FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Twenty-Five Mile Fire in Washington

BOTHELL, Wash. –  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal fund to help with firefighting costs for the Twenty-Five Mile Fire burning in Chelan County, Washington.

The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Administrator Vince Maykovich on Monday, August 17, 2021, at 10:39 p.m. PT. He determined that the Twenty-Five Mile Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the seventh FMAG declared in 2021 to help fight Washington wildfires.

At the time of the request, the fire threatened buildings in and around the west side of Lake Chelan and homes alongside South Lakeshore Road. The fire also threatened critical communications infrastructure.

FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair, and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials, and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $778,778 will be available to Washington through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have burned land within a designated area.  

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Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.

mary.j.edmon Wed, 08/18/2021 - 22:48

ICYMI: FEMA Administrator Addresses Hurricane Preparedness, COVID-19 Vaccinations During Miami Visit

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell traveled to Miami earlier this week to visit the National Hurricane Center (NHC), where she met with Director Ken Graham and the NHC team to discuss hurricane preparedness and safety, as the nation enters the peak months of the 2021 hurricane season.

“As we enter peak hurricane season, it’s critical that communities stay vigilant to the severe threats storms can bring,” said Administrator Criswell. “This is the time for you to prepare. This is the time for you to make sure that you know what your plan is. If you don’t have a plan yet, get that plan together.”

Administrator Criswell also encouraged the public to practice personal preparedness before the next hurricane and to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

“Part of your preparedness activity has to be getting a vaccine,” she said. “That is going to be one of the most important things that you do in order to keep yourself safe, your family safe and those that you may have to evacuate with safe. It’s incredibly important that everybody takes this opportunity if you haven’t done so already to go and get a COVID-19 vaccine as you do your preparedness plans for this hurricane season.”

While at the NHC, Administrator Criswell made a quick stop by a virtual all-hands town hall to thank the team for saving lives and keeping people safe against the threat of hurricanes. 

Administrator Criswell then traveled to Miami-Dade County to meet with County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to discuss hurricane preparedness and mitigation efforts in Miami-Dade County and check on Surfside recovery efforts.

“I want to thank Mayor Cava for her leadership in Miami-Dade County's preparedness efforts and continuing to lead the Surfside community's recovery,” said Administrator Criswell.

Administrator Criswell returned to Washington following her meeting with Mayor Cava.

 

MIAMI (Aug. 16, 2021) – Administrator Deanne Criswell (right) makes a quick stop by a virtual all-hands town hall at the National Hurricane Center.

 

 

MIAMI (Aug. 16, 2021) – Administrator Criswell (left) discusses hurricane preparedness and mitigation efforts with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

mayshaunt.gary Wed, 08/18/2021 - 20:13

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Caldor Fire

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County.

On August 17, 2021, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration for the Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County. 

At the time of approval, the Caldor Fire was threatening approximately 7,500 homes in and around Pollock Pines, Grizzly Flats, Camino, and Sly Park, combined population of 10,404.  Ninety-five percent of the threatened homes are primary residences and five percent are secondary residences.  The fire is also threatening Jenkinson Lake Watershed, El Dorado powerhouse, and Highway 50 in the area.

The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on August 17, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.

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.

mayshaunt.gary Wed, 08/18/2021 - 16:28

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Monument Fire

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Monument Fire burning in Trinity County.

On August 17, 2021, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration for the Monument Fire burning in Trinity County.  At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 5,053 residential structures in and around Junction City, Weaverville, Hayfork, and Douglas City, total population around 5,524.  Approximately 85 percent of the threatened homes were primary residences.  The fire was also threatening 400 commercial structures, the Trinity Water System, 40,000 acres of commercial timber land, the Trinity River Lumber Company, County Fire, Sheriff’s Office, Cal Hwy Patrol, Cal Transportation, and major power transmission lines.

The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on August 17, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.

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.

mayshaunt.gary Wed, 08/18/2021 - 00:58

FEMA Center Updates: Locations and Hours of Operation

CHICAGO – The state/FEMA disaster recovery center in Dearborn Heights and the document drop-off centers in Ypsilanti and Grosse Pointe will close permanently at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 19, 2021.  In-person assistance from FEMA representatives remains available at five other recovery centers and one document drop-off location in southeast Michigan. Individuals can visit any open center to get the help they need with the federal assistance process.

