The number of people registered for assistance with FEMA during the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar grew to more than 8,000. That amount includes those who reached out to FEMA via 1-800-621-3362 or at www.disasterassistance.gov. The latest count comes the same day the first Disaster Recovery Center opened at the Guam Community College, in Building E.

A soft opening was held Saturday with operations ending at 6pm. The DRC, which offers in-person assistance, will be open seven days a week from 7am-7pm.

“I just ask us to be patient. I ask us to be kind and neighborly to everybody, and I ask us to be civil and orderly. You will be taken care of,” said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero. “I’ve heard of situations where people were upset and they weren’t patient and I totally understand that. I understand your struggles, nervousness, anxiety, but we can’t help if we don’t work together in an orderly fashion.”

More DRC locations are planned for other areas across the island. The specifics of those centers is expected to be announced soon.

“We have a major commitment from the National government to make sure that help gets to everybody,” said Lieutenant Governor Josh Leon Guerrero. “Sometimes things don’t happen necessarily overnight, but I will tell you that this is a very quick.

"This is the fastest opening of a Disaster Recovery Center we’ve have seen in all our experience with natural disasters on the island.”