BREVARD COUNTY, Florida – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will remain open in Cocoa, Florida to help residents and businesses impacted by Hurricane Irma. The facility will be open until 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2017.

FEMA representatives will provide information about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

Operation Blue Roof is a program for homeowners who have damage to their roofs. The program sends licensed contractors out to homes to cover the damage with fiber-reinforced plastic sheeting (tarp) until homeowners can arrange repairs. It allows residents to stay in their homes, instead of paying for temporary housing or hotels, and protects property while homeowners recover from the storm. A Right-Of-Entry form must be signed by the property owner to initiate this program.

The Small Business Administration offers federal low-interest disaster loans to businesses, homeowners and renters to repair/replace property damaged in a disaster.

2-1-1 Brevard will provide outreach related to community resources and emotional support through Project HOPE (Helping Our People in Emergencies), the State of Florida program for delivery of crisis counseling services in response to specific disaster events.

CareerSource Brevard will be providing information on how to apply for disaster unemployment benefits, services available at career centers, disaster recovery jobs, and employment assistance.

United Way will assist with registration for Crisis Cleanup to request volunteer assistance with debris cleanup and tarping, and will also pre-screen qualified, vulnerable residents for long-term recovery assistance.

There is no charge for any of the services.

The DRC is at the following address:

The registration process is the first step in recovery and requires information such as insurance policies, and bank information for possible direct transfer of funds. Survivors are encouraged to register before visiting a DRC.

If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service (VRS). If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. Information on the registration process is available in ASL at: fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/videos/111546.

Help is available in most languages.

Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

If you’re already registered, it is not necessary to visit a DRC, but you may still want to go speak with a Recovery Specialist to update your status or find help from the other organizations.

Helpline numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT, seven days a week.

For more recovery information, visit fema.gov/hurricane-irma.