FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has an immediate need to fill temporary positions in Mayfield, Hopkinsville, Frankfort and the surrounding areas to assist with Kentucky’s recovery from the Dec. 10-11 tornadoes.

FEMA is looking for qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds to fill a variety of emergency management functions. Posted vacancies include positions in logistics, hazard mitigation, operations, public assistance, external affairs, community planning and information technology.

The temporary positions are for 120 days and may be extended, in 120-day increments, for a maximum 365-day appointment, based on the needs of the disaster.

Kentuckians who wish to apply for these positions can go to usajobs.gov to learn more and submit their applications. Salaries range from $16.12/hour to $45.24/hour. Detailed information is provided for each position including pay and benefits.

These job postings will close March 14 or when the agency has received 200 applications, whichever is sooner. People who are interested in applying should do so as soon as possible. Applicants may be contacted via email, phone, or mail regarding the interview, hiring and selection process.

For information on Kentucky’s recovery from the tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4630. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema

The federal funds will cover repairs to damage caused by Hurricane María and the 2020 earthquakes

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico –“City halls are the municipality’s calling card, and in many cases, structures of great historical value. Through these awards under two FEMA programs, we expect to impact 55 city halls,” said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José G. Baquero.

To this end, the Municipality of Bayamón was allocated nearly $5 million for its city hall facilities which include the Municipal Assembly as well as the Braulio Castillo Theater. Of these funds, over $3 million are earmarked for hazard mitigation measures designed to seal roofs and anchor air conditioning equipment. Other repairs such as improvements to lighting and electrical system components have already been completed.

On the other hand, over $832,000 was obligated to the Municipality of Vega Baja to repair its historic city hall, which dates back to 1924 and is about to celebrate its centennial. According to Vega Baja Mayor, Marcos Cruz Molina, these obligations and repairs are part of the city's economic development and direct service to the citizens.

“That is why it is so important to keep it in the urban center and for our visitors to enter a building that complies with all safety and health codes ,” said Cruz Molina, who added that in the future the plan is to create a permanent exhibition with these findings as well as its old clock and bell system.

On the other hand, six other city halls will be repaired from earthquake damage, including the ones located in Mayagüez, Peñuelas, San Germán and Ponce. Likewise, the city halls in Sabana Grande and Utuado that together encompass over 300 years of history.

The repairs in Utuado will provide a space where residents can go to seek medications and services for the bedridden. "Residents need to be provided with continuous assistance," said Ineabel Medina, who lives near the town square, while describing the importance of recovering her city hall.

In addition, under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), over $508,000 was designated to the Municipality of Moca for the rehabilitation of its city hall and another allocation to the Municipality of Arroyo. HMGP funds are aimed at taking key measures to reduce the loss of life and property in the event of future disasters.

At the Moca City Hall, built in 1979, the structure will be modernized to comply with current building codes and the building's structural system will be reinforced to improve its resistance to hurricanes and earthquakes. The building offers, for example, CRIM services and patents, as well as liaisons with federal programs such as Housing and the Central Office of Recovery and Resiliency (COR3), among others. Currently, the repairs are in the design phase.

Moreover, at the Arroyo facility, the annex building will be waterproofed to improve its resistance to flooding. The Emergency Operations Center operates there.

“City halls are the first place that people visit to look for assistance and services. The repairs to these government centers will give structural resiliency to allow for the functioning of the offices during emergencies in benefit of the population. In COR3, we are committed to moving the reconstruction forward, serving as allies to the municipalities, while we comply with federal and state regulations,” said Engineer Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of COR3.

For more information on Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María, please visit fema.gov/es/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow our social media pages at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr

ATLANTA – FEMA has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to Florida to fight the Adkins Avenue Fire in Bay County.

On March 4, the state of Florida submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Adkins Avenue Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened more than 1,000 homes in and around Bay County. The Adkins Avenue blaze started March 4 and has burned more than 1,400 acres of state and private land. Approximately 2,500 people have evacuated.

FEMA Region 4 Administrator Gracia B. Szczech approved the state’s request on March 4, as the fire threatened to become a major disaster.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.

For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.

Nashville, Tenn. – Hundreds of homes were damaged when a line of tornadoes crossed through middle and west Tennessee in December. Many residents had no choice but to find temporary housing. If your contact information has changed since you applied for FEMA assistance, be sure to update your file. Also, let FEMA know if you’ve received any information regarding your insurance claim. FEMA may need to contact you, and missing or wrong information could delay the agency’s ability to provide assistance.

