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Alabama Counties Eligible for FEMA Public Assistance
PRATTVILLE, Ala.– Autauga, Barbour, Chambers, Conecuh, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Hale and Tallapoosa counties are eligible for FEMA Public Assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent work due to the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes.
Greene and Sumter counties are eligible for debris removal and emergency protective measures.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides reimbursement to local and state government agencies for the costs of emergency response, debris removal and restoration of disaster damaged public facilities and infrastructure. Houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations may also be eligible for FEMA Public Assistance.
For information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4684. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
felicia.jordan Thu, 02/02/2023 - 14:08Alaska Survivors Can Still Apply for FEMA Assistance
Anchorage, Alaska – Alaskan residents recovering from September’s Typhoon Merbok are still able to apply for disaster assistance with FEMA even though the application period has ended. Survivors have until Feb. 4, 2023, to apply.
Survivors should call the Alaska-based FEMA hotline at 1-866-342-1699. Applicants will be asked to provide a signed letter explaining why they were unable to apply during the application period.
Support Will Continue for Affected Alaskans
If you have any questions or need further assistance with your FEMA application, you can call FEMA’s Alaska-based hotline at 1-866-342-1699, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. AKT to 6 p.m. AKT. The hotline will also be open Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. AKT to 6 p.m. AKT. The hotline not only serves as a way for survivors to apply but is also a helpline for applicants who need additional assistance.
Stay in Touch with FEMA
If you have already applied for assistance, you should notify the agency of any additional damage discovered since your home inspection. Be sure to update any changes in your mailing or email address, phone number, and the status of your insurance settlements, if applicable.
Appealing a FEMA Decision
Those who applied for FEMA disaster assistance have the right to appeal FEMA’s eligibility decisions. Survivors who don’t agree with FEMA’s eligibility decision or have additional documentation to provide for their case may file an appeal in writing within 60 days of receiving their letter. If appealing after the 60-day timeframe, survivors must explain the reason for the delay.
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For more information about FEMA’s support to Alaska’s severe storms, flooding and landslide recovery, visit the FEMA Disaster Site. Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
mary.j.edmon Thu, 02/02/2023 - 01:15
Calaveras County Disaster Recovery Center Opens Feb. 1 at Angels Camp
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A Disaster Recovery Center will open Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Angels Camp, where residents who were affected by the severe storms and flooding can update your FEMA applications and learn about state and community programs and other available assistance.
The Calaveras County center is located at:
Calaveras County Fairgrounds (Frogtown)
Mark Twain Hall
2465 Gunclub Road
Angels Camp, CA 95222
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Specialists at the recovery center can clarify information you have received from FEMA or other agencies; they can explain the rental assistance available to homeowners and renters; and they can fax your requested documents to a FEMA processing center and scan or copy new information or documents needed for case files.
Residents who had uninsured or underinsured damage and losses resulting from the severe storms and flooding are encouraged to apply to FEMA, although you do not need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply. Here are other ways to apply:
Go to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators are available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. For an accessible video on how to apply, go to youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI.
brindisi.chan Thu, 02/02/2023 - 00:37Newton County Disaster Recovery Center to Open
ATLANTA – A FEMA disaster recovery center will open Thursday Feb. 2 in Newton County to provide one-on-one assistance to people directly affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes.
Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.
The disaster recovery center location is:
Bert Adams Scout Camp
Ashley Leaders Center
218 Scout Rd.
Covington, GA 30016
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT – 7 days a week.
People directly affected by the severe storms and tornadoes may visit the recovery center, apply with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or download FEMA’s mobile app (select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online).
For needs directly related to the Jan.12 weather systems, FEMA may be able to provide Individual Assistance grant money that does not have to be repaid for:
- Rental Assistance if you need to relocate because of storm-related damage
- Personal Property that was damaged or destroyed by these weather events
- Lodging Reimbursement if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily
- Basic Home Repairs for homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by these weather events
- Other Serious Needs caused by the recent storms.
In addition to the assistance listed, please note the following:
- Only one application per household
- FEMA does not pay for lost or spoiled food
By law, FEMA is not allowed to duplicate insurance payments or assistance provided by other sources.
As a result of registering with FEMA, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low-interest, long-term disaster loan. SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits recover from declared disasters. Submitting an SBA application is an important step in the recovery process. Losses that are uninsured or under-insured may be eligible to be covered. There is no obligation to take the loan, if offered. Residents who are not approved may be referred for additional grant consideration.
