EARTHQUAKE: THE LONG ROAD BACK : Where to Get Help : A GUIDE TO COPING WITH THE QUAKE
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DIRECTORY
* Disaster Hot Line
(800) 525-0321
(800) 660-8005 TDD
This number has been set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for general information.
* FEMA Telephone Registration Line: (800)-462-9029
(800) 462-7585 TDD
The FEMA lines are available 24 hours a day. Registrants can choose to apply over the phone or by visiting one of the disaster aid centers. Be prepared to provide your name, address, Social Security number and those of other occupants in the house at the time of the quake. Several languages are spoken on both these lines, including Spanish.
* Los Angeles Housing Department
(213) 847-6368 and (800) 994-4444
For assistance on relocations and repairs.
* Structure inspections
The city of Los Angeles has set up a 24-hour hot line to call for inspections of quake-related damage: (800) 655-4095.
The city also has set up numbers in the (213) area code: 237-0920, 237-0921 and 237-1487 and 485-1936, 485-1937, 485-1938, 485-7091, 485-7092, 485-7093, and 485-8573. These numbers are good for people in the 818 and 310 area codes.
* City volunteer help line
(213) 847-3125
For those who wish to volunteer their goods or services and for people needing the assistance of volunteers. There is a special need for Armenian translators and clerical workers for various city departments.
* Sign language interpreting
For deaf and hard of hearing people needing a sign language interpreter or other assistance:
Accommodating Ideas
5032 Lankershim Blvd.
Suite 1
North Hollywood
(818) 752-3320 voice or TDD
(818) 752-3324 (after 5 p.m.) TDD answering machine
DISASTER Aid Centers
FEMA application centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Those who have suffered losses may obtain local, state and federal assistance by visiting the center nearest them. Programs are being offered to cover earthquake losses to homes, personal property and businesses not covered by insurance or other aid programs.
* Crenshaw
Department of Water and Power
4030 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles 90008
* Fillmore
St. Francis Catholic Church Community Hall
1058 Ventura St., Fillmore 93016
* Glendale
Glendale Auditorium Civic Center
1401 N. Verdugo Road
Glendale 91206
* Hollywood/Fairfax
Hollywood Recreation Center
1122 Cole Ave., Hollywood 90038
* Northridge/Granada Hills
Winnetka Recreation Center
8401 Winnetka Ave., Northridge 91306
* Panorama City/Sunland
Stonehurst Recreation Center
9901 Dronfield Ave., Los Angeles 91352
* Reseda/Tarzana
Balboa Recreation Center
17015 Burbank Blvd., Tarzana 91316
* San Fernando
Gage Wilson Building
1245 San Fernando Road, San Fernando 91340
* Santa Clarita/Saugus
Canyon Country Park
17615 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita 91351
* Santa Monica
Retail Space
1431-33 2nd St., Santa Monica 90401
* Sherman Oaks
Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park
14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks 91423
* Sherman Oaks/Van Nuys
Van Nuys Recreation Center
14301 Vanowen Ave., Van Nuys 91405
* Simi Valley
Sycamore Drive Community Center
1692 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley 93065
* South Central
Kedren Community Mental Health Center
4211 S. Avalon Blvd., Los Angeles
* Sylmar/San Fernando
Sylmar Recreation Center
12109 Borden Ave., Sylmar 91342
NEW CENTERS This center opens today from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.:
* Calabasas
Calabasas High School
22855 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas
SHELTERS
The National Guard has set up tents at these locations:
* Lanark Recreation Center, 21816 Lanark St., Canoga Park (2,500 people)
* Winnetka Recreation Center, 8401 Winnetka Ave., Los Angeles (600 people)
* Valley Plaza Park, 12240 Archwood St., North Hollywood (1,000 people)
* Reseda Park, 18411 Victory Blvd., Reseda (1,000 people)
* Balboa Park, 17015 Burbank Blvd., Encino (1,000 people)
* West Valley Park, 6701 Wilbur St., Reseda (600 people)
* Red Cross hot line: 213-739-4543
For getting or offering assistance. Red Cross shelters can provide food, blankets, some medical care and cots for an overnight stay. The Salvation Army shelters also provide food and a place to stay.
