FEMA Helpline Hours Changing

San Diego, Calif. — FEMA is reducing the hours of its helpline -- 800-621-3362 -- the number people can call to update their FEMA application or check its status as they continue their recovery from the Jan. 21-23 flooding.

• FEMA specialists will be available daily 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. PT moving forward.

Anyone affected by the January flooding can still call 800-621-3362 with updates to their application or questions. By calling the helpline, survivors can get help with topics including:

• Applying for continued temporary rental assistance.
• Appealing a FEMA determination.
• Making a late application due to extenuating circumstances. 
  • Examples of extenuating circumstances may include: 
    • Hospitalization, illness, or disability of the applicant or an immediate family member. 
    • Death for an immediate family member.
    • Personal or business travel that kept the applicant out of the area for the full application period.

Help is available in most languages. If you use a Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

On the Ground

FEMA home inspectors are continuing to work in San Diego. They are contacting applicants, scheduling home inspections, and verifying damage. Applicants who have not had their home inspected should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to check on the status of their application.

By The Numbers

To date, more than 3,000 households have been approved for FEMA grants totaling more than $23 million.

• $19.1 million in housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
• $3.9 million approved for other essential disaster-related needs, such as expenses related to medical expenses and lost personal possessions.

For the latest FEMA information on the Jan. 21-23, 2024 San Diego County severe storms and flooding, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4758. 

###

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

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, or economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, you can call the Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448 (TTY 800-462-7585). Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

camille.schuetze Mon, 04/29/2024 - 15:29

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Disaster Declaration for Kansas

WASHINGTON – FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available for the state of Kansas to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm from Jan. 8-16, 2024. 

Public assistance federal funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the counties of Butler, Chase, Cloud, Edwards, Ford, Geary, Gray, Hodgeman, Morris, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Shawnee, Stafford, Trego and Wabaunsee.

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

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

amy.ashbridge Mon, 04/29/2024 - 15:21

State and Federal Centers to Open April 29 in Lahaina

HONOLULU – Survivors now have two new Lahaina locations where they can receive information or referrals to organizations offering help after the August wildfires on Maui.

Beginning Monday, April 29, survivors can meet with federal support staff, including language interpreters, and community organizations at the Disaster Recovery Center at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa at 200 Nohea Kai Drive. Hours are: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; closed Sundays. After meeting with specialists at the recovery center, be sure to get your Hyatt Regency parking ticket validated.

The recovery center at the Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium, 1840 Honoapi‘ilani Highway, will operate until 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, before moving to the Hyatt Regency.

Also beginning Monday, April 29, the State of Hawaiʻi is opening a Community Resources Center at the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows at 2780 Keka‘a Drive. Hours are: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; closed Sundays. 

The Community Resources Center can help survivors identify new resources to meet long-term recovery needs. Survivors can also get masks, Maui County Right-of-Entry forms and vehicle placards allowing them entry to the burn zone. And they can receive information about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for purchasing food items at grocery stores and other authorized retailers.

Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities and those with access and functional needs. They are staffed with FEMA personnel as well as specialists from the U.S. Small Business Administration and community organizations. 

Interpreters at the recovery center provide assistance in American Sign Language, Chamorro, Chuukese, Hawaiian, Ilocano, Kosraean, Palauan, Pohnpeian, Marshallese, Spanish and Tongan. A schedule is posted at the center showing what days specific languages are offered.

It is important to keep in touch with FEMA if you change your address or phone number, even if only temporarily. Missing or wrong information could delay your assistance.

If you are unable to visit a Disaster Recovery Center, help from FEMA is just a phone call away. Survivors who need continuing rental assistance can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Operators speak many languages and can answer your questions from 2 a.m. to 9 p.m. HST, seven days a week.

Individuals and families who are waiting to be placed in units offered under FEMA’s Direct Lease program can call 808-784-1600. Leave your nine-digit FEMA registration number and a phone number where you can be reached. A case worker will return your call within 24 hours. 

Survivors can also update FEMA about changes to their personal information by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. Use the same email you provided when you applied for assistance.