For information on Georgia’s disaster recovery visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4685. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/FEMAregion4.
felicia.jordan Thu, 02/02/2023 - 00:08It’s Important to Submit an SBA Loan Application
Prattville, Ala. – FEMA may refer survivors of the Jan. 12 storms and tornadoes in Alabama to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) with information on how to apply for a disaster loan. It’s important to submit the loan application as soon as possible.
If your application is approved, you are not obligated to accept an SBA loan but failure to return the application may disqualify you from other possible financial assistance from FEMA.
SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors. SBA offers long-term, low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
SBA disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources. Survivors should not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application.
You may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Paper applications may be requested by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. There is no cost to apply for an SBA disaster loan.
Homeowners may be eligible for a disaster loan up to $200,000 for primary residence structural repairs or rebuilding. SBA may also be able to help homeowners and renters with up to $40,000 to replace important personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
Survivors can apply for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362. The helpline is open, and help is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
For information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4684. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
felicia.jordan Wed, 02/01/2023 - 19:57Carroll County Residents Invited to Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – Representatives from FEMA will host an in-person flood map information open house on February 15, 2023, from 6 – 8 p.m. ET and a virtual flood map information open house on February 21, 2023, from 6 – 8 p.m. ET for communities in Carroll County, Indiana. The open houses will give residents the chance to review preliminary versions of a recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The same information will be shared at both meetings.
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1%-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within areas of the county and offer information that public officials may use when permitting development in the floodplain.
Experts at the open houses will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process. Residents can meet with experts one-on-one to view their own addresses on the new maps. They’ll learn about their specific risk and ways to help prevent flood loss.
WHAT: Carroll County – In-Person Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: February 15, 2023, 6 – 8 a.m. ET
WHERE: Community Center at 311 N. Washington Street, Delphi, Indiana
WHAT: Carroll County – Virtual Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: February 21, 2023, 6 – 8 p.m. ET
WHERE: Zoom: Visit https://fema.zoomgov.com and enter the following:
Meeting ID: 160 748 3040, Passcode: 427905
You may also call (551) 285-1373. Enter the meeting ID and passcode listed above.
Property owners, realtors, lenders and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an email to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.
For more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Wed, 02/01/2023 - 19:52St. Louis County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – Representatives from FEMA will host a Flood Map Information Open House for communities in St. Louis County, Minnesota, on February 15, 2023, from 5 – 7 p.m. CT and on February 16, 2023, from 5 – 7 p.m. CT. The open houses will give residents a chance to review preliminary versions of the recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The same information will be shared at both meetings.
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1% -annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the county and offer information that public officials may use to guide development in the floodplain.
Experts at the open houses will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process. Residents can meet with experts one-on-one to view their own addresses on the new maps. They’ll learn about their specific risk and ways to help prevent flood loss.
Once effective, the maps will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: St. Louis County—Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: February 15, 2023, 5–7 p.m. CT
WHERE: Virginia Public Works Lake Vermilion Room
7823 State Highway 135
Virginia, MN 55792
WHEN: February 16, 2023, 5–7 p.m. CT
WHERE: Public Works Pike Lake Conference Room
4787 Midway Road
Duluth, MN 55811
Property owners, realtors, lenders and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an email to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.
For more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Wed, 02/01/2023 - 19:47Jasper County Disaster Recovery Center to Open
ATLANTA – A FEMA disaster recovery center will open Tuesday, Jan.31 in Jasper County to provide one-on-one assistance to people directly affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight line winds and tornadoes.
Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.
The disaster recovery center location is:
New Rocky Creek Baptist Church
190 Rocky Creek Rd.
Mansfield, GA 30055
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday–Saturday (closed Sundays).
People directly affected by the severe storms may visit the recovery center, apply with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
For needs directly related to the Jan.12 weather systems, FEMA may be able to provide Individual Assistance grant money that does not have to be repaid for:
- Rental Assistance if you need to relocate because of storm-related damage
- Personal Property that was damaged or destroyed by these weather events
- Lodging Reimbursement if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily
- Basic Home Repairs for homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by these weather events
- Other Serious Needs caused by the recent storms.
In addition to the assistance listed, please note the following:
- Only one application per household
- FEMA does not pay for lost or spoiled food
By law, FEMA is not allowed to duplicate insurance payments or assistance provided by other sources.
As a result of registering with FEMA, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a disaster loan. SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to help businesses, homeowners and renters recover from declared disasters. Submitting a low-interest loan application is an important step in the recovery process. There is no obligation to take the loan, if offered. Residents who are not approved may be referred for additional grant consideration.
Additional disaster recovery centers are expected to be announced soon.