 

Three centers listed below will close permanently on Thursday, August 19 at 7 p.m. ET:

 

Eaton Senior Recreation Center

4900 Pardee Avenue

Dearborn Heights, MI 48125

 

Ypsilanti Township Civic Center

7200 S. Huron River Drive

Ypsilanti, MI 48197                                         

Grosse Pointe Public Safety Building

17320 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe, MI 48230

 

Four centers will begin new operational hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday starting Friday, August 20, 2021. Location information for these sites is provided below to allow applicants to find the site closest to them:

Henry Ford Centennial Library

16301 Michigan Avenue

Dearborn, MI 48126

Kemeny Recreation Center

2260 S. Fort Street

Detroit, MI 48217

Maplewood Community Center

31735 Maplewood St.

Garden City, MI 48135

 

Golightly Career and Technical Center

900 Dickerson Ave.

Detroit, MI 48215

 

The recently opened document drop-off center in Harper Woods and the new recovery center in Hamtramck will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, seven days a week, and can be found at the following locations:

 

Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church

20955 Bournemouth St.

Harper Woods, MI 48225

Hamtramck City Hall

3401 Evaline Street

Hamtramck, MI 48212

 

Additionally, individuals can find their closest center location by visiting FEMA’s DRC locator page at https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator .

Survivors do not have to visit a recovery center to register or receive federal assistance. These centers provide a location for applicants to submit documents or discuss their case in-person with a FEMA or US Small Business Administration representative. Before visiting a recovery center, survivors should register for federal assistance one of the following ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov;
• Using the FEMA App; or
• Calling 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). TTY users can call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information about Michigan’s recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4607. FEMA assistance is currently available to residents in Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The deadline for individuals to apply for disaster assistance is Sept. 13, 2021.

                                                   

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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

troy.christensen Tue, 08/17/2021 - 20:37

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Emergency Declaration for Florida

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Florida to supplement state, local and tribal response efforts to the emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Fred, beginning on Aug. 13 and continuing.

The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to save lives, protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. 

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment, and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the storm.   Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided at 75% federal funding. This assistance is for Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Manatee, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton and Washington counties.

Kevin A. Wallace has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area.

mayshaunt.gary Tue, 08/17/2021 - 19:05

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Ford Corkscrew Fire in Washington

BOTHELL, Wash.  -  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Ford Corkscrew Fire burning in Stevens County, Washington.

The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent Maykovich on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, at 8:41 p.m. PT. He determined that the Ford Corkscrew Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the sixth FMAG declared in 2021 to help fight Washington wildfires.

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Ford, Springdale, Loon Lake, and Clayton. The fire also threatened cell phone towers and critical communications infrastructure.

FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair, and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials, and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $778,778 will be available to Washington through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area. 

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Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.

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

mary.j.edmon Tue, 08/17/2021 - 18:45

Children's Museum in Carolina is Revitalized with FEMA Funds

The federal agency assigned over $1 million to repair the facilities of the emblematic museum

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico — The Children’s Museum in Carolina, will repair its facilities with the help of more than $1.1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With these funds for permanent work, the museum, which opened in 2011 and has 103 exhibits, will continue its mission to educate and entertain the children who visit it.

The allocation is also key to the employment retention of the Museum, which has about 50 full-time, part-time and volunteer employees. They are responsible for tending to the more than 1 million visitors a year from across the island and around the world. In addition, they are of vital importance in the care of the more than 20 species of miniature and exotic animals that are part of the mini zoo, such as macaws, sheep and peacocks.

“FEMA's commitment to assist in Puerto Rico's short- and long-term recovery also includes the younger ones. Allocations to places like the Museum, which foster learning for our youth, are fundamental to the educational development of this generation that lived through Maria's aftermath,” said the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José G. Baquero.

