Joint Disaster Recovery Center opens in Dexter
DEXTER, Mo. (KBSI) – A joint Disaster Recovery Center opens Tuesday, August 6 in Dexter to give storm survivors an opportunity to talk face-to-face with disaster recovery specialists.
The center is located at the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission Building at 105 E. North Main Street in Dexter.
It will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until further notice.
The center will be closed on Sundays.
DRCs are a one-stop shop for disaster survivors who have applied with FEMA and need to present additional documentation or just have questions about the status of their cases.
FEMA staff and representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on hand to help survivors apply for low-interest disaster loans to help fund recovery efforts.
Storm survivors are encouraged to apply with FEMA before visiting a DRC to get the process going as quickly as possible.
DRC staff can assist survivors on the spot for those needing help to apply. For those who are blind or low-vision, or Deaf or hard-of-hearing, assistive devices are available at the centers as well.
Here are the 3 best ways to apply:
- Online: disasterassistance.gov
- Phone: 800-621-FEMA (3362)
- Download and use the FEMA app
Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. FEMA also can connect survivors by phone with language interpreters who can help complete their application or answer questions.
Dexter is the second location to host a DRC in recent days.
A center was opened Aug. 1 in Sikeston at the YMCA at 511 Taylor Street with the same hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays until further notice, and closed Sundays.
Disaster survivors can go to any DRC for assistance, even if it is not in the county in which they live. DRC services are free.
Federal assistance to individuals and households can be in the form of grants to: find a temporary place to live, make minimal home repairs and/or to replace certain personal property. Eligible survivors who need accessibility equipment also may benefit from these grants.
The FEMA assistance, granted July 23 by President Biden, helps eligible homeowners, renters and self-employed business owners in 10 Missouri counties who were impacted by the May 19-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding.
The 10 counties are: Barry, Butler, Carter, Howell, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard and Texas.
Visit the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency at sema.dps.mo.gov for more disaster-related information.or FEMA at fema.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4803.
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