FEMA opens first Disaster Recovery Center in Perryville

PERRYVILLE, Mo. (KBSI) — For the first time in Perry County history, a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is now open, offering support to residents still picking up the pieces from the March tornadoes.

Located on the second floor of the Perry County Courthouse, the center will serve as a one stop resource for storm victims, providing access to both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration.

The center will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., including the Juneteenth holiday.

“We’re very glad FEMA came to town to open a disaster recovery center,” says Patrick Naeger, the Emergency Management Director saying, “which, from what I gather, has never been done in Perry County ever before.”

Naeger encouraged anyone affected by the storms, even those who have already started repairs, to register for assistance today. “If there’s any doubt, you want to go ahead and register,” he said. “Bring your ID, insurance papers, photos of the damage, even a list of what was lost. All of that can help.”

He praised the community’s continued resilience throughout the recovery. “This community is very resilient. They fix a lot of stuff on their own,” he said. “But this is a situation where if they need help, it’s here. It’s available to them. They’re here to help. They want to help.”