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Proposed Jefferson County Flood Maps Reflect Changes to Local Flood Risk, Insurance Rates
DENVER – Unincorporated Jefferson County and the Cities of Lakewood, Edgewater and Wheat Ridge flood insurance rate map updates for Sanderson Gulch and Sloan’s Lake Drainageway and its Tributaries are nearing completion. The new maps will provide these areas with more accurate flood risk information that can help local officials and residents make informed decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance.
The mapping project is a joint effort between Unincorporated Jefferson County, the Cities of Lakewood, Edgewater, and Wheat Ridge, and the Mile High Flood District (MHFD). It is part of a nationwide effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce those risks.
Before new flood insurance rate maps become effective, there is a 90-day appeal period during which local residents and business owners can provide additional data for consideration before the maps are final. This appeal period starts on June 24, 2021, and ends September 22, 2021.
Officials encourage residents and business owners to review the proposed flood insurance rate maps to learn about local flood risks, potential future flood insurance requirements, and any concerns or questions about the information provided.
Appeal packages may be submitted during the 90-day appeal period. The sole basis of the appeal must include the possession of knowledge or information indicating that the proposed flood hazard determinations are scientifically and/or technically incorrect.
For further details on this process, contact information, and to view the preliminary mapping, visit https://mhfd.org/services/floodplain-management/2018-pmr/2018-jefferson-county-pmrs/. Preliminary mapping also may be viewed on FEMA’s Map Service Center by visiting https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload/. For questions, please contact the MHFD or your local floodplain administrator.
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jamie.casterton Wed, 06/16/2021 - 22:38FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell Delivers Speech at National Hurricane Conference
WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell delivered a speech on hurricane and disaster preparedness at the National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans. Other speakers were Ken Graham, Director, National Hurricane Center, Miami; James Waskom, Director, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Baton Rouge, La.; and Kevin Guthrie, Director, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Tallahassee, Fla.
Below is the administrator’s speech as prepared for delivery.
Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be here – in person – with all of you today.
I am so proud of this community because you embody the resilience this nation demonstrated during the last 18 months. We all know how difficult the last year and a half has been for everyone as we carried out our “normal” responsibilities AND simultaneously navigated the pandemic.
All of us have personal stories of how this pandemic affected our families, our friends, and our communities.
However, I have also seen this pandemic bring out the best in our communities; people adapting to new technologies to stay in contact with one another, and helping their family, friends, and neighbors through a situation none of us could have envisioned a year ago.
That spirit of community, of partnership, and caring for each other are going to be critical as we enter what is slated to be an extremely active hurricane season. It’s critical that the entire emergency management family – federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial - take the lessons we have learned and the innovative ways of delivering our mission during COVID and apply them moving forward.
This professional community of emergency managers is more than just people who help our neighbors during disasters. For many of us here today, our involvement in emergency services goes beyond the title. It represents a calling.
This dedication to our shared calling is an attribute our communities will continue to count on when they need support.
During my Senate confirmation hearing, I shared a goal to elevate and professionalize the field of emergency management by better defining what it means to be an emergency manager and building career paths for the nation's emergency management workforce.
As a firefighter in Colorado, the Commissioner of emergency management in New York City, a member of the Air National Guard, and through my previous work at FEMA, I recognize the diverse skill set necessary to be successful in our profession.
We are perpetual students of our craft, continually learning to be ready for and adapting to new missions. We demonstrate the value of teamwork, critical thinking, and creative problem solving. We are civic leaders who remember our past while planning for the future.
Emergency managers and first responders are the foundations of the communities we serve because we value the people in them. During disasters, the people who are impacted are not just survivors; they are our colleagues, our friends, our neighbors, and our families.
While we think through how to better serve our communities, we must also acknowledge where we have opportunities to improve.
We are at a pivotal point where we, as the emergency management community, have the opportunity to address two key priorities: climate change and equity.
In 2020, our nation not only endured one of the most active hurricane seasons in its history – but called on us to perform our duties amid a global pandemic.
We are now getting accustomed to a ‘new normal’ while the world continues to change before our eyes. Many of these challenges are exacerbated because of climate change. Weather patterns are telling us that the 2021 hurricane and wildfire seasons could be busy again. Now is the time to have honest and real conversations about what we can do together to achieve a more resilient and prepared nation.
As FEMA Administrator, I am committed to furthering FEMA’s role in addressing the effects of changing climate.
To accelerate this process, our resilience and mitigation efforts must be focused at the community and household level. With that in mind, I am excited to highlight two of our newest initiatives for building community resilience through hazard mitigation.
First, I’m pleased to announce a new mitigation funding program to help homeowners. Under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP), homeowners in areas covered by Presidential Disaster Declarations may now repair their homes in ways that will reduce the likelihood of future disaster damage.
These measures – which include enhanced roof repairs and elevating or relocating water heaters, furnaces and electrical panels -- will allow homeowners to recovery and make their homes more resilient to severe weather events, reducing disaster suffering and the likelihood future federal assistance will be needed.
Second, I am also excited that President Biden announced $1 billion in support of our Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program for pre-disaster hazard mitigation projects. This is double the amount of funding provided last year and a portion of these funds are targeted to historically underserved communities.