There are several ways to update your application:

• Login to your online account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Use the FEMA app, which can be easily downloaded to a smartphone, or
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Specialists are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual services are available.

If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others:

• Update the "Current Phone" field using the relay service phone number
• Add "Relay Service" to the Note box; provide FEMA with your number.

You can use these same resources to apply for FEMA assistance, if you haven’t done so already. Residents of Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Obion, Stewart, Sumner, Weakley and Wilson counties have until Tuesday, March 15, to apply. You may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) afterward.

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses, homeowners and renters. Currently, interest rates for physical loss loans are as low as 1.38% for homeowners and renters. For businesses, it’s at 2.830% and for nonprofits it’s 1.875%.

For more information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, visit www.tn.gov/tema.html and www.fema.gov/disaster/4637. You may also follow FEMA on www.facebook.com/fema and Twitter@FEMARegion4.

LACEY, Wash. -- The U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) is FEMA’s most important federal partner when responding to disasters.

Long-term, low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits may be available from the SBA to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other sources.

After you register with FEMA, you may be referred to the SBA for your home and personal property damage. If your SBA loan application is approved, a loan will become an option. If SBA cannot approve your application, in most cases SBA will refer you to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for possible additional assistance.

March 7, 2022 is the deadline to apply to the SBA for physical property damage. The deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) is Oct. 5, 2022. EIDLs are available for businesses in contiguous counties to those designated under a FEMA major disaster declaration and some counties that may be designated by SBA under that agency’s authority. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The Disaster Recovery Center in Sedro-Woolley, located at the Old Sedro-Woolley Library, 802 Ball Street closed Feb. 10 and transitioned Feb. 11 to a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC). SBA customer service representatives will be at the center to answer questions, explain the disaster loan application process, and help with any disaster loan application.

DLOC Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Tuesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (until further notice).

SBA is operating a Business Recovery Center at Everson Mercantile Building, 128 W. Main St., WA 98347 Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. where applicants can meet with SBA representatives and get help applying for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans. To speak directly with an SBA officer, call Richard A. Jenkins at 916-735- 1500, or email Richard.Jenkins@sba.gov.

For Businesses:

Property Damage: up to $2 million to repair or replace real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets that were damaged or destroyed (available to businesses of any size and nonprofits).

Economic Injury: only for small businesses and most nonprofits suffering adverse financial impacts of the disaster (with or without property loss), up to $2 million for working capital to help pay obligations until normal operations resume.

For Individuals and Families

Homeowners: up to $200,000 to repair or replace real estate damage and up to $40,000 to replace personal property.

Renters: up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.83% for businesses, 1.875% for nonprofits and 1.438% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

###

PHILADELPHIA - FEMA is proposing updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Pendleton County, West 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 March 3, 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 the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

Submit appeals and comments by contacting your local floodplain administrator: Bruce A. Minor, Director of Pendleton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, pcoem@pencowv.com. 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/WLT010.

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 flooding. 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.

Pendleton County Flood Mapping Milestones

• April 15, 2021 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
• Sept. 7, 2021 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
• Sept. 14, 2021 — Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
• On March 3, 2022–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.

###

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

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Time is running out. Only two weeks are left for homeowners and renters to apply for FEMA disaster assistance if you had damage or losses to your property from the Dec. 10-11 storms and tornadoes.

The deadline to apply is Monday, March 14, if you are a resident of Barren, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor or Warren County. Those who have already applied to FEMA need not apply again.

Disaster survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage or losses to their primary homes, personal property and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid and FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

FEMA assistance may include rental assistance, lodging expenses reimbursement, home repair assistance, and replacement assistance.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to help you with basic, critical needs such as a safe, sanitary and functional place to live while you look for a long-term or permanent housing solution. FEMA grants are not designed to make you whole and they are not a substitute for insurance coverage.

To apply for FEMA assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.

This is what you will need when you apply:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted.
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
• Your Social Security Number.
• A general list of damage and losses.
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

• If you are unable to locate important documents, FEMA will help you to identify other ways to verify your information.

For information on Kentucky’s recovery from the tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4630. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

DENTON, Texas – New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on Sept. 1, 2022, for Grayson County, Texas. During the next six months, a FEMA compliance specialist will work with the community to update each floodplain ordinance and adopt these new flood maps.

