A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Darien to help area residents affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
— an announcement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available at the center to help survivors apply for disaster assistance, explain disaster assistance programs, answer questions about FEMA letters and the appeals process and provide literature about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.
The DRC opened at the Noroton Heights Fire Department at 209 Noroton Ave. on Thursday. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays. It’s closed on Sundays.
DRCs are accessible for individuals with disabilities and have on-site communication accessibility tools like amplified listening devices and Video Remote Interpreting. Additional accommodations can be made upon arrival. ASL interpreters and multilingual services will be available upon request.
Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property, businesses and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance.
In addition to visiting a DRC, Connecticut residents can apply online at
DisasterAssistance.gov; via the FEMA app; or by calling the Disaster Assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
Applicants for disaster assistance should have the following information prior to registration:
—Social Security number;
—address of the damaged primary residence;
—insurance coverage information;
—current telephone number;
—current mailing address;
—bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.
To help alleviate the risk of COVID-19 being spread through person-to-person contact, wearing a mask or face covering is required to gain entry. Hand sanitizer is available to survivors and staff.