New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in St. Louis City: Hours at all Disaster Recovery Centers Will Change on Monday

A new FEMA disaster recovery center will open on Saturday, September 10, in St. Louis City to provide one-on-one assistance to people directly affected by the July 25—28 flooding and severe storms.

Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.

The disaster recovery center location is:

Salvation Army Temple Center

2740 Arsenal St

St. Louis, MO 63118

(Near the corner of Arsenal and California)

Saturday hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Beginning Monday, September 12, the new hours for all recovery centers will be:

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Closed on Sundays

Other recovery centers are open in these locations:

ST. LOUIS CITY

Ranken Technical College

Mary Ann Lee Technology Center

1313 N. Newstead Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63113

(Near the corner of Newstead and Page)

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

Urban League Empowerment Center

9420 W. Florissant Ave.

Ferguson, MO 63136 University City Recreation Division

Centennial Commons

7210 Olive Blvd.

University City, MO 63130

Hazelwood Civic Center

8969 Dunn Road

Hazelwood, MO 63042

ST. CHARLES COUNTY

O’Fallon Municipal Centre

100 N. Main St.

O’Fallon, MO 63366

(Southeast Entrance)

Developmental Disabilities Resource Board – DDRB Building

1025 Country Club Road

St. Charles, MO 63303

(Near I-70 at the Zumbehl Road Exit)

The DDRB location will close permanently on Wednesday, September 14, at 6 p.m.

No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Walk-ins are welcome.

People directly affected by flooding in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County may visit any recovery center.

If you need help applying, FEMA can assist you at a Disaster Recovery Center.

Apply with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-FEMA (3362).

FEMA may be able to provide Individual Assistance grant money that does not have to be repaid for:

• Rental Assistance if you need to relocate because of flood damage
• Personal Property that was damaged or destroyed by flooding
• Lodging Reimbursement if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily
• Basic Home Repairs for homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by flooding
• Other Serious Needs caused by recent flooding

In addition to the assistance listed, please note the following:

• Only one application per household
• FEMA does not pay for lost or spoiled food.
• By law, FEMA is not allowed to duplicate insurance payments or assistance provided by other sources.

Homeowners and Renters: After applying with FEMA, if you have been referred to SBA for a disaster loan, please complete and submit the application. Submitting the SBA application makes it possible for you to be considered for additional grants if you are turned down for an SBA loan.

If you qualify for a loan, you will have that resource available if you choose to accept it.

Help with your SBA application is available at any of the Disaster Recovery Centers.                                        

For updates, follow us on Twitter @MOSEMA and @FEMARegion7.

Get the latest information at Recovery.MO.gov and FEMA.gov/disaster/4665.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.

tiana.suber Fri, 09/09/2022 - 16:13

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Mosquito Fire

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combatting the Mosquito Fire burning in Placer and El Dorado counties.

On Sept. 9, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 3,600 homes in and around Foresthill, CA. The fire also threatened a high school, middle school, elementary school, Placer County Community Center, a Placer County Sheriff substation, Cal Fire Station 11, two hydro power plants, Foresthill Water Treatment Plant, Foresthill Fire Protection District, Sugar Pine Dam and Reservoir, and two public radio towers for fire and law enforcement communications.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to become a greater incident.

Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.

For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.

###

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9.

robert.barker Fri, 09/09/2022 - 14:09

American Bar Association Offers Free Legal Aid to Eastern Kentucky Flooding Survivors

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Free legal assistance is available to disaster survivors in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley counties who were affected by the July 26, flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

Kentuckians who need help can call 844-478-0099 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. If after business hours, survivors can leave a message and calls may be returned on the next business day. The hotline is available to connect survivors to free legal services in qualifying counties who cannot afford an attorney.

Legal Aid may be able to help survivors in the following ways:

• FEMA and SBA financial benefits
• Home repair contracts and property insurance claims
• Re-doing wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster
• Price gouging, scams or identity theft
• Landlord or tenant problems, or threats of foreclosure
• Disability-related access to federal, state and local disaster programs

Hotline partners cannot help in all cases. For example, they cannot take cases where a settlement could include legal fees or an award. But we can refer those cases for other legal help.

The Disaster Legal Services (DLS) program works with state and local partners to provide free legal help for low-income disaster survivors. The service is a partnership between the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, FEMA, AppalReD Legal Aid, Kentucky Bar Association, Louisville Bar Association, American Red Cross, Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, Northern Kentucky Bar Association and Lawyers Mutual of Kentucky.