For information on Georgia’s disaster recovery visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4685. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/FEMAregion4.
felicia.jordan Mon, 01/30/2023 - 22:46Meriwether County Disaster Recovery Center to Open
ATLANTA – A FEMA disaster recovery center will open Tuesday, Jan.31 in Meriwether County to provide one-on-one assistance to people directly affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight line winds and tornadoes.
Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.
The disaster recovery center location is:
West Georgia Technical College
17529 Roosevelt Hwy.
Greenville, GA 30222
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT – 7 days a week.
People directly affected by the severe storms may visit the recovery center, apply with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
For needs directly related to the Jan.12 weather systems, FEMA may be able to provide Individual Assistance grant money that does not have to be repaid for:
- Rental Assistance if you need to relocate because of storm-related damage
- Personal Property that was damaged or destroyed by these weather events
- Lodging Reimbursement if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily
- Basic Home Repairs for homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by these weather events
- Other Serious Needs caused by the recent storms.
In addition to the assistance listed, please note the following:
- Only one application per household
- FEMA does not pay for lost or spoiled food
By law, FEMA is not allowed to duplicate insurance payments or assistance provided by other sources.
As a result of registering with FEMA, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a disaster loan. SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to help businesses, homeowners and renters recover from declared disasters. Submitting a low-interest loan application is an important step in the recovery process. There is no obligation to take the loan, if offered. Residents who are not approved may be referred for additional grant consideration.
Additional disaster recovery centers are expected to be announced soon.
For information on Georgia’s disaster recovery visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4685. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/FEMAregion4.
felicia.jordan Mon, 01/30/2023 - 21:2221 Tribes and All Inhabited U.S. Territories Are Now Eligible for FEMA's Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Grant Program
WASHINGTON -- FEMA is expanding the eligibility for a new grant program that provides capitalization grants to fund revolving loans for resilience-related activities.
The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund grant program has been expanded to give insular areas the same eligibility to apply as states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This means American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands are also now eligible to apply.
Additionally, any of the 21 federally recognized Tribal Nations that FEMA has identified as having received major disaster declarations are now directly eligible to apply for the fund. This is a result of the removal of the five-year window that initially limited the opportunity to only 15 Tribal Nations.
The changes, including the expansion of direct tribal access, are the result of the recent omnibus legislation signed by the President in December 2022. The bill included technical corrections expanding eligibility for the new program. All 574 federally recognized tribes are eligible to receive this funding through a state as well.
For the first year of the program, FEMA will make $50 million available in capitalization grants. The funding opportunity was originally announced Dec. 20, 2022. The agency will accept applications for the program beginning Feb. 1.
“FEMA remains committed to finding innovative approaches to help communities build resilience in the face of intensifying weather events driven by climate change,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “The low-interest loans provided by the STORM program will help eligible states and tribes, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, finance disaster mitigation projects that will enhance their climate resiliency before disaster strikes.”
The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund complements and strengthens FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant portfolio through which multiple grant programs support projects at the local government level to increase the nation’s resilience to natural hazards and climate change. Loans may be used to help local governments satisfy the non-federal cost share requirements of these grant programs, for which they are required to provide a cost-share of up to 10%.
Initial funding will focus on both increasing public understanding of the program and working with participating communities to learn how to enhance the program in future iterations.
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance helps communities increase resilience to extreme heat waves, drought, wildfires, flood and hurricanes by funding transformational projects that reduce risk to multiple hazards, support adaptation to future conditions and lessen the impact of all disasters on our nation’s most underserved residents and disadvantaged communities.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $6.8 billion in additional funding for FEMA to invest in community-wide mitigation to reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs in the face of more frequent and severe weather events.
In addition to this funding, President Biden has provided even more funding to FEMA’s annual resilience grant programs since taking office. In particular, the President more than doubled last year’s funding to approximately $3 billion for Fiscal Year 2022 grant applications for FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and Flood Mitigation Assistance programs. Both programs also include significant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF funding notice is available at Grants.gov. Eligible entities must apply for funding using the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants Management System (ND Grants). Applications must be received by 3 p.m. ET, April 28, 2023.
luther.wills-dudich Mon, 01/30/2023 - 21:21Spalding County Tornado Survivors Can Get Help at Local Disaster Recovery Center
ATLANTA – Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are now available at the Spalding County Senior Center to assist residents of Spaulding County who were severely impacted by the Jan. 12 storms and tornadoes.
FEMA and the State of Georgia have opened a Disaster Recover Center (DRC) to provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications for federal assistance.
