WINTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues its effort to assist individuals affected by Hurricane Irene.

A short-term Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open at 12 noon on Friday, Sept. 23 at the Hertford County Cooperative Extension Center (301 West Tryon Street) in Winton to help storm victims with property damage and other setbacks from Hurricane Irene.

Hours for the Hertford County center are 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.  The Hertford County DRC will permanently close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

Representatives from North Carolina Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies will be at the center to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.

There are three ways to register with FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance:

Call 800-621-FEMA (3362). Help is available in most languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362. Registration is also taken online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov as well as by  using a tablet or smartphone by visiting m.fema.gov.

Upon initial contact with the federal agency, FEMA will assign an application number to the storm victim. Individuals are encouraged to keep this number handy as it is a vital part of the ongoing contact with FEMA or state emergency management officials.

When applying for assistance, those who have suffered damage from Hurricane Irene will need the following information:

The address of the damaged home or apartment;

Names of people living in the household;

Insurance information;

Description of damage;

Social Security number;

Telephone number; and

Bank account number if disaster assistance funds are to be sent directly to the bank.

FEMA also has a DRC open in Northampton County located at the Cultural and Wellness Center, 9536 NC 305 North, Jackson. That center is open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (Sept. 23-24); 1-7 p.m. on Sunday (Sept. 25); and 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 26).

Additionally, FEMA will open a DRC in Bertie County at 12 noon Monday, Sept. 26. That center will be located at the Council on Aging Gym, 103 West School Street in Windsor. Hours of operation are until 7 p.m. on Monday and then daily (Tuesday through Friday) from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. It will permanently close at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30.