Among the completed repairs are the dome of the main roof, the dome of the kids theater, the large amphitheater, the go-karts area, the power generators, the wooden walkway towards the boats, its piers and pedal boats, and the exterior signage. Also finished is the paint for the interior and exterior, a picnic area, water safety equipment, medical supplies for animals, as well as equipment for the minizoo, refrigerators, metal ventilators, and glass and wooden doors, among others. 

“Since the destructive passing of Hurricane María in 2017, we have worked tirelessly to restore the Children’s Museum in all its beauty and original splendor to the ‘Land of the Giants’.  Today, we can confirm that we have achieved 95 percent of the physical repairs,” said the Mayor of Carolina, José Carlos Aponte Dalmau, who expects the Museum to return to its original rhythm after the pandemic.

Of the funds that were obligated, about $5,700 is destined for hazard mitigation to prevent similar damage that may occur in a future disaster. Strengthening the base of the masts with concrete and strengthening gutters to increase their resistance against strong winds and rain are part of this process.

For her part, the Museum Director, Mirgrelis Ramos Acosta, who is satisfied with the education and social labor of the institution, commented that FEMA’s help gave them hope. “It has been vital for us to have FEMA’s support for this project because it is definitely a project that requires being in optimal conditions at all times. And knowing that, even though we were making our own internal efforts to reestablish it, we were going to have backup from FEMA, well that was inspiring and gave us the assurance that we would be able to finish our projects,” she said.

As part of its social responsibility program, the Children’s Museum has the Fondo Especial Gigante Mío, which is sustained by 5 percent of the entrance fee. This fund assists children with special health needs, offers scholarships for education or sports travel and helps with the purchase of medical equipment and glasses, among others.

The Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resiliency, (COR3), Engineer Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, mentioned that projects like rebuilding the Children’s Museum in Carolina, contributes to the social development of our children and allows them to be educated while being entertained. “This project is part of various reconstruction works that the Municipality of Carolina leads and executes, after an obligation of $62 million from FEMA’s Public Assistance Program,” Laboy Rivera added.

To access more information on the recovery of Puerto Rico from Hurricane María, visit fema.gov/es/disaster/4339 y recuperacion.pr. Follow us on social media Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr y Twitter @COR3pr.

frances.acevedo-pico Tue, 08/17/2021 - 12:52

30-Day Snapshot: Federal Assistance Tops $109 Million for Michigan Storm Survivors

CHICAGO –  Just 30 days after President Joe Biden declared a major disaster for Washtenaw and Wayne counties following the June 25-26 tornadoes and flooding, more than $109 million in federal assistance has been provided by FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support Southeast Michigan’s disaster recovery.    

“FEMA and our federal partners are working closely with the state of Michigan to provide help to disaster survivors as quickly as possible,” said Scott Burgess, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for the Michigan disaster recovery operation. “Federal assistance is just one part of the whole community effort to support southeast Michigan’s recovery from June’s storms and flooding.”

As of August 15, 2021, southeast Michigan’s recovery includes:

More than $78 million in Individual Assistance (IA) program grants awarded to nearly 27,000 homeowners and renters in Washtenaw and Wayne counties. These grants help pay for uninsured and underinsured losses and storm-related damage, including:

• • More than $65 million in FEMA housing grants to help pay for home repair, home replacement and rental assistance for temporary housing.
  • $13 million in Other Needs Assistance grants to help pay for personal property replacement and other serious storm-related needs—such as moving and storage fees and medical and dental expenses.
• More than $30.5 million in long-term, low-interest disaster loans from SBA for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations to repair, rebuild or replace disaster-damaged physical property and to cover economic injury from the June storms and flooding.

In addition, over $650,000 in claims have been paid to homeowners insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.

The state and FEMA have staffed and operated five Disaster Recovery Centers plus three FEMA Document Drop-off Centers, which provide one-on-one assistance to survivors. The centers have tallied nearly 9,500 visits by survivors.

In addition, FEMA has sent Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams to storm-impacted neighborhoods in Washtenaw and Wayne counties. These teams visit homes, businesses and nonprofit organizations to help residents register for assistance, identify and address immediate and emerging needs, and make referrals to other local, state, and voluntary agencies for additional support.

