Disaster Recovery Center to close

GOWANDA, N.Y. (RELEASE) - The Disaster Recovery Center at the Gowanda Fire Hall will close at the end of the business day on November 6, 2009, announced officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO).

The center, at 230 Aldrich St., is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, November 6. It opened to assist those affected by the severe storms and flooding of Aug. 8 - 10.

FEMA and SEMO officials remind residents of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Erie counties that the deadline to register for disaster assistance is Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

November 3 is also the deadline to submit disaster loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Residents and business owners in the three-county area who have yet to register should call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired.

Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Online registration is available any time at www.disasterassistance.gov.