Ten Disaster Recovery Centers have opened statewide, including one in Mandeville, to help victims of hurricanes Gustav and Ike navigate the bureaucratic road to recovery, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said this week.

The center in Mandeville at 1100 Mandeville High Blvd. in the city’s public works building will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice, according to officials from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and FEMA.

Additional centers will be announced as they become available. Meanwhile St. Tammany Parish has requested two DRCs and continues to advocate for the second center. “We need two DRCs in St. Tammany,” said Parish President Kevin Davis. “Our residents need easily accessible help, and I will continue to work toward getting FEMA to open a second center.”

Due to high call volume, individuals who have computer access are encouraged to register online at www.fema.gov. Residents also may register by calling the telephone registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

Telephone registration lines and online registration are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Callers are encouraged to postpone calling until after 10 p.m. and before 7 a.m. if possible to help alleviate the high call volume during peak hours, FEMA said.

Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by Hurricane Gustav are encouraged to register for assistance before visiting a DRC, where they can obtain information about disaster assistance, hazard mitigation, disaster loan applications and other programs.

The Small Business Association is also available, and representatives can meet individually with each applicant to fill out and return disaster loan applications.

Returning the applications is a key part of the disaster recovery process even for individuals who do not want a loan, FEMA said in a press release.