For the latest information on Kentucky flooding recovery, visit femagov/disaster/4663 and follow FEMA on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion4. Visit the Governor’s website at governor.ky.gov/disaster-response/flood-response.

sandra.habib Thu, 09/08/2022 - 20:31

$95.7 Million Approved for Kentucky Tornado Recovery

FRANKFORT, Ky.–Nine months after the federal disaster declaration for Kentucky following the Dec. 10-11 tornadoes, more than $95.7 million in federal assistance has been provided by FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration to support disaster recovery. 

That figure includes more than $15.8 million in housing assistance and other essential disaster-related needs and more than $59.3 million in SBA low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.

FEMA Individual Assistance

Sixteen counties were designated for federal assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program: Barren, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren.

• More than $15.8 approved for individuals and households, including:
  • Nearly $11.5 million approved for Housing Assistance
  • Nearly $4.4 million approved for Other Needs Assistance, which helps to replace essential household items and other critical disaster-related needs

Direct Temporary Housing

Currently, 80 families are participating in FEMA’s Direct Temporary Housing program in six designated counties: Caldwell, Graves, Hopkins, Marshall, Muhlenberg and Warren.

12 families have moved out of FEMA’s Direct Temporary Housing and into their permanent housing.

U.S. Small Business Administration

• 647 disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters, and businesses for nearly $59.4 million.
  • More than $50.2 million in home loans (585)
  • Nearly $9.2 million in business loans (62)

FEMA Public Assistance

Twenty-three counties are eligible for Public Assistance: Barren, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Grayson, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Meade, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Shelby, Spencer, Taylor, Todd and Warren.

Under FEMA’s Public Assistance program, communities get help with the cost of repair, rebuilding and emergency work including reimbursements for debris removal, damaged roads and infrastructure.  For Kentucky, President Biden authorized 100% federal reimbursement for a 30-day period for eligible emergency work.

The program has 692 total projects, with 241 projects obligated, and has provided more than $20.6 million in reimbursements

• Of the 692 projects:
  • 93 for debris removal
  • 254 for emergency protective measures
  • 294 for permanent work
  • 51 for management costs

Interagency Recovery Coordination

Community Planning Capacity Building teams are still actively engaged in Western Ky., specifically the City of Mayfield and Graves and Fulton counties to identify long-term recovery needs.

The Interagency Recovery Coordination team has held two economic workshops in-person, and three virtual economic workshops targeting small businesses. They also have held two disaster housing recovery fairs where they brought over 25 service providers together to assist survivors.

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

sandra.habib Thu, 09/08/2022 - 19:58

FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of the State of Maryland

PHILADELPHIA – The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise for communities around the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. The exercise will occur during the week of September 12, 2022, to assess the ability of the State of Maryland to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.

“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3. “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the State of Maryland.”

Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions.  The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.

FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise during a public meeting at 10:30 a.m. on September 16, 2022.  The meeting will be conducted in a virtual format via Zoom.   Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the NRC.  Access to the public meeting is provided below:

Join ZoomGov Meeting https://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1616179908 Meeting ID: 161 617 9908 Passcode: 054827  

At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:

MaryAnn Tierney

Regional Administrator

FEMA Region III

615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19106

 

FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.

REP Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.

Additional information on FEMA’s REP Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program.

###

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

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

charles.elison Thu, 09/08/2022 - 18:04

FEMA’s USVI Disability Integration Team Takes an Inclusive Approach to Resilience in the U.S. Virgin Islands

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands — FEMA has applied an inclusive approach to supporting the U.S. Virgin Islands in its response and recovery efforts to hurricanes Irma and Maria which made landfall in September 2017. FEMA is committed to providing equitable services for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

Five years after the two Category 5 storms, FEMA’s partnership with the territory to support people with disabilities and access and functional needs continues to strengthen. Two FEMA Disability Integration Advisors live and work on-island to continue its efforts to ensure FEMA programs and services reach everyone across the territory. This includes working with the Territorial Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator Julien Henley.  

Collaboration with Henley, a longtime disability rights advocate, includes providing analytical support, technical assistance and sharing information at the regional and national level information.

“The collaboration between FEMA and the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands has increased the territories’ capabilities to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs,” said Henley. “The assistance of the FEMA Disability Integration team over the last several years has been invaluable and there is so much more to do. Through following ADA guiding principles, together, we can expand programs, advance initiatives and continue education on the importance of the ADA as we advocate for Virgin Islanders with disabilities.”

Following the aftermath of the storms, FEMA’s USVI Disability Integration team helped to provide qualified American Sign Language interpreters at nine Disaster Recovery Centers across the territory and collaborated with voluntary organizations to deliver durable medical equipment (DME) to the territory.

