REGION I –Rhode Island will receive $1,270,094 from FEMA for five sheltering programs set up by the Rhode Island Department of Administration in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.  The programs included sheltering for frontline workers, quarantining and isolation for adults who had either tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19, and non-congregate sheltering for segments of the homeless population and individuals typically in congregate care settings.

This grant is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized tribal governments, U.S. territories, local governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. The grant applications are submitted from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments. 

“FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program is essential to helping communities recovering from a federally declared disaster get back on their feet,” said Regional Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Captain Russ Webster, who oversees FEMA’s operations in Rhode Island. Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.

“This funding is just one of the positive results of the partnership between FEMA and the State of Rhode Island through Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency,” concluded Webster.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grant funding to state and local governments, and certain types of private non-profit organizations, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the state of Rhode Island.

To date, FEMA has obligated more than $55.6 million to Rhode Island under the Public Assistance program.

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.

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

BATON ROUGE, La.— Qualifying houses of worship in Louisiana may be eligible for FEMA grants to cover hurricane-related expenses.

Grants through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program can cover costs to repair or replace facilities damaged during a disaster. The program is funded by FEMA and administered through the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Office (GOHSEP).

The Request for Public Assistance (RPA) deadline for Hurricane Laura is Nov. 30. The RPA deadline for Hurricane Delta is Dec. 15.

FEMA defines religious facilities as a church, synagogue, mosque, temple or other house of worship without regard to the religious character of the facility. 

Help with repairs and replacement costs may be available to houses of worship in parishes   designated for the FEMA Public Assistance Program

To be an eligible applicant, a house of worship must:

• Be owned or operated by a nonprofit.
• Have damage caused by Hurricane Laura and/or Delta.
• Have either not received funding or received insufficient funding after applying for a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan to repair or replace a facility (see below).
• Provide a current ruling letter from the IRS granting tax exemption under Section 501 (c) (d) or (e) of the IRS Code, or provide documentation from the state confirming it is a nonprofit.

Houses of worship may contact GOHSEP for details on how to apply for FEMA assistance. They can get more information or submit their Request for Public Assistance online by visiting louisianapa.com.

U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans are available for certain nonprofits with up to $2 million of property damage.

Apply online at sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. For questions and assistance completing an application, call 800-659-2955 or email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov. For the latest information on Hurricane Laura, visit fema.gov/disaster/4559 . For the latest information on Hurricane Delta, visit fema.gov/disaster/4570 or follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California continues to recover from wildfires, FEMA urges everyone who experiences a power outage to be safe when using portable generators.

Do not use generators inside your home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Keep them outside of your living spaces and away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come inside. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that could kill you, your family and your pets.

Be sure to check on your family and neighbors who may be using generators to remind them about the importance of keeping generators outside of their home and other enclosed spaces.

If you are using a generator for any reason, this information can help keep you and your household safe:

• Place generators at least 20 feet away from your home, downwind away from open doors, windows and vents.
• Before refueling it, turn off the generator and let it cool for 15-20 minutes.
• Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet; instead, use a heavy-duty, outdoor extension cord to plug appliances into generators.
• Do not use generators in rain or wet conditions.
• Place a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Get a carbon monoxide monitor for your home.

For additional information about generators and carbon monoxide:

• Watch this generator safety video from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FEMA that includes American Sign Language: youtube.com/watch?v=n7GIOzABRHA.
• Learn about carbon monoxide from the CDC at cdc.gov/co/ or call 800-232-4636.

For the latest information on wildfire recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4558, www.fema.gov/disaster/4569 and follow the FEMA Region 9 Twitter account at twitter.com/femaregion9.

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WASHINGTON - FEMA released the “Building Codes Save: A Nationwide Study,” which highlights and uses big data to show the benefits of constructing buildings at a higher building code standard for natural disasters such as wind, floods and seismic activity. In the United States, FEMA found that 18.1 million buildings constructed at a higher building code standard save the nation about $1.6 billion annually.

This study uses newly available nationwide data on actual buildings and jurisdictional building code adoption. It provides a real-life quantitative understanding of the impact of adopting the International Codes (I-Codes) introduced in 2000.  Buildings that adopted the I-Code standards demonstrated reduced damage, resulting in savings to building owners, insurers, the community at large and the nation.

