Dyersburg Mall (Extended FEMA Assistance - DRC)

FEMA to stay in area
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Dyersburg State Gazette

As the Dyer County community transitions from emergency mode to the restoration process following the recent historic flooding of the Forked Deer River, many of the programs and initiatives of city and county officials, emergency management personnel and relief organizations will also make changes.

Representatives from local to federal levels working with flood victims in the Dyer County area are concerned that as residents see emergency accommodations closing, they will feel that all aid in the area has abandoned them, as well.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has secured a place in the Dyersburg Mall to meet with area residents and guide them through the application and recovery process. As FEMA officials settle into the Disaster Recovery Center, located across from Cato, the mobile command unit parked in the mall parking lot will most likely be dispatched to another area in need of assistance.

Residents should not assume that FEMA has left the area with its highly visible mobile unit. FEMA representatives will remain in the area to help those affected by the flooding indefinitely. Any decision to leave the community will be announced beforehand.

Representatives of the Small Business Administration, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Red Cross and Dyer County Disaster Recovery System will also remain in the mall space to provide guidance and assistance to local flood victims throughout this critical time in the restoration process.

The emergency shelter offered by the Red Cross at First United Methodist Church closed Tuesday afternoon, but area residents will still find much assistance through the Red Cross organization.

Red Cross Executive Director Lynne Fritchey said that residents in need may visit the mall or call 1-866-Get-Info (1-866-438-4636) or the organization's local number, 286-4740.

The Dyer County Disaster Relief Service's Flood Relief Center, located at Cumberland Presbyterian Church closed on Friday, but aid for flood victims in search of food, clothing, hygiene products or other household needs are still available through Matthew 25:40, the Salvation Army, local churches, civic groups or service ministries. Many of the county's local organizations are coordinating with the DRS to link donated items, services and funds to directly affect the victims of the flooding.

Representatives of the Dyersburg/Dyer County Union Mission reported shortly after the flooding began that they are also collecting household items for residents affected by the floodwater. The organization expects to see their financial requests for rent, deposits and other forms of financial aid rise in the next few weeks, as flood victims attempt to find alternate accommodations.

City leaders and representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Small Business Administration and Dyer County Disaster Relief Service would like to make sure that flood victims rest assured that help is not leaving town.

Those interested in more information may call the DRS at 285-3303 or Dyersburg City Hall at 288-7604. To trigger the inspection process for homes affected by floodwaters, residents should contact Dyersburg Electric System at 287-4600.