- I’m thrilled the BRIC program will begin to shift the federal focus from reactive disaster mitigation spending towards a proactive investment in system-wide community mitigation so when the next hurricane, flood, or wildfire comes, communities can better withstand the impacts.
We must also build a culture that understands resilience is a critical part of our day-to-day lives. Together, we can make this a reality by focusing on continuous improvement while striving toward local and national mitigation and preparedness goals.
For example, flooding is the most common and costly type of disaster in the United States. In fact, flooding and coastal storms account for roughly 70 percent of all Presidential Disaster Declarations over the past decade. Where it rains, it floods.
Knowing the true flood risk of a property is critical for homeowners to secure adequate insurance coverage, FEMA has made several improvements to transform the National Flood Insurance Program by reducing complexity and increasing transparency. These changes include a new pricing methodology for a more equitable program called Risk Rating 2.0 - Equity in Action.
The current rating methodology, while actuarially sound, has not changed since the 1970s. Since then, technology has evolved and so has FEMA’s understanding of flood risk.
Risk Rating 2.0 allows FEMA to provide individuals and communities with information to make more informed decisions on purchasing flood insurance and taking mitigation actions that may help lower rates. This may include elevating a structure on piles, installing flood openings, or moving machinery and equipment such as HVAC units above the first floor.
Risk Rating 2.0 will allow FEMA to distribute premiums more equitably across all policyholders based on the replacement cost vale and individual property’s flood risk.
It is impossible to do the work that FEMA does without our partners – federal agencies; the state, local, tribal and territorial partners; and others in the nonprofit and private sectors.
From the smallest rural volunteer fire department to emergency management agencies in our nation’s urban centers, this system of support strengthens our preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts.
You know your communities best because these are places you call home.
Our ability to partner across the emergency management system helps us do our jobs better and makes our response more effective.
However, we must also admit where we have more work to do. We cannot be shy about asking the equity question. It is a fact that disasters exacerbate pre-existing inequities that already existed before these events occur.
The question we have to ask ourselves is what we can do to provide all survivors, not just those who have the means, access to assistance.
Sometimes this inequity happens because certain communities don’t receive as much post-disaster aid. Sometimes it’s because these groups are in areas that are more susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Sometimes these groups have limited access to recovery programs or resources to help them get the assistance they seek.
In order to start addressing these systemic barriers, we are asking for your help. Through the end of July, we have a Request for Information on the FEMA dot gov webpage aimed at collecting your ideas for how to tackle this issue.
We also have to acknowledge our own limitations in this effort. FEMA’s assistance is not designed to solve societal inequities; however, we have an obligation as both stewards of taxpayer dollars, and to our mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters, of making sure that we focus on our historically disadvantaged and underserved communities.
A truly resilient nation can only exist when all communities reap the benefits of the help our emergency management system can provide.
For me, equity is not only about what we do for others, it’s also about the workforce I lead each and every day.
As we execute on our mission, we must also ensure equity across all FEMA operations. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not optional for us, they must be a core component of how we conduct ourselves.
One of the greatest FEMA strengths is our diverse workforce. We understand that to help individuals, we need to create an environment that is welcoming and takes our values beyond abstract concepts.
Just as diversity in our communities strengthens the fabric of our country, diversity in our workforce strengthens our agency. And as we want to hear from the nation through the RFI, we also want to make sure every FEMA employee has a voice and an opportunity to be heard.
We do this through a robust set of Federal Employee Resource Groups which allow staff from across the agency to take part in meaningful discussions and hear about the varied experiences and cultures we have at FEMA. For example:
- With our LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, I was pleased to be able to take part in this first ever ceremony to display the rainbow flag in FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center to mark the start of Pride Month.
- Our African American Employee Resource Group hosted listening sessions and discussions on the tragic death of George Floyd and the subsequent civil rights demonstrations. On Monday, the agency held a virtual Juneteenth event to help celebrate this important anniversary and African American heritage.
- These resource groups are not only for celebration purposes. In fact, following the tragic shooting and murder of Asian women in Georgia, our Asian American Employee Resource Group hosted listening sessions and discussions, which gave our staff a safe space to discuss their feelings and get support.
Equity is not just a lens for us internally at FEMA; we hope that you will embrace this challenge in your communities as well.
Another key priority is readiness. We know that preparedness is the cornerstone for a resilient community.
And within our communities, it’s also important to remember that preparedness starts at the individual level.
As everyone in this room is aware, there are simple guidelines all of us should follow to ensure our safety and the safety of our family, friends, and neighbors. But even though these actions are simple, they are worth repeating:
First, get vaccinated: The more people who are vaccinated, the more it will help us face the challenge of another hurricane season with pandemic conditions.
Second, make a plan: We need your help to make preparedness an important part of the conversation. Use your influence to elevate messages that help people learn how to prepare for disasters that might happen where you live, work, or visit.
Every one of us has a responsibility to prepare for disasters that are likely in our communities. No one knows this better than the Gulf Coast region.
Preparing for disasters can take some time to complete. The most important part of this step is that people start the planning process now, well before disasters strike.
Third, stay informed: We live in the most connected time in the history of our nation. We also know that timely and accurate information is critical to promoting the safety of our communities and we must use every tool at our disposal to get information to our communities to help protect them from harm.
- During COVID-19, FEMA made great strides in promoting accessibility - we provided phone interpretation services in more than 180 languages for non-English speakers who visited vaccination centers.
