By Staff
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) announced today the closing of the Brewton Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), located in the Agricultural Science Center, at 6 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 26.
The organization has been present in our community, providing relief assistance since the week Hurricane Ivan wrecked our community.
If you had damage and need help, or know someone who is still struggling, now is the time to meet with them to work out whatever assistance is available. While Disaster Assistance workers will still be available to help via phone and in other centers throughout the region, it will be much easier to deal with them while they're still here.
The local Red Cross office and others who provide services report that they are seeing some clients who wanted to "make it" without asking for help, but are finding they are having a difficult time totally recovering from the storm's effects. Already, the unmet needs of storm victims in Escambia County is tallied at near $1 million.
That's why it's so very important for residents to take advantage of all the federal help that is available to them. No doubt, our community will rally and find the means to help those still ailing from the storm. Getting help from FEMA first can ease the burden of local agencies to provide that help.