Can the Disaster Recovery Center Help Me?

Last Friday I had the opportunity to check out the recently opened FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) that has been established in Cumberland County. In my 5 years with DPS, we've never had a DRC opened in our county, so I, like many people in our area didn't know what exactly happened at a disaster recovery center. I figured it was just a few folks from FEMA with paperwork available to apply for assistance! I do not often say these words folks but, I was wrong!

We pulled up the DRC to see a very large RV with the Homeland Security Seal displayed on it and several satellites pointed to the sky and obviously operational. This is was one of FEMA's mobile DRC's, utilized to get out DRC up and running! As we entered the DRC it was a buzz with activity and I was overwhelmed by the amount of services available to residents! I scanned the room and saw representatives from the Red Cross, Unemployment, PA Department of Health, Small Business Association, Public Assistance, PennDOT, Tax Assistance, Department of Environmental Protection, FEMA and so many more! The true purpose of a DRC is to be one stop shopping for those trying to recover after a disaster. If you have questions about recovery you can't find answer to, the DRC is for you! If you need help finding temporary housing, the DRC is for you! If you lost your license in the flood and need a new one, the DRC is for you! Need a low interest loan to help in your recovery efforts, the DRC is for you! Bottom line, if you were affected by the flood, THE DRC IS FOR YOU!

My first DRC experience was an impressive and one I won't soon forget! There are so many folks there working hard to help you get back on your feet! I encourage anyone who needs help or some simple guidance in their recovery efforts to stop by the DRC!

-Megan Silverstrim
Cumberland County DPS


Listed below are a few of the key details regarding the DRC in Cumberland County!

Cumberland County Disaster Recovery Center
West Enola Fire Company
118 Chester Road, Enola

Schedule
September 27th - 10am- 7pm
September 28th - 10am- 7pm
September 29th - 10am- 7pm
September 30th - 10am- 7pm
*The DRC will remain open beyond these dates if residents continue to attend and utilize the center. We will announce additional dates as they are needed and scheduled.


- The DRC is a resource for anyone (renters, homeowners, business owners) who has been affected by the flood that resulted from Tropical Storm Lee and is seeking information or assistance.

- No appointment is required, though attendees can pre-register in an effort to make their experience much more time efficient. Those wishing to pre-register can do so by contacting FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those who have a speech disability or hearing loss & use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

- Attendees are required to have some form of identification and their social security number available upon arrival. All other forms and documents will be provided at the DRC.

- Representatives from PEMA and FEMA will be present at the DRC. PennDOT officials will also be on hand to reissue driver’s licenses to individuals who may have lost or had their license destroyed in the flood.