These savings represent the cumulative losses avoided from property damage associated with using the I-Codes or similar building codes during floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. FEMA projects by the year 2040, the annual savings nationwide will grow to nearly $3.2 billion. This adds up to $132 billion in total losses avoided from 2000 to 2040.

With projected savings and losses avoided, these dollar values represent considerable financial reasons for communities to proactively adopt and enforce hazard-resistant building codes. The study’s results fully support FEMA’s mission to help people before, during and after disasters, including programs and efforts that promote using hazard-resistant building codes.

A 15-page summary, Protecting Communities and Saving Money – The Case for Adopting Building Codes, as well as the full study detailing the four phases, methodology, results and conclusions of this project are available on FEMA’s website.  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center serving wildfire survivors in Napa County has ended Saturday operations.

It will remain open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at the First Presbyterian Church, 1428 Spring St., St. Helena CA 94574.

The center assists survivors with disaster information as part of the ongoing response and recovery mission for FEMA and the state of California. It offers an opportunity for survivors to register for federal aid, especially those without access to internet or telephone service.

Survivors can also register with FEMA:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov;
• By downloading the FEMA app to a smartphone or tablet; or
• By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. PST. If you use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, provide FEMA the specific number assigned to that service when you register.
• The helpline staff can also answer questions about applications already submitted.

Financial awards for eligible survivors may include rent, home repair, home replacement and other disaster-related needs such as childcare, personal property replacement and medical or dental expenses.

Survivors are reminded to keep FEMA informed if they change their mailing addresses or phone numbers so that their aid will not be delayed. To update personal information, survivors may call the FEMA Helpline or use their personal FEMA accounts they set up when registering for assistance with the FEMA app or at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Napa County was included in two recent federal wildfire disaster declarations: Disaster 4558 and Disaster 4569. The first includes the LNU Lightning Complex fires that started in August. Deadline to apply with FEMA for aid is Saturday, Nov. 21. The second, declared in October, includes the Glass Fire that started Sept. 27. Deadline is Dec. 16 to register with FEMA for aid for Disaster 4569.

For the latest information on wildfire recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4569 and follow the FEMA Region 9 Twitter account at twitter.com/femaregion9.

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SALEM, Ore. –The FEMA External Outreach Site in Medford will close Nov. 21. However, help is still available online, through the FEMA mobile app and by phone.

The External Outreach Site located at Central High School, 815 South Oakdale Ave., Medford, OR 97501, will remain open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 21.

The site, which opened Oct. 1, offers Oregon residents affected by the recent wildfires and straight-line winds in-person visits to get information about their FEMA application, ask questions about letters they receive from FEMA, and have their documents scanned to be part of their application.

Representatives from FEMA’s Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs are available at the site.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread through person-to-person contact, wearing a mask or face covering is required to gain entry and visitors receive “no touch” temperature screenings. Hand sanitizer is available to survivors and staff.

Federal staff wear masks, face shields and gloves. Workstations are spaced six feet apart to provide an extra level of protection for survivors and staff.

FEMA ensures that common areas are cleaned regularly during the day and workstations are sanitized after each visitor.

Help is Still Available!

Survivors can still visit the Medford External Outreach Site. However, it’s not necessary to visit to apply or update applications, which can be done in one of three ways:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov,
• Check the FEMA mobile app, or
• Call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate 7 a.m. to        10 p.m. PST, seven days a week. For survivors who have limited English proficiency, multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

Those who use a Relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their assigned number for that service. They should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.

For those survivors who rely on American Sign Language (ASL) or Real-time captioning (CART) to communicate, call 425-487-2143 or email requests to: DR-4562-OR-ASL-CART-REQUESTS@fema.dhs.gov.

If you were affected by the recent wildfires and straight-line winds in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn or Marion counties, there’s still time to apply with FEMA for disaster assistance. The deadline to apply was extended to Monday, Nov. 30.

FEMA External Outreach Sites recently closed in Estacada, Eugene, Glide, Lincoln City and Stayton.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Those who use a Relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their assigned number for that service. They should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

At any time applicants with disabilities who may require a reasonable accommodation can ask FEMA staff directly or submit their accommodation request via email to FEMA’s Office of Civil Rights at FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov or by calling FEMA’s Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448.

