CHICAGO –Three more temporary FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will open the week of Dec. 18 to help Cook County disaster survivors kickstart their recovery after the Sept. 17-18 severe storms and flooding. The centers will open in Harvey, South Holland and South Shore (see below for addresses and hours).

Additionally, all Disaster Recovery Centers will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday Dec. 23-25 and Dec. 30–Jan. 1. 

Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the centers to help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, and learn about ways to make their property more disaster resistant. To find the center nearest you, visit FEMA’s DRC Locator. 

Temporary Disaster Recovery Centers will open in the following locations:

South Holland             
South Holland Public Works ​
155 W. 162nd​ St.
South Holland, IL 60473
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily*
Opens Monday, Dec. 18
*Closed temporarily Saturday, Sunday and Monday Dec. 23-25
Closes permanently Friday, Dec. 29

South Shore                
Chicago Public Library - South Shore Branch ​
2505 E. 73rd St.
Chicago, IL 60649
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily**
Opens Tuesday, Dec. 19
**Closed temporarily Saturday, Sunday and Monday Dec. 23-25
Closes permanently Friday, Dec. 29

Harvey             
Thornton Township High School, District 205 
Building T107 
249 E. 151st St.
Harvey, IL 60426
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily***
Opens Thursday, Dec. 21 
***Closed temporarily Saturday, Sunday and Monday Dec. 23-25
Closes permanently Friday, Dec. 29

Assistance and translated materials are available in languages other than English, including American sign language. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. 

You don’t need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.

For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4749. The deadline to register for FEMA assistance is January 19, 2024.     
  
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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.