To date, DSA personnel have visited more than 20,300 homes and nearly 300 businesses; they have interacted with more than 7,600 survivors and have registered more than 1,150 households for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Federal funding is just one source of help for survivors. Voluntary agencies are also actively involved in Michigan’s recovery, and the inserted graphic highlights some of their important work in this disaster. For more information about voluntary organizations active in southeast Michigan and ways to support their efforts, visit www.michiganvoad.org . For even more information about Michigan’s recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4607.

 

                                                                      ###

 

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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

www.fema.gov/disaster/4607  https://twitter.com/femaregion5

troy.christensen Tue, 08/17/2021 - 12:45

Disaster Recovery Project Seeks to Keep Water Flowing in West Jordan

SALT LAKE CITY – FEMA has provided the City of West Jordan $164,908.13 for repairs to a water storage tank.  The funds are provided from the agency’s Public Assistance program as part of the major disaster declaration issued in 2020 for the Magna earthquake.

Public Assistance reimbursements are made on a cost-sharing basis to counties, municipalities, state, tribes and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and restoration of infrastructure. The federal cost share is no less than 75 percent, with the state and local applicant responsible for remaining costs.

The program generally provides assistance to restore infrastructure to its pre-disaster condition. In this case mitigation funding was provided as it will make the facility more resistant to damage in the future.  The project includes replacement of inlet and outlet piping and use of flexible couplings that are more resistant to the shaking of an earthquake.

“This assistance will help to minimize the chance of losing the water supply for West Jordan in the event of a future earthquake,” said Utah Division of Emergency Management Director Kris Hamlet.

Another unique element of the project is that the mitigation funding was based on the total cost of the larger repair project. The facility had insurance coverage that paid for the repairs to the facility. FEMA was able to assist with the costs not covered by insurance as well as the cost-effective mitigation effort. The mitigation portion of the project totaled nearly $120,000.

“This is a great example of the partnership that exists in disaster recovery,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Ken Clark. “The community was proactive in having insurance for the facility, but by the prudent application of mitigation funding we can hopefully avoid making repairs to this structure should another earthquake occur.”

anthony.mayne Mon, 08/16/2021 - 21:35

FEMA Launches National Risk Index Update Full Application Now Available with More Customization and Reporting

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced the full application launch of the National Risk Index, a new online resource that provides a clear, visual guide to natural hazard risks throughout the United States, and information to help communities to understand and reduce those risks, whether they involve flooding, wildfire, extreme heat, or drought.

Developed with attention to the increased risks from climate change, and the need to develop new approaches to reduce those risks, this online mapping application provides simple measures of a community’s risk for 18 natural hazards. The online mapping application also measures resilience, social vulnerability and expected annual loss.

“It is important for people to educate themselves about the severe weather events that can pose a serious threat to their communities,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “The National Risk Index is a free tool that allows anyone to take a deeper look at local hazards, and can help inform risk based decision making, so that people can be as prepared as possible.”

Climate change is a top priority for the Biden-Harris administration and FEMA. The Index is specifically designed to help enable communities to develop new preventive strategies, and emergency responses, by helping them to increase resilience and adaptation. By providing standardized risk data and an overview of multiple risk factors this interactive mapping and analysis tool can enable communities, especially those with limited flood mapping and risk assessment capabilities, to prepare for natural hazards. 

FEMA released this application a week after nearly $5 billion in new funding opportunities was made available to help communities prepare for extreme weather and climate-related disasters. The Index provides efficient, standardized risk assessment methodology, free interactive web maps and geographic information system services. States, tribes, territories and local communities can also use the Index to meet certain grant application requirements.

The Index was originally released in November 2020 in a limited capacity. Now made fully available for state, local, tribal and territorial governments, the Index can generate more customized analyses and reports, including community risk profiles and risk comparison reports for any county or census tract. 

The data and reporting tools in the Index were custom designed and developed to help any community discover its risk to natural hazards. Users can share reports through unique links, save them as printable PDFs or extract the underlying data in spatial or tabular formats. The Index based ratings on data from the best available resources from 2014 through 2019 and frequent updates, including responses to new information as it becomes available, are expected to keep ratings current.