- While this is just a start, it will help promote our final safety guideline of:
Heeding evacuation warnings from local officials: If you have your community following the first three steps, this one follows naturally. … When told to evacuate – evacuate.
As emergency managers, it’s up to us to set the example in our communities. Help amplify the message and encourage those who may be hesitant to follow state/local evacuation orders.
Encourage individual preparedness at the local level and share your evacuation plans and other preparedness steps with family, friends, and neighbors and help them craft their own.
While everyone may not be able to keep a tank filled with gas or create “go bags” with emergency supplies it is possible to do some things little by little over time to increase preparedness every day.
The challenges some individuals have with preparedness may stem from how our messages are reaching their communities – if the messages are reaching them at all.
We deployed 18 mobile vaccination units to help reach traditionally underserved and more remote communities. We want to get the message – and help – to those that need it the most.
We also know that there will be times when a “one size fits all” approach doesn’t apply. One of the lessons we learned is that sometimes we need to make an extra effort to meet people where they are.
By working collaboratively with our state and local partners, we are proud to say that almost 58 percent of the vaccines in federal pilot CVCs were delivered to historically underserved populations.
And because we are still operating in a pandemic environment, we all need to be prepared to continue to protect public health during disaster response and recovery operations.
FEMA recently rereleased the Pandemic Operational Guidance based on your feedback in order to provide emergency managers with actionable guidance, resources, and lessons learned to prepare for response and recovery operations amidst COVID-19.
We will continue to adapt our operations and program delivery to expedite services, support, and assistance to your communities while protecting the health and safety of disaster survivors and our workforce.
In closing, COVID-19 challenged the ways emergency managers across the country needed to think, react, and execute. The unprecedented scale of the pandemic produced challenges that we collectively innovated, collaborated, and managed ourselves through.
These lessons must not be forgotten, and we owe it to ourselves and the nation to internalize them in both theory and practice as we strive to build a more holistic emergency management system. Our collective mission is too important not to.
As we continue to persevere, we take solace in coming away from this experience smarter, stronger and more resilient than ever. Our work as emergency managers is the epitome of courage and a shining example of what it means to serve our nation every single day.
Just as you have demonstrated bravery in your work. I challenge everyone here today to be brave in our efforts to address climate change, to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion, and to continue delivering our missions with dignity and respect.
Thank you.
mayshaunt.gary Wed, 06/16/2021 - 20:57Preliminary Flood Maps for Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana Ready for Public View
DENTON, Texas – Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in all communities and unincorporated areas of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.
Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the appeal and comment periods for the maps.
This is Terrebonne Parish’s first complete set of digital FIRMs. These maps serve multiple purposes, including defining Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) and setting rates for flood insurance. SFHAs are areas at high risk for flooding. Communities and residents can use the information to make informed decisions about building, development and flood insurance.
FEMA stresses that flooding can and does happen outside of the most vulnerable areas.
Review the preliminary flood maps by visiting the local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify community FPAs. Specialists are available by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
The preliminary maps may also be viewed online:
- The Flood Map Changes Viewer at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
- FEMA Map Service Center at http://msc.fema.gov/portal
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 at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Cost-saving options are available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about flood insurance options by talking with an insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.
Carmen.Castro Wed, 06/16/2021 - 19:16Preliminary Flood Maps for Lafourche Parish, Louisiana Ready for Public View
DENTON, Texas – Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in all communities and unincorporated areas of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.
Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the appeal and comment periods for the maps.
This is Lafourche Parish’s first complete set of digital FIRMs. These maps serve multiple purposes, including defining Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) and setting rates for flood insurance. SFHAs are areas at high risk for flooding. Communities and residents can use the information to make informed decisions about building, development and flood insurance.
FEMA stresses that flooding can and does happen outside of the most vulnerable areas.
Review the preliminary flood maps by visiting the local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify community FPAs. Specialists are available by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
The preliminary maps may also be viewed online:
- The Flood Map Changes Viewer at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
- FEMA Map Service Center at http://msc.fema.gov/portal
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 at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Cost-saving options are available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about flood insurance options by talking with an insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.
Carmen.Castro Wed, 06/16/2021 - 19:11FEMA Administrator Releases Video Message to the Public for Assistance in Strengthening Programs
WASHINGTON -- To help gain additional responses to FEMA’s public Request for Information, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell released a video message today urging stakeholders, community groups and general citizens to help shape the agency’s future.
This request for information asks 16 questions that will help to inform and change the agency’s future delivery of programs, help strengthen our resilience to climate change and ensure we are advancing equity in underserved communities.
“This is one of my top priorities for this administration and I want to hear from you,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “We want to know what we can do to make our programs better and more equitable. I’ve seen disasters first hand, and I’ve seen the disproportionate impact on communities that these disasters have. We have an opportunity right now and we should embrace the fact that we have this opportunity to listen to you and make changes to our programs.”
Feedback to these questions can help identify areas where the agency’s programs can be modified to better align with President Biden’s Executive Orders 13985, 13990, and 14008. The public comment period is open until July 21.
