ATLANTA -- Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) that were opened temporarily in seven locations to provide tornado victims an opportunity to meet in person with recovery specialists will be closing, according to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which jointly operate the centers. The one in Swainsboro will close Friday, while six others are closing Saturday; however, tornado victims can visit one of four centers that remain open. A list is below. Applicants can also continue to register for assistance and have their questions answered by calling FEMA and other agencies.

"Even though these recovery centers are closing, applications for disaster assistance are still being accepted," said FEMA's Jeff Bryant, federal coordinating officer. "Georgians whose homes, businesses or personal property were damaged in the May tornadoes have until July 22 to register with FEMA either by phone or on the Internet. They are also invited to visit any of the recovery centers that will remain open into next week."

The DRCs are staffed by representatives of federal, state and voluntary agencies to answer questions about disaster assistance programs. Applicants also can go to DRCs to check on the status of their applications, request additional assistance, report changes in their contact information or get help with their disaster loan applications.

"All those same services will still be available by phone and online," said Deputy State Coordinating Officer Joe McKinney. "People can call the FEMA help line, go to the agency's Web site or contact the U.S. Small Business Administration for help with their applications." Since the first DRCs opened in hard-hit Bibb County on May 25, more than 2,000 people have visited a DRC. Almost 4,000 have registered with FEMA for assistance. FEMA has provided more than $1 million in federal assistance.

Federal and state officials continue to urge affected individuals and business owners who have not already done so to apply for assistance by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). For those who are speech or hearing impaired, the TTY number is 800-462-7585. Both lines are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT seven days a week. FEMA's Web site is at www.fema.gov As the result of a presidential disaster declaration on May 23, individuals in 10 Georgia counties may be eligible for federal help with damages from the May 11-12 storms. The counties are Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh and Twiggs.

Disaster Recovery Centers
Hours as Listed

Bibb County Bruce Elementary School 3660 Houston Ave. Macon, GA 31206 Open Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Until Further Notice
Carroll County Industrial Training Building Carrollton Campus West Georgia Technical College 166 Education Drive Carrollton, GA 30116 Open Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Until Further Notice
Douglas County Bright Star United Methodist Church 3715 Bright Star Road Douglasville, GA 30134 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Closing Permanently Sat., June 7 at 7 p.m.
McIntosh County Coastal Worship Center 14760 Georgia Highway 99 Darien, GA 31305 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Closing Permanently Sat., June 7 at 7 p.m.
Jenkins County Jenkins County Senior Citizens Center 928 East College Avenue Millen, GA 30442 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Closing Permanently Sat., June 7 at 7 p.m.
Laurens County East Laurens Primary School Gym U.S. Highway 80 East Dublin, GA 31027 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Closing Permanently Sat., June 7 at 7 p.m.
Bibb County Bloomfield Middle School 4375 Bloomfield Drive Macon, GA 31206 Open Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Until Further Notice
Johnson County Johnson County School 150 Trojan Way Wrightsville, GA 31096 Open Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Until Further Notice
Emanuel County Varner 4-H Center 220 South Circle Drive Swainsboro, GA 30401 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Closing Permanently Fri., June 6 at 7 p.m.
Johnson County Kite Fire Department City Hall 102 Railroad Street Kite, GA 31049 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Closing Permanently Sat., June 7 at 7 p.m.
Twiggs County Dry Branch Fire Department 5328 Old Gordon Road Dry Branch, GA 31020 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Closing Permanently Sat., June 7 at 7 p.m.