* Red Cross emergency centers:
* Birmingham High School, 17000 Haynes St., Van Nuys
* Canyon High School, 19300 W. Nadal St., Santa Clarita
* Church on the Way, 14434 Sherman Way, Van Nuys
* Fairfax High School, 7850 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles
* Glendale Armory, 100 Colorado Ave., Glendale
* Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
* Hollywood High School, 1521 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles
* Jackie Robinson Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena
* Le Conte Junior High School, 1316 N. Bronson Ave., Los Angeles
* Los Angeles Community College, 855 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
* Manual Arts High School, 4131 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
* Mason Recreation Center, 10400 Mason Ave., Chatsworth
* McCambridge Recreation Center, 1515 Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank
* Newhall Park Center, Boys & Girls Club, 24909 N. Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita
* Newhall Senior Center, 22900 Market Ave., Santa Clarita
* Piru Elementary School, 3811 E. Center Street, Piru
* Royal High School, 1402 Royal Ave., Simi Valley
* San Cayetano Middle School, 514 Mountain View Ave., Fillmore
* San Fernando High School, 11133 O’Melveny Ave., San Fernando
* San Fernando Recreation Center, 208 Park Ave., San Fernando
* Santa Monica Community College, 17th and Pearl streets, Santa Monica
* Saugus High School, 21900 W. Centurion Way, Saugus
* Sepulveda Recreation Center, 8801 Kester Ave., Sepulveda
* Shepherd of the Hills, 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch
* Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Ave., Sylmar
* Van Nuys High School, 6525 Cedros Ave., Van Nuys
* Veterans Memorial Building, 511 2nd St., Fillmore
* Wilson Junior High School, 1221 Monterey Road, Glendale
Salvation Army Hot Lines:
* (800) 725-9005
* (213) 380-9729 (Spanish)
This 24-hour hot line is for referrals to shelter and food for quake victims, as well as credit card donations.
Salvation Army shelter locations:
* Hollywood Corps, 5941 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
* San Fernando Valley Corps, 14917 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys
* L.A. Salvation Army Central, 860 W. 9th St. (Spanish services)
* Burbank Corps, 300 E. Angelino St., Burbank
* Canoga Park High School, 6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park
* Glendale Corps, 320 W. Windsor Road, Glendale
* Young Israel of Beverly Hills synagogue
8701 Pico Blvd., east of Robertson Boulevard. Call 310-275-3020.
WATER
Water will be available from the Department of Water and Power from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the following locations. Recipients must bring their own clean containers. There is no limit; trucks refill and return to sites throughout the day.
* Canoga Park High School, 6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park
* Chatsworth High School, 10027 Lurline Ave., Chatsworth
* Cleveland High School, 8140 Vanalden Ave., Reseda
* El Camino Real High School, 5440 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills
* Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
* Kennedy High School, 11254 Gothic Ave., Granada Hills
* San Fernando High School, 11133 O’Melveny Ave., San Fernando
* Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Ave., Sylmar
* Taft High School, 5461 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills
Free ice is available today beginning at noon at five locations:
* Chatsworth High School, 10027 Lurline Ave., Chatsworth
* Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
* Kennedy High School, 11254 Gothic Ave., Granada Hills
* San Fernando High School, 11133 O’Melveny Ave., San Fernando
* Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Ave., Sylmar
PORTABLE TOILETS
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has portable toilets at the following locations:
* Chatsworth High School, 10027 Lurline Ave., Chatsworth
* El Camino Real High School, 5440 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills
* Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
* Kennedy High School, 11254 Gothic Ave., Granada Hills
* Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Ave., Sylmar
* Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills
* Devonshire and Reseda Shopping Center in Northridge
* Glenoaks and Bledsoe Shopping Center in Sylmar
UTILITIES & OTHER SERVICES
* Southern California Gas Co.
(800) 427-2200
This is a special 24-hour service line to request service restoration or to report suspected leaks. You may also call the number of your local gas company office found on your gas bill, or in the white pages of your telephone directory.
