FEMA to shut down local center

The Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Center in Laurens County will close permanently at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The center, which was set up at the old West Laurens Middle School gymnasium, will be closing along with others set up in Screven County and Wilkes County, said James Wood, media relations specialist and external affairs cadre.

FEMA opened the center in Laurens County in mid-November to help make assistance available to those impacted by Hurricanes Helene or Debby. Wood said that just because FEMA closes a center in a county does not mean they have stopped all operations within that county.

“We are here at the request of the state and will continue to be here, during and after disasters, and we will continue to support as needed,” Wood said.

Anyone affected by Hurricane Helene or Tropical Storm Debby can visit the FEMA DRC. Residents can go to any DRC in the state for assistance – the only requirement is a person’s county has to be declared a disaster area by FEMA and through the state.

People can apply online through disaster assistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or the FEMA app. Survivors have until Feb. 7 to apply for the deadline.