Residents are encouraged to examine the maps to determine if they are in a low-to-moderate or high-risk flood zone. The current and future Flood Insurance Rate Map can be viewed on FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer at https://msc.fema.gov/fmcv.

By understanding flood risks, individuals can decide which insurance option is best for their situation. Community leaders can use these maps to make informed decisions about building standards and development that will make the community more resilient and lessen the impacts of a flooding event.

Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their home, personal property and business. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for those in communities who participate in the NFIP. Residents with federally backed mortgages must have flood insurance if their structures are in the Special Flood Hazard Area.

Contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) to review the new flood maps and learn more about your risk of flooding. A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify your community FPA and answer questions about the maps as well. Contact them by phone or online chat.

• To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
• To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

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 or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Do not wait to apply for federal disaster assistance to help with expenses stemming from last December’s tornadoes in middle and west Tennessee. The deadline is fast approaching.

Residents of Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Obion, Stewart, Sumner, Weakley and Wilson counties have until Tuesday, March 15, to apply for disaster assistance from the FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

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. Currently, interest rates for physical loss loans are as low as 1.38% for homeowners and renters. For businesses, it’s at 2.830% and for nonprofits it’s 1.875%.

Applying for FEMA Individual Assistance is free and there are several ways to create your application:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Using the FEMA app, which can be easily downloaded to a smartphone, or
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Specialists are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual services are available.

If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others:

• Update the "Current Phone" field using the relay service phone number
• Add "Relay Service" to the Note box; provide FEMA with your number.

Under a Major Disaster Declaration, residents in the 12 counties listed above are eligible to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. This program provides grants for temporary housing (such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs), repair or replace a homeowner’s primary residence, repair storm-damaged privately-owned access routes, such as driveways, and other uninsured or under-insured disaster-related expenses including moving and storage fees, childcare, medical, dental expenses and certain funeral costs.

Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid, and disaster assistance is nontaxable and does not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

For more information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, visit www.tn.gov/tema.html and www.fema.gov/disaster/4637. You may also follow FEMA on www.facebook.com/fema and Twitter@FEMARegion4.

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico -- FEMA announced that additional disaster assistance is available to the commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the earthquake disaster declared on Jan. 16, 2020.

This assistance allows for additional federal funding at 90% of the total eligible cost for public assistance projects undertaken as a result of the earthquakes during Dec. 28, 2019 to July 3, 2020.

Previously, federal funding was available at a 75% of the total eligible cost for public assistance, hazard mitigation and other needs.

BOTHELL, Wash.  -  FEMA Region 10 welcomed its new Regional Administrator, Willie G. Nunn, following his appointment by President Joe Biden. Mr. Nunn was sworn in by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell at the regional office this morning.  

As the Regional Administrator, Mr. Nunn will lead and coordinate all activities in support of FEMA’s mission with the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, as well as the 271 federally recognized tribes within the region.

Mr. Nunn joined FEMA in June 2007 and has effectively managed disasters in all four states in Region 10 plus nine states across the country and two United States territories. He was certified as a Type 1 Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) in June 2014. As an FCO, Mr. Nunn served as the representative of the President of the U.S., Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and FEMA Administrator during major disaster and emergency declarations.

His previous roles within FEMA included serving as Assistant Director of the Office of Federal Disaster Coordination, as Lead Field Coordinator for FEMA Region 10, and as an FCO Type 1 Field Leader Supervisor for FEMA Regions 2, 8, 9, and 10. He also served as Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Insurance, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Field Operations Directorate, and Senior Advisor for the Operational Coordination Division.

Prior to joining FEMA, Mr. Nunn was on active duty for over 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. His assignments included two command tours and two combat tours in Operations Enduring Freedom in 2002 in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom in 2003.  

Mr. Nunn earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. He and his wife Sylvia have three children, Sacha, Adam, and Alene.

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides from Dec. 31, 2021 to Jan. 2, 2022.

Federal funding is available to commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private non-profit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides in Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Christian, Clay, Floyd, Green, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Owsley, Pike and Taylor counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire commonwealth.

John Brogan has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Lacey, Wash. – Applying for federal disaster assistance from FEMA will not affect other federal benefits that Washington disaster survivors may receive.

Survivors in Clallam, Skagit and Whatcom counties, including the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Indian Tribe and the Quileute Tribe and other tribes in the declared area may apply for FEMA assistance without concerns that funds from FEMA might cause them to lose other federal payments they are entitled to.

