FEMA Disaster Assistance Will Not Affect Social Security and Other Benefits

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky survivors receiving Social Security or other federal or commonwealth aid can receive disaster assistance without worrying that FEMA grants might cause them to lose non-disaster benefits or increase their taxes. 

FEMA disaster assistance is not taxable.

Accepting a grant from FEMA will not affect your Social Security benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other federal programs.

A FEMA grant will not add to your taxable income because it is provided to help you recover from a recent disaster. Disaster grants cover temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by your insurance or other sources.

Kentuckians can apply for federal disaster assistance several ways:

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for other languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, give FEMA the number for that service.

• Visit a FEMA disaster recovery center to apply. At a center, you can discuss your application face to face with disaster experts.  Find the nearest recovery center by visiting www.fema.gov/drc or by calling the FEMA Helpline.

• Apply online by visiting  DisasterAssistance.gov. or download the FEMA mobile app.

 

For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, go to youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.

If you have insurance, you are encouraged to file a claim for damage to your home, personal property and vehicles before you apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA cannot duplicate other sources of assistance you may have received.

For information on Kentucky’s recovery from the July 26 floods, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4663.

Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4)/Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

sandra.habib Wed, 10/05/2022 - 15:55

Disaster Recovery Center Open in Lee County

TALLAHASSEE – The State of Florida and FEMA are operating a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Lee County.

Location:

Lakes Regional Library 15290 Bass Road Fort Myers, FL 33919

Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days a week.

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida state agencies, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.

In addition to visiting a center, you can apply by going online to disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app or calling 800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET every day. Help is available 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.

Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities. They have assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to interact with staff. Video Remote Interpreting is available and in-person sign language is available by request. The centers also have accessible parking, ramps, and restrooms.

FEMA Individual Assistance can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: How to Register with Disaster Survivor Assistance - YouTube.

For more information about Hurricane Ian recovery in Florida, visit fema.gov/disaster/4673 and floridadisaster.org/. Follow us on Twitter: @FLSERT and @FEMARegion4

scott.reuter Wed, 10/05/2022 - 15:32

FEMA, Federal Partners Continue Ian Response, Go Door to Door in 11 Counties

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will join President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today to survey heavily damaged areas and meet with Gov. Ron DeSantis and response officials about ongoing efforts to help survivors and hard-hit communities in Florida. FEMA has already registered hundreds of thousands of households of Floridians and continues going door to door in 11 counties assisting with applications and answering questions about types of federal assistance available.  

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams continue to go door to door to meet people where they are and help survivors with their unique needs. Mobile Registration Intake Centers are opening throughout the state. Survivors can visit these sites for help applying for assistance.  

Disaster Recovery Centers are also opening. Yesterday, FEMA along with state partners, opened a disaster recovery center in Lee County. Centers are accessible offices staffed by state, federal and volunteer organizations that let everyone access recovery information. As centers are added, real-time locations will be updated at FloridaDisaster.org.

Disaster unemployment assistance is available to eligible survivors. To file a claim for loss of income caused by Hurricane Ian, go to Disaster Unemployment Assistance - FloridaJobs.org and select “Apply for Hurricane Ian DUA,” visit a local CareerSource Career Center, or call  800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.

Safety Considerations for Residents

• Beware of fraud and scams. All FEMA employees carry official identification. Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 right away if an inspector comes to your house but you haven’t applied for assistance. This might be a sign of identity theft. Report fraud and scams by emailing StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov or by calling 866-223-0814.
• Clean mold and flooded items. Make sure you disinfect anything that’s touched floodwater. Any structure that’s been flooded may have mold. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry completely.
• Be alert for rumors. Do your part to the stop the spread of rumors by finding and sharing information from trusted sources and discouraging others from sharing information from unverified sources. Find facts about common disaster related rumors at FEMA.gov.
• Only use a generator outdoors and far from open doors and windows. Generators help during a power outage but can present serious health and safety risks. Visit ready.gov to learn how to use a generator safely.

State, Federal Response Actions

• Rescue efforts and power restoration, with a priority on hospitals, healthcare facilities and barrier island communities continue to be top priorities. More than 3,800 people and 200 pets have been rescued by state and federal teams. Visit missing.fl.gov if you or someone you know needs assistance or a safety check. Safe and found persons can be reported safe at safe.fl.gov.
• Nearly 2,800 FEMA staff are supporting Ian response efforts. Nearly 1,300 other federal staff are assisting with the Ian response. More than 1,800 emergency management personnel from 26 states were deployed to Florida through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
• The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating Combat Rubber Raiding Craft and civilian tour boats to evacuate survivors, provide food, water and medevac service on Pine Island. The National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard are landing helicopters on barrier islands to perform search-and-rescue missions. A Fish and Wildlife Service Incident Management Team and heavy equipment task force conducting road clearance, debris removal and transportation of personnel and supplies to Sanibel Island to support first responder activities.
• Field kitchens and canteens in the hardest hit counties are operational. Feeding partners distributed 168,000 meals and 133,000 Meals-Ready-to-Eat yesterday.