The USVI Disability Integration team also collaborated with Friends of Disabled Adults and Children and the Pass It On Center, both nonprofit organizations, to distribute hundreds of donated DME and supplies. DME included wheelchairs, walkers, nebulizers, shower supports, hospital beds and hearing aids to the elderly and those with access and functional needs. Through this collaboration, local donors were matched with survivors to meet unique needs. Hundreds of survivors benefited from this initiative and received critical medical supplies to assist them in their journey to regain their independence.

According to the 2010 U.S. census, people over age 65 made up 13.5 % of the USVI population and people with disabilities made up 9.8%. FEMA’s USVI Disability Integration team is taking measures to provide more equitable services to the territory’s senior and disability communities by facilitating engagement and community capacity building on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John.

“Ensuring that projects are built to federal and industry standards increases accessibility to government services, programs and facilities,” said U.S. Virgin Islands Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien. “Through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program with the support of the USVI Disability Integration Team, many recovery projects received much-needed funding to create inclusive and equitable facilities for residents and visitors. The Office of Disaster Recovery thanks FEMA and Territorial ADA Coordinator Julien Henley for their efforts to ensure a safer, better and stronger Territory for all Virgin Islanders.”   

FEMA’s USVI Disability Integration team provided recommendations for ADA upgrades to public facilities that met FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program requirements. The team provided input on the following recovery projects:

The Christiansted Boardwalk on St. Croix:

• Collaborated with internal and external partners; the project was awarded PA funding to improve accessibility in the parking area.

The Adrian Senior Center at George Simmons Terrace in Estate Adrian on St. John:

• Provided recommendations to improve the accessibility of the kitchen and restroom which serves St. John’s elderly population. 

The Magens Bay Bathhouse on St. Thomas:

• Provided technical guidance to address accessibility needs and federal requirements; collaborated with local and federal partners.

Government House on St. Thomas:

• Provided support to improve physical access to Government House; the facility will include two platform lifts and an accessible elevator, providing whole community access.

FEMA Disability Integration will continue to play a key role in supporting the U.S. Virgin Islands in working to ensure equitable access to its programs and services. The USVI Disability Integration team remains committed to collaborating with the territory and other federal partners to repair and revitalize parks, libraries, public housing and healthcare facilities in support of building long-term resiliency.     

FEMA Disability Integration provided recommendations to improve the accessibility of the kitchen and restroom of the Adrian Senior Center at George Simmons Terrace in Estate Adrian on St. John. The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services provides community programs to St. John’s elderly population at the senior center. FEMA/Eric Adams

FEMA Disability Integration provided support for accessible elements to improve physical access to Government House on St. Thomas. This facility will include two platform lifts and an accessible elevator. FEMA/Eric Adams

delia.husband Thu, 09/08/2022 - 15:22

$13.1 Million Paid to Kentucky Flood Insurance Policy Holders

FRANKFORT, Ky. –  A little more than one month after the July 26 flooding in Eastern Kentucky, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has processed more than 65% of flood insurance claims they’ve received, for a total of more than $13.1 million dollars in the hands of insured flood survivors.

“There is no better way for disaster survivors to recover more fully and quickly than to have flood insurance from the NFIP,” said a Hazard Mitigation Branch Director for FEMA, Darrell Walker. “It does not need to be repaid, does not even require a Presidential Disaster Declaration and will pay for all covered items damaged by a flood.”

In Kentucky, a flood insurance policy with NFIP costs on average $1,174 a year, that’s roughly $98 per month. This amount varies based upon the amount of coverage purchased, the amount of the deductible chosen and the flood risk or flood zone of the insured property.

Floods can happen anywhere — just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage while the typical Individual Assistance grant awarded by FEMA is between $3,000-$6,000. Most homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building, or both, so it is important to protect your most important financial assets — your home, your business, your possessions.

Flood insurance policies can be purchased to cover up to $250,000 for structure damage and $100,000 for contents damage. This is why it pays to be insured.

NFIP insurance is available to anyone living in one of 23,000 participating communities. Homes and businesses in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from government-backed lenders are required to have flood insurance.

To purchase flood insurance, call your insurance company or insurance agent, the same person who sells your home or auto insurance. If you need help finding a provider, go to FloodSmart.gov/flood-insurance-provider or call the NFIP at 877-336-2627.

Plan ahead, there is typically a 30-day waiting period for an NFIP policy to go into effect, unless the coverage is mandated, it is purchased as required by a federally backed lender or is related to a community flood map change.