FEMA believes it is essential to continually reevaluate its programs to reduce unnecessary barriers to participation and effectiveness, to serve all communities, increase equity and promote preparedness.
mayshaunt.gary Wed, 06/16/2021 - 18:43
FEMA Awards Town of Hillsboro Beach $3.32 Million for Hurricane Dorian Beach Renourishment
ORLANDO, Fla. – FEMA has approved a grant of $3,327,758 for the State of Florida to help the Town of Hillsboro Beach defray the cost of repairing beach and dune erosion associated with Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
FEMA Public Assistance program funds will reimburse the town for the cost of installing more than 64,000 cubic yards of engineered beach sand along approximately 1.1 miles of beach. The project also included replacement of three vessel exclusion buoys to protect beachgoers from watercraft.
The program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations, including some houses of worship, so 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 Public Assistance 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 subrecipients such as local and county governments.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
barbara.murien… Wed, 06/16/2021 - 18:16Two FEMA Region 10 Youth Join 2021-2022 Youth Preparedness Council
BOTHELL, Wash. – FEMA announced the 2021–2022 Youth Preparedness Council members and two are from FEMA Region 10, Miles Butler of Idaho and Shivani Jayaprakasam of Washington. Members are selected based on their dedication to public service, community involvement and their engagement efforts in community resilience throughout the country. FEMA created the council in 2012 to bring together diverse young leaders interested in strengthening disaster preparedness across the nation and within their communities.
The council supports FEMA’s commitment to build a culture of preparedness in the United States and provides an avenue to engage young people by considering their perspectives, feedback and opinions. Council members meet with FEMA staff throughout their term to provide input on strategies, initiatives and projects.
Miles is excited to engage with other youth, “I want youth to know how easy it is to prepare and how much preparedness could do for them and their families. I always remind myself preparedness saves lives.”
This year, each council member will participate in the Youth Preparedness Council Summit held virtually in late July. During this annual event, members will participate in online preparedness activities; learn from senior leaders in national preparedness; and engage with FEMA community preparedness staff who offer support and mentorship throughout their term.
Shivani is eager for the upcoming summit and to work with teenagers focused on emergency management. “If nothing else, 2020 has shown us that disasters can happen anytime, and we need to be prepared before the next disaster strikes. Preparedness education begins at a young age and creates a future generation of prepared individuals.”
The 2021-2022 council members are:
Nyl Aziaya of Alabama.
Nico Bremeau of California.
Isaac Doll of Colorado.
Aubrey Dockins of Florida.
Miles Butler of Idaho.
Devangana Rana of Illinois.
Vishnu Iyer of Indiana.
Beitris Boyreau-Millar of Maryland.
Ranjana Ramesh of Massachusetts.
Hunter Tobey of Massachusetts.
Amanda Hingorani of Nebraska.
Mirika Jambudi of New Jersey.
Megan Cameron of New York.
Amira Seay of Texas.
Shivani Jayaprakasam of Washington.
Each year, 15 teens serve on this distinguished council. The next application cycle will open in early 2022. Teens in the eighth through 11th grades may apply online at https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/apply-to-ypc
To learn more about FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council, visit: http://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.
mayshaunt.gary Wed, 06/16/2021 - 17:15FEMA approves $5.9 million in Hurricane Michael Public Assistance grants
PENSACOLA, Fla -- FEMA has approved grants totaling $5,926,692 to reimburse recovery expenses in Florida for Hurricane Michael in 2018.
Funding from FEMA’s Public Assistance program will provide the following reimbursements:
- Florida Department of Corrections: $2,228,169 for evacuating and relocating inmates to temporary facilities and work release centers from Oct. 7, 2018 to Oct. 11, 2019.
- Florida Department of Management Services: $1,585,045 for the costs of relocating Jackson County Sheriff's office and 911 essential emergency services, as well as making repairs and upgrades to the facility to make it operational.
- First United Methodist Church in Panama City: $2,113,478 for replacing and repairing the church’s sanctuary, learning center, great hall and offices.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the program and reviews projects prior to FEMA final approval.
Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects to FDEM after final approval.
Once a project is obligated, FDEM works closely with applicants to finalize grants and begin making payments. FDEM has procedures in place designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
barbara.murien… Wed, 06/16/2021 - 15:44FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Robertson Draw Fire
DENVER – Early Wednesday morning, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Robertson Draw Fire burning in Carbon County, Montana near Red Lodge and Belfry.
FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Nancy Dragani approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) after receiving the request early this morning and determining that the fire threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disaster.
At the time of the request, the Robertson Draw Fire was threatening 450 homes, which were under an evacuation order, as well as 312 buildings, infrastructure, utilities, and equipment in the area. The fire started on June 13 and has burned more than 10,000 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. It is a reimbursable program. 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.
When there is an 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.
minh.phan Wed, 06/16/2021 - 14:52Vermont Receives $1.9 Million Federal Grant for Emergency Feeding During the Coronavirus Pandemic
REGION 1 – FEMA reimbursed the Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) $1,901,466 recently for the state’s Emergency Feeding Program during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
FEMA provided funds through a grant awarded by its Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program. The grant covered 100% of the Emergency Feeding Program’s eligible costs submitted by AHS from Jan. 1 through April 27 for work by the Vermont Foodbank (www.vtfoodbank.org), the largest hunger-relief organization in the state. FEMA’s PA Program reimburses eligible applicants for actions taken in the immediate response to and during recovery from a major disaster.