All Oregon residents – including disaster survivors affected by the Oregon wildfires and straight-line winds – can also get personalized mitigation advice from a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Specialist. For information on how to build safer and stronger or to inquire as to your flood risk following a fire, email FEMA-R10-MIT@fema.dhs.gov and a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Specialist will respond.

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.

CHICAGO - Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and while smart travel, cooking, decorating and heating practices are always important to remember this time of year, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic means even more safety measures should be taken this holiday season.

“The safest option for celebrating Thanksgiving this year is to celebrate with people in your household,” said Kevin M. Sligh, acting regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “As COVID-19 continues to spread, staying home is the best way to save lives. If you need to leave your home, remember to wear your mask and maintain six feet of distance between you and others.”

Keep in mind these additional tips to keep your holidays as safe as possible:

1. Consider alternative celebrations. While the holidays are traditionally a time to gather with friends and loved ones, consider “virtual” alternatives that allow everyone to remain safely at home. CDC has some helpful suggestions on their Thanksgiving page at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
2. Be a prepared traveler. If you must travel, check travel restrictions and get your flu shot before you go. Always wear a mask in public settings and wash your hands often. If you plan to leave the state, understand the requirements for isolating or quarantining when you arrive and/or return, then plan accordingly. If you’re driving to your destination, ensure you have an emergency supply kit in your car, and if you’re packing for a flight or train ride, consider a small kit in case of emergency: flashlight, batteries, & a spare USB power bank.
3. Protect against home fire risks. Put working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside sleeping areas. Change the batteries in these alarms twice per year, or per manufacturer’s guidelines.
4. Practice smart cooking. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so they won’t get bumped. Clean cooking equipment after each use—crumbs in a toaster or grease on the stove can catch on fire.
5. Heat your home safely. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from fireplaces, wood stoves, portable heaters and radiators. When you leave a room or go to bed, turn heaters off or unplug them.
6. Decorate with care.  Nearly half of holiday decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source. Think about using battery-operated flameless candles this season. If that isn’t an option, place candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns and ensure they cannot be reached by children or pets. Inspect holiday lights before you put them up and throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires. If you’re putting up a tree inside your home, water it every day.

For more readiness tips, visit www.ready.gov, www.cdc.gov, www.usfa.fema.gov, or download FEMA’s free app, available for your Android, Apple or Blackberry device.

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

Montgomery, Ala. – The deadline for registering with FEMA has passed, but that does not mean FEMA is leaving. FEMA continues working with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) to help Alabama survivors and communities recover from the impacts caused by Hurricane Sally.

If you have registered for assistance, FEMA encourages you to keep in touch to track your case or to notify the agency of changes to your mailing or email addresses or phone numbers, and to report insurance settlements or additional damage you may have discovered since your home inspection.

Here’s how to reach FEMA:

• Online at www.disasterassistance.gov or www.disasterassistance.gov/es (for Spanish).
• Call the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY 800-462-7585), 6 a.m. to midnight Central Time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
• Download the www.fema.gov/mobile-app.

The application deadline for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan also has passed. For additional information about Alabama declaration for Hurricane Sally, call the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), email disastercustomerservice@SBA.gov, or visit SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster and reference # 16674.

For more information on Alabama’s recovery from Hurricane Sally, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4563.

Applicants have 60 days to appeal

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico — FEMA encourages residents who registered for disaster assistance and received a recoupment letter to read these official communications carefully and take action immediately.

Recoupment is necessary when the money was used inappropriately, there is duplication of benefits, funds were obtained by fraud or financial aid was provided by error.

“We recommend that anyone who receives a Notice of Potential Debt Letter or a recoupment letter to review them and submit an appeal within 60 days from the date of the letter. Many times, these issues can be resolved by providing additional documentation to support the claim,” said the External Affairs Director for FEMA in Puerto Rico, Juan Andrés Muñoz Torres.

Applicants may call the Recoupment Helpline at 1-800-816-1122, from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Puerto Rico time), added Muñoz Torres.

Residents who may be undergoing a recoupment process for one disaster are still eligible to apply for FEMA assistance in another disaster.