Survivors can meet with SBA specialists at the Hyatt Regency location to file applications, get status updates and get answers to questions.

The last day for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations to apply for an SBA economic injury disaster loan is Friday, May 10. SBA is accepting late physical damage loan applications online or in person until Tuesday, June 11, without explanation. Survivors may also apply at https://www.sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires, call the Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for information.

For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires - YouTube. Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook.com/fema. You may also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires. 

nicole.timonshipman Sat, 04/27/2024 - 19:57

ICYMI: Biden-Harris Administration, Highlights Faith-and Community-Based Partnerships at Multi-Faith Leader Climate Resilience Roundtable

WASHINGTON – FEMA and the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships co-hosted a Multi-Faith Leader Climate Resilience Roundtable last week. The event brought together more than 25 agencies and organizations to address climate change and convene with faith-based organizations focused on climate resilience. This event helps organizations build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards. 

"We at FEMA could not do this work without you," said FEMA’s Office of External Affairs Associate Administrator Justin Knighten addressing the event attendees. "With the intensity of disasters on the rise, to get ahead, we need to make an orchestrated effort to work together now and with unshakable commitment. People-centered design and strategies must be our north star." 

In alignment with the White House National Climate Resilience Framework, the Climate Round Table provided a forum for federal and non-profit planning and coordination. 

"Today's climate emergency requires nothing less than a whole-of-government approach," said DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Director Marcus Coleman. "Preparing our communities to be climate resilient in this changing world requires a coalition-driven approach and it will take all of us joining working together to do so now."

The roundtable is a follow up to several previous engagements focused on the intersection of faith-based communities and climate resilience. Attendees included National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Environmental Protection Agency; National Endowment for the Arts; National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters; the Extension Disaster Education Network; Build Strong Coalition of America; American Meteorological Society Committee on Spirituality, Multi-Faith Outreach, and Science; Resilient Nation Partnership Network; and representatives from faith- and community-based organizations and other nonprofits. 

UNITED SIKHS CEO Gurpreet Sodhi highlighted the importance of the event to his organization, "It is essential that we act with urgency and determination to ensure a future where prosperity is safeguarded through resilience, biodiversity, debt sustainability, and climate stability. Collaboratively, we must foster a culture of building and progressing towards a common goal, as we champion the cause of ‘climate justice.’"

The roundtable provided a platform for sharing resources, including FEMA’s Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection to Faith-Based Partners and discussing FEMA and other federal agency opportunities that provide technical assistance on climate-related outreach and engagement to facilitate stronger faith and community collaboration.​  

"The American Meteorological Society Committee on Spirituality, Multifaith Outreach, and Science  is pleased to be a part of these important discussions with FEMA," said National Science Foundation American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science & Technology Policy Fellow Carlos J. Martinez, PhD. “As several faith-based communities and organizations have and continue to play a significant role in providing shelter, crisis management, and volunteerism during impactful extreme events, it is imperative that the weather, water, and climate professional community work with faith-based communities to enhance climate resilience. I believe that the foundation for any type of community-based engagement are relationships, and I felt that was the core principle of the roundtable.” 

Roundtable attendees learned about updates on programs, initiatives and activities where the federal government and non-government organizations can work together to lead whole community climate resilience. The following is additional feedback from attendees:

"The climate crisis is pervasive, requiring us to integrate mitigation, preparation, and adaptation into our everyday lives. Capacity building through partnerships is paramount for Tzu Chi's circular economy initiative,” said Debra Boudreaux from the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. 

"Faith groups are at the heart of communities throughout the United States and serve as a trusted pathway for setting the stage for climate adaptation, building community-based networks and disseminating information," said Church World Service Director of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Zach Wolgemuth. "Climate resilience requires a whole community approach that engages the faith community along with the public and private sectors with intensive local participation that is fully inclusive of the unique populations within each community. CWS’s Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery program is committed to leaning into our network partnerships and decades of expertise to ensure the nuanced needs of newcomer populations are included in a whole community approach to climate resilience and disaster preparedness."

FEMA appreciates the collaboration with our partners and looks forward to future endeavors as together we work toward protecting our future and building a more equitable, sustainable and resilient nation.

