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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The FEMA Public Assistance grants include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Small Business Administration assistance

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

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

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

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

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

DENVER – Colorado saw devastating wildfires this year, with three of the state’s largest wildfires in history being recorded. Although the flames are now largely contained, people and communities are at risk for another threat, flooding.  Wildfires leave the ground charred and unable to absorb water. This creates a flash flooding potential for years to come, even in areas that rarely experienced flooding in the past. Sometimes these flash floods can pick up ash and large debris, turning into mudflows that are highly destructive.

Unlike many causes of damage, flooding and mudflows are generally not covered by a homeowners’ policy.  An uninsured flood loss can eat into your life’s savings.  Floods are the most common and expensive natural disaster in the U.S.  Just an inch of water in an average-sized home can cause $25,000 in damage.  A National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy protects against such losses and can ensure that a flood doesn’t bring financial ruin.

Flood insurance is easy to get, the only requirement is that you live in an NFIP participating community. These include cities, counties and other jurisdictions that manage development.  You don’t need to live in a floodplain to purchase a policy.  If you live outside a floodplain, insurance will likely cost less than for those living in a higher risk area. 

Buyers should be aware of the 30-day waiting period for an NFIP policy to go into effect.  It is important to purchase a policy now to protect your property against the continuing threat of flooding.  You can usually purchase flood insurance from your current agent.  If that isn’t possible, NFIP representatives can help you find one.

As with any insurance, be sure to talk with your agent about the specifics of your policy. Find out more about your risk and flood insurance at www.floodsmart.gov. To purchase flood insurance or find an agent, call 1-800-427-4661.

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

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion8.

PENSACOLA, Fla. – FEMA reminds Panhandle residents who have received federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Sally to use the money for its intended purpose and to keep receipts for three years.

Disaster assistance is intended to help residents meet basic disaster-related needs. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.

If applicants spend the payment on anything other than the purpose for which it is intended, they may be denied future disaster assistance. In some cases, FEMA may ask that the money be returned.

Those receiving assistance are urged to keep receipts for their disaster spending for three years to document that the money was used to meet disaster-related needs. If recipients receive an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, they must reimburse FEMA. Audits are conducted to confirm funds were spent properly.

Disaster survivors in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties with uninsured losses can apply by:

• Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov;
• Downloading the FEMA App; or by
• Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local 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.

The deadline to register is Dec. 1, 2020.

For more information about Hurricane Sally recovery in Florida, visit the FEMA disaster webpage at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4564 or the Florida Division of Emergency Management webpage at https://www.floridadisaster.org/info/.

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

ARECIBO, Puerto Rico — Due to the recent disaster declaration regarding September 13 flooding in the municipality of Arecibo, a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open on 8 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. There, survivors can submit documents for their FEMA assistance applications. The DRC will be located at the Manuel G. “Petaca” Iguina Coliseum, in the Paseos Reales urbanization.

At the DRC, survivors will find representatives from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, along with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) specialists.

In order to follow social distancing recommendations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DRC will operate in a way that protects the safety of survivors and FEMA employees. Visitors will have the option of using the drive-thru service where they can remain inside their vehicles while they receive assistance.

Even when using the drive-thru, people must wear a mask or face covering and maintain social distancing protocols. Federal staff will also wear masks, face shields and gloves.

The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except for November 19 when the DRC will be closed due to the local holiday. The center will resume operations on Friday, November 20. An appointment to visit the DRC can be made by calling the FEMA help line at 800-621-3362. The drive-thru is available during these hours of operation without an appointment.

Survivors can apply or update their application in the following ways:

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Press 2 for a Spanish-speaking operator. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
• Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online. If you have an Apple device: Text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA). For those with an Android device: Text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA). For more information go to: www.fema.gov/mobile-app.

For more information on recovery from these floods, visit fema.gov/disaster/4571 and recuperacion.pr. Follow us on our social networks at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center opens in Madera County Tuesday, Nov. 17, for five days to serve wildfire survivors.

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

It is located at Mountain Christian Center Church, 40299 Highway 49, Oakhurst, CA 96344. It will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 through Saturday, Nov. 21.

The centers are temporary sites to support survivors with disaster information. They offer an optional opportunity for survivors to register, especially those without access to internet or telephone service.

