BARTON — The Barton Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) has announced its permanent closure at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27. Located at Barton Memorial Building on Village Square, the center has been aiding locals in disaster recovery.
While the Barton DRC ceases operations, assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remains accessible. Residents don’t need to visit a DRC to apply for FEMA assistance or inquire about application status. FEMA’s toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362 is available 24/7, offering application assistance, answers to queries, and resource referrals, with language translation options.
For those using relay services such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, FEMA encourages providing the service number during application. Alternative online application methods include visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or downloading the FEMA App. The application deadline is slated for October 12, 2023.
Several other recovery centers in Vermont maintain operations, including Waterbury Armory, Barre Auditorium, and Ludlow Community Center, with operating hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and closed on Sundays.
FEMA, working collaboratively with state and municipal partners, operates DRCs where they are most needed. Locations undergo a coordinated evaluation with the state to determine closure dates once a significant drop in application visits is noted.
