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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2007
No. 07-068
Centralized relief center established for Greensburg
residents
Federal, state and local services available in Haviland
To streamline the recovery efforts in Greensburg, a Disaster Assistance
Center (DAC) has been established in the nearby town of Haviland. There,
Greensburg residents will be able to access services from charitable organizations
and federal, state and local governments.
The center is located in Hockett Auditorium, located at the corner of
Kingman and Elm streets on the campus of Barclay College.
"We want to make it as easy as possible for residents to get the
services they need without having to make multiple trips to multiple locations,"
said Governor Kathleen Sebelius.
Health and well-being services at the DAC
- The Salvation Army is operating a distribution point at the DAC where
water, food, blankets and other necessary items can be obtained. The
American Red Cross and FEMA are also on-hand with a service center that
is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
- Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services personnel are available
to determine Medicaid and HealthWave eligibility for those seeking medical
assistance and will try to obtain verification of all items. They will
also assist beneficiaries in getting duplicate ID cards.
- The Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging will have staff available
to assist seniors. Case managers will be available to provide general
information and assistance. They will also be able to assist with immediate
needs such as housing, transportation, assistive devices and prescriptions.
Document replacement at the DAC
- The Kansas Department of Revenue is available at the DAC to provide
replacement car titles, driver's licenses and identification cards.
Staff will also be available to assist taxpayers in obtaining copies
of their tax returns and answer any other questions relating to their
tax accounts.
- The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will be making replacement
birth and marriage certificates available at the DAC. Applicants in
the affected area will be interviewed to establish eligibility for the
requested records in order to ensure the retrieval of the correct record.
- State agencies will waive any fees associated with generating new
copies of state records for victims of the Greensburg tornado.
Employment and business assistance at the DAC
- The Kansas Department of Labor is on-site to assist those affected
by the severe weather to sign up for state unemployment benefits and
Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is also at the DAC providing
one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Disaster loans up
to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged
or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up
to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
There are also disaster loans available for all businesses and non-profit
organizations. To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance,
victims must first call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
Other assistance available in Greensburg and the surrounding
area
- The American Red Cross has a shelter open in Haviland and one in
Mullenville for citizens displaced by the tornado, and has four emergency
response vehicles in Greensburg serving food and four vehicles providing
minor first aid. It also has a communications vehicle at the Haviland
shelter to assist people with registering for the "Safe and Well"
Web site. Finally, the Red Cross is operating an evacuation site at
the Odd Fellows Lodge in St. John where storm victims can rest, meet
with friends and family and eat lunch. That site will operate from 8:30
a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily.
- The Salvation Army is operating four canteens in Greensburg, while
a Kansas National Guard mobile kitchen is also there.
- Military families in need of financial assistance or other resources
can receive help through the Kansas National Guard Family Program Office.
The number is (800) 432-2447 ext. 9.
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental food and nutrition
services are available for Greensburg residents at county health departments
in Dodge City, 106 E. Spruce; Pratt, 712 S. Main; and other local WIC
clinics. Those residents who lost WIC checks will be able to have them
replaced at WIC clinics in the surrounding area. WIC clients who lost
food during the tornado can also have checks to replace that food.
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