The DRC is located at:
Spalding County Senior Center 855 Memorial Dr. Griffin, GA 30223
Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (7 days a week)
If you were directly affected by the tornadoes you can apply to FEMA for federal assistance at the recovery center, but you do not need to visit a DRC to apply. Survivors can also apply to FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
For uninsured needs directly related to the Jan.12 weather systems, FEMA may be able to provide Individual Assistance grant money that does not have to be repaid for:
Rental Assistance if you need to relocate because of storm-related damage
Personal Property that was damaged or destroyed by these weather events
Lodging Reimbursement if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily
Basic Home Repairs for homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by these weather events
Other Serious Needs caused by the recent storms.
In addition to the assistance listed, please note the following:
Only one application per household
FEMA does not pay for lost or spoiled food
By law, FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments or assistance provided by other sources.
Additional disaster recovery centers are located at:
Butts County: Daughtry Park/Recreation Center - 576 Earnest Biles Dr., Jackson, GA 30233. Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (7 days a week)
Henry County: Locust Grove Recreation Center - 10 Cleveland Street, Locust Grove, GA 30248. Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (7 days a week)
Troup County: William J. Griggs Community Center - 716 Glenn Roberson Dr., LaGrange, GA 30241. Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (7 days a week)
To locate a DRC near you, visit www.fema.gov/drc or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. On a smart phone, open the FEMA App, click on “Talk to FEMA in person.”
For information on Georgia’s disaster recovery visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4685. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/FEMAregion4.
felicia.jordan Mon, 01/30/2023 - 20:14Apply for FEMA Assistance by Feb. 13 for Loss Caused by Hurricane Nicole
LAKE MARY, Fla. — Do not wait to apply for federal disaster assistance. The deadline is two weeks away.
If your primary residence is in Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Putnam, St. Johns or Volusia counties and you had property damage caused by Hurricane Nicole, submit your FEMA disaster assistance application by Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.
Once you apply for FEMA disaster assistance, you may be referred to the SBA. The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses, homeowners and renters. There’s no obligation to accept a loan, but you may miss out on the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds if you don’t apply.
You can create and submit your FEMA application any number of ways:
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is available every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages.
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov and click on the blue “Apply Online” icon.
- Download the free FEMA mobile app for smartphones.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). Several DRCs are operating throughout the counties damaged by Nicole. To find one close to you, go online to: DRC Locator or floridadisaster.org, or text “DRC” along with your ZIP code to 43362.
If eligible, FEMA disaster assistance may include financial assistance, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs, for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your primary home; funds to homeowners to help repair or replace disaster caused damage or loss to your primary residence, including privately-owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges; and funds for disaster-caused expenses and serious needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicle, funds for moving and storage, medical, dental, child care and other pre-approved miscellaneous items.
Keeping your contact information current helps FEMA process your application. The agency may need to call to schedule a home inspection or get additional information from you to move your application forward.
For many, insurance may cover damage and loss. That is not the same as FEMA assistance. Our funding is intended to cover basic needs for those who don’t have insurance or lack adequate insurance to cover basic necessities after suffering damage and loss from a disaster like Hurricane Nicole.
For the latest information on Florida's recovery from Hurricane Ian and Nicole, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
bree-constance… Mon, 01/30/2023 - 19:24Hurricane Fiona Federal Assistance Reaches $811 Million
San Juan, Puerto Rico — Nearly $811 million in federal grants, disaster loans, public assistance grants and flood insurance payments have been provided to Puerto Rico and to households affected by Hurricane Fiona to help jumpstart their recovery.
FEMA has provided nearly $607 million in disaster assistance grants to households affected by Hurricane Fiona. These funds are provided to repair damaged homes, replace personal property, and for unmet critical needs and other types of disaster-related assistance.
In addition, FEMA has obligated more than $115 million to government entities and private nonprofit organizations for debris removal and emergency protective measures. To date, 19 municipalities, 21 government agencies and 47 private nonprofit organizations have been awarded disaster assistance grants.
Nearly $22 million was obligated to the Puerto Rico Police Bureau who deployed 9,250 officers to provide additional law enforcement patrol and surveillance to minimize immediate threats to public health and safety.
“Puerto Rico’s recovery after Hurricane Fiona has been swift and FEMA’s work, having already disbursed over $806 million in federal aid in just four months, is a great example of the joint work our government and the federal government do for the benefit of our people. Hurricane Fiona was a difficult moment for everybody on the Island, and our police officers and emergency personnel, as well as many other public officials, left their families for weeks on end to provide security and assistance to our citizens in their time of need. As governor I am extremely proud of them and I am grateful for the collaborative work done by COR3 and FEMA to ensure that we have the resources to provide services that our citizens need”, said the governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro R. Pierluisi.
