The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be opening a disaster recovery center to assist DuPage County residents and businesses affected by last month’s flooding.

The center, which opens  at noon Tuesday, will be in the cafeteria of the DuPage County administration building, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton.  Regular hours of operation, beginning on Wednesday, will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center will be open seven days a week. Those planning to attend must park on the top floor of the north parking deck and enter via the walkway.

FEMA notes that residents and businesses must register with FEMA prior to coming to the DRC.  Those in the counties designated for assistance can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 621-FEMA or (800) 462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired. 

The toll-free telephone numbers are available 24 hours a day until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, and phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

Assistance for affected individuals and families who qualify can include:  rental payments for temporary housing, grants for home repairs, grants to replace personal property and help meet medical needs, and low-interest loans to cover residential losses. Businesses may be eligible for loans as much as $2 million through the Small Business Administration if they’ve suffered disaster-related cash-flow problems and need funds for working capital.

For more information, please visit www.fema.gov.