In addition, the following walk-in emergency service centers are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
* Birmingham High School, 17000 Hayes St., Canoga Park
* Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
* Kmart parking lot at Plummer Street and Corbin Avenue, Northridge
* San Fernando Recreation Center, 208 Park Ave., San Fernando
* Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita
Several payment centers will also be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
* 1228 5th St., Santa Monica
* 3288 W. Slauson Ave., Crenshaw
* 1811 N. Hillhurst Ave., Hollywood
* 6470 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite D, Van Nuys
* GTE
Customers may call these numbers for service information:
* (800) 483-4000 (residential customers)
* (800) 483-5000 (business customers)
* (800) 483-7724 (Spanish)
* (800) 483-3350 (telecommutingassistance)
For quake victims, GTE has established three phone bank centers where people can go to make calls:
* San Fernando Recreation Center, 208 Park Ave., San Fernando
* LAPD, Foothill Division, 12760 Osborne St., Pacoima
* GTE Building, 510 Park Ave., San Fernando
GTE is waiving monthly charges for 90 days for people displaced by the quake and is also providing boxes and bags for storage purposes at Red Cross shelter locations. In addition, GTE is offering a variety of free services to people displaced by the quake, including remote call forwarding, voice mail or transfer of service to a new location.
* Pacific Bell
Free voice mail and call forwarding is available for customers displaced by the quake and for customers without service at their homes or businesses. To order voice mail, call:
* (800) 273-7000, Ext. 345 (residential customers)
* (800) 540-8020 (business customers)
To order call forwarding, call:
* (800) 371-2355
For telecommuting assistance, call:
* (800) 303-0309
* Southern California Edison Co.
Customers whose homes were destroyed will not be billed for electricity used between their last bill and the quake, and are asked to call (800) 643-0517 with service questions.
Customers facing less severe hardships can take advantage of several special payment arrangements and are asked to contact Edison at the phone number listed in the right-hand corner of their bill or the regional number.
* Department of Water and Power
Electric service has been restored. Customers with electric or water service problems should call:
* (818) DIAL DWP
* Outside the 818 area code: (800) DIAL DWP
PETS
* L.A. Department of Animal Regulation
East Valley Animal Care and Control
13131 Sherman Way
North Hollywood
(818) 764-7061
* West Valley Animal Care and Control
20655 Plummer St.
Chatsworth
(818) 882-8800
In the Santa Clarita Valley:
* L.A. County Animal Care and Control Center
31044 Charlie Canyon Road
Castaic
(805) 257-3100
In western L.A. County and Thousand Oaks:
* L.A. County Animal Care and Control
Agoura Animal Shelter
29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills
(818) 991-0071
DONATIONS
* Blood donations:
Donating blood takes about an hour. People wishing to donate should be at least 18 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds and be in good health. For blood donation sites:
* American Red Cross (800) 974-2113
* Red Cross
The American Red Cross is accepting monetary donations only. Make check to “Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.”
* Los Angeles Chapter
American Red Cross
2700 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles 90057
* Salvation Army
Assistance and credit card donations: (800) 725-9005. Mail monetary donations to:
* Los Angeles Salvation Army Central,
900 W. 9th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
* Catholic Charities
Earthquake Disaster Fund
1400 W. 9th St.
Los Angeles 90015
(213) 251-3400
The charity is also gathering information on homebound senior citizens. Contact:
Catholic Charities Aging Department
(213) 251-3480
* Operation USA
Accepting money for long-term assistance to community organizations damaged in the earthquake and soliciting corporate gifts in bulk.
* 8320 Melrose Ave., Suite 200
Los Angeles 90069
(800) 678-7255
* World Vision
Accepting donations for neighborhood cleanup and recovery programs.
World Vision Earthquake Relief Fund
P.O. Box 1131
Pasadena, CA 91311
* West Los Angeles Community Organization Emergency Response Team
Accepting blankets at Stoner Park, corner of Nebraska and Stoner Avenues, West Los Angeles.