AHS contracted with Barre-based, Vermont Foodbank for emergency feeding services to Vermonters in need related to Farmers to Families Food Box Programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Vermont. The costs incurred in this project were above and beyond what USDA would cover. The foodbank distributed food boxes to local distribution centers.
“We are pleased to provide funds to reimburse the State of Vermont for the tremendous efforts it took to help feed Vermonters during the coronavirus pandemic this year,” said Acting Region 1 Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Paul Ford, who oversees FEMA’s operations throughout New England. “We have reimbursed our valued state partner more than $5.8 million for its Emergency Feeding Program this year.”
This is the third PA Program grant in 2021 for Vermont’s Emergency Feeding Program. On May 18, FEMA announced a $1,947,350 grant to the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD). That grant covered the innovative Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE) Program, which provided nutritious meals to high-risk populations impacted by COVID-19 throughout Vermont from March 15 through April 11. Previously, the agency announced a $1,972,612 grant to ACCD which covered the VEE Program for high-risk populations impacted by coronavirus statewide from Jan. 18 through March 14.
As of June 16, FEMA’s PA Program obligated more than $232 million in 115 projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Vermont.
Eligible applicants for the PA Program include states, commonwealths, localities, certain types of private non-profit organizations, federally recognized Tribes and territories. Additional information about the program is 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
adrien.urbani Wed, 06/16/2021 - 14:39$2.3 Million Awarded to Reimburse Repair Costs for Duplin County Roads Damaged by Hurricane Florence
RALEIGH, N.C. – The State of North Carolina and FEMA have approved $2,370,881 to reimburse the state’s Department of Transportation for the repair of roads in Duplin County damaged by Hurricane Florence in 2018.
Funding from FEMA’s Public Assistance Program partially reimburses the costs for labor and materials, including stone and asphalt repairs to road surfaces, replacement of culverts and restoration of embankments.
FEMA’s share of the cost for this project is $1,778,161 and the state’s share is $592,720. FEMA covers 75 percent of eligible costs and the remaining 25 percent is paid for by the state. The federal share is paid directly to the state to disburse to agencies, local governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations that incurred costs.
For more information on North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Florence, visit ncdps.gov/Florence and FEMA.gov/Disaster/4393. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4
neily.chapman Wed, 06/16/2021 - 14:04FEMA, State approve $29.6 million for Baldwin County debris removal after Hurricane Sally
CLANTON, Ala -- FEMA and the State of Alabama have approved $29,636,980 to reimburse Baldwin County for debris removal after Hurricane Sally.
During the incident period, Hurricane Sally made landfall with hurricane force winds, and heavy rain, which deposited significant debris throughout the state of Alabama. This created an immediate threat to the health and safety of the general public. In response to the event, the county utilized contracts and forced labor account labor and equipment to conduct the debris removal and monitoring in the heavily impacted areas. The debris removal operations collected approximately 1,950,831 cubic yards of vegetative debris and 137,067 CY of construction and demolition debris, from county roads, right-of-ways and public property throughout the jurisdiction. The applicant contractors, removed the debris to thirteen temporary staging areas, mulched, with final removal to four permitted landfill facilities.
This work for debris removal was performed during the period of 11/1/2020 through 12/31/2020.
FEMA’s share of the grant is 75 percent, or $21,968,161 with the remainder funded by state and local and county governments. This in addition to the $32 million already obligated to the county totals $54.4 million in FEMA funds to reimburse the county for their eligible disaster related expenses.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly recover from major disasters or emergencies.
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects. Applicants work directly with FEMA to identify damages, develop project worksheets, develop scopes of work, and provide required documentation to validate eligible damages and costs. Once the applicant provides the required documentation and it is validated FEMA can begin dispersing funds. Following approvals by FEMA and AEMA, FEMA obligates funding for the project.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
brianasummer.fenton Wed, 06/16/2021 - 14:03$2.4 Million Awarded to Reimburse Repair Costs for Sampson County Roads Damaged by Hurricane Florence
RALEIGH, N.C. – The State of North Carolina and FEMA have approved $2,480,566 to reimburse the state’s Department of Transportation for the repair of roads in Sampson County damaged by Hurricane Florence in 2018.
Funding from FEMA’s Public Assistance Program partially reimburses the costs for stone and asphalt repairs to road surfaces, as well as replacement of guardrails, headwalls, pipes and culverts and restoration of embankments.
FEMA’s share of the cost for this project is $1,860,424 and the state’s share is $620,142. FEMA covers 75 percent of eligible costs and the remaining 25 percent is paid for by the state. The federal share is paid directly to the state to disburse to agencies, local governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations that incurred costs.
For more information on North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Florence, visit ncdps.gov/Florence and FEMA.gov/Disaster/4393. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.
neily.chapman Wed, 06/16/2021 - 14:01More Than $3.7 Million in Federal Grants Reimbursed to Boston Housing Authority and The City of Boston For Their Emergency Feeding Program
REGION 1 – FEMA and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency recently announced two federal grants for feeding Bostonians who experienced food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Together, the two grants provided over $3.7 million reimbursing the Boston Housing Authority and the City of Boston for their emergency feeding programs. Both grants covered 100% of the eligible costs submitted to FEMA. The Boston Housing Authority is a public agency of the City of Boston.
