FEMA REGISTRATION TO END

Saturday, Jan. 10, is the deadline for homeowners, renters and business owners to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for state and federal disaster assistance as a result of damages from Hurricane Ike.

Disaster assistance may include grants to pay for temporary housing, home repair and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.

Texans who were affected by Hurricane Ike are encouraged to register as soon as possible by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 or on the FEMA website, www.fema.gov.  These telephone numbers are answered, and this website is available, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Before applying for assistance, persons affected by the storm should have at hand the following information if possible: Social Security number, pre-disaster address, current address, telephone number(s) for contact, insurance information including policy numbers, description of storm-related losses, routing and bank account numbers for direct deposit if desired.

Once an application is completed, FEMA issues an application number.  People who register must keep this number for future contacts with FEMA.

Assistance in person is available in Baytown at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, which is open from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday), and is located at the former Mervyn's store location on the northwest side of the mall, at the corner of Garth Road and Interstate 10.

Locations of additional disaster recovery centers are listed at www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/dr1791_drc_list.htm.