Resources to Jumpstart Floridians’ Recovery

• Florida survivors can apply for federal assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. Survivors using a relay service, such as a video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, should give the FEMA operator the number for that service.
• Small Business Administration disaster loans are available to businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations in some Florida counties. An SBA Business Recovery Center is open in Hillsborough County. SBA expects to open additional centers this week. Applicants may also apply at sba.gov under declaration #17644. For help, call 800-659-2955 or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
• Operation Blue Roof is now available to homeowners in Charlotte and Lee counties. Homeowners can sign up online at blueroof.us or call 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258) for more information.
• FEMA authorized National Flood Insurance Program insurance company partners to pay claims based on adjuster reports alone, without a signed proof of loss by the policyholder. A policyholder may still submit a signed proof of loss later if they have additional covered costs or expenses or if they disagree with the adjuster’s report.
• Floridians who use Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics and need urgent care services should call 877-741-3400. Find a list of open VA centers or pharmacy refill locations at VA.Gov.
• Survivors experiencing emotional distress can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and Hard of Hearing callers can use a videophone or ASL Now.
• If you need assistance locating a missing friend or relative call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 and provide as much detail as you can. You can also complete a form at missing.fl.gov for yourself or with the last known location of your loved one(s).
• The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has free reunification assistance for children and families impacted by disasters. If you or someone you know is missing a child related to a disaster or any other incident, please immediately call 911 and then 800-THE-LOST for assistance.
• If you need assistance with damage from Hurricane Ian, call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 800-451-1954. You will be connected to volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities.
• A free legal helpline is now available for Hurricane Ian survivors who cannot afford an attorney. Call 866-550-2929 to get free help with home repair contracts, insurance claims, re-doing legal documents like wills, price gouging and landlord or tenant issues. Leave a message if calling after hours.
• The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies hosts the Disability and Disaster hotline at 800-626-4959. The hotline provides information and resources to people with disabilities and those assisting them. The hotline can be accessed at any time, or by sending an email to info@disasterstrategies.org.
• FEMA published a Hurricane Ian webpage with information on how to donate, volunteer, dispel rumors and find assistance. The page is available in multiple languages.

How You Can Help

To make the most of your contributions, follow guidelines for donating and volunteering responsibly. 

• To volunteer as part of the Hurricane Ian recovery, visit Florida’s official volunteer portal at VolunteerFlorida.org. A list of agencies with volunteer opportunities can be found on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website at www.nvoad.org.
• Cash is the best donation.  After a disaster, people always want to help, but It’s important to donate responsibly. When people support voluntary organizations with financial contributions, response organizations can purchase what they need. Find national and local charities at www.nvoad.org.

luther.wills-dudich Wed, 10/05/2022 - 15:27

Understanding Your FEMA Letter

TALLAHASSEE – Hurricane Ian survivors who applied for assistance from FEMA will receive a letter from FEMA in the mail or via email.

The letter will explain your application status and how to respond. It is important to read the letter carefully because it will include the amount of any assistance FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds.

Applicants may need to submit additional information or supporting documentation for FEMA to continue to process an application for financial assistance. Examples of missing documentation may include:

• Proof of insurance coverage
• Settlement of insurance claims or denial letter from insurance provider
• Proof of identity
• Proof of occupancy
• Proof of ownership
• Proof that the damaged property was the applicant’s primary residence at the time of the disaster

If you have questions about your letter, call the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 to find out what information FEMA needs.

A FEMA inspection may be required to determine whether a home is safe, sanitary, accessible and functional. FEMA considers the following factors in the home inspection:

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC).
• Access and egress, including privately-owned roads, privately-owned bridges, and privately-owned docks.
• Blocking, leveling, and anchoring of a mobile home, and reconnecting or resetting its sewer, water, electrical, oil, and fuel lines and tanks.
• The exterior of the home is structurally sound, including the doors, roof and windows.
• The electricity, gas, heat, plumbing and sewer or septic systems function properly.
• The interior’s habitable areas are structurally sound, including the ceiling and floors.
• The home is capable of functioning for its intended purpose.
• There is safe access to and from the home.

FEMA assistance is not the same as insurance. FEMA assistance only provides funds for basic work to make a home habitable, including items such as toilets, a roof, critical utilities, windows and doors.

Appealing FEMA’s Decision

Applicants who disagree with FEMA’s decision, or the amount of assistance, may submit an appeal letter and documents supporting their claim, such as a contractor’s estimate for home repairs.

FEMA cannot duplicate assistance provided by another source, such as insurance settlements. However, those who are underinsured may receive further assistance for unmet needs after insurance claims have been settled by submitting insurance settlement or denial documents to FEMA. FEMA does not provide assistance for insurance deductibles.

Appeals must be in writing. In a signed and dated letter, explain the reason(s) for the appeal. It should also include:

• Applicant’s full name
• Disaster number (DR-4673 for Florida)
• Address of the pre-disaster primary residence
• Applicant’s current phone number and address
• The FEMA application number on all documents

If someone other than an applicant or co-applicant writes the appeal letter, that person must sign it and provide FEMA with a signed statement authorizing the individual to act on behalf of the applicant.

Letters must be postmarked within 60 days of the date of the determination letter. Appeal letters and supporting documents may be submitted to FEMA by fax or mail or via a FEMA online account. To set up an online account, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Apply Online” and follow the directions.

By mail: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville MD 20782-7055

By fax: 800-827-8112 Attention: FEMA

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to, youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw. For information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4673. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema

scott.reuter Wed, 10/05/2022 - 15:10

Disaster Recovery Centers to Close in Observance of Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

All Disaster Recovery Centers will be closed on Monday, October 10 in observance of Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day and re-open on Tuesday, October 11 at 8 a.m.

For recovery center hours and locations, visit https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator

No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Walk-ins are welcome.

People directly affected by flooding in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County may visit any recovery center.

For disaster updates from FEMA, follow @FEMAregion7 on Twitter, and turn on mobile notifications. Visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4665.

For disaster updates from the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), follow @MOSEMA_ on Twitter, and turn on mobile notifications. Recovery.MO.gov continues to be a go-to, single source to help Missourians easily find information and disaster-related resources.

tiana.suber Wed, 10/05/2022 - 13:45

Highlands and Lake Counties Eligible for FEMA Assistance

ATLANTA – Highlands and Lake counties are now eligible for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Ian.

Individuals and households in Highlands and Lake 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 Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia 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 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. 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 an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to, youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.

For information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit floridadisaster.org and fema.gov/disaster/4673. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

virginia.case2 Tue, 10/04/2022 - 20:23

Floodplain Management Educates Virgin Islanders on Flood Risk

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands -- Since hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2017, FEMA has focused much of its efforts on assisting with a number of projects to reduce risks and hazards against future incidents and disasters.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Floodplain Management team has been hard at work helping educate and encourage Virgin Islanders not to move into flood zones.