For the latest information on Kentucky flooding recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4663 and follow FEMA on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion4. Visit the Governor’s website at governor.ky.gov/disaster-response/flood-response.

sandra.habib Wed, 09/07/2022 - 16:54

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Ross Fork Fire in Idaho

BOTHELL, Wash.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Ross Fork Fire burning in Blaine County, Idaho.

The state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 4:09 p.m. PT. He determined that the Ross Fork Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the second FMAG declared in 2022 to help fight Idaho wildfires.

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Smiley Creek, Beaver Creek, and Cabin Creek. The fire also threatened two communication towers, the Smiley Creek Airport, four religious camps, and the fire station in the area.

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

In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $786,552 will be available to Idaho through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area.

###

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

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

mary.j.edmon Wed, 09/07/2022 - 16:29

Partnerships to Strengthen Resilience on St. Thomas and St. John Began Soon After Irma

St. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands -- Hurricane Irma's winds of more than 150 mph, along with bands of wind-driven rain, severely damaged the power grids on St. Thomas and St. John. The storm blew away roofs from hundreds of homes and damaged other critical services, including medical facilities and schools.

FEMA pre-positioned personnel to the U.S. Virgin Islands to support the territory’s response operations. There were 43 federal personnel deployed and 15 responders from the Defense Coordinating Element deployed to the territory September 2, 2017 – four days before Irma made landfall on St. Thomas and St. John on September 6, 2017.

On September 3, 2017, the Region 2 Incident Management Assistance Team deployed to St. Croix and an Initial Operating Facility was established to respond to Irma in partnership with the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA).

FEMA, the Department of Defense (DoD), other federal partners and VITEMA leveraged numerous resources to support the territory’s response to Irma. In the days after the storm swept through St. John and St. Thomas:

• For the first time, FEMA disseminated more than 26,000 mass texts and deployed the DoD Civil Authorities Information Support Element to broadcast dozens of messages over loudspeakers.
• FEMA supplied more than 582,000 meals and 380,000 liters of water to survivors. 
• The USS Kearsarge and its supporting ships, the USS Oak Hill and USS Wasp, deployed to the Caribbean; the Wasp, along with helicopter support, surveyed damage and performed patient transfers from St. John and St. Thomas to a functional medical facility on St. Croix.
  • Crews spent a total of 98 hours in the air evacuating 126 survivors, transferring 160 federal employees, and transporting 4,850 pounds of equipment and supplies.
  • FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program registration period began September 7, 2017; FEMA approved $31.4 million to survivors on St. Thomas and $9.4 million to survivors on St. John.

FEMA also provided other assistance to eligible survivors such as direct and financial assistance. Direct assistance included permanent housing construction – repairs, and financial assistance included rental assistance and home repair. FEMA Hazard Mitigation specialists provided free advice on how to protect their homes and make them more resilient to future disasters through multiple outreach events.

A whole community response

The response to Irma was a whole community effort. Community groups, philanthropic organizations and Virgin Islanders stepped up to muck and gut homes of debris and mold, repair homes, feed survivors and inform people on how they could receive help.

Five years after Irma made landfall on St. John, organizations such as Love City Strong, a St. John nonprofit organization dedicated to disaster preparedness and response, continue to support initiatives, and create a culture of resilience.

“Since 2017, Love City Strong has been committed to increasing disaster preparedness and response capacity on St. John. That mission has evolved over the years to include recovery and mitigation projects, all of which continue to place an emphasis on community resilience,” said Love City Strong Executive Director Meaghan Enright.

Love City Strong continues to work on home repairs, through privately–and federally-funded programs and offers project management support for federally-funded projects. Its disaster preparedness work includes all hazards preparedness outreach in St. John and partnering with FEMA and VITEMA to support pre-staging and logistical efforts. Love City Strong helps expand capacity in the event of a disaster and provides annual training to its immediate staff and surge capacity contractors to ensure the community is keeping their response skills sharp.  

Preparing for the future

In January, federal and territorial partners began to coordinate this year’s Readiness Initiative, which culminated in weeklong hurricane response exercises in May, one month before the start of hurricane season. During the Readiness Initiative’s Capstone, FEMA and other federal partners participated in a training exercise involving hurricane response simulations at the request of the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands and VITEMA.

Response focus areas involved food and water distribution, patient movement, route clearance, debris removal, temporary power, and power restoration and more. The Capstone incorporated lessons learned from hurricanes Irma and Maria response, helped to identify gaps with territorial or local resources and identified federal resources required to respond to severe storms in the territory.

