The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the openings of disaster recovery centers in DeKalb, Jackson and Overton counties last week.
The DeKalb County office is located in the new county office building at 724 South Congress Boulevard.
The centers will be open  from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Sunday hours are from 1-6 p.m.
The center will remain open until April 2, but victims may still register by phone or electronically after that date.
The centers have been placed to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding between Feb. 29 – March 2.
Representatives from the state, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the centers to explain assistance programs and help survivors register for disaster aid.
 In an interview with the Review Monday, FEMA Public Information Officer  Gene Kauffman said that people with storm losses should register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), which is video relay service accessible, or should register online before visiting the recovery center.
“The Smithville  office will be open from 8-6, Monday through Saturday and 1-6 on Sunday until  April 2,” Kauffman shared.
“Registering first will speed things up at the recovery center,” he said. “We are encouraging people to call our 800 number (1-800-621-FEMA) to register in  advance or to go on line and register (at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.).
“They only need to go to the recovery center if they have questions to ask,” said Kauffman.
Applicants using TTY can call 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
Survivors can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. If using a smartphone or tablet, register at m.fema.gov.
Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include grants for rental assistance and home repairs, low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration  (SBA) to cover disaster related damages or losses, and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster.
According to Kauffman, homeowners may be eligible for SBA loans under the right conditions.
“The SBA will be there, and there has been some confusion as to why the SBA is included,” he explained.
“They are partnered with FEMA, and if someone has insurance and their home is not fully covered, and they have the financial means, they might qualify for a low interest long term loan from the SBA.
“Business owners who have damage should apply. Renters with damage should also apply,” Kauffman said.
“If the applicant is on a low or fixed income, they might qualify for a FEMA grant that does not have to be repaid. The SBA loans must be repaid.” he concluded.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
For more information, visit www.TNEMA.org and www.FEMA.gov/assistance.