Melissa Griffith, a FEMA USVI Floodplain Management Specialist, works with the territory’s Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) Floodplain Administrator to assist residents with floodplain management and flood insurance.

Floodplain management is a community-based effort to prevent or reduce the risk of flooding, resulting in a more resilient community. Floodplain management functions include zoning, building codes awareness, and enforcement. While FEMA has minimum floodplain management standards for communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), adopting flood insurance helps reduce the socio-economic impact of floods. Furthermore, higher standards of floodplain management regulations will lead to safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.

“The floodplain administrator for the territory is DPNR. DPNR helps homeowners to identify their flood risk and assist them in developing flood risk reduction strategies that they can implement around their property.  They are trying to help residents understand what actions they can take today to lower their flood risk tomorrow,” said Griffith. “We are trying to encourage property owners to get flood insurance before a disaster occurs along with educating them on how it is more beneficial than waiting for federal assistance. Most homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage and it takes a flood insurance policy 30 days to go into effect.  With a flood policy from the NFIP, you’re covered — up to $250,000 for your home and $100,000 for contents.”

According to Griffith, a major hurdle accomplished in the last five years is the update of the territory’s floodplain regulations. The territory’s floodplain regulations, not updated since 2007, were updated in February 2021. In addition, DPNR also created a Floodplain Management USVI Quick Guide for community members in the territory.  The USVI Quick Guide will help property owners, design professionals, and real estate and insurance professionals to understand why and how the U.S. Virgin Islands manages development in floodplains to protect people and property.

“Right now, we are conducting floodplain management trainings and educational outreach to territorial partners and the community at large so that residents can improve their knowledge about their exposure to future flood risk.” Griffith stated.

To learn more about floodplain management, visit.fema.gov/floodplain-management. To learn more about NFIP, visit fema.gov/flood-insurance.  

FEMA will continue to work with its territorial partners to reduce risks and hazards to Virgin Islanders posed by hurricanes and other disasters. Hazard mitigation planning for the whole community will strengthen a legacy of resilience for Virgin Islanders. 

gina.callaghan Tue, 10/04/2022 - 16:59

FEMA, Federal Partners Continue Ian Response and Urgent Community Recovery

WASHINGTON -- FEMA has approved more than $70 million for Florida survivors to jump start recovery efforts, as Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams check on survivors, assist with federal disaster assistance applications and answer questions about types of federal assistance available. Teams are visiting shelters now to help survivors apply for assistance.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will travel with President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. to Florida Wednesday to survey heavily damaged areas and meet with response officials about ongoing efforts to help survivors and hard-hit communities.

Disaster Recovery Centers will begin opening today. Centers are accessible offices staffed by state, federal and volunteer organizations that let everyone access recovery information.

Operation Blue Roof is now available to homeowners in Charlotte and Lee counties. Homeowners can sign up online at blueroof.us or call 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information.

Safety Considerations for Residents

• Beware of fraud and scams. All FEMA employees carry official identification. Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 right away if an inspector comes to your house, but you haven’t applied for assistance. This might be a sign of identity theft. Don’t trust those who offer financial help and then ask for money or personal information.
• Clean mold and flooded items. Make sure you disinfect anything that’s touched floodwater. Any structure that’s been flooded may have mold. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry completely.
• Be alert for rumors. Do your part to the stop the spread of rumors by finding and sharing information from trusted sources and discouraging others from sharing information from unverified sources. Find facts about common disaster related rumors at FEMA.gov.

• Only use a generator outdoors and far from open doors and windows. Generators help during a power outage but can present serious health and safety risks.. Visit ready.gov to learn how to use a generator safely.

State, Federal Response Actions

• Rescue efforts, with a focus on hospitals, healthcare facilities and barrier island communities and power restoration continue to be a priority. More than 3,600 people and 185 pets have been rescued by state and federal teams. Visit missing.fl.gov if you or someone you know needs assistance or a safety check. Safe and found persons can be reported safe at safe.fl.gov.
• More than 2,600 FEMA staff are supporting Ian response efforts. More than 1,300 other federal staff are assisting with the Ian response. More than 1,800 emergency management personnel from 26 states were deployed to Florida through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
• The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating Combat Rubber Raiding Craft and civilian tour boats to evacuate survivors, provide food, water and medivac service on Pine Island. The National Guard and the Coast Guard are landing helicopters on barrier islands to perform search-and-rescue missions. A Fish and Wildlife Service Incident Management Team and heavy equipment task force conducting road clearance, debris removal and transportation of personnel and supplies to Sanibel Island to support first responder activities.
• Florida officials provided 4,000 gallons of diesel to Lee County to power emergency generators to supply water to nearby hospitals. The state is also delivering 1.2 million gallons of water from Lakeland to Fort Myers for hospitals without water.
• Field kitchens in the hardest hit counties are operational. Feeding partners distributed 96,000 meals and 1,000 Meals-Ready-to-Eat yesterday.

• The Department of Agriculture approved a waiver to allow purchase of hot foods with SNAP benefits and will issue food replacement funds to impacted households. The Florida Department of Children and Families is operating Family Resource Support Centers for access to resources and support. Centers are staffed with disaster recovery specialists.