Further steps toward strengthening the territory include restoration of FEMA's bunker on St. Thomas, an initial operating facility for response, the expansion of storage capabilities of shelf-stable meals and boxed water on St. Thomas and St. John to support initial response and repairing the storm-damaged tsunami warning system on St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island.   

FEMA remains committed to helping Virgin Islanders recover not only from hurricanes Irma and Maria but will continue to support the territory in developing resilience against future disasters.   

delia.husband Wed, 09/07/2022 - 15:45

$54 Million Approved for St. Louis Area Residents: FEMA Application Deadline One Month Away, on October 7

More than $54 million in federal funding has been approved for people affected by the July 25—28 flooding and severe storms in the St. Louis area in Missouri.

• FEMA has approved $28.7 million in Individual Assistance grants for renters and homeowners for damage and serious needs not covered by insurance.

• FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has paid $14.4 million in claims for flood insurance policyholders.

• The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $11.2 million in disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.

The deadline to apply with FEMA is October 7.

People affected by the disaster in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County have three ways to apply and stay in touch with FEMA:

• Call: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
• Go Online: DisasterAssistance.gov
• Visit any Disaster Recovery Center

If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.

Six Disaster Recovery Centers are Open for One-on-One Help

Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are helping people complete or check the status of their applications in these locations:

ST. LOUIS CITY

Ranken Technical College

Mary Ann Lee Technology Center

1313 N. Newstead Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63113

(On the corner of Newstead and Page)

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

Urban League Empowerment Center

9420 W. Florissant Ave.

Ferguson, MO 63136 University City Recreation Division

Centennial Commons

7210 Olive Blvd.

University City, MO 63130

Hazelwood Civic Center

8969 Dunn Road

Hazelwood, MO 63042

ST. CHARLES COUNTY

O’Fallon Municipal Centre

100 N. Main St.

O’Fallon, MO 63366

(Southeast Entrance)

Developmental Disabilities Resource Board – DDRB Building

1025 Country Club Road

St. Charles, MO 63303

(Near I-70 at the Zumbehl Road Exit)

• Hours for All Locations: 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday to Saturday until further notice.

• Appointments are NOT required. Walk-ins are welcome.

• If you need help applying, FEMA can assist you at a Disaster Recovery Center.

About FEMA Individual Assistance

For needs not covered by insurance or other sources, FEMA may be able to provide Individual Assistance grant money that does not have to be repaid for:

• Rental Assistance if you need to relocate because of flood damage
• Personal Property that was damaged or destroyed by flooding
• Lodging Reimbursement if you’ve had to stay in a hotel temporarily
• Basic Home Repairs for homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by flooding
• Other Serious Needs caused by recent flooding

In addition to the assistance listed, please note the following:

• Only one application per household
• FEMA does not pay for lost or spoiled food.
• FEMA works with everyone – renters and homeowners – on a case-by-case basis.
• By law, FEMA is not allowed to duplicate insurance payments or assistance provided by other sources.

Homeowners and Renters: If you have been referred to SBA for a disaster loan, please submit the application. Submitting the SBA application makes it possible for you to be considered for additional grants. If you qualify for a loan, you will have that resource available if you choose to accept it.

Other Help Available by Calling 2-1-1

United Way 211 connects individuals with unmet needs to assistance programs through volunteer and faith-based organizations. Anyone impacted who needs additional help should call 2-1-1 for assistance or visit http://211helps.org.

For updates, follow us on Twitter @MOSEMA_ and @FEMARegion7.

Get the latest information at Recovery.MO.gov and FEMA.gov/disaster/4665.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.

tiana.suber Tue, 09/06/2022 - 22:02

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

WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided more than $2.7 billion to over 431,000 individuals and families to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020. This assistance helped pay for the funerals of more than 441,000 people who died from COVID-19.

Eligibility determinations are based on when the applicant submits all required documentation. The determinations are not driven by state/locations.