The Index is free and easy to use, and data from the site can be downloaded. Visit FEMA’s National Risk Index webpage to learn more about the data and the natural hazards that may affect your community.

mayshaunt.gary Mon, 08/16/2021 - 20:51

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Muckamuck Fire in Washington

BOTHELL, Wash.  -  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Muckamuck Fire burning in Okanogan County, Washington.

The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent Maykovich on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, at 12:41 a.m. PT. He determined that the Muckamuck Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the fifth FMAG declared in 2021 to help fight Washington wildfires.

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire was threatening the entire town of Conconully. The fire was also threatening both overhead and underground power lines and other infrastructure.

FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair, and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials, and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $778,778 will be available to Washington through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area. 

###

Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.

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

hannah.weinstein Mon, 08/16/2021 - 19:46

FEMA Provides COVID-19 Funeral Assistance State-by-State Breakdown

WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided over $1 billion to nearly 155,000 people to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020.

Eligibility determinations are not driven by state/location; instead, they are based on when the applicant submits all required documentation.

“Applications” in the below chart reflect the number of individuals who called to begin the assistance process.

Please find state-specific information below:

State/Territory

Applications

Amount Approved

Number of Awards

ALABAMA

5,717

$23,963,650

3,475

ALASKA

135

$371,231

66

AMERICAN SAMOA

Less than 10

$9,000

Less than 10

ARIZONA

4,357

$13,107,840

2,565

ARKANSAS

2,553

$10,148,428

1,597

CALIFORNIA

26,790

$99,973,471

15,406

COLORADO

1,977

$6,847,604

1,219

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANAS

Less than 10

$4,344

Less than 10

CONNECTICUT

3,106

$14,556,618

2,090

DELAWARE

791

$2,743,445

437

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

500

$1,711,013

254

FLORIDA

14,816

$48,199,732

8,532

GEORGIA

9,542

$40,021,429

5,787

GUAM

13

$42,162

Less than 10

HAWAII

249

$813,801

138

IDAHO

533

$1,599,385

280

ILLINOIS

10,806

$46,278,073

6,775

INDIANA

4,508

$20,207,834

2,883

IOWA

2,243

$10,292,293

1,435

KANSAS

2,115

$8,898,840

1,363

KENTUCKY

3,392

$15,738,338

2,206

LOUISIANA

4,693

$19,459,914

2,844

MAINE

346

$999,729

185

MARYLAND

5,066

$20,882,251

3,103

MASSACHUSETTS

5,181

$23,042,072

3,301

MICHIGAN

8,682

$33,947,261

5,575

MINNESOTA

2,505

$11,810,354

1,708

MISSISSIPPI

4,113

$16,271,217

2,406

MISSOURI

4,621

$18,930,273

3,001

MONTANA

457

$1,080,053

217

NEBRASKA

1,108

$5,140,872

722

NEVADA

2,205

$6,574,514

1,190

NEW HAMPSHIRE

617

$2,318,756

390

NEW JERSEY

10,820

$46,397,928

6,714

NEW MEXICO

1,420

$3,583,165

703

NEW YORK

23,614

$92,074,920

13,314

NORTH CAROLINA

7,584

$31,783,527

4,775

NORTH DAKOTA

624

$2,639,372

353

OHIO

8,774

$37,718,763

5,846

OKLAHOMA

3,557

$14,940,968

2,328

OREGON

778

$2,216,516

420

PENNSYLVANIA

11,691

$49,979,375

7,623

PUERTO RICO

1,083

$1,920,010

538

RHODE ISLAND

1,058

$3,876,892

561

SOUTH CAROLINA

5,236

$23,155,370

3,344

SOUTH DAKOTA

670

$2,887,129

390

TENNESSEE

6,243

$27,899,613

4,040

TEXAS

23,062

$92,470,250

14,184

U, S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

26

$78,939

13

UTAH

990

$4,436,623

634

VERMONT

127

$504,797

84

VIRGINIA

5,579

$23,267,224

3,493

WASHINGTON

1,702

$5,084,511

913

WEST VIRGINIA

1,349

$5,093,067

746

WISCONSIN

4,063

$17,540,907

2,668

WYOMING

240

$836,825

145

 

* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. today.

