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Disaster Recovery Center Will Open in Mahoning County
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Mahoning County residents who suffered flood damage this spring can get assistance at a local office next week. Representatives of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Administration and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency announced today that five disaster recovery centers will open next week, including one in the Mahoning County Southside Annex Building in Youngstown. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 6 to 8.The centers, staffed by state and federal disaster program representatives, are intended to meet the needs of individuals who have already registered for assistance under President Bush's disaster declaration and who may have further questions about their cases. People who had property damage can register by calling FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. seven days a week. (The lines will be closed Sunday for Independence Day.)Residents of 21 Ohio counties may be eligible for federal assistance for damages suffered in the flooding that occurred between May 18 and June 21. The counties are Athens, Carroll, Columbiana, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Geauga, Guernsey, Hocking, Lorain, Licking, Logan, Mahoning, Medina, Noble, Perry, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit and Tuscarawas."No one has to visit these centers to register for government help, but people who suffered damage in the flooding can get valuable information and assistance if they need it," said Dale W. Shipley, state coordinating officer for the disaster recovery and executive director of Ohio EMA. Visitors to the centers can:Receive information on disaster assistance programs.Receive information about low-interest U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans and get help in completing disaster loan applications.Get referral information for other programs, such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance.Learn about cost-effective measures to reduce the impact of future disasters."