FEMA and the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships co-hosted a Multi-Faith Leader Climate Resilience Roundtable. (FEMA photo)

 

FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks greets Gurpreet Singh Sodhi, Chief Executive Officer, United Sikhs. (FEMA photo) luther.wills-dudich Fri, 04/26/2024 - 19:45

A Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Warwick

WARWICK, R.I. – The state of Rhode Island and FEMA have opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Warwick in Kent County to help Rhode Island residents affected by the severe storms and flooding that took place from December 17-19, 2023, and January 9-13, 2024. At the center, survivors will be able to apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents and get answers to questions in person. The location of the DRC is:

 

Warwick Fire Department, Station 10

225 Potowomut Road

Warwick, Rhode Island 02818

 

The hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Other DRCs currently open to assist survivors:

• Coventry Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Rd, Coventry, RI 02816
  Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 am -- 6:30 pm, Saturday, 8 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m. Closed Sundays.
• Cumberland Public Library (tents outside), 1464 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI 02864
  Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Sundays. Inclement weather could change the hours.
• Knightsville Manor (Community Room), 85 Briggs Street, Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
  Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

DRCs provide disaster survivors with information from state agencies, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance and disaster loans, update applications and learn about other resources available. 

All centers are accessible to people with disabilities and access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology equipment. If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please let a FEMA specialist at the center know. 

Residents don’t need to visit a DRC to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, register with FEMA in one of the following ways: Call 1-800-621-3362. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week. Help is available in most languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Online at DisasterAssistance.gov , or download the FEMA Mobile App available at Google Play or the Apple App Store. 

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

For the latest information visit 4765 | FEMA.gov or 4766 | FEMA.gov. Follow FEMA on Twitter (X) at twitter.com/femaregion1 and at facebook.com/fema.

For updates on Rhode Island’s response and recovery operations, follow the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency on Twitter (X) twitter.com/RhodeIslandEMA and Facebook facebook.com/RhodeIslandEMA.  

barbara.murien… Fri, 04/26/2024 - 17:49

Texas Offers April Sales Tax Holiday for Emergency Supplies

DENTON, Texas – FEMA Region 6 encourages Texans to stock up on emergency supplies during this year’s tax-free weekend starting April 27.

Residents can buy supplies and equipment to use in emergencies or natural disasters during the Texas Comptroller’s 2024 Emergency Preparation Sales Tax Holiday. No sales tax will be collected for eligible purchases made from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 27 to midnight on Monday, April 29.  

Eligible items are helpful during hurricanes, flash floods, wildfires, power outages or other emergencies. Examples include portable generators, emergency ladders, hurricane shutters and fire extinguishers.

For general emergency preparedness needs, Texans may also buy batteries, flashlights, first aid kits and ice chests/coolers.

Purchases can be made in-store or online. There is no limit on the number of items purchased, but there are sales price limits. For example, a rescue ladder must cost less than $300. If one cost $299, plus a $10 delivery charge, the ladder would not qualify. With a total purchase price of $309, the consumer would be charged sales tax.

For a complete list of tax-free items and more information, visit Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday (texas.gov). Learn how to build an emergency preparedness kit supplies at Build A Kit | Ready.gov.

Hurricane Season begins June 1.

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 04/26/2024 - 17:02

Get Repair and Rebuilding Advice April 29 to May 11 in Kahului

HONOLULU – Mitigation specialists from FEMA have partnered with The Home Depot to offer free advice and tips on how to rebuild homes stronger and safer as Maui residents begin repairing, rebuilding and making improvements to their homes after the August wildfires.

FEMA specialists will be available from Monday, April 29, to Saturday, May 11, at this location:

The Home Depot
100 Pakaula St.
Kahului, HI 96732

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays only.

The specialists are available to answer questions and offer home-improvement tips and proven methods to help reduce damage from disasters. Most information is aimed at general contractors or those who do the work on their own.