Nancy Casper, FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer, stated that “during the height of the emergency, FEMA responded swiftly deploying over 1,300 disaster workers throughout Puerto Rico. In a matter of days, emergency responders were visiting communities, knocking on doors and helping survivors apply for assistance. Today, federal funding has helped thousands of families repair their homes, replace damaged property, and recover from this disaster.”
The Small Business Administration (SBA) approved nearly $86 million in disaster loans. Recently, the SBA announced the Agency will waive the interest rate for the first year on new disaster loans and extend the initial payment deferment period automatically to 12 months.
The National Flood Insurance Program has also helped survivors whose homes were affected by the disaster, paying more than $2.7 million in claims to policy holders for flood damage related to Hurricane Fiona.
kimberly.keblish Mon, 01/30/2023 - 13:02Over $18.5 Million in FEMA Funds for the Valenciano Water Treatment Plant and Reservoir
The total cost of the project is estimated at over $417 million in FEMA funding
Guaynabo, PUERTO RICO — The first phase for the construction of a new reservoir in the Valenciano river and the expansion of the Valenciano Water Treatment Plant has been approved at a cost of over $18.5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The new stream reservoir, located in the municipality of Juncos and an asset of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), will have a capacity of 12.7 million cubic meters of water.
Pedro R. Pierluisi stated that the project authorized by FEMA responds to the impacts of climate change in order to have a resilient infrastructure for future weather events.
“We have worked hard to obtain the approval of funds for Phase 1 of this project. The Valenciano Reservoir project is a priority for my administration because it promotes quality of life and health for the nearly 140,000 residents living in Humacao, Caguas, Juncos, San Lorenzo, Las Piedras and Gurabo, in addition to improving water storage capacity, which will benefit the surrounding towns. I want to thank President Biden's administration, as well as FEMA staff, for working closely with our government to achieve the approval of such an important project,” added Pierluisi. Once the first phase is completed, which includes the procurement of engineering services, preliminary engineering design, environmental compliance and permitting processes, planning for land acquisition and final design and construction documents, FEMA will consider additional funding for Phase 2 at a cost of over $399 million.
“Residents in the area will benefit from this mitigation work, especially during drought conditions, when the existing potable water supply systems cannot meet the water demand for the area. When the project is completed, it will offer enough water storage and pumping capacity to ensure a steady water supply for the area,” said Deputy Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Andrés García.
For her part, PRASA Executive President Doriel Pagán Crespo said that the efforts of her team and the close collaboration with FEMA and COR3 have made this project a reality. “The Valenciano Reservoir is another of our priority projects, which will provide redundancy and flexibility in the potable water systems of these six municipalities. We thank Governor Pedro Pierluisi, FEMA and COR3 personnel for promoting and supporting this work,” Pagán Crespo said.
According to the executive director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, this approval is the result of a team effort between COR3, PRASA and FEMA.
“Our staff will continue to assist PRASA with all the required procedures to ensure the development of this major project that will address the drought situation caused by climate change that affects thousands of Puerto Ricans. Likewise, the public corporation will have access to the various initiatives we have implemented, such as the Working Capital Advance, which provides access to capital for the execution of projects under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program,” mentioned Laboy Rivera.
To date, FEMA has obligated over $29 billion under its Public Assistance program and an additional $1.6 billion has been approved under its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help increase the island’s resiliency through mitigation activities.
For more information on Puerto Rico’s recovery from Hurricane María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339 and recovery.pr. Follow us on our social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.
frances.acevedo-pico Sun, 01/29/2023 - 19:14
Two Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Dallas County and One in Hale County
CLANTON, Ala. – FEMA and the state of Alabama are opening three disaster recovery centers Jan. 28 and Jan. 29. Two will open in Dallas County and one in Hale County to assist tornado survivors.
The centers will provide one-on-one help to people affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes.
Recovery specialists from FEMA, state and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications for assistance.
WHERE:
Dallas County
Dr. Michael and Catherine Bullock Community Center
1428 Broad St.
Selma, AL 36701
Opening: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Jan. 28
Regular Hours: Sunday to Saturday, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time daily.
Dallas County
Felix Heights Community Center
405 Medical Center Pkwy.
Selma, AL 36701
Opening: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Jan. 29
Regular Hours: Monday to Sunday, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time daily.