Resources to Jumpstart Recovery

• Florida survivors can apply for federal assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Survivors using a relay service, such as a video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give the FEMA operator the number for that service. To reduce your wait time on phone, try calling early in the morning or later at night.
• FEMA National Flood Insurance Program policyholders can start a claim when evacuated. They should ask their agent about advance payments to receive up to $20,000. If you need help with reaching your flood insurance agent or carrier, call 877-336-2627. Visit Floodsmart.gov to start a flood insurance claim,
• Small Business Administration disaster loans are available to businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations in some Florida counties. The SBA opened a Business Recovery Center in Hillsborough County on Monday. Applicants may also apply at sba.gov under declaration #17644. For help, call 800-659-2955 or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
• Floridians who use Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics and need urgent care services should call 877-741-3400. Find a list of open VA centers or pharmacy refill locations at VA.Gov.
• Mental health resources are available. Survivors experiencing emotional distress can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and Hard of Hearing callers can use a videophone or ASL Now.
• If you need assistance locating a missing friend or relative call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 and provide as much detail as you can to assist us in potentially locating your missing loved one(s). You can also complete a form at missing.fl.gov for yourself or with the last known location of your loved one(s).
• The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has free reunification assistance for children and families impacted by disasters. If you or someone you know is missing a child related to a disaster or any other incident, please immediately call 911 and then 800-THE-LOST for assistance.
• If you need assistance with damage from Hurricane Ian, call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 800-451-1954. You will be connected to volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities.
• When lives are upended by a flood or hurricane, treasured possessions such as family heirlooms, photos and other keepsakes become more cherished. FEMA.gov has multilingual resources to help salvage hurricane and flood-damaged items.
• FEMA published an Ian webpage that includes information on how to donate, volunteer, dispel rumors and find assistance. The page is available in multiple languages.
• The Internal Revenue Service announced Hurricane Ian survivors now have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

How You Can Help

To make the most of your contributions, follow guidelines for donating and volunteering responsibly. 

• To volunteer as part of the Hurricane Ian recovery, visit Florida’s official volunteer portal at VolunteerFlorida.org. A list of agencies with volunteer opportunities can be found on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website at www.nvoad.org.
• Cash is the best donation.  After a disaster, people always want to help, but it’s important to donate responsibly. When people support voluntary organizations with financial contributions, response organizations can purchase what they need. Find national and local charities at www.nvoad.org.

mayshaunt.gary Tue, 10/04/2022 - 15:40

FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA – The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station. The exercise will occur during the week of October 17, 2022 to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.

“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3. “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.

FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise during a public meeting at 9:00 a.m. on October 21, 2022. The meeting will be conducted in a virtual format via Zoom.   Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the NRC.  Access to the public meeting is provided below:

Join ZoomGov Meeting

https://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1607919219

Meeting ID: 160 791 9219

Passcode: 442492

At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:

MaryAnn Tierney

Regional Administrator

FEMA Region III

615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19106

 

FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.

REP Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.

Additional information on FEMA’s REP Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program.

 

###

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3

 

charles.elison Tue, 10/04/2022 - 14:54

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Ponce

San Juan, Puerto Rico — An additional Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Ponce. The joint DRC, a partnership between the municipality, the Government of Puerto Rico and FEMA, will help Hurricane Fiona survivors apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents needed for their application and answer questions in person.

“With the opening of more FEMA DRC’s in Puerto Rico, our people, specifically those directly affected by Hurricane Fiona, will continue to receive direct federal guidance.  I continue to urge our citizens to make their claims as more DRC’s are opened throughout the Island,” said the governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro R. Pierluisi.

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand at the DRC to provide program information and explain how to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, businesses, private nonprofits and renters, and provide information about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.

Services are provided in English and Spanish. If you need a reasonable accommodation or a sign language interpreter to communicate with FEMA, please send an email to FEMA-PRaccesible@fema.dhs.gov. You can also call 1-833-285-7448, press 2 for Spanish.

The center in Ponce is located at:

Polideportivo Francisco “Frankie” Colón Alers

Ave. Los Caobos Final

Ponce, PR 00716

Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A FEMA Hazard Mitigation Community Education Outreach Specialist will be on site to assist survivors in

preparing for future incidents. 

DRCs are also open in Caguas, Mayagüez, Cayey and Vega Baja seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The locations are:

Centro de Bellas Artes de Caguas Calle Padial

Esquina Calle Ruiz Belvis Caguas, PR 00725

Estadio Pedro Montañez Carretera Núm. 14, Km 69.7

Calle Matías Soto, Barriada San Cristóbal Cayey, PR 00736

Cancha de Baloncesto Bo. Colombia Calle Desengaño

Barrio Colombia Mayagüez, PR 00680

Centro Comunal Los Naranjos Comunidad Los Naranjos, Calle 2

Barrio Cabo Caribe Vega Baja, PR 00693

To find a DRC nearest you, click on the FEMA DRC link: Fema.gov/drc.

You may also register for assistance with FEMA through your smart phone, home computer or by phone. The fastest ways to apply for assistance are:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

• Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online.

• By phone at 1-800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. People who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.

 

 

 

 

frances.acevedo-pico Mon, 10/03/2022 - 20:55

Public Invited to Review Flood Maps in Arlington County

PHILADELPHIA - FEMA is proposing updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Arlington County, Virginia. Community partners are invited to participate in a 90-day appeal and comment period.

The updated maps were produced in coordination with local, state and FEMA officials. Significant community review of the maps has already taken place, but before the maps become final, community partners can identify any corrections or questions about the information provided and submit appeals or comments.

The 90-day appeal period will begin on or around October 6, 2022. Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.

• An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim.
• Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.
• If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment.

The next step in the mapping process is conducting this 90-day appeals period and addressing any comments or appeals that are received. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

Submit appeals and comments by contacting Elizabeth Thurber, Department of Environmental Services, at Ethurber@arlingtonva.us or 703-228-3363. The preliminary maps may be viewed online at the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer: http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv. Changes from the current maps may be viewed online at the Region 3 Changes Since Last FIRM Viewer: https://arcg.is/08aCSy.

For more information about the flood maps:

• Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
• Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone; toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.

Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood. There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent and visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Arlington County Flood Mapping Milestones

• April 6, 2020 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
• Sep 18, 2020 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
• November 9, 2020 — Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
• July 22 – Oct 20, 2021 – First appeals period.
• April 29, 2022 – Revised Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released
• On or around October 6, 2022 – Second Appeal Period starts.
• November 2023* — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. (*Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process.)