Applicants may apply by calling 844-684-6333 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Multilingual services are available. Please note, phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Applicants who use a relay service, such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to them for that service so that agency representatives are able to contact them.

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

amy.ashbridge Mon, 08/16/2021 - 19:28

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Patton Meadow Fire in Oregon

BOTHELL, Wash.  -  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Patton Meadow Fire burning in Lake County, Oregon.

The state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent Maykovich on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, at 12:14 a.m. PT. He determined that the Patton Meadow Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the third FMAG declared in 2021 to help fight Oregon wildfires.

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire was threatening homes in and around the community of Lakeview. The fire was also threatening power lines, cultural resources in the Klamath Basin and critical communications equipment on Grizzly Peak, including radio repeaters, law enforcement networks and a cellular tower.

FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair, and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials, and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $584,083 will be available to Oregon through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area. 

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Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.

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

 

hannah.weinstein Mon, 08/16/2021 - 18:44

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Hamtramck

CHICAGO – A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Hamtramck on Tuesday, August 17, to help renters, homeowners and business owners affected by the June 25 – 26 severe storms and flooding.  

The center will be in the following location:

Hamtramck City Hall

3401 Evaline Street

Hamtramck, MI 48212

 

Hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Sunday.

Other FEMA recovery and document drop-off centers are already open. Individuals have the option to visit any open center and can find their nearest location on FEMA’s locator page at https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.

At recovery centers, representatives from FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration, Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, and other state agencies are available to explain disaster assistance programs, answer questions about written correspondence and provide literature about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.   

Individuals do not have to visit a recovery center to register or receive federal assistance. These centers provide a location for applicants to submit documentation or discuss their case in-person with a FEMA or SBA representative. Before visiting a recovery center, survivors should register for federal assistance one of the following ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov;
• Using the FEMA App; or
• Calling 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). TTY users can call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Anyone requiring a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille, Large print, etc.) may call 800-621-3362 to request assistance in advance or ask the recovery staff at the center for assistance.  

Applicants and staff in the recovery center will be required to comply with federal guidelines for mask usage when interacting with federal employees. Any individual inside a recovery center must wear a face mask which covers the individual’s nose and mouth, as per CDC guidance.

 

For more information about Michigan’s recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4607. FEMA assistance is currently available to residents in Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The deadline for individuals to apply for disaster assistance is Sept. 13, 2021.       

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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

www.fema.gov/disaster/4607  https://twitter.com/femaregion5

troy.christensen Mon, 08/16/2021 - 18:34

Learn Disaster Risk Reduction Tips at Menards

CHICAGO - As southeast Michigan survivors clean and repair damage to their homes caused by the severe storms and flooding that occurred June 25-26, 2021, FEMA has teamed up with Menards home improvement stores in Livonia and Taylor to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes and businesses stronger and safer.

The FEMA Hazard Mitigation team will be at:

Livonia Menards 

12701 Middlebelt Rd

Livonia, MI  48150

Taylor Menards 

15525 Racho Rd.

Taylor, MI  48180  

From: Aug. 16, 2021 to Aug. 29, 2021

Hours: Mon. to Sat. 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET

Most of the information and the free publications provided are geared to do-it-yourself work and general contractors. Recovery topics covered include clean-up tips, flood insurance, elevating utilities and rebuilding flooded homes.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation specialists are also on hand at Disaster Recovery Centers to answer questions and offer floodproofing information, home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. To find the center closest to you, visit https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator,    Due to COVID-19, FEMA staff will practice social distancing and wear face masks while at the stores.

For more information about Michigan’s recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4607. FEMA assistance is currently available to residents in Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The deadline for individuals to apply for disaster assistance is Sept. 13, 2021.

                                                                      ###

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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

www.fema.gov/disaster/4607 https://twitter.com/femaregion5

troy.christensen Mon, 08/16/2021 - 13:36

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Utah’s Parleys Canyon Fire

DENVER – This evening, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Parley’s Canyon Fire burning in Salt Lake and Summit counties, near Summit Park, Utah.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Tammy Littrell approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) after receiving the request late this afternoon and determining that the fire threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disaster.