A $1,773,736 grant was awarded to the Boston Housing Authority to help feed many vulnerable residents from Sept. 1, 2020 through Jan. 31, 2021. The program provided prepared meals to qualified individuals and families, including seniors, low-income families and those social distancing and quarantining.
Boston Housing Authority officials envisioned this program, enrolled participants and oversaw the program. It was created for residents at more than 30 properties who were not being serviced by other meal programs. In partnership with City Fresh Foods, YMCA of Greater Boston, Commonwealth Kitchen and Haley House, prepared meals were distributed to participating families at designated sites. In this part of the program, about 10,000 meals were prepared and delivered per week at full capacity.
A $1,956,060 grant was awarded to the City for groceries bought and distributed to help feed thousands in need from Sept. 14 through Dec. 31, 2020. The program provided nutritious food every week to approved individuals and families in underserved populations. About 3,000 households per week were served.
The city’s Age Strong Commission staff managed this program’s enrollment of individuals and families, maintained a database of all who received deliveries and detailed any follow-up required. Commission staff coordinated daily with partner About Fresh to purchase, package and deliver groceries.
Both projects were funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which reimburses eligible applicants for actions taken in the immediate response to and during recovery from a major disaster. Eligible applicants include commonwealths, states, federally recognized Tribal governments, local governments and certain private non-profit organizations.
These Public Assistance Program project applications were submitted by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. FEMA awarded funding for these projects directly to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, which worked directly with the applicants to ensure all terms and conditions of the awards were met before funds were disbursed.
“We are pleased to provide funds to help accomplish the mission of feeding Bostonians who were struggling during coronavirus pandemic,” said Acting Region 1 Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Paul Ford, who oversees FEMA’s operations throughout New England. “We will continue to work closely with the City of Boston, the Boston Housing Authority, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as our shared efforts to respond to the pandemic continues.”
As of June 14, FEMA’s Public Assistance Program obligated more than $736.1 million in 293 projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts. Additional information about the program is 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
adrien.urbani Wed, 06/16/2021 - 13:33FEMA Approves $16.6 Million for Water Distribution and Control Facilities
A portion of these funds will go towards projects in Culebra and Santa Isabel, while PRASA’s Central Laboratory advances in its construction
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded nearly $5 million for construction work at three important water distribution and control facilities. This obligation will repair 12 land irrigation pumps in Santa Isabel and a flood control channel in Culebra.
“These projects address issues of vital importance related to the safety and quality of drinking water consumed in Puerto Rico, the protection of a vulnerable population in the island municipality of Culebra, as well as investing in machinery that will allow to intensify production in the agricultural sector,” said Puerto Rico Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José G. Baquero.
Among the water control projects already underway, one of the most significant is the Central Laboratory of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), which is responsible for analyzing the purity of drinking water and providing the proper treatment of wastewater in Puerto Rico.
The Agency allocated close to $1 million to demolish the original structure that was devastated after Hurricane María, and to begin engineering studies and construct a new building, work that began earlier this year. Meanwhile, an additional $2.6 million was assigned to habilitate a temporary facility in the premises of the building in Caguas, so that the laboratory would remain operational.
“The proposed project consists of the design and construction of a new 47,500 square foot building, in compliance with Puerto Rico's new building codes. This laboratory will benefit all the Authority's customers, both residential and commercial. The Central Laboratory analyzes compliance parameters required by state and federal regulations,” said PRASA Executive President Doriel Pagán Crespo.
On the other hand, nearly $2.9 million was allocated to the Puerto Rico Land Authority (PRLA) to repair 12 irrigation systems that sustain the productive quality of agricultural land in the Santa Isabel valley. The ATPR is the guardian and administrator of over 85,000 acres of agricultural land in Puerto Rico.
One of the agricultural businesses benefiting from this allocation is a 1,200-acre farm that produces about 6,300 tons of mangos annually for the local market and for export to the United States and Europe. These funds will be used to replace the system’s pumps and filters, repair its electrical infrastructure and rehabilitate the building that houses the pumps. In addition, to avoid the effect of future damage, the obligation includes nearly $26,000 for mitigation upgrades, which will reinforce the building with stronger construction materials.
“Improving the Land Authority's irrigation system is going to have a great impact on our productions and is going to be of great benefit to the stability of the crops. For a farmer it is fundamental to improve the irrigation system,” said agronomist Petra Rivera of MS Mango Farm.
Likewise, in Culebra, an obligation of over $2.1 million will help repair and improve the Resaca Channel, an intermittent creek that was created to protect the airport and roads from flash floods. Built in 1950, the water channel is over a kilometer long and protects over 500 residents of the Villa Muñeco community of Barrio Flamenco.
“Being a small island, the airport is extremely important to sustain our economy, as well as to transport us quickly between islands, especially in emergency situations”, explained Ariel Vázquez, a businessowner and resident of the Villa Muñeco sector.
In addition to repairing and building the water channel – work that includes replacing part of the embankment and building concrete sidewalks – over $312,000 will be used to reinforce the structure with steel and increase the thickness of the retaining walls.
Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), said that these projects will address situations that for years have affected thousands of citizens. “At COR3 we will offer the necessary assistance in matters related to the development of these projects,” Laboy Rivera added.