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at (215) 931-5597 or at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov.

 

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

 Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3

charles.elison Mon, 10/03/2022 - 17:16

Registration Deadline for FEMA Assistance Extended to Nov. 7

Renters and homeowners in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County who were affected by flash flooding July 25-28 now have until Monday, November 7, 2022, to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. Through Oct. 3, 2022, FEMA has approved more than $36.4 million in Individual Assistance grants to more than 11,900 households in the St. Louis region.

Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA mobile app.

If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

For needs not covered by insurance or other sources, 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 flood damage
• Personal Property that was damaged or destroyed by flooding
• Lodging Reimbursement if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily
• Basic Home Repairs for Homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by flooding
• Other Serious Needs caused by recent flooding

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

When you apply with FEMA, have the following information ready:

• Phone number where you can be contacted
• Address at the time of the flooding
• Address where you are staying now
• Social Security Number of one member of the household
• Basic list of damage and losses
• Bank information if you choose direct deposit for FEMA money
• Insurance Information if you have insurance, including the policy number

If you have homeowners, renter’s or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to the cleanup and repair.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, visit youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.

For disaster updates from FEMA, follow @FEMAregion7 on Twitter, and turn on mobile notifications. Visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4665.

For disaster updates from the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), follow @MOSEMA_ on Twitter, and turn on mobile notifications. Recovery.MO.gov continues to be a go-to, single source to help Missourians easily find information and disaster-related resources.

tiana.suber Mon, 10/03/2022 - 17:11

Beware of Fraud and Scams

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — When natural disasters occur, it is common to find people who want to take advantage of survivors by posing as official disaster aid workers or as relatives trying to help survivors complete their applications.

FEMA encourages survivors to be aware of fraud and scams. FEMA also encourages survivors to report any suspicious activity or potential fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals.

Survivors should also be aware that this kind of situation doesn’t happen only at the beginning of the response to the disaster when people might be more vulnerable. It can happen anytime. It is important to know that FEMA does not endorse any commercial businesses, products or services.

It’s important that residents of Puerto Rico need to identify the common tactics used by these criminals, such as phone calls from people claiming to work for FEMA. The caller might ask for the survivor’s Social Security number and income or banking information. Giving out this type of information can help an unscrupulous person make a false claim for assistance or commit identity theft.

FEMA encourages survivors and business owners to be vigilant for these common post-disaster fraud practices:

Housing inspectors claiming to represent FEMA

• Be cautious if somebody asks for your nine-digit registration number. A FEMA inspector will never ask for this information. They already have it in their records.
• Don’t give anyone your banking information. FEMA inspectors never require banking or other personal information such as a Social Security number.
• Ask the person to show you their identification badge. Federal employees always wear an official government badge to identify themselves.

Fake offers of local or federal aid

• Don’t trust someone who asks for money. Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.
• Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant and asks for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.

Fraudulent building contractors

• Use licensed or verified local contractors backed by reliable references.
• To find licensed certified contractors check the Department of Consumer Affairs of Puerto Rico.
• Don’t pay more than half the costs of repairs in advance.
• Demand that contractors detail the job to be done with guarantees in writing.

If you suspect fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721.

frances.acevedo-pico Mon, 10/03/2022 - 16:05

FEMA Provides Faster Options to Apply for Disaster Assistance

San Juan, Puerto Rico — Survivors from Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico are offered several, quicker alternatives to initiate their recovery process when applying for FEMA disaster assistance, than the regular FEMA registration phoneline. These options include downloading the FEMA application, visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or the nearest joint Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

The current high volume of calls to the FEMA registration phone line have considerably increased the wait time for survivors. Likewise, repetitive calls from survivors to verify their application status is delaying the initial application process for others also affected by the storm.

“We understand how frustrated survivors may be right now because they want to ensure they get registered for assistance with FEMA. However, when applying through the webpage or the FEMA Application, survivors not only avoid long waiting hours, or having to drive to certain location, they get fast access to their application if they want to check its status,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Nancy Casper. “We can assure that FEMA continues working on expanding the capacity of the call centers, establishing DRCs, and conducting outreach directly to communities with our disaster survivor assistance teams.”

Survivors may register for assistance with FEMA through their smart phone, home computer or by phone. The fastest ways to apply for assistance right now, are:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online
• Visiting the nearest DRC, which may be located using the following link: Fema.gov/drc

Survivors that would rather apply by phone may call 1-800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. People who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service. Operators are available from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.

frances.acevedo-pico Mon, 10/03/2022 - 15:57

File Flood Insurance Claims Now to Help Jumpstart Your Recovery

WASHINGTON -- Recovering after a flood can be overwhelming and FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is dedicated to getting you back on your feet after Hurricane Ian.

Anyone affected by Hurricane Ian who has an NFIP flood insurance policy and has suffered flood damage should begin filing their claim now, even if you have not returned home yet.

Policyholders who evacuated, and who have not returned home, can start the flood insurance claims process even if they only suspect flood damage. They can provide specifics concerning the damage later, once local officials say it is safe to return to their property.

National Flood Insurance Program policyholders, contact your insurance agent or company to file a claim. Information about filing a claim, documenting damage, working with your flood insurance adjuster, making repairs and understanding your claim payment is available on FEMA.gov.

Anyone who doesn’t know who their insurance agent or company is may call 877-336-2627.  

Policyholders should be sure to ask their insurance company about advance payments to receive up to $20,000 to jumpstart recovery.

Those who have damage from both wind and flood will need to file two separate claims: a homeowner’s insurance claim for wind damage and a flood insurance claim. The policies for each claim may be with different companies and you may have to work with more than one insurance company representative.

Before beginning repairs to your flooded home, be sure to check with local officials about applicable building codes and floodplain management requirements.

Anyone whose flood insurance policy recently expired should ask their agent if they are still within a renewal grace period. They may be able to renew and have their Ian losses covered.

Learn more about starting a flood insurance claim at FEMA.gov by calling 877-336-2627 or on the FEMA App.

