Norwalk Looks To Set Up A Temporary FEMA Office

NORWALK, Conn. – City officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are looking to set up a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center office in Norwalk to facilitate the filing of claims following Hurricane Sandy.

A car tries to navigate the flood waters of Water Street in South Norwalk during Hurricane Sandy.
Photo Credit: *Alfred Branch*

by Alfred Branch

11/06/2012 2:00 a.m.

Mayor Richard Moccia said Monday that a specific location “that meets all their needs” has not yet been found, but officials hope to establish the office soon.

Currently, FEMA has Disaster Recovery Centers in Greenwich at 449 Pemberwick Road, and in Bridgeport at 900 Lafayette Blvd. A third center is located in Milford at 70 West River St.

A FEMA representative has been working temporarily out of the 98 South Main St. offices of Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, but that staffer was used in more of a community outreach capacity, according to Michele DeLuca, director of Norwalk’s Emergency Management Department. That representative can also assist with the filing of claims, but is not equipped with all the resources of a Disaster Recovery Center.

Putting a temporary FEMA center in Norwalk could help speed up the filing of claims in the city, but DeLuca said residents who have been impacted by the storm should begin the filing process as soon as possible and not wait for the office to be established.

Claims can be filed by visiting the FEMA website or calling 800-621-3362. A smartphone version can be reached at m.fema.gov.

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