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

Please find state-specific information below:

State / Territory

Applications

Amount Approved

Number of Awards

Alabama

12,052

$66,211,234.95

9,758

Alaska

499

$1,773,971.49

362

American Samoa

31

$67,550.52

13

Arizona

9,518

$37,153,805.53

7,503

Arkansas

5,650

$28,654,837.84

4,600

California

44,776

$225,061,343.46

35,208

Colorado

5,173

$22,389,564.59

4,122

Connecticut

5,179

$29,487,423.35

4,307

Delaware

1,659

$8,528,921.49

1,340

District of Columbia

794

$3,981,535.28

598

Florida

35,288

$159,477,250.42

28,534

Georgia

21,512

$118,901,518.73

17,361

Guam

33

$147,673.19

20

Hawaii

781

$3,410,151.22

589

Idaho

1,956

$8,724,984.44

1,591

Illinois

21,046

$118,908,779.87

17,270

Indiana

11,053

$62,821,874.98

9,067

Iowa

4,532

$26,898,886.21

3,779

Kansas

4,867

$26,162,797.99

4,035

Kentucky

10,017

$58,962,156.11

8,189

Louisiana

9,004

$48,696,934.06

7,069

Maine

1,193

$5,091,940.41

950

Marshall Islands

Less than 10

$7,148.71

Less than 10

Maryland

9,186

$50,148,596.04

7,469

Massachusetts

9,874

$55,201,929.61

8,104

Michigan

18,961

$96,901,767.65

15,750

Minnesota

5,843

$32,944,238.74

4,852

Mississippi

8,061

$43,150,233.13

6,383

Missouri

10,904

$56,316,394.70

9,032

Montana

1,375

$5,688,695.50

1,128

Nebraska

2,420

$13,879,609.87

2,012

Nevada

4,724

$19,385,275.51

3,666

New Hampshire

1,430

$6,950,797.01

1,163

New Jersey

17,258

$97,522,240.53

14,134

New Mexico

3,467

$14,164,171.41

2,685

New York

37,526

$207,311,256.90

30,241

North Carolina

17,915

$95,523,539.39

14,659

North Dakota

1,226

$7,621,185.44

1,027

Northern Mariana Islands

33

$82,251.99

16

Ohio

23,122

$125,263,263.98

19,338

Oklahoma

8,442

$43,382,867.70

6,924

Oregon

2,678

$9,212,937.30

2,075

Pennsylvania

25,317

$139,764,324.65

21,174

Puerto Rico

2,618

$7,640,258.87

1,941

Rhode Island

1,737

$9,790,591.89

1,431

South Carolina

11,956

$66,052,333.72

9,805

South Dakota

1,199

$7,067,537.11

987

Tennessee

15,213

$83,986,021.78

12,499

Texas

48,240

$253,503,492.05

39,092

U.S. Virgin Islands

80

$403,749.32

64

Utah

2,485

$13,736,613.87

2,025

Vermont

320

$1,413,259.24

257

Virginia

12,523

$67,748,450.67

10,255

Washington

4,723

$19,279,701.01

3,641

West Virginia

4,222

$23,182,085.07

3,415

Wisconsin

8,814

$48,820,177.85

7,380

Wyoming

838

$3,747,371.19

682

* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. EDT today, Sept. 6, 2022.

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

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

mayshaunt.gary Tue, 09/06/2022 - 16:33

Casey and Harlan Counties Eligible for FEMA Public Assistance

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in Casey and Harlan counties are now eligible for FEMA Public Assistance grants for debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent work to repair public facilities that were damaged by the Eastern Kentucky flooding that began on July 26.

These counties join Breathitt, Clay, Cumberland, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Whitley and Wolfe counties which were all previously approved for FEMA Public Assistance.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides reimbursement to local and state government agencies for the costs of emergency response, debris removal and restoration of disaster damaged public facilities and infrastructure. Houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations may also be eligible for FEMA Public Assistance.

For the latest information on Kentucky flooding recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4663 and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion4.

sandra.habib Tue, 09/06/2022 - 16:14

Lee County Approved for FEMA Individual Assistance

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Lee County has been approved for additional FEMA assistance after flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

Residents of Lee County affected by the historic flooding may now apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, which may include temporary housing assistance, basic home repairs and certain other uninsured disaster-related needs.

Lee County joins Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley counties, which were previously approved for FEMA Individual Assistance.

Survivors in the designated counties can apply online at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. When you apply, you will need to provide:

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

Lee County had previously been designated for FEMA’s Public Assistance program under the major disaster declaration.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides reimbursement to local and state government agencies for the costs of emergency response, debris removal and restoration of disaster damaged public facilities and infrastructure. Houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations may also be eligible for FEMA Public Assistance.

For an accessible video on how individuals can apply for assistance go to youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw. For the latest information on Kentucky flooding recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4663 and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion4.

sandra.habib Tue, 09/06/2022 - 16:08

FEMA to Host Public Meeting on Preliminary Observations of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant Exercise

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 9 Technological Hazards Branch, Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program, announced today that a public meeting will be held on September 16, 2022, in San Luis Obispo, California. 