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

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

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

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

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Individuals and households with losses due to the wildfires in Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, Napa, San Bernardino, San Diego, Shasta, Siskiyou and Sonoma counties have one month left to register for assistance from FEMA. The deadline is Dec. 16, 2020.

 FEMA monetary awards help eligible survivors pay for rent, home repair/replacement and many other serious disaster-related needs, including replacement or repair of vehicles, funeral expenses, medical or dental expenses and miscellaneous other costs. To be reimbursed by FEMA, survivors should photograph damage and save repair receipts.

Survivors should contact their insurers and file a claim for the disaster-caused damage before they register with FEMA. Survivors with insurance should register with FEMA even when they aren’t yet certain whether they will be eligible. FEMA may be able to help with costs that insurance doesn’t cover. The agency can determine eligibility once an applicant’s insurance claim is settled—but there won’t be any FEMA reimbursement for those who fail to register by the Dec. 16 deadline. FEMA cannot pay insurance deductibles.

Survivors can register with FEMA for federal aid in one of three ways:

• Online at disasterassistance.gov;
• By downloading the FEMA app to a smartphone or tablet; or
• By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. PST. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to that service when they register.

The helpline staff can also answer questions about applications already submitted.

 To register you will need the following information:

• Social Security number
• Insurance policy information
• Address of the damaged primary dwelling
• A description of disaster-caused damage and losses
• Current mailing address
• Current telephone number
• Total household annual income
• Routing and account number of your checking or savings account (for direct transfer of funds to your bank account)

 After you register, FEMA will email you a temporary PIN that you can use to create an account at DisasterAssistance.gov. The account will enable you to check the status of your application, view messages from FEMA, update your personal information and upload documents FEMA may need to determine your eligibility for grants.

If you are unable to upload your documents, mail them to FEMA at P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville MD 20782-8055 or fax them to 800-827-8112.

 Inspections

During COVID-19, inspections will be conducted by phone. Remote inspections are comparable to traditional, in-person inspections and can expedite recovery assistance, based on eligibility. For security purposes, the inspector will verify your identity by asking a series of qualifying questions and then provide you with the first four digits of your application number to complete verification.

 If you reported that you cannot safely live in your home, a FEMA inspector will contact you by phone and ask about the type and extent of damage sustained. Survivors with minimal damage who can live in their homes will not automatically be scheduled for a home inspection when applying to FEMA, but FEMA will provide an inspection if the survivor contacts the agency to report finding more damage than originally reported. Inspectors record damage; they have no role in determining the amount or type of grants a survivor may receive.

 Remote inspections don’t affect the FEMA Other Needs Assistance program. This assistance does not require an inspection and includes awards for childcare, transportation, medical, dental, funeral expenses, replacement of personal property, or moving and storage assistance.

FEMA will perform remote inspections even if it can’t verify an applicant’s identity, primary residence or home ownership through automated records searches performed as part of the application process. FEMA will send a letter to applicants requesting documents they must provide to be considered for assistance after the inspeciton. Inspectors are not allowed to collect documentation from applicants.

 U.S. Small Business Administration

Grants from FEMA are meant to give eligible survivors a start on their road to recovery. The primary source of recovery funding for many, however, is a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which makes disaster loans to individuals and businesses of all sizes. Survivors can find out more by contacting the SBA’s Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center. Customer service representatives are available to assist individuals and business owners, answer  questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application.

 Virtual Business Recovery Center and Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Mondays – Fridays

5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT

FOCWAssistance@sba.gov

800-659-2955

These services are only available for the California disaster declaration as a result of the wildfires and not for COVID-19-related assistance.

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

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WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced the Phase 1 rollout of the National Risk Index, a new online resource that helps illustrate communities most at risk from natural hazards.

This online mapping application analyzes risk factors from 18 natural hazards. Additionally, to provide a holistic view of community risk, the application includes expected annual losses, social vulnerability and community resilience layers.

This release makes the underlying data available for use by state, local, tribal and territorial partners. The interactive mapping tool can help communities, especially those with limited flood mapping and risk assessment capabilities, better prepare for natural hazards by providing standardized risk data for mitigation planning and an overview of multiple risk factors. This data can help in developing a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan to help increase community resilience, which is a prerequisite requirement for applying for FEMA’s mitigation grants.