For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires - YouTube. Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook.com/fema. You may also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires.

nicole.timonshipman Thu, 04/25/2024 - 18:30

FEMA Announces More Than $103 Million Available to Assist Emergency Operations Centers Nationwide

WASHINGTON -- FEMA today released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year 2024 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program. The program provides more than $103 million to eligible state, local and tribal governments for equipping, upgrading or constructing emergency operations center projects determined by Congress.

“Emergency operations centers are the heart of disaster preparedness and response, and support communities across the nation during their greatest time of need,” said Pamela Williams, Assistant Administrator of the Grants Program Directorate. “Our emergency operations center grants are providing more than $103 million for these critical coordination hubs, helping communities nationwide be more resilient when facing all types of hazards.”

The EOC Grant Program improves emergency management and preparedness capabilities by supporting flexible, sustainable, secure, strategically located and fully interoperable EOCs with a focus on addressing identified deficiencies and needs. Fully capable emergency operations facilities at the state, local and tribal levels are an essential element of a comprehensive national emergency management system and are necessary to ensure continuity of operations and continuity of government in major disasters or emergencies caused by any hazard.

Only State Administrative Agencies (on behalf of state and local units of government) and Federally Recognized Tribes with projects identified in Appendix A of the funding notice are eligible to apply. The EOC Grant Program is congressionally directed spending with Congress determining the funded projects. 

The application period will remain open until 5 p.m. ET on June 7, 2024. Application submissions must be made through FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO). The NOFO is available on Grants.gov (Assistance Listings Number 97.052), as well as on the FEMA website.

luther.wills-dudich Thu, 04/25/2024 - 16:16

FEMA Provides Funding for the William Miranda Botanical Garden in Caguas

The repairs will extend beyond the buildings to help replant trees, plants, and protect the habitat of the garden's wildlife

Guaynabo, PUERTO RICO - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated approximately $4 million to the William Miranda Marín Botanical Garden in Caguas, directed at the recovery, and strengthening of the facility due to damage caused by Hurricane Maria. These funds will support the restoration of infrastructure and provide tools for risk mitigation in this important natural and cultural resource.

“This allocation will restore an invaluable natural resource, strengthen the fabric of the community, and protect an important habitat where even pre-Columbian archaeological sites are preserved. Projects like these go beyond minimal repair and reaffirm our commitment to current and future generations,” said José G. Baquero, Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator.

The Botanical Garden is located on the grounds of the former San José sugar mill, an important agricultural stronghold founded by the Spanish in the Turabo Valley between the 19th and mid-20th centuries.

According to Gil Calderón, executive director of the Botanical Garden, this is the only place in Puerto Rico where evidence of the combination of the three main ethnic groups that make up the Creole (European, African, and Taíno) has been found.” For this reason, the site is divided into four main zones representing each of these ethnicities and one dedicated to the Creole, where one can find flora and fauna representative of these peoples and cultures.

Calderón emphasized that they continue focused on their vision for the Botanical Garden: “Our vision is to be a world-class ethnobotanical garden, a leader in tourism, culture, nature, and agritourism attractions in Puerto Rico. To be the best alternative for sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. On the other hand, our mission is to be internationally recognized as a premier center in terms of research, education, and interpretation of natural, cultural resources, and sustainability strategies.”

Part of the work already completed with the funds assigned by FEMA includes the repair and replacement of various elements, from lamps and posts to security and communication systems that operate through monitors to provide information to visitors. Likewise, water pipes, lighting systems, and roof panels were replaced.

Other repairs will be carried out in the administrative offices, concession stands, the butterfly house, and the Casa Jíbara, the visitor center, and recreational areas. Funds will also be allocated to repair bridges and the artificial lake and for improvements to the security area in the garden.

The Botanical Garden offers a variety of educational and cultural activities for the community, such as family day trips, educational tours for pet owners, and gallery nights. In addition, they make their facilities available for municipal events and non-profit entities.

Also, they host a variety of vendors that stimulate the local economy, such as food and beverage services. They even have a Reintegration Garden, where funeral services are provided with an ecological focus by reincorporating ashes into nature.

Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, the executive director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resilience (COR3), said, “this important project for the socioeconomic development to the people of Caguas joins other 300 permanent works that range from the design acquisition to construction stage, with investments amounting to $69 million. For the reconstruction of the Caguas Botanical Garden, the municipality has at its disposal the request for the first advance of the Working Capital Advance pilot program, which corresponds to 25% of FEMA’s obligation for the initial phase of this work's development. At COR3, we can reaffirm our commitment to continue assisting the municipal team leading the process of the hundreds of reconstruction projects.”

The funds for the Botanical Garden include over $482,000 for risk mitigation measures that will reduce the Garden's vulnerability to future climate events. These measures include securing air conditioners and water tanks, installing surge protectors, and other bioengineering strategies to improve bridge drainage.

To date, FEMA has allocated over $32.6 billion for about 11,000 projects that will address the recovery of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339, fema.gov/disaster/4473 and recovery.pr. Follow us on our social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.

 

 

frances.acevedo-pico Thu, 04/25/2024 - 15:51

Biden-Harris Administration Hosts Inaugural Wildfire Smoke Webinar, Highlights Dangers and Defines Actionable Ways to Combat and Prepare for Increased Risk of Wildfires

WASHINGTON -- To help individuals and communities protect themselves from the risks and effects of wildfire smoke, the Biden-Harris Administration through FEMA is hosting the first-ever Wildfire Smoke Resilience Summit on April 29, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET. As part of FEMA’s Extreme Heat summit series, this wildfire virtual summit is an opportunity to learn about resources, get information about funding and hear wildfire smoke best practices.  

Throughout April, FEMA worked with partners across the nation to recognize the effects of a changing climate and how communities can build resilience to withstand the risk of today and those anticipated in the future. As part of FEMA’s Year of Resilience, this event reflects the national partnership of agencies working to address the risk and effects of wildfire smoke.  

During the webinar, participants will hear from U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and federal partners from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. FEMA Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for Resilience Victoria Salinas will moderate roundtable discussions. 

Participants will learn how their peers are addressing wildfires and how their initiatives enhance preparedness, one action at a time. UFSA, CDC and EPA speakers will discuss how they are supporting individual and community resilience to the effects of wildfire. They will also provide information on federal funding and resources to help combat wildfires.  

As wildfire events become more frequent and more severe -- especially during periods of extreme heat, FEMA continues to help prepare the nation for these deadly events. On May 21, FEMA’s Extreme Heat series concludes with a hybrid in-person-virtual summit hosted by FEMA Region 5 in Chicago. Building on the lessons learned from the 2023 Extreme Heat Summit, this two-day engagement will offer opportunities for discussion, networking and cross-collaboration between all levels of government and community partners. 

luther.wills-dudich Thu, 04/25/2024 - 15:24

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell Expands Role of FEMA’s Office of External Affairs, Emphasizes FEMA’s Commitment to Partnership and Cultural Competency

The Office of External Affairs to Host First-Ever National Summit on Risk Communications, Crisis Communications, and Community Engagement

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell advanced the Office of External Affairs by changing the titles of Director Justin Ángel Knighten and Deputy Director Lucas Hitt to Associate Administrator and Deputy Associate Administrator. The title elevation acknowledges the growth and office’s heightened focus on advancing equity, climate resilience, readiness, building partnerships and operationalizing FEMA’s community engagement work.

“As an agency and across external affairs, we strive to become more culturally competent before, during and after disaster to better understand, communicate and interact with people across communities and cultures. The ever-expanding communications landscape has made building and maintaining trust in our mission and message more important and more challenging than ever before,” said Associate Administrator Knighten. “As FEMA Administrator Criswell has said, we are successful when we put people first. We are prioritizing and strengthening how we listen, learn and design strategies responsive to the needs of people that create the meaningful connections and changes in behavior critical in all phases of resilience building, response and recovery.” 

“Accurate, reliable and accessible information is an essential commodity for survivors and the public when disasters strike and across the recovery process and that’s this team’s mission,” said Deputy Associate Administrator Hitt. “Our office remains more committed than ever to ensuring that every community has a seat at the table and are partners in our work to help people before, during and after disasters.”

