Massachusetts Flood Disaster Centers Closing

Victims of the Bay State flooding in March have limited time left to make their claims at the remaining three disaster recovery centers (DRC). People with individual and business losses and damages can still ask for help face to face at the centers in Bristol County at the One Government Center (closing on May 27), Suffolk County at the Hyde Park Municipal Building (closing on May 28), and Plymouth County at the Lakeville Free Public Library (closing June 4). The Lakeville center has been the busiest, and therefore will stay open the longest. More than 1,000 people sought help there out of a total of 4,100 visitors to all the disaster centers open after the floods. All registered applicants from the eligible seven counties—Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester—can travel to the last three centers for assistance. Representatives from the Small Business Administration help people with applications and can answer questions about loans to help rebuild. After the last DRC closes in June, applicants may still register for assistance or ask for information by calling Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at 800-621-3362. People may register for help online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. At the DRCs victims can receive support, information about low-interest disaster loan programs, and advice about low-cost prevention methods for future disasters.