Hale County
Akron Volunteer Fire Station
181 First Ave. South
Akron AL 35441
Opening: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Jan 28
Regular Hours: Sunday to Saturday, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time daily.
In addition, the following three Disaster Recovery Centers are already open:
Autauga County
Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Center
118 Jesse Samuel Hunt Blvd.
Prattville, AL 36066
Hours: Monday to Sunday, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time daily.
Coosa County
Rockford Baptist Church
9575 US Hwy. 231
Rockford, AL 35136
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time; and Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. central time
Elmore County
Elmore County Court House
100 E. Commerce St.
Wetumpka, AL 36092
Hours: Monday to Sunday, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time daily.
No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
Survivors may also apply for assistance by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app for smartphones or calling 800-621-3362. The helpline is open, and help is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
The deadline to apply for assistance for all designated counties is March 16, 2023.
For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to, youtube.com/watch?v= WZGpWI2RCNw.
For information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4684. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
felicia.jordan Sat, 01/28/2023 - 21:31Troup County Disaster Recovery Center to Open
ATLANTA – A FEMA disaster recovery center will open Sunday, Jan.29 in Troup County to provide one-on-one assistance to people directly affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight line winds and tornadoes.
Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.
The disaster recovery center location is:
William J. Griggs Community Center
716 Glenn Roberson Dr.
LaGrange, GA 30241
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT – 7 days a week.
People directly affected by the severe storms may visit the recovery center, apply with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
For needs directly related to the Jan.12 weather systems, FEMA may be able to provide Individual Assistance grant money that does not have to be repaid for:
- Rental Assistance if you need to relocate because of storm-related damage
- Personal Property that was damaged or destroyed by these weather events
- Lodging Reimbursement if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily
- Basic Home Repairs for homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by these weather events
- Other Serious Needs caused by the recent storms.
In addition to the assistance listed, please note the following:
- Only one application per household
- FEMA does not pay for lost or spoiled food
By law, FEMA is not allowed to duplicate insurance payments or assistance provided by other sources.
As a result of registering with FEMA, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a disaster home loan. Submitting the low-interest loan application is an important step in the recovery process. There is no obligation to take the loan, if offered. Residents who are not approved may be referred for additional grant consideration.
Additional disaster recovery centers are expected to be announced soon.
For information on Georgia’s disaster recovery visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4685. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/FEMAregion4.
felicia.jordan Sat, 01/28/2023 - 19:26FEMA Help Now Available to Residents of San Mateo County
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – San Mateo County has been added to the major disaster declaration for California’s severe storms and flooding, meaning residents who had damage or losses from the storms that began Dec. 27, 2022, may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance.
The declaration allows FEMA to provide direct support to individuals and households in nine counties: Calaveras, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz.
Homeowners and renters who had damage or losses as a direct result of the storms are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance by the March 16, 2023, deadline. Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses, transportation, childcare, and moving and storage expenses.
If you have insurance, first file a claim with your insurance provider. FEMA provides assistance to applicants for your uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs.
There are several ways that you can apply for FEMA assistance under the Individual Assistance program:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA mobile app
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.
- For an accessible video on how to apply, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI
- You can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center and meet with FEMA staff and representatives of other federal and state agencies who can provide information about disaster assistance. To find a recovery center near you, visit DRC Locator (fema.gov).
Additionally, nine counties can now request FEMA Public Assistance funding to help communities cover the costs of debris removal, emergency services and repairing infrastructure damaged by the storms. The counties eligible for reimbursement for different categories of work are: Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Tulare, Ventura. Applicants must file a Request for Public Assistance within 30 days of the date their area is designated under the federal declaration.
The Public Assistance program is FEMA’s largest grant program. It provides funds to assist states, federally recognized tribes, territories, local governments and certain types of private non-profits as they respond to and recover from presidentially declared major disasters or emergencies. The program provides funding for debris removal and emergency assistance to save lives and protect property. It also helps fund permanently restoring community infrastructure affected by a federally declared incident.
The federal share of assistance is generally not less than 75% of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent work. For California, however, President Biden authorized 100% federal reimbursement for the total eligible costs for 60 days from the Dec. 27, 2022, start of the storms.
brindisi.chan Sat, 01/28/2023 - 16:16Six Months and $154.6 Million Later, Eastern Kentucky Recovery Continues
FRANKFORT, Ky – Six months after disastrous floods swept through Eastern Kentucky leaving a path of devastation across 13 counties, FEMA, its federal partners and the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) are still hard at work collaborating to help Kentucky communities and survivors jump-start their recovery.