For more information 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.
frances.acevedo-pico Wed, 06/16/2021 - 11:42
FEMA Awards Orange County $1.36 Million for Hurricane Irma Costs
ORLANDO, Fla. – FEMA has approved a grant of $1,363,158 for the State of Florida to help Orange County defray costs associated with Hurricane Irma in 2017.
FEMA Public Assistance program funds will reimburse the county for administrative costs of tracking and accounting for labor, equipment, materials and other expenses after the storm.
The program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations, including some houses of worship, so 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 Public Assistance 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 subrecipients such as local and county governments.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
barbara.murien… Tue, 06/15/2021 - 20:26FEMA Announces 2021-2022 Youth Preparedness Council
WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA announced the 2021–2022 Youth Preparedness Council members. FEMA selected nine new members to join six returning council members. Members are selected based on their dedication to public service, community involvement and potential to increase levels of community resilience throughout the country.
FEMA created the council in 2012 to bring together diverse young leaders interested in strengthening disaster preparedness across the nation and within their communities.
The new 2021 council members are:
- Isaac Doll of Colorado.
- Aubrey Dockins of Florida.
- Miles Butler of Idaho.
- Beitris Boyreau-Millar of Maryland.
- Ranjana Ramesh of Massachusetts.
- Mirika Jambudi of New Jersey.
- Megan Cameron of New York.
- Amira Seay of Texas.
- Shivani Jayaprakasam of Washington.
The returning council members are:
- Nyl Aziaya of Alabama.
- Nico Bremeau of California.
- Devangana Rana of Illinois.
- Vishnu Iyer of Indiana.
- Hunter Tobey of Massachusetts.
- Amanda Hingorani of Nebraska.
The council supports FEMA’s commitment to build a culture of preparedness in the United States and provides an avenue to engage young people by considering their perspectives, feedback and opinions. Council members meet with FEMA staff throughout their term to provide input on strategies, initiatives and projects.
This year, each council member will participate in the Youth Preparedness Council Summit held virtually in late July. During this annual event, members will participate in online preparedness activities; learn from senior leaders in national preparedness; and engage with FEMA community preparedness staff who offer support and mentorship throughout their term.
Each year, 15 teens serve on this distinguished council. The next application cycle will open in early 2022. Teens in the eighth through 11th grades may apply online at https://community.fema.gov/applytoYPC.
To learn more about FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council, visit: http://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.
mayshaunt.gary Tue, 06/15/2021 - 19:39Don’t Delay, Apply for FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program Today
PHILADELPHIA – The COVID-19 pandemic has been incredibly difficult for all Americans, but even more so for those who lost a loved one to the virus. The unexpected and sometimes sudden loss of a loved one has placed a heavy burden on many thousands of Americans.
FEMA is offering help through the establishment of the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program. This new program allows eligible funeral expenses to be reimbursed directly to the loved ones who incurred those expenses. Individuals who apply may receive up to $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 for multiple funerals that occurred within the same state or territory. The sooner people with eligible expenses begin their application, the sooner they can receive their reimbursement. “When people think of FEMA’s role in the COVID-19 response, they often think of the work we have done to get shots in arms. That is an important and ongoing mission, but there are other ways we offer support,” said FEMA Region 3 Acting Regional Administrator Janice Barlow. “Our hearts go out to those grieving the loss of a loved one to COVID-19. We hope that, through our Funeral Assistance Program, FEMA can help ease some of that burden.”
One of the most important steps for individuals interested in applying is to first understand the program’s eligibility and documentation requirements.
To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions:
- The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
- The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
- The person applying on behalf of the deceased individual must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, we encourage you to gather the following documentation and have it ready when you start your application:
- An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
- Funeral expenses documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened.
- Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. We are not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources.
The program does reimburse eligible expenses; however, patience is encouraged upon submitting your application. It can take several weeks from the time all the necessary documentation has been collected for the funds to be disbursed. The best way to reduce the wait and speed up the process is to be prepared with all of the required paperwork when you start the process. After you apply, stay tuned for any communications from FEMA as there may be follow-up questions needed to continue processing the application.
How to Apply
Call this dedicated toll-free phone number to get a COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application completed with help from FEMA's representatives. Multilingual services will be available.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number
Applications began on April 12, 2021 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
If you use a relay service, such as your videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, please provide your specific number assigned to that service. It is important that FEMA is able to contact you, and you should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. We serve the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
amanda.hancher Tue, 06/15/2021 - 17:09
FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance nears $280 million
WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided more than $278 million to over 41,000 people for COVID-19-related funeral costs reimbursements.
The national average for an award is $6,756, as nearly 2,500 FEMA employees continue working with applicants to manually review every application, determining eligibility each week.
“Applications” in the below chart reflect the number of individuals who called to begin the process for assistance. Once an individual applies, FEMA sends a letter outlining the required documentation needed to process their application. The process to determine eligibility starts after an applicant submits all required documentation. FEMA developed a process to ensure applicants have ample time to collect and submit required documents for assistance. While some jurisdictions provide or amend death certificates in four to six weeks, others may take longer. FEMA will make calls and send additional letters reminding applicants of the required documents.
