May 27, 2023 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A Disaster Recovery Center has open in Oakhurst where residents who were affected by the February/March severe storms and flooding can get information on disaster assistance.

Those affected by the disaster can meet with recovery specialists face-to-face if they need help applying for FEMA assistance. They can also get answers to questions or follow up on their applications. Recovery specialists can also provide information on any rental assistance available or fax any requested documents to a FEMA processing center. They can also scan or copy new information or documents needed for case files.

Specialists at the centers can also direct you to operators who can communicate in Spanish and many other languages by request. The centers also offer printed material in multiple languages.

Disaster Recovery Centers are barrier-free and provide equal access to all visitors. If you use American Sign Language or assistive technology, and if you need accommodations to communicate, please notify FEMA staff at the center immediately.

Residents don't have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. They can apply to FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. (Helpline operators are available from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. PDT daily.) If you use video relay service (VRS). captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. For an accessible video on how to apply, go to FEMA Accessible: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance.  To locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area, go to DRCLocator. 

The address of the DRC in Madera County is:

Community Center of Oakhurst
39800 Road 425B,
Oakhurst, CA 93644

Hours of Operation:

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – Saturday, June 10, 2023
Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays.

When visiting a disaster recovery center to apply for disaster assistance, it’s helpful to bring some important information with you.

* Address of the damaged primary residence

* Insurance coverage information

* Current phone number and mailing address

* Bank account information

Residents can get face to face assistance with representatives from the following agencies:

State Agencies:

* California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)

* California Department of Insurance (CDI)

* California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

* California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

* California Department of Tax and Fee (CDTFA)

* The Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

* Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

* Employment Development Department (EDD)

* California Franchise Tax Board (FTB)

* California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD)

Federal Agencies:

* Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

* United States Small Business Administration (SBA)

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available at the recovery centers to provide program information and explain how to apply for SBA's low-interest disaster loans. These loans are offered to homeowners and renters, business owners and private nonprofits.

FEMA's Hazard Mitigation specialists can share home-improvement tips and techniques for rebuilding hazard-resistant homes.

For the latest information on California's recovery from severe winter storms, flooding landslides and mudslides, visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4699. You may also follow twitter.com/CAL_OES, facebook.com/CaliforniaOES, @FEMARegion9/Twitter and Facebook.com/FEMA.

Source: CAL OES