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

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

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

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

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

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

This is what you will need when you apply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

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

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

Once you apply for FEMA disaster assistance, you may be referred to the SBA. The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses, homeowners and renters. There’s no obligation to accept a loan, but you may miss out on the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds if you don’t apply. Currently, interest rates for physical loss loans are as low as 1.38% for homeowners and renters. For businesses, it’s at 2.830% and for nonprofits it’s 1.875%.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apply for assistance in the following ways:

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

The deadline to apply is March 7.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

​​​​PHILADELPHIA - FEMA is proposing updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for King William County, Virginia. Community partners are invited to participate in a 90-day appeal and comment period.

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

The 90-day appeal period began Feb. 9, 2022. Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.

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

The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

Submit appeals and comments by contacting your local floodplain administrator: Sherry L. Graham, Director of Planning, sgraham@kingwilliamcounty.us. The preliminary maps may be viewed online at the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer: http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv. Changes from the current maps may be viewed online at the Region 3 Changes Since Last FIRM Viewer: https://arcg.is/1i0v5b0.  

For more information about the flood maps:

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

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

King William County Flood Mapping Milestones

• Sept. 17, 2020 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
• June 1, 2021 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
• Aug. 3, 2021— Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
• Feb. 9, 2022 –Appeal Period starts.
• April 2023* — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. (*Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• File your insurance claims for damage caused by the disaster as soon as possible. Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
• Apply with FEMA for assistance. You don’t have to wait for your insurance settlement to apply. Here’s how:
  • Survivors in Barren, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren counties can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
  • It is important that FEMA can contact applicants. Phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Keep your contact information up to date. If you move, change phone numbers – let FEMA know.
  • If you have registered with other organizations, you still need to apply with FEMA if you want to be considered for FEMA assistance.

   After You Apply With FEMA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Federal funding is available to the state, eligible local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities in Adams, Buffalo, Burt, Cass, Cuming, Fillmore, Gage, Hamilton, Harlan, Jefferson, Johnson, Kearney, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Pawnee, Platte, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Thayer, Washington and Webster counties.

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

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

WASHINGTON -- FEMA continues engaging reinsurance markets to help strengthen the National Flood Insurance Program's financial framework and promote private sector participation in flood-risk management.

For a fifth time, on Feb. 22, FEMA entered into a three-year reinsurance agreement with Hannover Re (Ireland) Designated Activity Company. In turn, Hannover transferred $450 million of the program’s financial flood risk to qualified investors of capital markets by sponsoring catastrophe bonds.

As part of the agreement, FEMA will pay $61.23 million in premiums for the first year of reinsurance coverage. Additionally, the agreement will cover the following losses for any single flood event:

• 2.5% of losses between $6 and $7 billion.
• 5% of losses between $7 and $9 billion.
• 32.5% of losses between $9 and $10 billion.

“The growing intensity and frequency of weather patterns brought on by climate change is essential to FEMA’s ongoing commitment to use reinsurance as an integral tool to help strengthen the financial framework of the NFIP,” said David Maurstad, senior executive of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. “Accessing reinsurance from the capital and traditional markets spreads risk and in turn helps to stabilize and supplement the NFIP’s claims paying capacity in the event of catastrophic flooding. Using all facets of the risk-transfer market also makes FEMA good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

This placement builds on FEMA’s transfer of the program’s flood risk to capital markets investors since 2018. Each placement is a three-year term:

• $575 million in February 2021.
• $400 million in February 2020.
• $300 million in April 2019.

Combined with the other outstanding bonds (FloodSmart 2019-1, FloodSmart 2020-1 and FloodSmart 2021-1) and the January 2022 traditional reinsurance placement, FEMA has transferred $2.664 billion of the NFIP’s flood risk to the private sector ahead of the 2022 hurricane season. The FloodSmart 2018-1 reinsurance coverage terminated without a covered event occurring prior to the expiration of the third and last annual risk period ending July 31, 2021. The FloodSmart 2019-1 with $300 million in coverage will expire in March 2022.

Congress authorized FEMA to secure reinsurance through the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, and the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 . 

Visit FEMA.gov for more information about the reinsurance programs for the National Flood Insurance Program.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – As residents repair and rebuild after the Dec. 10-11 severe storms and tornadoes, FEMA has teamed with The Home Depot and Walmart stores to provide free information and tips on how to make homes damaged by natural disasters stronger and safer.

FEMA specialists will be available in Bowling Green, Elizabethtown and Benton to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to help prevent or reduce damage from future disasters. They will also share techniques for rebuilding hazard-resistant homes. Most information is aimed at do-it-yourselfers and general contractor work.

The specialists are available through March 15 at all three locations.