While FEMA is typically recognized as a preparedness, response and recovery agency, now more than ever, the Office of External Affairs is leading yet another space for the agency – that of resiliency. The Office of External Affairs is directing the 2024 Year of Resilience communications campaign, which is an opportunity to share best resilience practices, advance new innovative ideas and protect even more people in disaster’s path. 

Additionally, under the office leadership, the nation’s preparedness Ready and Listo campaigns, in partnership with the Ad Council, were shifted to be accessible and culturally competent, with a focus on targeting communities disproportionally impacted by the hazards that continue to threaten our nation. The campaign expanded outreach to Latino, Black and African American and older adult communities, including people with disabilities, those living in rural areas and those with limited resources. To prepare the nation for the extreme temperatures becoming more prevalent across the country, the Ready campaign also launched the inaugural awareness initiatives — #SummerReady for extreme heat and #WinterReady for extreme cold to help communities build resilience ahead of extreme weather events.

Acknowledging that disaster planning and response takes a whole community of effective communicators, on June 10, 2024, the Office will host FEMA’s first-ever National Summit on Risk Communications, Crisis Communications and Community Engagement. The Summit will convene communicators across federal government, emergency management, government at all levels, academics and cross-sector partners who are on the front-line of the climate and emerging hazard crises. 

The Office of External Affairs encompasses six divisions including Public Affairs and Planning, Intergovernmental Affairs, Congressional Affairs, Coordination Business Operations, Disaster Operations and Communications as well as ten regional external affairs offices and a talented cadre of external affairs field staff supporting survivors across the nation. The Office continues to remain committed to enhancing storytelling, improving accessibility, building relationships, championing communities and fostering a learning culture.

• Enhancing Storytelling: Over the past year, the Public Affairs and Planning Division has enhanced the FEMA’s storytelling capabilities on recovery operations and building a more resilient nation, providing strategic counsel and advising agency leadership on how to communicate policies, programs and changes. The Communications Division has improved customer experience through its main digital services FEMA.gov, Ready.gov, the FEMA App and the agency’s social media platforms. 
• Improving Accessibility: The agency launched a new FEMA.gov homepage to highlight FEMA’s work across the country while making it easier for people to access the agency’s most popular services. Additionally, the FEMA App, available in English and Spanish languages, was completely redesigned in 2022 based on customer feedback to be a personalized resource to help people plan before, protect themselves during and recover after disasters. Providing accessible materials in 30 different languages in 2023, the office also expanded the language services team so that the agency can reach disaster survivors in every community.
• Building Relationships: The office continues to strengthen the agency’s collaboration and coordination with partners and the American people. Last year, the Intergovernmental Affairs Division engaged in nearly 300 stakeholder engagements and over 100 tribal nation engagements. The Congressional Affairs Division engaged in nearly 400 engagements. FEMA’s External Affairs Cadre members– which represents 600+ deployable external affairs practitioners –work in the areas experiencing devastation caused by a disaster engaging stakeholders in Congress, the news media, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, and the private sector. The Office of External Affairs collaborates with the agency’s full network of external affairs assets, which includes teams in each of the ten FEMA regional offices, leads on all national and regional Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) and beyond. 
• Championing Communities: The office became the home to first-ever National Tribal Affairs Advocate, who advises the Administrator and the agency on Tribal Affairs, while working to ensure that FEMA lives up to its treaty and trust responsibilities to Tribal Nations. The office brought on the Small State and Rural Advocate, who works to make sure that the unique challenges and needs of small towns and rural areas are addressed in our disaster preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery.  
• Fostering a culture of Learning: The office worked with staff from the State Department and International Rescue Committee to design a training on building trust, supporting historically underserved populations and meeting people where they are. External affairs teams across the agency have been learning from this experience, and the many other learning opportunities designed to keep teams on the cutting edge of communication trends and engagement strategies, to help people. 

luther.wills-dudich Wed, 04/24/2024 - 18:02

FEMA Approves More Than $2.7 Million for Sharkey County

MADISON, Miss. – FEMA has approved $2,797,036 to reimburse Sharkey County for staging temporary assets for first responders and volunteers following the March 24-25, 2023, severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes.