The tool determines risk by reviewing a community’s expected annual loss, based on hazard frequency, exposure, and historic loss rate; social vulnerability by measuring the susceptibility of impacted social groups; and community resilience, which measures the ability of a community to recover from, the impacts of natural hazards.

The index contains authoritative data from multiple federal partners and received input from more than 55 partners across the public and private sectors including state, regional and local government agencies; academia; private organizations; and nonprofits. Data were collected from best available resources between 2014 and 2019 and is expected to be updated in 2021.

The tool is free and easy to use, and data from the site is available for download.  FEMA is developing a comprehensive National Risk Index application to release later in 2021.  Visit FEMA’s National Risk Index webpage to learn more about the data and the natural hazards that can affect your community.

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Panhandle residents who have uninsured losses resulting from Hurricane Sally have until Dec. 1, 2020 to register with FEMA for assistance.

Survivors in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties can register with FEMA in several ways:

• By visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
• Downloading the FEMA App for smartphones
• Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. 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.

Dec. 1, 2020 also is the deadline for homeowners and renters, businesses of all sizes, and nonprofit organizations to apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans for physical property damage. The deadline for working capital applications for small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations is July 2, 2021.

For additional information about SBA disaster loans, the loan application process, or for help completing the SBA application, visit SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email FOCE-Help@sba.gov to make an appointment for assistance over the phone. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339.

For in-person assistance with an SBA disaster loan, visit the Business Recovery Centers, open 7 days a week, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., at East Pensacola Heights Clubhouse, 3208 E. Gonzalez St., Pensacola, FL 32503; or Bridgeway Center, Building C, 205 Shell Ave., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.

For more information about Hurricane Sally recovery in Florida, visit the FEMA disaster webpage at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4564 or the Florida Division of Emergency Management webpage at https://www.floridadisaster.org/info/.

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

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center opens in Susanville Tuesday,  Nov. 17, for four days to serve Lassen County wildfire survivors.

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

It is located at Jensen Hall, Lassen County Fairgrounds, 195 Russell Ave., Susanville CA 96130. It will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 through Friday, Nov. 20.

The centers are temporary sites to support survivors with disaster information. They offer an optional opportunity for survivors to register, especially those without access to internet or telephone service.

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

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov;
• By downloading the FEMA app to a smartphone or tablet; or
• By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. PST. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to that service when they register.
• The helpline staff can also answer questions about applications already submitted.
• Deadline to register for assistance under DR-4558 is Nov. 21.

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

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

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BATON ROUGE, La. — Renters and homeowners in parishes designated for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Delta have until Dec. 16 to register for help.

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

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

Survivors who live in the following parishes that have been designated for this disaster may be eligible: Acadia, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, Rapides and Vermilion.

For more information or to register for assistance:

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY at 800-877-8339).
• Visit the FEMA website disasterassistance.gov/.
• To find a drive-thru DRC you can text 43362 and type DRC and your ZIP Code (i.e. DRC 12345).
• To receive a link to download the FEMA app:

• Apple devices: text APPLE to 43362 
• Android devices: text ANDROID to 43362

• Visit fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/app
• Call 211 or text 527435837 to 898-211. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

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

Montgomery, Ala. – Residents of Baldwin, Escambia and Mobile counties, with uninsured damage or losses from Hurricane Sally occurring September 14 – 16, 2020, have only two days left to apply to FEMA for federal disaster assistance grants.

The deadline is Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.

FEMA registration is quick and easy. There are three ways to register:

• Online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
• Call the FEMA Help Line at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Toll free lines are open 6 a.m. to midnight, Central Time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
• Use FEMA’s disaster app on your smartphone. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, please visit www.fema.gov/mobile-app. 

FEMA disaster assistance grants may help eligible homeowners pay for basic repairs to make a home habitable. Grants may also provide homeowners and renters temporary rental assistance and aid with disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. The only way to apply for federal assistance is to register with FEMA.

FEMA grants do not need to be repaid, are not considered taxable income by the IRS, and will not affect Medicare, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Social Security benefits.

Alabama survivors with unmet needs resulting from Hurricane Sally can dial 2-1-1 for assistance.