FEMA disaster awards are not taxable income. Accepting a FEMA grant will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other federal benefit programs.

Disaster assistance helps survivors pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, essential personal property repairs and replacement, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

Apply for assistance in the following ways:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Download the FEMA App.
• Call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 6 a.m. to midnight Central Time, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.
• Visit a state/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. To find the nearest center, go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or call 800-621-3362.

The deadline to apply is March 7.

For more information about the recovery from the Nov. 5-Dec. 2 floods and mudslides in Washington, visit fema.gov/disaster/4635. Follow the FEMA Region 10 Twitter account at twitter.com/femaregion10.

###

ATLANTA – Federal funding for COVID-19-related funeral costs is still available. FEMA has provided more than $42 million to more than 6,000 people in South Carolina who lost loved ones during the pandemic.

To apply for assistance or ask questions about an existing application, individuals should call 844-684-6333, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., ET Monday – Friday. Multilingual operators are available. Callers who use a relay service, such as a videophone, video relay services (VRS), captioned telephone, or other service should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to them for that service.

While COVID-19 funeral assistance can be reimbursed, applicants are not required to pay for funeral expenses prior to receiving assistance. Applicants must provide FEMA with a signed funeral home contract, invoice, or similar legal documentation that shows the COVID-19-related funeral expenses were incurred on or after Jan. 20, 2020.

There is no deadline to apply for this assistance. In April, applications incomplete after 1 year, will be moved to a suspended status. The application can be reactivated without appeal by submitting the required documents. There are more than 1,600 applications in South Carolina awaiting additional documentation.

Additional information about COVID-19 funeral assistance, including frequently asked questions, is available on FEMA.gov.

LACEY, Wash. – Washington residents who have uninsured losses resulting from the Nov. 5 - Dec. 2, 2021, severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides have until March 7, 2022 to apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

Homeowners and renters in Clallam, Skagit and Whatcom counties, the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, Quileute Tribe and all tribes in the designated areas can apply for FEMA assistance online at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

Disaster Recovery Centers in the following locations can help with applications and provide face-to-face information and guidance about disaster assistance:

• Skagit County: East County Resource Center, 45770 Main St., Concrete, WA 98237 (Closes permanently at 6 p.m. Feb. 26.)
• Whatcom County, parking lot, 1208 E. Main St., Everson, WA 98247
• Whatcom County: Sumas A.C. Church, 125 W. Front St., Sumas, WA 98295
• Whatcom County: Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, 2007 Cherry St., Ferndale, WA 98248

Long-term, low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits may be available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other sources. March 7, 2022 is the deadline to apply. Call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.”

###

CHICAGO – Through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $1,486,658 to the city of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, for the acquisition and demolition of four floodprone structures. The structures include three floodprone homes and one commercial property located in the floodplain of the Baraboo River. To reduce the community’s flood vulnerability, these structures will be removed from the flood hazard area, and the location will be reverted to open space maintained by the city.  

“FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of disaster losses,” said Moises Dugan, acting regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “The acquisition and demolition of these structures permanently removes them from the floodplain and increases the community’s resilience to future flooding.”

“Flooding is Wisconsin’s most costly natural disaster,” said Greg Engle, acting administrator for Wisconsin Emergency Management. “Purchasing these floodprone properties in Reedsburg not only eliminates the cycle of repetitive flood loss, it lifts the financial burden associated with rebuilding after a flood.”

After flooding in 2018, Wisconsin Emergency Management worked with the city of Reedsburg to apply for funding for floodplain buyouts.

HMGP provides grants to state, tribal and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. For these projects, FEMA will pay 75% of the $1,982,211 eligible project cost. The remaining 25% of the funds, $495,553, will be provided by the state of Wisconsin and the city of Reedsburg. FEMA will also fund an initial $46,460 in sub-recipient management costs to assist Reedsburg in managing these grants. To learn more about HMGP or FEMA’s other Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs, visit www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation.  

# # #

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

​​​​PHILADELPHIA - FEMA is proposing updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for King William 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 began Feb. 9, 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 the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

Submit appeals and comments by contacting your local floodplain administrator: Sherry L. Graham, Director of Planning, sgraham@kingwilliamcounty.us. 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/1i0v5b0.  

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 flooding. 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.

King William County Flood Mapping Milestones

• Sept. 17, 2020 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
• June 1, 2021 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
• Aug. 3, 2021— Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
• Feb. 9, 2022 –Appeal Period starts.
• April 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.