The public meeting will present preliminary FEMA observations regarding the performance of the state of California, County of San Luis Obispo during a Plume Phase Exercise (PPX) held with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) in the County of San Luis Obispo earlier this week.

The purpose of the PPX is for federal teams to evaluate, assess and validate state, county and local emergency response ability to protect the health and safety of the public near DCPP in the event of an incident at the power plant were to occur. Representatives from FEMA will chair the meeting, and present their preliminary observations.

• What: A public meeting in San Luis Obispo, California, where FEMA representatives will present preliminary performance observations following a full-scale PPX in the County of San Luis Obispo, California.
• Who: FEMA Region 9, Technological Hazards Branch
• When: Friday, September 16, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
• Where: PG&E Educational Center, 6588 Ontario Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 (Seating is limited)

Members of the media: Please email FEMA-R9NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov for additional details and to coordinate attendance and interview requests in advance.

###

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9.

robert.barker Mon, 09/05/2022 - 13:20

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Mill Fire

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combatting the Mill Fire burning in Siskiyou County.

On Sept. 2, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 2,500 homes in and around Weed, CA. The fire also threatened the local water system, communications and electrical transmission lines; U.S. Route 97; Union Pacific Railroad; and Lake Shastina watershed.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to become a greater incident.

Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.

For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.

###

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9.

robert.barker Sat, 09/03/2022 - 13:05

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community to supplement tribal recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms from July 17-18, 2022.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the severe storms.

Federal funding is also available to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and certain non-profit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms.

Lastly, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Andrew F. Grant is the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

amy.ashbridge Fri, 09/02/2022 - 23:39

Five FEMA Recovery Centers Will Be Open for Labor Day

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Five Disaster Recovery Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Monday, Sept. 5 in observance of Labor Day.

The five centers open on Labor Day are:

• Breathitt County: Breathitt Library – 1024 College Ave, Jackson, KY 41339
• Knott County: Knott County Sport Plex - 450 Kenny Champion Loop #8765, Leburn KY 41831
• Letcher County: Letcher County Recreation Center – 1505 Jenkins Rd., Whitesburg, KY 41858
• Perry County: Hazard Community College –1 Community College Dr, Hazard KY 41701
• Pike County: Dorton Community Center –112 Dorton Hill Rd., Jenkins KY 41722

The Disaster Recovery Center in Clay County will close at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, and will reopen at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Normal hours of operation will resume for all Disaster Recovery Centers on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Regular center hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Survivors in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley counties can go to any center to get help applying for FEMA assistance.

FEMA representatives will be at the centers to help with applications for federal assistance and provide information about other disaster recovery resources.

FEMA financial assistance may include money for temporary housing, basic home repairs or other uninsured, disaster-related needs such as childcare, transportation and medical, funeral or dental expenses.

In addition to FEMA personnel, representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and agencies from the Commonwealth will be available at the recovery centers to assist survivors.

It is not necessary to go to a disaster recovery center to apply for FEMA assistance. Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley counties can go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or use the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

Flood survivors who apply for FEMA assistance may be referred to the SBA. It is important to submit an SBA application so you can be considered for additional FEMA grants.

sandra.habib Fri, 09/02/2022 - 13:26

Kentucky Counties Have More Time to Request Public Assistance

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Local governments, houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe counties damaged by the July 26 Eastern Kentucky floods have more time to submit requests for FEMA Public Assistance.

FEMA extended the deadline for these counties at the request of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides reimbursement to local and state government agencies for the costs of emergency response, debris removal and restoration of disaster damaged public facilities and infrastructure. Houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations that meet certain criteria may be eligible for FEMA Public Assistance.

Applicants whose facilities were damaged by July’s floods can apply for assistance through the Commonwealth. For more information on submitting a request for Public Assistance, applicants should contact KY Division of Emergency Management, or email pa.help@KY-em.org.

County deadlines to submit a Request for Public Assistance are as follows:

• Sept. 11, 2022 – Cumberland and Whitley counties.
• Sept. 18, 2022 – Lee, Lincoln and Powell counties.
• Oct. 4, 2022 – Clay, Martin and Perry counties.
• Oct. 5, 2022 – Floyd, Knott, Owsley and Pike
• Oct. 11, 2022 – Breathitt, Johnson, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin and Wolfe.

For the latest information on Kentucky flooding recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4663 and follow FEMA on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion4. Visit the Governor’s website at governor.ky.gov/disaster-response/flood-response.

sandra.habib Fri, 09/02/2022 - 13:22

New Campaign by FEMA and the Ad Council Encourages Black Community to “Create a Lasting Legacy” by Preparing for Disasters FEMA will also visit Howard University for series of events to kick off National Preparedness Month and announce the new campaign

WASHINGTON -- As part of FEMA’s ongoing approach to advance accessibility and cultural competency in boosting the nation’s preparedness, FEMA and the Ad Council created new PSAs developed specifically to reach Black and African American communities, which will air nationwide.

