From a story by KFOX. A center aimed at helping Ruidoso residents and business owners get back on their feet after the two deadly and devastating wildfires will open on Thursday.
A Disaster Recovery Center will open at the Mescalero Apache School– located at 249 White Mountain Drive– to help New Mexicans affected by the South Fork and Salt fires.
Residents will be able to visit the center and:
- Apply for FEMA assistance
- Upload documents
- Learn about available resources
- Get answers from recovery specialists from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and from state and local nonprofits and community organizations.
New Mexicans can also gather information on resources such as SNAP, Medicaid, unemployment benefits, insurance claim assistance, Disaster Case Management, vital records, mental health support and childcare assistance without having to make an appointment.
Other similar disaster centers that will also be open on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. despite being a holiday are:
Horton Complex
237 Service Road
Ruidoso, NM 88345
Roswell Civic & Convention Center – Note: This DRC will close permanently at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
912 N. Main St
Roswell, NM 88201
The disaster centers’ regular hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.
Language services are also available at the center.
You do not have to visit the center to apply for FEMA disaster assistance, you can also do that online by going to disasterassistance.gov, or by downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Help is available in most languages.
If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone, or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.