Please find below state-specific information:
Applications
Amount Approved
Number of Awards
ALABAMA
4,974
$6,113,924
859
ALASKA
100
$60,834
10
AMERICAN SAMOA
4
$0
0
ARIZONA
3,648
$2,652,357
483
ARKANSAS
2,079
$2,711,798
416
CALIFORNIA
23,627
$25,840,240
3,861
COLORADO
1,585
$1,240,511
212
COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANAS
3
$4,344
1
CONNECTICUT
2,724
$4,825,250
670
DELAWARE
658
$831,673
128
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
435
$623,395
87
FLORIDA
12,312
$14,959,365
2,582
GEORGIA
8,176
$9,074,164
1,286
GUAM
8
$20,436
3
HAWAII
213
$160,563
26
IDAHO
431
$474,678
84
ILLINOIS
9,126
$13,574,040
1,959
INDIANA
3,768
$3,708,440
517
IOWA
1,993
$3,043,548
406
KANSAS
1,815
$2,526,574
367
KENTUCKY
2,903
$3,035,654
418
LOUISIANA
4,067
$4,538,441
647
MAINE
255
$199,706
42
MARYLAND
4,321
$5,525,551
791
MASSACHUSETTS
4,494
$5,361,035
757
MICHIGAN
7,331
$7,927,704
1,265
MINNESOTA
2,063
$2,623,577
376
MISSISSIPPI
3,571
$3,490,917
493
MISSOURI
3,714
$3,981,271
579
MONTANA
370
$203,848
42
NEBRASKA
925
$1,662,347
227
NEVADA
1,855
$1,511,385
270
NEW HAMPSHIRE
511
$590,704
95
NEW JERSEY
9,482
$13,037,554
1,825
NEW MEXICO
1,192
$860,054
157
NEW YORK
20,431
$31,103,630
4,347
NORTH CAROLINA
6,388
$10,265,947
1,536
NORTH DAKOTA
543
$576,291
75
OHIO
7,464
$13,634,662
2,095
OKLAHOMA
3,073
$4,293,985
626
OREGON
628
$779,900
155
PENNSYLVANIA
10,046
$14,414,099
2,174
PUERTO RICO
909
$110,189
29
RHODE ISLAND
962
$1,957,193
275
SOUTH CAROLINA
4,521
$4,990,636
692
SOUTH DAKOTA
567
$939,870
122
TENNESSEE
5,383
$5,868,190
819
TEXAS
19,643
$29,403,331
4,385
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
19
$21,549
3
UTAH
813
$1,207,861
174
VERMONT
110
$140,721
24
VIRGINIA
4,751
$6,014,766
887
WASHINGTON
1,384
$1,264,586
218
WEST VIRGINIA
1,112
$1,118,971
151
WISCONSIN
3,593
$3,205,225
459
WYOMING
187
$352.133
60
* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. ET 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. 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. Please note, phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Those calling the COVID-19 funeral assistance helpline wait less than seven seconds before being routed to a live agent after listening to a recorded message. And once the applicant submits all required documentation, FEMA is able to make an eligibility determination in less than 30 days.
Additional information about COVID-19 funeral assistance, including frequently asked questions, is available on FEMA.gov.
mayshaunt.gary Mon, 06/14/2021 - 20:51FEMA Rental Assistance May Help Renters and Homeowners Who Need a Place to Stay
BATON ROUGE, La. – For Louisiana renters and homeowners who cannot live in their homes because of the severe storms, tornados and flooding in May, FEMA rental assistance may help. The initial rental award is for two months and may be reviewed for further assistance.
FEMA rental assistance is a temporary grant to survivors to pay for somewhere to live while they repair or rebuild their home. For renters, it may provide a solution while their lodging is under repair or while they look for a new place to rent.
Options include renting an apartment, home or travel trailer that can keep survivors near their jobs, schools, homes and places of worship. Housing is in short supply, so it may take time for survivors to find a suitable replacement home.
Funds can be used for security deposits, rent and the cost of essential utilities such as electricity, gas and water. They may not be used for to pay for cable or Internet.
Survivors who live in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville or Lafayette parishes, follow these steps if your home is uninhabitable and you need a place to stay:
- File a claim with your insurance company. Your homeowners or renters insurance company will provide a settlement document that you will need to provide to FEMA. It may take time to get this document, so file your claim as soon as possible. Also, check with your insurance agent to see if your policy covers additional living expenses (ALE). ALE may pay for relocating to a temporary residence.
- Apply for FEMA assistance right away. If you have insurance, tell FEMA and submit your settlement documents for review once you receive them. FEMA cannot determine your final eligibility status until this information is complete. If your policy does not include ALE, or if you use up this coverage and you still cannot live in your home, you may be eligible for rental assistance from FEMA. You can apply by going online to disasterassistance.gov, by downloading the FEMA app or by calling the Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).
A FEMA inspector may contact you to make an appointment to inspect the damage on the outside of the home and to record your information on any damage inside. Inspectors may look through windows to see visible damage but will not go inside.
Keep your receipts for three years to show how you spent FEMA grants. If grant money is not used as outlined in the letter, you may have to repay FEMA and could lose eligibility for further federal assistance.
Extensions on rental assistance may be granted for three-month periods up to a maximum of 18 months from the date of the FEMA disaster declaration.
It is important to keep FEMA updated with your contact information and housing status. If you have any questions, you can always call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).
For the latest information on the May 17-21 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4606. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.
stuart.lewis Mon, 06/14/2021 - 19:26Pages
