NC disaster recovery centers to close

NORTH CAROLINA, (WAVY) - Disaster recovery center operations are adjusting hours and locations to better serve areas affected by tornadoes earlier this month. According the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management, disaster recovery centers in Bertie, Bladen and Lee counties will operate for one more week and then close at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21.

Those who were affected by the April 16 storms and tornadoes may continue to seek help at any open disaster recovery center. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except Sunday, when centers are closed.

Find the nearest disaster recovery center by calling FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) online at http://www.fema.gov/assistance/opendrcs.shtm .

Below are the centers that are slated to close Saturday, May 21:

Bertie County
Colerain Community Building
106 W. Academy St.
Colerain, NC 27924

Bladen County
Powell Melvin Ag Building
450 Smith Circle
Elizabethtown, NC 28337

Lee County
McSwain Agriculture Center
2420 Tramway Road
Sanford, NC 27332

Disaster survivors can still call 800-621-FEMA (3362) to register for disaster assistance, check application status and update contact or insurance company information. A Federal Emergency Management Agency representative is available at the toll-free number from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Callers with speech or hearing disabilities may call (TTY) 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages.

Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with a web-enabled mobile device smartphone. Visit m.fema.gov and follow the link to "apply online for federal assistance."

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The NC Dept. of Emergency Management contributed to this story