For additional information or resources for Hurricane Ian survivors, or to apply for federal assistance, visit FEMA’s Hurricane Ian webpage.

luther.wills-dudich Sun, 10/02/2022 - 18:14

FEMA Continues Supporting Ian Response

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visited local officials in Florida the past several days to discuss the federal government’s support for survivors and communities in Florida, as state and federal search and rescue operations continue in Florida with a priority on hospitals, healthcare facilities and barrier island communities.

Visit missing.fl.gov if you or someone you know needs assistance or a safety check. Federal search and rescue teams, including FEMA Urban Search and Rescue, U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, Customs Border and Protection and the state of Florida, are coordinating rescue efforts with local officials.

More than 100 FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Team staff are working in the hardest hit communities to help survivors apply for assistance and identify immediate and emerging threats.  

After a disaster, there often are many rumors and misunderstandings. Do your part to stop the spread of rumors by finding and sharing information from trusted sources and discouraging others from sharing information from unverified sources. Find facts about common disaster-related rumors at Common Disaster-Related Rumors | FEMA.gov.

Call your insurance company right away. Take photos to document damage and keep receipts from all clean-up and repair related purchases. These steps may help maximize insurance and federal disaster assistance and payments. If you’ve evacuated, you can still start a claim now and provide specifics later.

To provide information and resources to Hurricane Ian survivors, FEMA published an Ian webpage that includes information on how to donate, volunteer, dispel rumors and find assistance.  

Safety Considerations for Residents

• Beware of frauds and scams. All FEMA employees carry an official badge. Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help and then asks for money or personal information. Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 right away if an inspector comes to your house, but you haven’t applied for assistance. This might be a sign of identity theft.

• Stay out of floodwater. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as human and livestock waste, contaminants that can lead to illness, sharp debris or wild or stray animals. Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters.
• Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled.
• Be safe using generators. Generators can help during a power outage but can present serious health and safety risks. Only use a generator outdoors and far from open doors and windows. Visit www.ready.gov/power-outages to learn how to use a generator safely.
• Avoid downed power or utility lines. They may be live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company. Do not cut or cover fiber optic cables with debris.
• Stay off the roads. Emergency workers may be assisting people in flooded areas, restoring electricity or cleaning up debris. You can help them by staying out of the way and off the roads. If you evacuated do not return home until local officials tell you the area is safe.
• Place debris wisely. Never place debris near trees, structures or downed powerlines. This makes removal difficult.
• Keep paying attention to local officials. If you evacuated because of Ian, keep in mind that flooding is still happening in many locations. Roads may be blocked and power is still being restored. Only return once local officials say it’s safe and you have access to food and water.

State, Federal Response Actions

• In Florida, thousands of Florida National Guard members and National Guard members from other states are activated to help with the response.
• Administrator Criswell reiterated FEMA’s support for all Ian survivors as the agency continues responding to other active disasters. As of Sunday, FEMA had nearly 10,000 staff deployed to support open and active presidentially declared disasters. This includes more than 2,400 supporting Ian response efforts, 890 in Missouri, 780 in Puerto Rico and 520 in Kentucky.
• More than 670 staff are supporting FEMA’s call centers and FEMA is working on contract support for additional operators to assist. Additionally, federal personnel from the Internal Revenue Service and the Census are supporting FEMA’s call centers. As of Sunday, 400 IRS staff and 250 Census staff were helping or training to help answer survivor calls for assistance and minimize wait times.
• More than 850 emergency management personnel from other states have been deployed to Florida through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

• DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas activated the DHS Surge Capacity Force. The Surge Capacity Force is composed of nearly 7,500 members from other federal agencies who can help augment FEMA’s disaster staffing.
• Power restoration continues across Florida, thousands of personnel working to continue restoration where electricity can be restored. Nearly 70% of peak power outages have been restored and fewer than 800,000 power outages remain.

• The state of Florida provided 4,000 gallons of diesel to Lee County to power emergency generators to supply water to nearby hospitals. The state is also delivering 1.2 million gallons of water from Lakeland to Fort Myers for hospitals without water.
• More than 550 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel are conducting safety inspections, installing generators and assessing power needs.
• Generators arrived at the Generator Staging Base in Immokalee, Florida. The Defense Logistics Agency is delivering additional generators to Craig Field, Alabama in anticipation of state requests.
• FEMA and its feeding partners are serving tens of thousands of meals per day and are working with state partners to increase that capacity daily. Large scale feeding operations will increase this week.
• Points of distribution began distributing food, water and ice in Lee and Charlotte counties.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has two mobile labs in Gainesville and Fort Myers to increase water analysis capacity.
• FEMA activated a medical support contract for ambulances and paratransit seats. More 840 missions have been completed.
• FEMA’s Incident Management Teams, Mobile Communications Operations Vehicles and Mobile Response Support teams are deployed in Atlanta, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee supporting response efforts.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida and South Carolina. HHS Disaster Medical Assistance Teams under the National Disaster Medical System are supporting medical centers in Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota Counties. Other medical support including task force teams, pharmacists and the Kidney Community Emergency Response program for people who need dialysis.

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Routine non-criminal immigration enforcement operations will not be conducted at evacuation sites, or assistance centers such as shelters or food banks. Additionally, officers will be vigilant against any effort by criminals to exploit disruptions caused by the storm.

