FEMA will open 7 other recovery centers in communities harmed by the June 1 tornado in the next few days, an official said.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency tornado recovery center will open Saturday at STCC Technology Park, 1 Federal St., to assist people who were affected by the June 1 tornadoSPRINGFIELD – Federal disaster recovery centers will open Saturday morning in Springfield and West Springfield, and seven others will open in area communities over the next few days to aid people affected by the June 1 tornado that ripped through Hampden and Worcester counties.
The centers are an offshoot of the federal disaster declaration made this week for the region.
The designation, entered by President Barack Obama, allows for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to respond to the scene and coordinate the relief and rebuilding efforts.
The June 1 tornadoes cut a path from Westfield to Sturbridge, damaging thousands of homes and businesses.
According to the most recent figures provided by the state Division of Insurance, there have been 8,200 insurance claims filed totaling $140 million in damage.
The centers will provide people information from various federal and state agencies about receiving federal assistance, direct aid and other services.
The Springfield center is located in Building 104 of the STCC Technology Park at One Federal Street.
The West Springfield location is on the third floor of the J. Edward Christian Municipal Office Building at 26 Center St.
Each will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
FEMA spokesman Jeb Killion said additional centers are planned for opening Monday and Tuesday in Brimfield, Sturbridge, Wilbraham and Monson.
Locations will be made available sometime over the weekend.
People from tornado-affected communities other than West Springfield or Springfield are not prevented from going the centers in those communities, he said.
“If someone wants to come, we’re not going to turn them away,” he said.
More important for people going to the center than their residence is that they first
register with FEMA. Registering will get a person “into the system,” which will allow case workers to open a file and keep track of each person’s particular needs, he said.
People who come without registering first can get some generic information “but we’ll direct you back to register,” he said.
To register, people should call FEMA’s toll-free number at (800) 621-FEMA, or (800) 621-3362. Those who are hearing or speech impaired can call the TTY number of (800) 462-7585. Both numbers go to a call center that is staffed daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
People with access to the Internet may also register through the FEMA website, www.DisasterAssistance.gov
Killion cautioned that there is a misconception among people that if they have registered with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, they are automatically registered with FEMA.
Among the agencies represented at the centers will be the federal Small Business Administration, MEMA, the Internal Revenue Service and social service agencies that fall under the umbrella of the United Way.
Joseph P. Paretti, assistant manager for the West Springfield disaster recovery center, said he has been told that people in the city’s shelter for tornado victims at the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds will be bused to the center. Many of those victims are refugees who were living in West Springfield’s hard-hit Merrick neighborhood.
Paretti was busy Friday night with other FEMA employees setting up tables and chairs in the cavernous space that used to be occupied by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission on the third floor of West Springfield’s municipal building.
Everyone who suffered some loss in the tornado should register, he said.
“Even if you don’t think you will qualify, register, register, register,” he said.
In another program being offered as a result of the federal declaration, the governor’s office announced Friday that residents of areas affected by the tornado can apply for benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the program commonly known as food stamps.
The special Disaster SNAP benefit allows recipients to receive one-time food assistance in the form of an electronic benefits card that can be used for purchases similar to a debit card.
“There are many concerns following a tornado or other disaster, but few are more important than providing food in areas where people may find themselves suddenly and often critically in need,” said Julia Kehoe, commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance.
“We are aggressively pursuing action to institute Disaster SNAP as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Residents in the communities of Agawam, Brimfield, Charlton, Chicopee, Monson, Palmer, Southbridge, Springfield, Sturbridge, West Springfield, Westfield, and Wilbraham are eligible to apply.
The window for applying is today
To determine if they are eligible for the program, people should call (800) 445-6604.
To qualify, people have to live in one of the 12 communities, not already be receiving SNAP benefits, have lost income or suffered tornado-related expenses, and have few or no liquid assets.
People can apply in person between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Department of Transitional Assistance offices in Springfield at 95 Liberty St. or 310 State St., at 1 North St., Southbridge, or between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the West Regional office of the Department of Developmental Services, 171 State Ave., Palmer.
In addition, the federal designation allows homeowners, tenants and businesses in Hampden and Worcester counties that suffered property damage in the tornado to apply for low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration.
Ordinarily the federal agency works with small businesses, but when a federal disaster declaration is made, its scope expands to assist homeowners and tenants as well, officials said.
Businesses are eligible to borrow up to $2 million to replace or repair property, equipment or inventory.
Homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 to repair their homes, and renters can borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property.
More information on loans is available by calling (800) 659-2955 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those who are hearing or speech impaired may call a TTY line at (800) 877-8339.
Information on the program is also available through the Small Business Administration website at www.SBA.gov
The Red Cross of Pioneer Valley reports there are still 235 people staying at the emergency shelter set up in the MassMutual Center as of Friday afternoon.
The number is down from 285 people a week earlier.
The Red Cross has provided more than 23,000 meals, 8,200 comfort kits, 2,200 medical consultations, and 1,100 mental health consultations since it responded to the tornado, according to spokeswoman Lisa Michaud.
The Red Cross has discontinued the bulk distribution of supplies from fixed locations and mobile units because the needs of people in those areas have been met, she said.
Republican reporter Sandra Contantine contributed to this report