This partnership resulted in FEMA/Commonwealth teams providing door-to-door aid to survivors where they live, the removal of mountains of debris from creeks and public rights of way, and the organization of what is sure to be the fastest property acquisition program in FEMA history.
As of Jan. 22, more than $154.6 million has been approved in FEMA grants and low interest disaster loans to help survivors begin to recover from the floods.
- FEMA Individuals and Households Program: More than $96.9 Million
- Housing Assistance: More than $83.7 million
- Other Needs Assistance: More than $13.1 million
- U.S. Small Business Administration: More than $57.7 million
In addition, Public Assistance (PA) funding to assist communities by reimbursing costs for repair has topped more than $3 million.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has closed 461 claims totaling more than $24.6 million in payments. For those insured with the NFIP, insurance payments can help restore a home to its pre-disaster condition, provide for lost personal property and speed up the recovery process.
The Commonwealth and FEMA Hard at Work- Soon after the disaster was declared, Disaster Survivor Assistance teams visited more than 24,000 homes and individuals to offer guidance on the recovery process, assist with applications for federal assistance, and to help those who already applied to complete and submit required paperwork. Special teams comprised of FEMA, commonwealth and local representatives were also on the ground to meet survivors where they lived and help them apply for disaster assistance.
- FEMA and the Commonwealth opened eight Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to meet with disaster survivors face-to-face and assist them in accessing federal and Commonwealth programs to help in their recovery. Throughout the recovery, more than 17,000 visits to the DRCs were facilitated. As these centers closed, the Commonwealth transitioned many of them into Multi-Agency Resource Centers as a means of continuing to provide face-to-face assistance to Kentuckians.
- On Sept. 22, Gov. Beshear signed an Executive Order to establish the Council for Community Recovery and Resiliency (CCRR). The CCRR was established as an advisory and resource body attached to the KYEM and made up of members whose agencies provide financial and technical assistance to local community recovery and resiliency planning teams across the Commonwealth. This council, in combination with the local recovery teams, establishes a National Disaster Recovery Framework mirror structure at the Commonwealth and local level to better facilitate the flow of resources and support to communities.
- The Commonwealth has continued to provide temporary shelter for affected families through its Commonwealth Sheltering Program.
- To date, this program has assisted 391 Kentucky families. A total of 1,027 people have been sheltered in hotels and travel trailers. Additionally, 360 people have been provided shelter through the Commonwealth’s partnership with Kentucky state parks.
- Currently, 235 survivor families are being sheltered in 240 travel trailers.
- 25 people continue to shelter in state parks. Kentucky State Parks employees continue to work with local and state emergency management to actively transition affected families into long-term housing solutions.
- Participants in this program may also be eligible for FEMA Direct Temporary Housing. Federal collaboration with the Commonwealth assures that all housing options for displaced survivors will be utilized.
- While it can typically take many months for FEMA Direct Temporary Housing to be activated and put in place KYEM — in close collaboration with FEMA Direct Housing and Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) — was able to assemble a temporary housing mission in a little over one month. The first family was licensed in by early September. Direct Temporary Housing is the last option for housing. It is available in six counties (Breathitt, Floyd, Knott, Letcher Perry and Pike) that the Commonwealth identified as having a lack of rental resources.
- Currently there are 81 households in temporary housing units in 5 counties.
- To date, 9 families have moved out of Direct Temporary Housing and located permanent housing.
- Sometimes the best way to avoid future flood damage is to rebuild outside of the floodplain. This can be achieved through property acquisition. Acquisition programs often take years to implement, but not in Kentucky. The first contract to acquire a flood-prone property was signed on Jan. 11. The speed at which Kentucky and FEMA were able to put this program in place was due to the Commonwealth’s willingness to work fast and think “outside the box.”
- FEMA’s IRC and Mitigation continue to coordinate closely with eligible counties to identify resources to assist with their property acquisition programs.
- The property acquisition program is FEMA funded and state managed. To date, FEMA has awarded five projects at a total cost of more than $5.8 million for the state to acquire 27 properties.
- FEMA’s Public Assistance Program (PA) provides funds to the Commonwealth, which in turn provides reimbursement to the local governments, counties and certain types of private nonprofit applicants to help them pay for damaged infrastructure such as roads and schools and to defray the costs of response activities. Twenty Eastern Kentucky counties are eligible for PA.
- To date, more than 200 requests for Public Assistance have been filed, resulting in approximately 5,000 site inspections across Eastern Kentucky. The purpose of a site inspection is to validate disaster-related damage and determine what steps will need to be taken to restore a facility to its pre-disaster condition.
