Disaster center open in Clinton

CLINTON — A Disaster Recovery Center opened Wednesday to assist East Feliciana Parish homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered uninsured or underinsured damage to property during Hurricane Isaac.

Specialists from the state, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available.

The center will be open until 6 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10413 Plank Road, Clinton, which is the former T-Man’s Restaurant.

Survivors may register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov. They also may call (800) 621-3362 or (800) 462-7585 for TTY. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call (800) 621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

The Small Business Association offers federal low-interest disaster loans to residents and businesses. After registering with FEMA, interested parties can visit any Disaster Recovery Center and SBA representatives will answer questions, explain the application process and help each resident or business owner apply to SBA.

For SBA information or to apply online, visit http://www.sba.gov or call (800) 659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

FEMA spokeswoman Gina Cortez said 351 East Feliciana residents had registered for assistance through Tuesday, and more than $172,000 in assistance had been approved.

Rosemary San Souci, site manager, said Wednesday that people often apply for assistance in advance and get letters of denial, but some of the reasons for the denial can be simple to fix.

If applicants get such a letter, they should come to the recovery center, she said.

“It may be just a simple fix is needed,” San Souci said.