* Direct Relief International
Collaborating with disaster response agencies throughout Southern California to provide emergency first aid and surgical items to major hospitals in the San Fernando Valley. Send donations to:
Direct Relief International
27 S. La Patera Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93117-3251
* Brotherhood Commission
An arm of the California Southern Baptist Convention; coordinates mass feeding, child care and cleanup efforts. Accepting monetary donations only. Make checks to:
Brotherhood Commission-Disaster Relief Fund
1548 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 272-2461
* Seventh-day Adventist Church donated goods hot line, (800) 253-3000
* United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Make check out to “United Way Earthquake Relief Fund,”
621 South Virgil Ave.
Los Angeles 90005
(818) 445-6300
* Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles
6505 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles 90048
(800) 385-9065
* California Community Foundation
Donations will be directed to nonprofit organizations working in the areas of community health, counseling and transitional living. Make checks payable to:
L.A. Earthquake Recovery Fund
606 S. Olive St.
Suite 2400
Los Angeles 90014
SCHOOLS
Los Angeles Unified School District
Board of Education member Mark Slavkin will hold a community meeting to hear concerns of parents and staff regarding the recent earthquake at 3:30 p.m. today at Limerick Avenue Elementary School, 8530 Limerick Ave., Canoga Park. Information: (213) 625-6387.
Counselors will be available to speak with parents and/or students at the following hot lines:
* San Fernando Valley area: (818) 997-2640, (818) 997-2398 or (818) 997-2545
* Central/South Central L.A. area: (213) 754-2856 or (213) 753-4551
* South and Harbor area: (310) 832-7545
* West: (310) 444-9913
* East: (213) 625-6190
* Middle school and senior high school students: (213) 742-7551 or (213) 625-6335
* Homework Hotline, broadcast Monday through Thursday on KLCS-TV (Channel 58), will have mental health professionals available for call-in questions from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Call (800) LA STUDY.
*
William S. Hart School District
(805) 259-0333
Hart High School and Placerita Junior High School remain closed today. All other schools in the district are open.
Saugus Union School District
(805) 294-7500
Rosedell Elementary School is expected to reopen on Wednesday. All other schools in the district are open.
Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archdiocese
Parents should call the school site for more information. If no answer, call (213) 251-3300.
The following Catholic schools are expected to reopen Wednesday:
* St. John Eudes School in Chatsworth
* St. Anne School in Santa Monica
The following Catholic school is scheduled to reopen Jan. 31:
* St. Monica School in Santa Monica
The following Catholic schools were uncertain of their reopening dates:
* St. Cyril of Jerusalem School in Encino
* St. Ferdinand School in San Fernando
* St. John the Baptist de la Salle School in Granada Hills
* Santa Rosa School in San Fernando
The following Catholic schools will be closed until further notice:
* Alemany High School in Mission Hills
* Mary Immaculate School in Pacoima
* Nativity School in Los Angeles
* Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Santa Clarita
* St. Euphrasia School in Granada Hills
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
* Cal State Northridge
(818) 885-1200
The start of spring semester has been delayed. Tentative date to reopen campus is Feb. 14. A job fair scheduled for Jan. 27 has been canceled, although students and alumni can attend a USC job fair on the same day. Information: (213) 740-9117.
* College of the Canyons
(805) 259-7800
The start of spring semester has been delayed until Monday. Campus will remain closed until then.
* Santa Monica College
(310) 450-5150 for taped information
The start of spring semester has been delayed until Feb. 21.
CHILD CARE
Four San Fernando Valley YMCAs either are creating or already have day-care program for children not in school.
They are:
* East Valley YMCA, 5142 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood; (818) 763-5126.
* Mid Valley YMCA, 6901 Lennox Ave., Van Nuys; (818) 989-3800.
* North Valley YMCA, 10925 Columbus Ave., Mission Hills; (818) 365-3231.
* West Valley Family YMCA, 18810 Vanowen St., Reseda; (818) 345-7391.
COUNSELING
Among the groups providing counseling or referrals to counseling for earthquake victims:
* University of Southern California
The human relations center at USC is offering free and low-cost counseling for individuals and families traumatized by the earthquake. Information: (213) 740-1600.
* L.A. County Dept. of Mental Heath
(800) 854-7771 has been set up as a toll-free information and referral hot line for people who have been emotionally affected by the earthquake. In addition, county centers are offering free counseling to victims.
* Valley Hospital Medical Center
(800) 345-2747 is a line for earthquake victims, staffed 24 hours a day. Other services include referrals and counseling sessions.
* Northridge Hospital Medical Center
18300 Roscoe Blvd.
Northridge
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday
(818) 885-5348
* West Valley Mental Health Center
8101 Sepulveda Blvd.
Van Nuys
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
* The Gould Center
Offering support groups in Encino, Burbank and West Los Angeles conducted by licensed therapists at a discounted rate.
