Disaster recovery center opens to long lines

By Adam Koob (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Wednesday, October 8, 2008

NATCHEZ — A line wrapped around the building marked the start of the first day of business for FEMA’s disaster recovery center on Tuesday.

While the center wasn’t scheduled to open until noon, by 9:30 a.m. those looking for federal assistance had already started lining up and the doors actually opened an hour early.

Layne Segda oversees the center and said the first day was hectic.

But he doesn’t expect the center to be busy for long; he said the first two days are always the busiest.

“Then it drops off,” he said.

And if today is anything like the first day, the center will packed again.

Segda said the center’s workers met with 51 people in need of some type of assistance.

But of those, more than half were only at the center to register.

Segda said for some reason many people thought they could only register at the center.

“People can register online or by phone,” he said. “They don’t have to do that here.”

While Segda said assistance seekers can register at the center, it’s main function is to help applicants make adjustments to their claims or fix any problems once an application has been filed.

Segda said approximately 30 applicants actually left the center after they realized they could register elsewhere.

But for those seeking federal assistance, Tuesday’s long line was no deterrent.

Leslie Bernard said she was anticipating a long line at the disaster center and was ready to wait.

Bernard said she would be seeking assistance for the food and furniture she lost during Gustav.

The food was lost when power went out and the furniture was damaged when a branch went through her roof and the rain came in.

“I came to see what they could cover,” she said.

Shirley Holmes, near the end of the line, said she was seeking disaster assistance for food she lost as a result of the power outage.

Holmes said she lost at least $300 worth of meat in the storm.

“So many had losses in the storm,” she said. “There are a lot of people who need help.”

Segda said while many on Tuesday had questions about food vouchers; those requests were being turned over to the Red Cross.

While Segda is expecting another big day of crowds today, he implored those wishing to register with FEMA to do so before going to the center.

Applicants can register by phone by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or by visiting www.fema.gov.

Segda said the center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday throughout the next to weeks.