Resources to Jumpstart Recovery

• Florida survivors who live in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties and affected members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida can apply for federal assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Survivors using a relay service, such as a video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give the FEMA operator the number for that service. More than 83,000 survivors have applied for assistance to help begin their recovery.
• Small Business Administration disaster loans are available to businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations in some Florida counties. Applicants may apply at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov under declaration #17644. For help, call 800-659-2955 or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
• The Florida Division of Emergency Management has a webpage dedicated to emergency information for Hurricane Ian survivors. Visit www.floridadisaster.org/info.
• If you are one of the 1.6 million Floridians, 76,000 Georgians or 201,000 South Carolinians with flood insurance, contact your insurance agent or carrier to file your claim immediately even if you’re evacuated and suspect flood damage. Be sure to ask them about advance payments. The National Flood Insurance Program has ample adjuster resources available to process claims quickly and fairly. To learn more about how to start your flood insurance claim, visit Floodsmart.gov.
• Mental health resources are available. Survivors experiencing emotional distress can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL callers can use a videophone or ASL Now.
• Florida residents who did not evacuate but now need to leave their home can visit www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status for open general and special needs shelters in Florida. If you do leave your home, do not leave pets or animals behind.
• Florida residents can call the Florida State Assistance Information Line at 800-342-3557 to receive up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Ian.
• Medically dependent residents of Florida who need electricity to operate medical equipment, transport services to evacuated due to a medical condition or need help getting medication during a disaster can register for assistance at FloridaDisaster.org/SNR.
• If you need assistance locating a missing friend or relative call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 and provide as much detail as you can to assist us in potentially locating your missing loved one. You can also complete a form at missing.fl.gov for yourself or with the last known location of your loved one(s). This information will help rescue workers locate you and your loved ones as quickly as possible
• The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has free reunification assistance for children and families impacted by disasters. If you or someone you know is missing a child related to a disaster or any other incident, please immediately call 911 and then 800-THE-LOST for assistance.
• The Internal Revenue Service announced tax relief for individuals and households affected by Hurricane Ian that reside or have a business anywhere in the state of Florida. If you are in one of the designated Florida counties for individual assistance or a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, you now have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
• Floridians who use Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics and need urgent care services should call 877-741-3400. Find a list of open VA centers at Find VA Locations | Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the Heritage Health Emergency Pharmaceutical Refill Program is activated in Florida, call at 866-265-0124, option 1 with questions. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. Veterans needing emergency refill locations can visit va.hhspharmacy.com/locations/index.html.
• Visit Hurricane Ian | FEMA.gov for information and resources available for Florida residents affected by the storm. The page is available in Creole, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

How to Help

After a disaster, people come together to help. To make the most of your contributions, it’s important to follow guidelines for donating and volunteering responsibly. 

• Please do not self-deploy. If you want to volunteer as part of the Hurricane Ian recovery, visit Florida’s official volunteer portal at VolunteerFlorida.org to find volunteer opportunities.
• Think long term. There will be volunteer opportunities for months, often years, after the disaster. A list of agencies with volunteer opportunities can be found on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website at www.nvoad.org.
• Cash is the best donation.  After a disaster, people always want to help, but it’s important to donate responsibly. When people support voluntary organizations with financial contributions, it helps ensure a steady flow of important services to the people in need after a disaster. find national and local charities at www.nvoad.org.

mayshaunt.gary Sun, 10/02/2022 - 15:59

Be Alert to Fraud After a Disaster

ATLANTA – Disaster survivors should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after a disaster. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.

If a FEMA Inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If so, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you did not apply for assistance but receive a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline will submit a request to stop any further processing of that application.

If you do wish to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the Helpline will assist you in creating a new application.

Scams

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams, housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian in Florida. They carry official identification badges with photo IDs. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.

Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.

Be wary of unexpected phone calls or visits to your home from people claiming to be FEMA housing inspectors or people claiming they work for FEMA. FEMA representatives will have your FEMA application number.

Don’t give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department or contact the Office of the Attorney General by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or visit myfloridalegal.com. To file a fraud complaint, go online to Scam Report (myfloridalegal.com).

If you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at:  StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov, fax: (202) 212-4926 or write to: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.

If you suspect identity theft, please visit Identity Theft | FTC Consumer Information or IdentityTheft.gov.

For information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4673. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters

virginia.case2 Sun, 10/02/2022 - 14:06

Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia Counties Eligible for FEMA Assistance

ATLANTA – Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties are now eligible for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Ian.  Individuals and households in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia 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 Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole and Sarasota 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 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. 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 an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to, youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.

For information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit fema.gov/disaster/4673. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

###  FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.  

virginia.case2 Sun, 10/02/2022 - 11:41

FEMA Continues Supporting Ian Response

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell continues to tour areas of Florida affected by Hurricane Ian to survey response activities and assess unmet needs. On Friday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. approved the Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration. This allows assistance to survivors as well as federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures.  President Biden also approved North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for an emergency declaration, allowing FEMA to provide federal assistance for emergency protective measures.

State and federal search and rescue operations continue in Florida. FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, Customs Border and Protection and the state of Florida are coordinating rescue efforts with local officials. Rescue operations are prioritizing hospitals and healthcare facilities in barrier island communities. As of Friday evening, nearly 1,600 people and 75 pets had been rescued by these teams.

The state of Florida began rapid damage assessments in Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties to expedite available federal assistance for disaster recovery.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are working in the hardest hit communities to help survivors register for assistance and identify immediate and emerging threats.

Safety Considerations for Residents

• Be alert. People in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina should pay attention to continuing risks, closely monitor local media for forecast updates and follow directions provided by their local officials. Anyone returning home should use caution when cleaning up and using a generator.

• Stay out of floodwater. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as human and livestock waste, contaminants that can lead to illness, sharp debris or wild or stray animals. Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters.
• Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled.
• Be safe using generators. Generators can help during a power outage but can present serious health and safety concerns. Only use a generator outdoors and far from open doors and windows. Visit www.ready.gov/power-outages to learn how to use a generator safely.
• Avoid downed power or utility lines. They may be live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company.
• Stay off the roads. Emergency workers may be assisting people in flooded areas, restoring electricity or cleaning up debris. You can help them by staying out of the way and off the roads. If you evacuated do not return home until local officials tell you the area is safe.
• Place debris wisely. Never place debris near trees, structures or downed powerlines. This makes removal difficult.

