FEMA opens recovery centers in SPI and La Feria

The Federal Emergency Management Center and the Small Business Administration opened two additional Disaster Recovery Centers on Saturday in La Feria and South Padre Island.

"The DRC's are set up to be accessible to those who may have suffered damage and want to talk face-to-face," said Art Alejandre, a FEMA spokesman. "South Padre Island got hit pretty hard. We're here to help them to move forward."

Additional DRC's are operational in Brownsville, Harlingen, San Juan, La Villa, Sebastian, and Raymondville.

According to Alejandre, more than 28,000 people have registered for disaster assistance, including 14,700 in Cameron County.

Although South Padre Island is commercially dense, Alejandre said the area's businesses might not need as much federal assistance as other affected regions.

"Most of these businesses are probably well-insured," he said.

The South Padre Island DRC will be at Suites at Sunchase, 1004 Padre Blvd. The La Feria Fire Department will host the town's DRC at 200 E. Business Highway 83.

All DRC's are open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m.