National Emergency Family Registry And Locator System And The Child Locator Center Activated For Hurricane Gustav

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security?s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has activated its National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS) and National Emergency Child Locator Center (NECLC) in connection with Hurricane Gustav. The system is now available to help families find members of their households from whom they may have become separated as a result of the storm. To access the system go to www.fema.gov or call the toll free number at 1-800-588-9822; available 24 hours a day.

Through FEMA's Family Registry and Locator System, people who have been displaced and separated from their family and friends can register and provide information about themselves and where they can be found. Registration is voluntary, and displaced persons can identify individuals with whom they want to provide information about their location and other personal matters.

The National Emergency Child Locator Center also has been activated because of Hurricane Gustav to help families, local and tribal governments and law enforcement agencies track and locate children who have become separated from their parents or guardians because of the storm.

The Center's operations are managed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, with support from FEMA. Persons registering as or searching for a displaced child 21-years-old or younger will be directed to the Center, which will help them locate their families or guardians. The website and call center is available 24-hours a day.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.