It is important to take recoupment letters seriously and act within the allowable timeframe since FEMA does not accept late appeals for recoupment. If the applicant does not appeal, or appeals unsuccessfully, the debt is certified to the FEMA Finance Center (FFC) for debt collection activity. The FEMA Finance Center sends applicants a Notice of Debt Letter informing them of their debt and various options to resolve the it. Under certain circumstances, the FEMA Finance Center may grant a debt wavier. Applicants can call the Center at 1-866-804-2469.

If the applicant does not respond to the FEMA Finance Center’s debt collection efforts, the debt is transferred to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for collection enforcement. At this stage, applicants can contact the Treasury Debt Management Services at 888-826-3127 for more information.

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

BATON ROUGE, La. — Renters and homeowners in parishes designated for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Laura have until Nov. 27 to register for help.

Federal assistance includes help for temporary housing, rental assistance and repair or replacement of damaged property.

Additionally, grants may be available to help with other expenses such as medical and dental care, childcare, funeral and burial costs, replacing essential household items, moving and storage, vehicle repairs and cleanup.

To see if you live in a designated parish, visit: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4559/designated-areas.

For more information or to register for assistance:

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).
• Visit disasterassistance.gov/.
• To find a drive-thru Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), text 43362 and type DRC and a ZIP code (for example DRC 12345).
• To receive a link to download the FEMA app:
  • • Apple devices: text APPLE to 43362
    • Android devices: text ANDROID to 43362
    • Visit fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/app .

Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

Hurricane Laura survivors with home repair questions should contact FEMA mitigation outreach at 866-579-0820 or at fema-mitoutreach-4559@fema.dhs.gov Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT. To view mitigation resources visit https://fema.connectsolutions.com/lauramit/.

For the latest information on Hurricane Laura, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4559 or follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center is open this weekend in Shasta County to serve wildfire survivors.

The intake center is part of the ongoing response and recovery mission for FEMA and the state of California to assist survivors with disaster information.

It is located at Igo-Ono Elementary School, 6429 Placer Road, Igo CA 96047. It will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22.

The center is a temporary site to support survivors with disaster information. It offers an optional opportunity for survivors to register, especially those without access to internet or telephone service.

Survivors also may register with FEMA in one of three ways:

• Online at disasterassistance.gov;
• By downloading the FEMA app to a smartphone or tablet; or
• By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. PST. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to that service when they register.
• The helpline staff can also answer questions about applications already submitted.
• Deadline to register for assistance under DR-4569 is Dec. 16.

Registration enables FEMA to determine residents’ eligibility for financial assistance that may include rent, home repair, home replacement and other serious disaster-related needs such as childcare, transportation and medical, funeral or dental expenses.

For the latest information on wildfire recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4569. Follow the FEMA Region 9 Twitter account at twitter.com/femaregion9.

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OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted $2.8 million to the Moulton Niguel Water District to seismically retrofit 18 potable water storage tanks.

All 18 tanks in Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo are near active earthquake fault zones in Orange County, making them susceptible to shaking loose from their foundations, rupturing or potentially sliding down hillsides during a large incident.

Completion of the project will bring the equipment into compliance with current seismic codes and standards, which will significantly reduce the risk of tank damage and ensure water remains drinkable for 172,000 homes and businesses after a seismic event.

The $3.7 million project includes a $2.8 million grant from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), with the remaining $928,000 from non-federal sources.

FEMA’s HMGP helps states, territories, federally-recognized tribes, local communities, and certain private, non-profit organizations become more resilient to potential infrastructure damage and reduce future disaster costs. In the past 31 years, FEMA has invested nearly $1.4 billion to reduce disaster risk in California.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9 or view more news releases at fema.gov/fema-regions/region-ix.

DENVER – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided an additional $42 million in funding for COVID-19 response efforts in Colorado. The assistance was made available under the major disaster declaration issued March 28 by President Trump.

A breakdown of the most recent funding is as follows:

•          $37.8 million to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment to create and operate seven community-based testing sites to conduct COVID-19 testing and contracts for Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) tests, laboratory support and supplies;

•          $4.5 million to the state of Colorado for emergency protective measures to lease and stage the Colorado Convention Center for use as an Alternate Care Site (ACS).

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding for emergency actions undertaken by communities to protect public safety, providing at least a 75-percent funding share for eligible costs. Remaining costs are the responsibility of the state and local applicants for assistance.

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 can play a critical role as state, local and tribal officials work tirelessly to assist their communities during this response.