- PA is a cost-sharing program. FEMA reimburses applicants no less than 75 percent of their eligible costs, with the remainder covered by a non-federal source.
- FEMA authorized a 100 percent federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures —including direct federal assistance — for a continuous 30-day period of the Commonwealth’s choosing within the first 120 days of the Eastern Kentucky floods.
- Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) engineers have assessed nearly 1,100 county and state-owned bridges and identified 100 in need of replacement. To date, 29 bridges have been replaced, 14 have been repaired and 42 temporary crossings have been completed.
- One of the biggest successes in Kentucky has been debris removal. KYTC has removed more than 480,000 tons of storm debris from roadsides and waterways while also clearing 606 miles of creeks and streams of storm and vegetative debris.
- In Kentucky, Voluntary Agency Liaisons are helping establish long-term recovery groups to provide a wide range of assistance to disaster survivors, the Commonwealth and local partners. Long-term recovery groups typically include federal partners, community members, voluntary agencies and grassroots organizations that work in close coordination to address community needs, distribute resources and help restore vital support systems. To date seven Long-Term Recovery Groups have been organized in seven counties: Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Perry, Letcher and Pike.
On July 29, 2022, President Biden declared a major disaster declaration for Eastern Kentucky which included 13 counties for assistance to individuals and households, and 20 counties for assistance to communities and certain private nonprofits to aid in their recovery.
Assistance to individuals and households may include financial awards to help pay for temporary housing, replacement of personal property, and medical, dental and other short-term needs to support their recovery. FEMA assistance is designed to meet a survivor’s basic needs. It will not fully compensate someone for the loss of their home and personal property. Additionally, FEMA cannot duplicate assistance from other sources such as insurance. Through our partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, disaster loans can also provide a critical source of funding to help survivors get their homes back to pre-disaster condition.
Through its Public Assistance program, FEMA provides for communities by reimbursing the cost of repairing infrastructure such as roads and bridges, emergency response and cleaning up the voluminous amounts of debris. To date the Commonwealth has picked up almost half a million tons of debris from the roads and waterways. The cost of this work will be fully or partially reimbursed through the PA program.
FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons support the significant contributions of voluntary, faith-based, and community stakeholders active in disaster by building relationships – and coordinating efforts – with and across partner organizations and government agencies. Voluntary agencies pick up where federal assistance ends, providing help with the unmet needs of disaster survivors and communities.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is designed to provide funding to strengthen structures and infrastructure during rebuilding, which can prevent or lessen potential damage from future natural disasters. Funds are available throughout the Commonwealth, with projects prioritized by the KYEM through its enhanced mitigation plan.
As communities look to the future, the Interagency Recovery Coordination group coordinates activities from several federal agencies, local universities and philanthropic organizations. This support helps access other funding sources and technical support to help fill in the gaps not covered by FEMA funding, utilizing the “whole community” recovery model to help communities recover from disasters.
For the latest information on Kentucky flooding recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4663 and follow FEMA on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion4. Visit the Governor’s website at governor.ky.gov/disaster-response/flood-response.
amy.ashbridge Fri, 01/27/2023 - 20:37FEMA Temporarily Reduces Rent for Ida Survivors
BATON ROUGE, La. – In support of the state of Louisiana’s request to waive rent for Hurricane Ida survivors living in temporary housing units (THUs), FEMA has authorized a waiver reducing rent to the policy minimum of $50 per month through May 31, 2023. Normal rent policy will apply to THU occupants starting June 2023.
On Jan. 21, FEMA began sending letters to survivors notifying them of the waiver.
FEMA is committed to providing temporary housing to eligible Hurricane Ida survivors as they continue the long-term work of recovery. Since Ida made landfall, FEMA has housed more than 3,800 families in mobile homes, travel trailers and other ready-to-occupy housing.
Media questions can be directed to the FEMA Louisiana News Desk:
- (225) 389-2408
- FEMA-NewsDesk-Louisiana-Disasters@fema.dhs.gov
Greene, Sumter and Tallapoosa Counties Eligible for FEMA Assistance
CLANTON, Ala – Greene, Sumter and Tallapoosa counties are now eligible for FEMA assistance after the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes in Alabama.
Individuals and households in Greene, Sumter and Tallapoosa counties can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, which may include temporary housing assistance, basic home repairs and certain other uninsured disaster-related needs.
These counties join Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, and Hale counties, which were previously approved for Individual Assistance.
Survivors can apply for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362. The helpline is open, and help is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
For information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4684. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
felicia.jordan Fri, 01/27/2023 - 04:06
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