"Those in need of our help will be able to go to any of the 12 DRCs now open during the upcoming three-day holiday weekend," Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont said. "All centers will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) are committed to providing uninterrupted help to those affected by the storms and ongoing flooding in the state."

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Hours of operation: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., 7 days a week, until further notice.

The DRC is set up to help individuals and business owners who are registered for disaster assistance by answering their questions and providing them with information on FEMA disaster programs. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) staffs the DRC with customer service representatives who can help explain the disaster-loan program to homeowners, renters and business owners. Representatives from other state, federal and volunteer agencies also may be able to assist the applicants.

Anyone affected is urged either to call FEMA toll-free helpline, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), to start the registration process (those with speech or hearing impairments can call TTY-1-800-462-7585) or register Online at www.fema.gov. Both registration services are operational 24 hours a day.

Residents of 22 Wisconsin counties may be eligible for disaster unemployment for loss of income caused by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Kenosha, Marquette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Vernon, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago counties since June 5.