At the time of the request, the Parleys Canyon Fire was threatening between six and eight thousand homes and approximately 10,000 people are under mandatory evacuations. The fire started today and has burned more than 2500 acres.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

With the FMAG authorization, additional funding is made available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of wildfire and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction.

For more information on FMAGs, visit  https://www.fema.gov/fire-management-assistance-grants-program-details. For HMGP Post Fire, visit https://www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program-post-fire.

Brian.Hvinden Sun, 08/15/2021 - 01:29

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Bedrock Fire in Idaho

BOTHELL, Wash.  -  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Bedrock Fire burning in Nez Perce County, Idaho, and on the Nez Perce Reservation.

The state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent Maykovich on Friday, August 13, 2021, at 12:32 a.m. PT. He determined that the Bedrock Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the first FMAG declared in 2021 to help fight Idaho wildfires.

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire was threatening homes in and around the community of Lenore. The fire has already burned some outbuildings and residences in the community and was also threatening a tribal fish hatchery, a post office, shops, barns, equipment sheds and transmission lines owned by Bonneville Power Administration.

FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair, and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials, and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $584,083 will be available to Idaho through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area.   

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Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit this page on FEMA.gov for more information.

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

hannah.weinstein Fri, 08/13/2021 - 19:31

FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Tops $1 Billion Applications for Funeral Assistance Remain Open to People in Need

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced today it has provided over $1 billion in COVID-19 funeral assistance to support more than 150,000 applicants grappling with the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. Earlier this year, the agency began providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses. FEMA continues to accept applications to support underserved communities and encourages more to apply. 

“This pandemic has had an immense impact on our country,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Too many people have lost family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors to COVID-19. FEMA's Funeral Assistance program allows us to provide funds directly to those who may be facing an unexpected financial burden following the tragic loss of a loved one, and we are committed to providing this assistance with the compassion, fairness, integrity, and respect these families deserve.”

To ensure eligible applicants are aware that assistance is available, the agency continues to promote its helpline at 844-684-6333. The agency continues to examine existing application information, CDC death records and Social Vulnerability Index data to identify populations and areas that may benefit from greater socialization of this assistance.

The development and implementation of this nationwide approach to provide financial assistance is the largest scale funeral assistance mission FEMA has ever undertaken.

FEMA continues reconciling thousands of applications that cannot be processed due to incompletion and contacting applicants who have not submitted all the required documentation. FEMA sends reminders to applicants who have not completed their applications. Applicants are encouraged to confirm they have submitted all required documentation so their application can be processed in a timely manner.

To aid with outreach, FEMA recruited and trained additional contract staff for COVID-19 funeral assistance to better serve the public through a dedicated call center and assist callers throughout the application process with empathy and compassion. On average, calls are answered in under 10 seconds.

Additional information, including eligibility requirements, can be found at COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov.

mayshaunt.gary Fri, 08/13/2021 - 17:42

FEMA Provides $2.6 Million to Montana for COVID-19 Response

DENVER – FEMA has provided $2.6 million in Public Assistance funding to the Montana Disaster and Emergency Services’ (DES) COVID-19 response. The assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued March 31, 2020. FEMA has provided a total of $38.8 million for Montana’s COVID-19 response to date.

Montana DES received $2.6 million to manage, control and reduce the immediate threat to public health and safety from COVID-19.  Temporary medical and emergency response staff were hired to fill gaps at tribal nations, hospitals, and nursing homes, and to assist in the transport of COVID-19 patients to medical facilities.  Personal protective equipment and medical supplies were purchased, stored, and distributed to first responders and medical facilities. The work for this project was completed from July 26, 2020, through March 17, 2021.  

This funding is authorized under the January 21, 2021, Presidential Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense & the Secretary of Homeland Security and Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.

For the COVID-19 response, FEMA has simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to address the magnitude of this event and to allow local officials to receive eligible funding more quickly. These reimbursements play a critical role as state, local and tribal officials work tirelessly to assist their communities during this response.

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at www.fema.gov/assistance/public.

anthony.mayne Thu, 08/12/2021 - 17:02