To date, FEMA has provided more than $153 million in Public Assistance funding for the COVID-19 response in Colorado. Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at www.fema.gov/assistance/public.

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

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion8.

DENVER – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided more than $8.5 million in additional Public Assistance funding for the COVID-19 response in North Dakota.  The assistance was made available under the major disaster declaration issued April 1 by President Trump.

During the declaration period, more than $8.5 million in federal funds were provided to the North Dakota Department of Health for emergency protective measures for labor, materials and contracts to increase COVID-19 laboratory testing.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding for emergency actions undertaken by communities to protect public safety, providing at least a 75-percent funding share for eligible costs. Remaining costs are the responsibility of the state and local applicants for assistance.

For the COVID-19 response, FEMA 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 can play a critical role as state, local and tribal officials work tirelessly to assist their communities during this response.

To date, FEMA has provided more than $21.2 million in Public Assistance funding for COVID-19 response efforts in North Dakota. 

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

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

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion8.

BATON ROUGE, La.– After Louisiana was hit by Hurricanes Laura and Delta, volunteer and community partners responded to survivors’ immediate needs, providing meals and clothing, cleaning up debris and helping residents with their recovery.

Organizations such as The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Feeding Louisiana food banks have provided more than 14 million meals. Community feeding continues through local parish organizations, faith-based groups and food banks such as Second Harvest.

Central Louisiana United Way has donated the use of a large warehouse to collect and distribute emergency relief supplies. Cleaning kits, water, food, diapers, face masks and hand sanitizers have been donated by national partners such Adventist community services and United Way of Southwest Louisiana.

Approximately 2,340 survivors continue to occupy hotels through the Non-Congregate Shelter Program managed by American Red Cross. There are five non-congregant shelters housing survivors in New Orleans, one in Baton Rouge and one in Lafayette. Nontraditional sheltering options for survivors include hotels, schools, dorms or other types of housing that keep each household separate from others. Nonprofits are supporting this operation by providing case management, assistance with transportation and aid with medical needs.

Immediate Disaster Case Management (IDCM), which is a FEMA Individual Assistance grant program, is a virtual call center with caseworkers who can provide additional one-on-one help for survivors to navigate recovery programs and identify resources.

Louisiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (LAVOAD) is a consortium of voluntary and non-profit groups dedicated to providing critical help to survivors and their communities in all phases of a disaster. Members include Consulting Partners, United Methodist Louisiana Conference, Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response and Samaritans’ Purse. These nonprofits meet regularly to discuss challenges in the community and find creative ways to collaborate to meet the needs of the survivors.

FEMA’s Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) serves as the central coordination point between local, state, tribal, territorial, and federal governments and volunteer, faith-based, and community organizations—including coordination for volunteers, donations, and people providing disaster services. VALs play a vital role in FEMA’s mission and are often called upon to be FEMA’s bridge to the community. VALs also bring together the organizations to form Long-Term Recovery Groups, which are community-based organizations established in a disaster area to assist survivors to recover. These groups can provide manpower, materials, and money to assist survivors with their unmet needs to include home repairs/rebuilding, personal property losses and assistance with rent, utilities or deposits. 

How You Can Help and Get Help

The following services and programs offer survivor assistance and volunteer opportunities:

Louisiana 211

• Survivors seeking information about disaster-related services and unmet needs related to Hurricanes Laura or Delta can call 2-1-1, a statewide referral service, to find resources in their local communities. Resources include food, childcare, financial assistance, crisis counseling and Immediate Disaster Case Management (IDCM).

Volunteering and Donations

• To volunteer in Louisiana, contact VolunteerLouisiana through their website at https://www.volunteerlouisiana.us/
• To make a monetary or in-kind donation, contact Louisiana VOAD at louisianavoad@gmail.com

For the latest information on Hurricane Laura, visit fema.gov/disaster/4559. For the latest information on Hurricane Delta, visit gov/disaster/4570. Or, follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.

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

On Nov. 17, 2020, the state of Nevada submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Pinehaven Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 20,000 homes in and around the communities of Caughlin Ranch, Skyline and Riverview in the Reno area. The fire also threatened around 500 businesses, power lines, telecommunications infrastructure and the Galena River Watershed.

The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Nov. 17, 2020, 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.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9 or view more news releases at fema.gov/fema-regions/region-ix.