State, Federal Response Actions

• In Florida, approximately 5,000 Florida National Guard members and 2,000 National Guard members from other states are activated to help with the response.
• DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas activated the DHS Surge Capacity Force. The Surge Capacity Force is composed of 7,500 members from other federal agencies who can help augment FEMA’s disaster staffing. More than 3,400 federal responders working in Florida and the Southeast, including almost 2,000 FEMA employees. More than 850 emergency management personnel from other states have been deployed to Florida through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
• Power restoration continues across Florida, with approximately 42,000 power crew personnel assessing damage and restoring power. Crews are also on standby for areas affected in Georgia and South Carolina. There are 1.3 million people without power.
• The state of Florida provided 4,000 gallons of diesel to Lee County to power water supply to nearby hospitals. The state is also delivering 1.2 million gallons of water from Lakeland to Fort Myers for hospitals without water.
• More than 550 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel are conducting safety inspections, installing generators and assessing power needs.
• Additional generators are en route to the Generator Staging Base established in Immokalee, Florida. There are 98 generators staged at Craig Field, Alabama, and the Defense Logistics Agency is delivering an additional 99 generators to the site in anticipation of state requests.
• FEMA and its feeding partners have capacity to serve tens of thousands of meals per day and are working with state partners to locate field kitchens. Large scale feeding operations will increase this week.
• FEMA activated a medical support contract for ambulances and paratransit seats. More than 300 ambulances, 15 bariatric paratransit ambulances and four rotary aircraft are being used.
• FEMA’s Incident Management Teams, Mobile Communications Operations Vehicles and Mobile Response Support teams are deployed in Atlanta, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee supporting response efforts.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida and South Carolina. HHS deployed disaster medical assistance teams, medical task force teams, pharmacists and activated the Kidney Community Emergency Response program for people who need dialysis.
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Routine non-criminal immigration enforcement operations will not be conducted at evacuation sites, or assistance centers such as shelters or food banks. Additionally, officers will be vigilant against any effort by criminals to exploit disruptions caused by the storm.

Resources to Jumpstart Recovery

• Florida survivors who live in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Seminole counties can apply for federal assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Survivors using a relay service, such as a video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, can give the FEMA operator the number for that service. More than 83,000 survivors have applied for assistance to help begin their recovery.
• Small Business Administration disaster loans are available to businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations in some Florida counties. Applicants may apply at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov under declaration #17644. For help, call 800-659-2955 or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
• If you are one of the 1.6 million Floridians, 76,000 Georgians or 201,000 South Carolinians with flood insurance, contact your insurance agent or carrier to file your claim immediately even if you’re evacuated and suspect flood damage. Be sure to ask them about advance payments. The National Flood Insurance Program has ample adjuster resources available to process claims quickly and fairly. To learn more about how to start your flood insurance claim, visit Floodsmart.gov.
• Mental health resources are available. Survivors experiencing emotional distress can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and hard of hearing ASL callers can use a videophone or ASL Now.
• Florida residents who did not evacuate but now need to leave their home can visit www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status for open general and special needs shelters in Florida. If you do leave your home, do not leave pets or animals behind.
• Take photos to document damage and keep receipts from all cleanup- and repair related purchases. These steps may help maximize federal disaster assistance and insurance payments.
• Florida residents can call the Florida State Assistance Information Line at 800-342-3557 to receive up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Ian.
• Medically dependent residents of Florida who need electricity to operate medical equipment, transport services to evacuated due to a medical condition or need help getting medication during a disaster can register for assistance at FloridaDisaster.org/SNR.
• If you need assistance locating a missing friend or relative call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 and provide as much detail as you can to assist us in potentially locating your missing loved one. You can also complete a form at missing.fl.gov for yourself or with the last known location of your loved one(s). This information will help rescue workers locate you and your loved ones as quickly as possible
• The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has free reunification assistance for children and families impacted by disasters. If you or someone you know is missing a child related to a disaster or any other incident, please immediately call 911 and then 800-THE-LOST for assistance.
• The Internal Revenue Service announced tax relief for individuals and households affected by Hurricane Ian that reside or have a business anywhere in the state of Florida. If you are in one of the eligible counties in Florida, you now have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
• Floridians who use Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics and need urgent care services should call 877-741-3400. Find a list of open VA centers at Find VA Locations | Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the Heritage Health Emergency Pharmaceutical Refill Program is activated in Florida, call at 866-265-0124, option 1 with questions. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. Veterans needing emergency refill locations can visit va.hhspharmacy.com/locations/index.html.
• Visit Hurricane Ian | FEMA.gov for information and resources available for Florida residents affected by the storm. The page will be available in Creole, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

How to Help

After a disaster, people come together to help. To make the most of your contributions, it’s important to follow guidelines for donating and volunteering responsibly. 

• Please do not self-deploy. If you want to volunteer as part of the Hurricane Ian recovery, visit Florida’s official volunteer portal at VolunteerFlorida.org to find volunteer opportunities.
• Think long term. There will be volunteer opportunities for months, often years, after the disaster. A list of agencies with volunteer opportunities can be found on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website at www.nvoad.org.
• Cash is the best donation.  After a disaster, people always want to help, but it’s important to donate responsibly. When people support voluntary organizations with financial contributions, it helps ensure a steady flow of important services to the people in need after a disaster. Find local charities at www.nvoad.org.

luther.wills-dudich Sat, 10/01/2022 - 18:51

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Seminole Tribe of Florida

WASHINGTON ­-- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Seminole Tribe of Florida to supplement tribal recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Ian beginning Sept. 23 and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected tribal members. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

You can apply for disaster assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling (800) 621-3362 or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

Federal funding is available to the tribe and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work, including direct federal assistance under Public Assistance. Federal funding is available for debris removal and emergency protective measures at 100% of the total costs eligible for a period of 30 days from the start of the incident period.

In addition, federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the tribe and its associated lands.

Thomas J. McCool has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date.

amy.ashbridge Sat, 10/01/2022 - 14:42