###

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

FRANKFORT, Ky – Kentucky homeowners who live in one of the 16 disaster-designated counties, were affected by the Dec. 10-11 severe storms and tornadoes, and are covered by homeowners’ insurance should file a claim with their insurance company or agent as soon as they can. Next, they should apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

Under federal law, FEMA cannot duplicate insurance settlements or other benefits, but in some cases insured survivors may still be eligible for FEMA help, for example, if:

• Your settlement was delayed longer than 30 days after you filed a claim.
• The settlement does not fully cover all your losses and needs.
• You exhausted the additional living expenses provided in your policy.
• You cannot locate suitable rental resources in your community.

  Take the Following Steps to Make Sure You Get All Eligible Help

• File your insurance claims for damage caused by the disaster as soon as possible. Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
• Apply with FEMA for assistance. You don’t have to wait for your insurance settlement to apply. Here’s how:
  • Survivors in Barren, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren counties can 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.
  • It is important that FEMA can contact applicants. Phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Keep your contact information up to date. If you move, change phone numbers – let FEMA know.
  • If you have registered with other organizations, you still need to apply with FEMA if you want to be considered for FEMA assistance.

   After You Apply With FEMA

• Once you are registered, you have 12 months to let FEMA know if your insurance coverage was not enough and you want to be considered for help.
• If you have received your insurance settlement and haven’t told FEMA yet, or it doesn’t cover your needs, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to update your application.

• To request further assistance, fax or mail FEMA a letter explaining the circumstances to:
  • FEMA Individuals and Households Program, National Processing Center, P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20702-8055
  • Or Fax: 800-827-8112

The deadline to apply for federal assistance is March 14, 2022.

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

For more information about Kentucky tornado recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4630. Follow the FEMA Region 4 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the projects for which the Fire Department Bureau requested funds under the Agency’s Public Assistance Program. These represent a total of 21 emergency and permanent work projects for a total of $15.4 million.

Of those, about $10.7 million will be distributed in 18 permanent work projects, that will be used for upgrades to the structures belonging to the Bureau and for content replacement as a result of damage from Hurricane María.

“With the completion of all recovery funding obligations for the Fire Department, we are paving the way for the agency to have optimal facilities for its employees and the public. The repairs to this essential public safety agency will allow  first responders to continue working and training,” said  Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José G. Baquero.

Notable projects include repairs to the Fire Academy. The facility, located in the Jueyes neighborhood of Salinas, will benefit from a federal grant for work on the trailers used for storage, the training room, the classroom, the hazardous materials simulator, its offices and for refilling oxygen tanks.

Moreover, the obligation of $1.2 million for the repair of seven fire stations in the San Juan area includes the Hato Rey and San Juan Metropolitan stations, as well as the stations located in Corozal, Dorado, Guaynabo, Naranjito and Toa Baja.

The work includes the replacement of tiles on the roof, an air conditioner unit, portable radios, computers, monitors and other equipment; lead and asbestos management; as well as the replacement of various doors, lights, roofs, windows, fences, among others.

This project also qualifies for about $220,000 in hazard mitigation funds for structural reinforcements and management of leaks, among other repairs to prevent similar future damage from future atmospheric events.

Furthermore, the Fire Department also has among its approved funds $1.5 million for repairs to the Fire Department Central Workshop, located at the Las Palmas Street in Santurce and built in the year 1950. For the area of Caguas, FEMA approved $1.3 million for repairs in various of the Bureau’s facilities. This includes the municipalities of Humacao, Juncos, Las Piedras, Maunabo, Naguabo, San Lorenzo and Yabucoa.

In addition, the Agency also obligated some $903,500 for repairs to various fire stations in the area of Aguadilla. The funds will contribute to repairs of two stations in Cabo Rojo ─including the one in Boquerón─, as well as the fire stations in Aguada, Aguadilla, Añasco, Hormigueros, Isabela, Lajas and Las Marías.

For more information on Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María, please visit fema.gov/es/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow our social media pages at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Iowa to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes on Dec. 15, 2021.

Federal funding is available to the state, eligible local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities in Appanoose, Audubon, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Cass, Cherokee, Davis, Emmet, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Howard, Humboldt, Mills, Mitchell, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Sac, Van Buren, Webster, Worth and Wright counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

DuWayne Tewes has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.