(800) 246-9899
* Glendale Adventist Medical Center
Offering a free support group at 6 p.m. on Mondays at the hospital located at 1509 Wilson Terrace, Glendale.
(818) 409-8008
* Temple Judea Community Outreach
Offering crisis counseling for free or a small donation at the synagogue located at 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana.
(818) 780-4994
* Bridge Focus
Offering up to four free counseling sessions for people affected by the earthquake.
2829 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank
(818) 563-5509
* Santa Monica West Mental Health Center
1525 Euclid St.
Santa Monica
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
(310) 458-2400
* Las Encinas Hospital
Pasadena
(800) 443-5744 is a line for earthquake victims only, staffed 24 hours a day.
* Antioch Counseling Center
13274 Fiji Way, fourth floor
Marina del Rey
* Catholic Charities
For counseling and referrals; 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays.
(213) 251-3400
* Jewish Family Service of Greater Los Angeles
Providing crisis counseling or referrals on a non-sectarian basis.
(213) 852-7723
* Pine Grove Hospital and Mental Health Center
7011 Shoup Ave. Canoga Park
Offering food, shelter and free initial counseling.
(818) 348-0550
INSURANCE
These are special numbers for policyholders affected by the Jan 17 quake. Try to call your agent first.
* Aetna: (800) 238-6225
* Allstate: (800) 755-4126
Allstate is opening mobile catastrophe centers to serve quake victims. The centers are at 21040 Califa St. in Woodland Hills and 16800 Devonshire St. in Granada Hills.
* Automobile Club of Southern California: (800) 672-5246
* Chubb Group of Insurance Cos.: (800) 562-4822
* Cal-Vet Home Loans: (800) 221-8998
* Cigna Property & Casualty: (800) 421-2471
* Continental Insurance: (800) 677-6600
* Crusader Insurance Co.: (800) 669-9800
* Farmers Group of Insurance Companies: (800) 543-5736.
* Firemen’s Fund: (800) 548-HELP
* Home Insurance Group: (800) 366-6653
* ITT Hartford Insurance Group: (800) 243-5860
* Kemper National Insurance: (800) 833-0355
* Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.: (800) 500-7881, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and (800) 526-1547 after 4:30 weekdays and weekends.
* State Farm Insurance: (800) 732-5246
* Safeco Insurance Co. of America: (800) 452-7117
* T.I.G. (formerly Transamerica Insurance Group): (800) 241-2541
* 20th Century Insurance: (800) 443-3100
* USAA: (800) 531-8222
LIBRARIES
Twenty-two branches of the Los Angeles Public Library, including all 16 branches in the San Fernando Valley, will be closed until further notice. For recorded information about library closures, call (213) 228-7104 or (213) 228-7000.
MAIL PICKUP
Normal mail delivery to every ZIP code in the city, including the San Fernando Valley, has resumed. Mail that cannot be delivered, such as in the case of structural losses, will be held at the post office. Postal customers who have suffered the loss of their home can pick up their mail at their local post offices. Customers need to show identification when picking up mail. Post offices also will have change-of-address forms on hand to forward mail to a new address. Customers having questions regarding delivery can call (818) 757-2100, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
COURTS
The San Fernando Courthouse remains closed. No San Fernando court cases will be handled until next week, when the cases are likely to be moved to the Van Nuys Courthouse. San Fernando Courthouse jurors should report to the Van Nuys Courthouse at 10 a.m. today. Information: (818) 365-5813.
*
Compiled by Times staff members Mike Arkush, David Brady, Kay Hwangbo, Cecilia Rasmussen, John Schwada, Stephanie Stassel, Tracy Thomas and Nona Yates.
TimesLink Help
TimesLink provides helpful earthquake-related information 24 hours a day. From the 213, 310, 714, 818 or 909 area codes, dial 808-8463, then press the * (asterisk) key and a four-digit category code. TimesLink is a free service of The Times.
For current freeway closures and alternate routes, press *8210.
For phone numbers of earthquake-assistance organizations, press *8230.
For a list of school closures, press *8240.
For earthquake safety tips, press *8250.
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