cCormack, Communications Director  (914) 995‐2932

Contact:  Donna Greene  (914) 995‐2935  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Sept. 6, 2011

ASTORINO ANNOUNCES DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER TO OPEN WEDNESDAY  

Location is the Westchester County Center in White Plains   

County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced today that FEMA, responding to a request from the 

county, will open a disaster recover center at the Westchester County Center’s Little Theater beginning 

Wednesday. The center is for individuals, households and businesses to get help filing for Hurricane Irene 

disaster aid. Astorino will officially open the site at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.  

 The Disaster Recovery Center will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. 

(Parking fees have been waived.)   

 “We are working aggressively to get help to our residents and businesses as quickly as possible,” 

Astorino said. “The first step is for those impacted to register with FEMA, either in person, by telephone or 

online. I know many people prefer meeting with someone in person, which is why this Disaster Recovery 

Center has been set up.”  

 With Westchester being declared a disaster area by President Obama, residents and businesses are 

eligible to apply for disaster aid, along with local governments and nonprofit agencies. The first step is to 

register: by calling FEMA’s registration number 1-800-621-3362; or online at  www.disasterassistance.gov. For 

those with speech or hearing disabilities, use the TTY number at 800-462-7585. FEMA strongly advises 

people to register in advance of visiting the disaster center.  

 In addition to state and federal partners at the center, staff from the county Department of Social 

Services will be on hand to help residents. There will also be representatives from the Small Business 

Administration, who can explain the low-interest loan packages available to individuals, nonprofits and 

businesses of any size. 

— more — FEMA DRC P. 2 

 These loans are for the repair or replacement of real estate and/or personal property damaged by the 

storm and related flooding, officials said.  People who register with FEMA may be sent a loan application from 

the SBA. No one is obligated to take out a loan, according to the SBA. Applicants have six months after 

approval to decide whether to accept the loan. 

 Astorino said that it is imperative that residents and businesses document their losses with photographs 

and with receipts from repairs. In addition, those impacted must contact their insurance company to find out 

what – if anything – is covered