Disaster-related resources and events for Limestone County

Published 8:59 am Monday, May 16, 2011

By Staff Reports

Disaster-related resources include:

• Red Cross caseworkers have been in the affected neighborhoods talking to clients. Clients that have not had the opportunity to talk directly with a Red Cross caseworker can call 1-800-REDCROSS to register.

• The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is open at 114 West Pryor St., in Athens for residents who received any storm damage related to the April 27 tornadoes. The DRC is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Damage can be related to water damage, hail damage or wind damage. Residents who wish to file an application for FEMA assistance have until June 28 to do so.

• Debris removal from agricultural land: The USDA has programs for removing debris from agricultural land and non-industrial forests. Call your local Farm Service Agency to apply at 256-232-4025.

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• Drivers License Division examiners will offer temporary driver licenses and ID cards to victims at Jefferson-Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 8th Ave. N., Birmingham and at the Coleman Coliseum, 120 Coliseum Circle, Tuscaloosa. The service is offered from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. Only those individuals from areas hit by tornadoes will be eligible to receive duplicate or renewed driver licenses or ID cards. To obtain temporary cards, storm victims should bring two forms of identification (birth certificates and Social Security cards if at all possible). Each duplicate license or ID card is $18.50.  For additional information, visit DPS.Alabama.gov.

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance may be eligible to those who no longer have a job; are unable to reach the place of employment; or were scheduled to start work in the major disaster area and the job no longer exists; those who became the breadwinner or major support of the family because the head of household died; or those who cannot work because of an injury incurred during the major disaster.

• Available Volunteer Opportunities – visit ServeAlabama.gov at https://webmail/owa/servealabama.gov or call 2-1-1.

• National Housing Locator Service – available from HUD using Portal.HUD.gov/app_nhls and the FEMA helpline (800-621-FEMA).

• Report disaster fraud by calling the state’s Office of Consumer Affairs (800-392-5658) or FEMA hotline (866-720-5721).

• SBA Disaster Loan information is available by calling 800-659-2955 or 800-877-8339 (TTY). DisasterLoan.SBA.gov also has information.

Wildlife cook-off postponed

Due to the recent storms in the area, the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Limestone County Wild Game Cook-Off scheduled for Tuesday May 17 at Canebrake has been postponed.  A new date will be announced. Contact AWF headquarters if you have any questions 1-800-822-9453.

GM offering storm rebate

General Motors is offering those who sustained vehicle damage a $500 rebate, according to Michael Beck of Champion Chevrolet. Residents must provide proof they filed an insurance claim for a vehicle to take advantage of the rebate.

Life coaches offer free assistance

Hundreds of life coaches from the Fowler Wainwright International Institute of Professional Coaching community have offered to donate their services to the people in the Southern states whose lives have been upended by the recent rash of devastating tornadoes. Witnessing the havoc caused by tornadoes in the South, Berry Fowler and Barbara Wainwright, the founders of Fowler Wainwright International Institute implemented a program to help the thousands of people whose lives have been devastated by the twisters. More than 200 coaches from as far away as New Zealand have signed up. Such extraordinary upheaval can leave people dazed and confused, so Wainwright and Fowler decided they could best help by offering their coaching services to help guide victims through the recovery period and answer questions such as:

What do I do now?

Will my life ever return to normal?

How can I start over?

Where do I begin?

 “Our coaches can offer support, understanding and encouragement. And, most importantly we can help these folks find the answers, overcome roadblocks and create plans to move forward,” Fowler said.

 Anyone who would like FWI’s help can contact Nicole Fowler at 800-711-4346, or visit the organization’s website at www.fowlerwainwright.com/press/fwicoachingsupport.htm.

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