The deadline for applying for a long-term, low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is also Nov. 19.

SBA provides help to survivors in the form of low-interest disaster loans. You may borrow up to $200,000 with a fixed interest rate as low as 1.188% to repair or replace your primary home to its pre-hurricane condition. The loan can be increased by 20% of the damages for mitigation measures, i.e., elevation, hurricane shutters, installation of a seawall or a safe room.

Homeowners and renters may be eligible to borrow up to $40,000 with a fixed interest rate as low as 1.188% to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, such as clothing, furniture, appliances and cars.

SBA’s disaster loans are also available for businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations for physical losses. This includes rental properties. Small businesses and most nonprofits may be eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for working capital loans. The maximum loan amount is $2,000,000. Interest rates are as low as 3.75% for businesses and 2.75% for nonprofits.

You can apply for an SBA disaster loan online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. You can mail your application to SBA: Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76155. Or, you can call the SBA Customer Service Center number at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Mendocino and Stanislaus counties have been approved for federal assistance to individuals and households, as well as for repairs or rebuilding of community infrastructure, as part of the major wildfire disaster declaration approved Aug. 22.

The deadline to register for assistance with FEMA under Disaster 4558 is Nov. 21.

FEMA’s individual assistance program provides grants to help eligible survivors with financial assistance that may include rent, home repair, home replacement and other disaster-related needs such as childcare, medical and dental expenses.

Apply for disaster assistance with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov; by downloading the FEMA App to a smartphone or tablet; or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. PST. If you use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, provide FEMA the specific number assigned to that service when you register.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance

SBA has established a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to help homeowners and renters. Customer service representatives are available to assist business owners and individuals to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program and explain the application process. The VDLOC/VBRC is open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST daily. SBA staff can help you complete the electronic loan application at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. You may call (800) 659-2955 or email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov for assistance.

The deadline to apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan is Nov. 23.

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

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The FEMA Community Rating System is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Residents of Oxford, MD, now have lower flood insurance premiums as a result of the community’s initiatives to implement better floodplain management measures encouraged by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) created the voluntary Community Rating System (CRS) program to recognize local efforts to reduce flood risk and to reward communities, their residents and businesses, by saving them money on flood insurance premiums. The Town of Oxford is being recognized because, effective May 1, 2020, the town entered CRS as a Class 7 and is now one of only 16 participating NFIP communities in Maryland to qualify for CRS.

"Oxford’s leadership, hard work, and accomplishments in floodplain management are to be celebrated because the Town’s actions provide critical protection to its citizens and properties” said Julius Lockhart, Floodplain Management and Insurance specialist, when he presented a plaque to town officials through a virtual ceremony on Nov. 10. “In addition to insurance cost savings, CRS communities take steps targeted to minimize overall flood risk and build community resilience. We would like to thank the town for taking actions to protect lives and property from future flood risk.”

NFIP policies written in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) of Oxford may now receive a 15 percent premium discount resulting in an average annual savings of $141 for each policy. In addition, standard policies written outside the FEMA-mapped floodplain may receive a 5 percent annual premium discount. Overall, a Class 7 rating results in a total savings of $32,575.00 annually for the citizens here.

Under the CRS program, local officials are asked to meet three goals: (1) reduce flood losses, (2) facilitate accurate insurance rating and (3) promote the awareness of flood insurance. Communities that apply to participate in CRS are required to provide information demonstrating their floodplain management program exceeds the minimum compliance requirements of the NFIP. The program includes 10 class rating levels based on the number and type of activities initiated by participating communities. For each class advancement, NFIP policy holders receive an additional 5 percent reduction in their flood insurance premiums up to a 45 percent reduction for a Class 1 community.

“In addition to benefiting from insurance cost savings, CRS communities minimize overall flood risk and build community resilience,” stated MaryAnn Tierney, FEMA Region 3 regional administrator. “We would like to thank the Town of Oxford for taking actions to protect lives and property from flooding.”

Read this FEMA CRS fact sheet for more information about the program.

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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center opens Monday, Nov. 16, in Yreka to serve Siskiyou County wildfire survivors.

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

It is located at Kahtishraam Wellness Center, 1403 Kahtishraam, Yreka CA 96097. It will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 23.