Hours are Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Saturdays and Sundays: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Beginning the week Feb. 28, they will be off on Wednesdays.

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

ATLANTA – FEMA is awarding Kentucky Emergency Management a $570,000 grant through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) pre-disaster mitigation program for Fiscal Year 2020.

“This award for Kentucky will help to identify high-impact infrastructure and community-based projects that address the commonwealth’s unique risks,” said FEMA Region 4 Administrator Gracia Szczech. “The BRIC program represents a generational shift for FEMA with an increased investment in pre-disaster mitigation. Together with our state and local partners, we will build more resilient communities that can better withstand the impacts from weather events and other disasters.”

Three projects are included in the award for FY20.

• $320,000 federal share to update the Commonwealth’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.  
• $213,000 federal share to assist the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Office of Energy Policy to identify future mitigation projects geared toward energy.  
• $37,500 federal share for the City of Elizabethtown to conduct a study on expanding an existing detention basin at Elizabethtown High School. This could improve stormwater drainage and mitigate flooding in the low lying Henon Lane area.   

FEMA will pay 75% of the eligible project costs. The remaining 25% will be provided by the state or local community. 

For the BRIC program’s second year, FY 21, a total of $1.16 billion in mitigation funding is being made available. The increased funding will help to meet the ongoing demand for hazard mitigation across the nation and will enhance FEMA’s efforts to deliver benefits to historically underserved communities. Applications for FY 21 are currently undergoing review. To learn more about the BRIC grant program, visit www.fema.gov/bric. 

LACEY, Wash.– People living in a flood-prone area, specifically a Special Flood Hazard Area or floodway, who are receiving assistance from FEMA for a flood-damaged structure or its contents, must have and maintain flood insurance for the life of the structure to receive most types of future federal disaster assistance.

You may receive Group Flood Insurance coverage if you:

• Suffered property damage from the Nov. 5 – Dec. 2 declared disaster; 
• Are approved for FEMA disaster assistance; and
• You were denied a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Disaster-assistance applicants receive a minimum amount of building and/or contents coverage for a three-year policy period. A maximum coverage of $71,000 is currently provided. The premium will be part of your FEMA disaster assistance grant. You can upgrade your coverage—up to $250,000—by purchasing an individual flood insurance policy. If you choose to purchase an individual policy, your Group Flood Insurance will be canceled.

Renters will also receive Group Flood Insurance if they intend to return to their rental property. However, they must first notify FEMA of their intent to return by submitting a written statement or calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. A renter policy is not transferable to subsequent renters at the same address and does not travel with the renter to any new address.

The Flood Insurance Administration sends each eligible FEMA assistance recipient a Certificate of Flood Insurance as proof of flood-insurance coverage. Before the 36-month term concludes, those affected must buy individual flood insurance coverage or they will not be eligible for most types of federal assistance in a future flood event.

Approximately 60 days before the expiration of the three-year GFIP term, a third and final notice will be sent to certificate holders as a reminder to buy standard flood insurance. The notice also will advise recipients of the amount of coverage they must maintain to avoid risking their eligibility for future flood disaster assistance.

For more information regarding the Group Flood Insurance program or flood insurance in general, call 800-638-6620 (Option #2) or go online to floodsmart.gov.

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LACEY, Wash. – As eligible disaster survivors start to receive funds for rental assistance, home repairs, or other categories of assistance, FEMA urges you to spend those awards wisely.

FEMA will send you a notification letter informing you of the types of assistance you are eligible to receive, and the amounts of assistance FEMA is providing for each eligible need. These may include:

• Home repairs (e.g., structure, water, septic and sewage systems).
• Rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily.
• Repair or replacement of a damaged primary vehicle.
• Uninsured out-of-pocket medical expenses for an injury caused by the disaster.
• Repair or replacement of occupational specialized tools.
• Essential educational materials (e.g., computers, schoolbooks, supplies).
• Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster and other disaster-related expenses.

You may spend your FEMA award in ways that help you make your home safe, sanitary, and fit to live in. Remember to document how you used disaster funds and keep all receipts for at least three years for verification of how you spent the money.

Disaster awards are not for regular living expenses, such as utilities, food, travel, entertainment or any discretionary expenses not directly related to the disaster.

Homeowners and renters in Clallam, Skagit and Whatcom counties, the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, Quileute Tribe and all tribes in the designated areas can apply for FEMA assistance online at diasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA mobile app.

Several Disaster Recovery Centers are operating in designated areas to help with applications and recovery information. To find the nearest center, go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or call 800-621- 3362.

Disaster survivors have until March 7 to apply for FEMA assistance.

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

For more information about Washington flood and mudslide recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4635. Follow the FEMA Region 10 Twitter account at twitter.com/femaregion10.

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