Today, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks will also visit Howard University, a founding member of the HBCU Emergency Management Workforce Consortium, for a series of events kicking off National Preparedness Month and announcing the new Ready Campaign.

Black communities are on the frontlines of climate change and related extreme weather events. A report from the Environmental Protection Agency shows that socially vulnerable populations, including Black and African American communities, may be more exposed to the highest impacts of climate change. Specifically, with global warming, Black and African American individuals have a 10% higher risk of living in areas with the highest projected inland flooding damages compared to reference populations.

“Black and African American communities often suffer disproportionate impacts from disasters. This is something that we must work to change and that starts with how we prepare,” said Administrator Criswell. “Our 2022 Ready Campaign speaks directly to the communities who need our help the most and who deserve equitable access to preparedness resources that protect people and property. By continuing to advance accessibility and cultural competency in our preparedness messaging, we can make sure that everyone is ready when disaster strikes.”

The new Ready Campaign PSAs, entitled “A Lasting Legacy,” are meant to help mitigate these discrepancies by encouraging Black communities to protect the lives they have built and the legacies they will leave behind through preparation and disaster readiness. These new PSAs build upon the work the FEMA is doing to advance equity and ensure everyone gets the help they need before, during and after disaster.   

“Preparing for disaster is not just about protecting people and property, it’s about safeguarding the lives we’ve built and the legacy we will leave to our children and the generations to come,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks. “With this campaign, FEMA reaffirms our commitment to equity and says loud and clear that every community deserves to be protected from hazards.”

FEMA’s Ready Campaign PSAs were developed pro bono by Creative Theory Agency in coordination with the Ad Council and will be available in TV, radio, print, out of home and digital formats. Throughout the month, the Ready campaign will emphasize unique aspects of preparedness, such as making a plan, building a kit and teaching communities how to engage their families on emergency preparedness.

“We want to make sure that all Americans feel represented by FEMA and this latest work,” said Ad Council Chief Campaign Development Officer Michelle Hillman. “This creative leans into the importance of family and reminds us that, with preparation, we can make sure that our legacy endures whatever disasters life sends our way.”

“This is the work that gets us excited! We're honored to partner with FEMA and the Ad Council and make history with their first 'readiness campaign' targeting the Black community,” said Creative Theory Agency Co-Founder & CEO, Tamon George. “At our core we seek to tell real stories through marketing and advertising and this campaign allows us the unique opportunity to create work that impacts our community, friends and family in tangible ways.”

This round of creative work for the Ready campaign supports and extends FEMA’s annual National Preparedness Month activities to engage communities and promote the steps to prepare for disasters. Last year’s theme was “Prepare to Protect” and was designed to resonate with Latino communities. As a direct result of that campaign, the Listo.gov—the Spanish version of Ready.gov—had a 500% increase in visits to the “Make a Plan” page and a 400% increase in visits to the “Build a Kit” page.

This is the latest round of work in 19 years of educating the public about disaster and emergency preparedness. For more information and to get started on your emergency plan, visit ready.gov/plan or listo.gov/plan. 

amy.ashbridge Thu, 09/01/2022 - 16:03

Free Rebuilding and Repair Tips Offered by FEMA at Local Hardware Stores

FRANKFORT, Ky. – As Kentuckians begin to rebuild, survivors of the July 26 flooding can get tips and advice on how to rebuild stronger and safer against storms.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand in Breathitt and Knott counties this week and next to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. This information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Mitigation is an effort to reduce the loss of life and property damage by lessening the impact of disaster. These mitigation specialists will be available Sept. 1 through Sept. 8 at the following locations:

Breathitt County - Jackson True Value Hardware– 726 Highway 15 N, Jackson, KY, 41339

• Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Labor Day.

Knott County - ProMart Home Center - 1622 Highway 160 S, Hindman, KY, 41822

• Hours: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday and Labor Day.

In addition, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance staff will be on hand to offer in-person FEMA registration and application reviews to Kentucky survivors with questions about FEMA assistance.

Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley counties can go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or use the FEMA mobile app to register for disaster assistance or look up the status of their disaster assistance application. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

For the latest information on Kentucky flooding recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4663 and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion4.

sandra.habib Thu, 09/01/2022 - 11:25