Disaster Recovery Centers Set to Close May 31

By SARAH SHMERLNG | Editor-in-Chief

Two Disaster Recovery Centers—which have been in operation since after the start of the Palisades and Eaton fires—are set to wind down operations on Saturday, May 31.

“Final day to visit Disaster Recovery Centers is Saturday, May 31,” read the LA County Recovers website.

The two DRCs that will be closing are at UCLA Research Park West, located at 10850 West Pico Boulevard, and in Altadena at 540 W. Woodbury Road.

“FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are temporary offices set up after a disaster to provide support to impacted areas and communities,” read the FEMA website. “These offices may assist with the application process, answer questions about your application and help you submit information to FEMA. You may also visit other disaster support partners (Small Business Administration, the Red Cross, etc.) at a DRC.”

LA County departments that are available on-site until the closure include the Assessor’s Office, Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health – Environmental Services, Department of Public Works (Environmental Programs/Municipal Services and Flood Control), Department of Registrar-Recovery/County Clerk, and Department of Treasury Tax Collector.

Also on site are federal agencies, including Federal Emergency Management Agency, Small Business Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Contractors, residents, business owners and employees who have needed to obtain access passes to enter the Palisades have been able to do so at the UCLA Research Park West DRC Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Once the DRC closes, the access passes will be available starting June 2 at a location determined by the city.

The DRCs are open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Following the closure of the DRCs, “those impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires can continue to receive essential services beginning Monday, June 2” at the One-Stop Rebuilding Center (1828 Sawtelle Boulevard) and Altadena Community Center (730 E. Altadena Drive).