ATLANTA - People who need a place to stay after the devastating Alabama tornadoes can go to one of 20 shelters open in hard-hit areas.

"Do not sleep in your car. Go to a shelter,'' said Michael F. Byrne, Federal Coordinating Officer for the federal recovery operation in Alabama. "If you need somewhere to lay your head, go to a shelter.''

Those affected by the storms and tornadoes in Autauga, Calhoun, Cullman, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, St. Clair, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties may be eligible for grants to help with rental assistance, home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs. But to get assistance, survivors need to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Here's how to apply:

· Call 800-621-FEMA (3362). Operators are multilingual. Those with a hearing or speech impairment can use TTY 800-462-7585.



· Use a Web-enabled mobile device or smartphone. Point your browser to m.fema.gov and click "Apply for FEMA Assistance."



· Those with computer access can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.



The following is a listing of shelters supported by the American Red Cross:

CULLMAN COUNTY

Cullman Civic Center

510 5th St. SW

Cullman, Ala. 35055



Hanceville Recreation and Wellness Center

920 Commercial St.

Hanceville, Ala. 35077



Ryan School

11001 Highway 67 S.

Joppa, Ala. 35087



DEKALB COUNTY

Rainsville Civic Center

1504 Main St.

Rainsville, Ala. 35986



ETOWAH COUNTY

Carnes Recreation Center

102 Case Ave.

Attalla, Ala. 35954



FRANKLIN COUNTY

First Baptist Church

213 N. Jackson Ave.

Russellville, Ala. 35653



JEFFERSON COUNTY

Boutwell Auditorium

1931 8th Ave. N.

Birmingham, Ala. 35203



Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church

1348 Hueytown Road

Bessemer, Ala. 35203



Dora First Baptist Church

1440 Sharon Blvd.

Dora, Ala. 35062



LAWRENCE COUNTY

Moulton Armory

15089 Court St.

Moulton, Ala. 35650



LIMESTONE COUNTY

First Baptist Church Family Life Center

201 E. Hobb St.

Athens, Ala. 35611



MADISON COUNTY

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church

1418 Old Railroad Bed Road

Madison, Ala. 35757



MARION COUNTY

Winfield First Baptist Church

830 Highway 43 S.

Winfield, Ala. 35594



MARSHALL COUNTY

Albertville Recreation Center

915 W. McKinney

Albertville, Ala. 35950



ST. CLAIR COUNTY

Ashville Middle School

22331 Highway 231

Ashville, Ala. 35953



TUSCALOOSA COUNTY

Belk Center Parks and Recreation Building

2101 Bowers Park Drive

Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35405



Tuscaloosa VA

3701 Loop Road E.

Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35404



WALKER COUNTY

Northside Baptist Church

500 Highway 78 E.

Jasper, Ala. 35501



Hunters Chapel

345 Hunters Chapel Road

Jasper, Ala. 35501



WINSTON COUNTY

Haleyville Fire Department

1901 11th Ave.

Haleyville, Ala. 35565



FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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For more information on Alabama's disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.ema.alabama.gov/.

For the joint Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/AlabamaEMA. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/AlabamaEMA or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.