The centers are temporary sites to support survivors with disaster information. They offer an optional opportunity for survivors to register, especially those without access to internet or telephone service.

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

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

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

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

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DENVER – FEMA has provided more than $45 million in Public Assistance funding for the COVID-19 response in Utah. The assistance was made available under the major disaster declaration issued April 4 by President Trump.

A breakdown of the most recent funding is as follows:

• $43.8 million in federal funding to the Utah Department of Health for Emergency Protective Measures for the purchase and distribution of personal protective equipment and medical supplies, and the leasing of a storage and distribution warehouse through June 30;
• $1.25 million in federal funding in expedited funding to the Utah Department of Health for Emergency Protective Measures to lease and stage the Mountain America Exposition Center, which was utilized as an alternate care site.

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

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

Additional support for the state of Utah has come in the form of mission assignments, in which FEMA has directed other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to perform work to address needs identified by the state. The federal share for these mission assignments is currently $18,774,906.

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

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

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion8.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — FEMA has approved four projects totaling more than $12 million for the State of Florida to reimburse for eligible costs of emergency work and permanent repairs following Hurricane Michael.

These grants include:

• Bay County – $3,256,551 for debris removal operations throughout the county
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection – $1,891,564 for debris removal operations from public rights of way
• Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative – $2,793,699 for the removal and disposal of hurricane-damaged electrical power poles, power lines, transformers and other electrical component debris obstructing utility rights of way
• Washington County – $4,123,693 for debris removal operations throughout the county

These grants are funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program, 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 implemented new procedures 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: Helping people before, during, and after disasters.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Rebuilding after a disaster can present opportunities as well as challenges for homeowners. This is certainly true for survivors of Hurricane Sally.

The challenges include getting the job done quickly and efficiently. The opportunities involve rebuilding stronger, smarter, safer and better, with more resilience. The process is called mitigation.

Mitigation reduces the risk to property from future events. While it may involve a larger initial investment, mitigation pays off in the long run. In fact, FEMA estimates that on average, for every $1 spent on mitigation, $6 are saved from future losses.

“We want survivors to plan for the future, to ensure their homes and communities are stronger when the next storm hits,” said Allan Jarvis, FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer in Alabama.

FEMA has a checklist to help Hurricane Sally survivors rebuild so their homes are protected in future storms:

• Know your risk. Review local flood maps to understand your property’s flood risk. https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps
• Develop a plan. Things to consider:
  • Elevate or flood-proof your washer, dryer, water heater and HVAC systems. If possible, move these appliances out of your basement to the second floor.
  • Relocate electrical outlets to three feet above the floor.
  • Install exterior floodwalls to protect window wells or stairs against low-level flooding.
  • Install a backflow valve in the sewer line and flood vents in foundation walls, garages, and other enclosed areas.
  • Seal your basement walls with waterproofing compounds.
  • If you have a gable-end roof, add bracings to reinforce the roof. Consider fastening the roof to the walls with hurricane straps.  
• Finalize your plan. There are a wide range of options for protecting your home from flood and wind events through mitigation. Be sure to consult with a licensed contractor and the local building department before making any structural changes to understand requirements and obtain any necessary permits.
• Contact your local building official before rebuilding/renovating/retrofitting. Make sure your plans meet local and state government requirements. Get proper permits.
• Be smart when you start. Use reliable, licensed contractors. Get a written estimate. Check references. Pay by check.
• Get insurance. Anywhere it rains, it can flood. Protect your investment in your home by purchasing flood insurance, even if you do not live in a high-risk flood zone. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) helps cover costly losses associated with flooding. For more information, Visit https://www.floodsmart.gov.

FEMA provides grant funding for certain kinds of mitigation projects under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program. For more information, and how to apply for the program, visit https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/hazard-mitigation/individuals.

Alabama residents with homes affected by Hurricane Sally last month, can talk to a FEMA Mitigation Specialist for help in making repairs. These specialists are available to provide rebuilding tips, questions about home repair, the importance of flood insurance, making disaster plans, and building supplies.

Get helpful advice from a specialist on the FEMA Mitigation Helpline at 866-579-0820, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Central Time. Specialists are also available by email at FEMA-MitOutreach-4559@fema.dhs.gov.