Southwest Louisiana residents impacted by the four federally-declared disasters can visit with FEMA officials at the Recovery Service Center, set to open Thursday.

The center will be at Lake Charles Civic Center Contraband Room, 900 Lakeshore Drive, and will be open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Oct. 8.

Tiana Suber, FEMA spokesperson, said Tuesday that residents impacted by Hurricanes Laura and Delta, the February winter storm and the May flooding can meet face-to-face with officials. Appointments are not required.

Suber said the last Recovery Service Center at Washington-Marion Magnet High School was successful upon its July 19 opening, with FEMA officials assisting well over 1,000 residents. The center was closed July 30, just before the start of the school year.
“So many people were able to get help,” she said. “It was very busy every single day.

Suber said FEMA worked with the city of Lake Charles to secure the Civic Center as a safe and accessible location that would be in line with COVID-19 regulations.

“It took time to find the right facility,” she said. “We’re happy the city was able to provide us that facility for survivors.”

With Hurricane Laura’s Category 4 landfall more than a year ago, Suber said the center will mostly be helping residents seeking to file an appeal through FEMA. The appeal may include property damage that was initially overlooked, or newly discovered damage.

“Disaster survivors really want that face-to-face interaction,” she said. “It’s important to get all their questions answered. I know being on the phone or trying to figure things out on the internet can be difficult.”

Suber said FEMA will assess the need for another recovery center once the Civic Center location closes Oct. 8.

For the latest information on the historic May rainfall and flooding, visit fema.gov/disaster/4606.