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted $1.1 million to AdventHealth to earthquake retrofit White Memorial Medical Center (WMMC).

Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, WMMC provides critical healthcare services to vulnerable populations in the communities of Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. It also serves the area as a Pediatric Medical Center, with specialized physicians and resources to treat pediatric patients. WMMC’s ability to remain operational following a major seismic event is essential in order to provide lifesaving and life-sustaining services to patients and residents.

The grant will fund structural and nonstructural seismic improvements to the east and south towers of WMMC. The east tower will receive structural improvements that reinforce existing concrete walls, install new foundation footings, and retrofit interior structural and non-structural utilities and equipment. South tower improvements will anchor and brace equipment and utilities in several areas from the basement to the roof.

Completion of the retrofit will ensure WMMC staff and patient safety during a large earthquake and allow its facilities to continue providing uninterrupted acute care afterward.

The $1.4 million project includes a $1.1 million grant from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), with the remaining $365,000 from non-federal sources.

FEMA’s HMGP helps states, territories, federally-recognized tribes, local communities, and certain private, non-profit organizations become more resilient to potential infrastructure damage and reduce future disaster costs. In the past 31 years, FEMA has invested nearly $1.4 billion to reduce disaster risk in California.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9 or view more news releases at fema.gov/fema-regions/region-ix.

CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that $1,602,360 in federal funding has been made available to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago for critical medical services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This grant funding is part of the recovery efforts for the federal disaster declaration of March 26, 2020. This funding will reimburse the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago for emergency response and protective measures taken during the pandemic, including costs for facility disinfection, medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and testing, diagnosis and treatment methods for patients who were exposed to or contracted the virus.

“FEMA’s Public Assistance Program is an important resource for communities affected by COVID-19,” said Kevin M. Sligh, acting regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “This grant funding has helped ensure the availability of critical medical services in the Chicago area to help combat this virus.”

FEMA provides a 75 percent federal share of eligible reimbursable expenses for this project.  The total project cost is $2,136,480.

 FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding to local government jurisdictions and eligible private non-profits for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs incurred for debris removal, disaster cleanup and emergency actions taken to protect lives or property.  To learn more, visit FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.

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

ORLANDO, Fla. – FEMA has awarded grants totaling $9,693,082 for the State of Florida to reimburse applicants for the costs of repairs and debris removal following Hurricane Irma in 2017.

The FEMA Public Assistance grants include:

• JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority): $7,285,119 for repairs to electric transmission and distribution lines across 900 square miles of service area. Work included replacing 299 poles, 477 transformers, 151 crossarms and several miles of wire.
• Miami-Dade County: $1,222,353 for repairs to Zoo Miami including exhibits, public areas, animal enclosures, public entrance, lighting, animal clinic and research facility.
• City of Maitland: $1,185,610 for removal of more than 37,530 cubic yards of vegetative debris and 755 cubic yards of hanging branches from public roads, property and rights-of-way.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal, and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations, including some houses of worship, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The Florida Division of Emergency Management works with FEMA during all phases of the program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.

The federal share for projects is not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost. The state determines how the nonfederal share of the cost of a project (up to 25 percent) is split with the subrecipients like local and county governments.

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FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during, and after disasters.

Salem, Ore. – The deadline for survivors of Oregon wildfires to apply for FEMA individual disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is extended to Monday, Nov. 30.

The extension agreed upon by the state and FEMA is for survivors living in counties designated for individual assistance including Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Help is available. Apply for disaster assistance with FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov/ by using the FEMA app or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Pacific Standard Time daily. Those who use a Relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption, or CapTel should update FEMA with their assigned number for that service. It is important that FEMA make contact in order to move an application forward. Phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.

All Oregon residents – including disaster survivors affected by the Oregon wildfires and straight-line winds – can also get personalized mitigation advice from a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Specialist. For information on how to build safer and stronger or to inquire as to your flood risk following a fire, email FEMA-R10-MIT@fema.dhs.gov and a FEMA Hazard Mitigation specialist will respond.

Small Business Administration assistance

SBA helps businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. To apply for a low-interest disaster loan, complete an online application at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. To reach an SBA Customer Service Representative directly call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339). For more information, visit sba.gov.

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The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Those who use a Relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their assigned number for that service. They should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish)

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.