The severe storms created an immediate threat to the health and safety of the public, requiring emergency response and protective measures. These assets included but were not limited to:

• Temporary Services
  • Restrooms 
  • Showers
  • Laundry
• Generators
• Temporary light towers
• Site management

All work and expenses took place between April 23 and Sept. 23, 2023.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grant reimbursement to local and state government agencies for the costs of emergency response, debris removal and restoration of disaster-damaged public facilities and infrastructure. 

For the latest information on recovery from the March tornadoes, visit msema.org and www.fema.gov/disaster/4697. On X/Twitter follow MEMA @MSEMA and FEMA Region 4 @femaregion4.

 

Gaynell.Tinsey Wed, 04/24/2024 - 12:54

Disaster Recovery Centers to Close April 27 but FEMA Help Still Available

HONOLULU – The Lahaina Disaster Recovery Center will close permanently on Saturday, April 27, but that doesn’t mean FEMA won’t continue to help the people who were displaced by the August wildfires on Maui or that FEMA is leaving the state.  

Helping Maui recover will take time, and FEMA will be here for the long haul.

Even after the recovery center at Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium closes at 3 p.m. on April 27, help from FEMA is just a phone call away. Survivors can get answers from trained specialists at the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Operators speak many languages and are available to answer your questions from 2 a.m. to 9 p.m. HST, seven days a week.

Survivors who are waiting to be placed in units offered under FEMA’s Direct Lease program can call 808-784-1600. Leave your nine-digit FEMA registration number and a phone number where you can be reached, and a case worker will return your call within 24 hours. 

Those who need continuing rental assistance can reach out to FEMA Helpline specialists. It is also important to stay in touch with FEMA if you change your address or phone number, even if only temporarily. Missing or wrong information could delay your assistance.

You can also update FEMA about changes to your personal information by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. You may click on the green ‘Check Status’ button to create an online account. Use the same email you provided when you applied for assistance. If you applied online or used the FEMA app, you already have a disaster assistance account.

As of April 20, there have been more than 50,000 visits to the four Disaster Recovery Centers that began opening within a couple weeks after the Aug. 8 wildfires. Sixty percent, or more than 30,000, were repeat visits. 

Disaster Recovery Centers, which are accessible to people with disabilities and those with access and functional needs, are one-stop shops staffed with specially trained FEMA personnel as well as representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the American Red Cross. Survivors had access to information and advice, including from specialists at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Social Security Administration, the State of Hawaiʻi Offices of Language Access and Vital Records, the Salvation Army and Kaiser Permanente, a full-service healthcare provider.

As Maui survivors settle into interim and permanent housing and disaster workers identify new strategies and resources to meet long-term recovery needs, the State of Hawaiʻi is working to open a Community Resources Center to continue addressing those needs.

For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires - YouTube. Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook.com/fema. You may also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires. 

nicole.timonshipman Tue, 04/23/2024 - 20:46

President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda Supports Flood Reduction Infrastructure Project in Historic Savannah Community

$30 Million for Flood Risk Reduction Project Is Largest Mitigation Grant in Georgia History

ATLANTA -- Today, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and White House Intergovernmental Affairs Director Tom Perez joined Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, along with Georgia elected officials to celebrate a $30.15 million grant from FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. Plans are underway for a two-part project to reduce the flood risk of 17 neighborhoods and areas of unincorporated Chatham County, Georgia as a result of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. 

“As disasters become more frequent and costly with the effects of climate change, FEMA remains more committed than ever to working with communities to find ways to increase resilience,” said FEMA Administrator Criswell. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the people of Savannah will be able to protect against future flooding, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by disasters.” 

“The Biden-Harris Administration views all challenges and opportunities through an equity lens — including climate resilience,” said Senior Advisor to the President and Director of White House Intergovernmental Affairs Perez. “This grant will help ensure that the mostly Black and Brown communities in Carver Village, Cloverdale, and the west side of Savannah will be better protected from repetitive flooding for generations to come.”

The first project will widen and improve flood water drainage across 1.42 miles of the Springfield Canal, starting near Bowles C. Ford Park and ending by the Highway 17 on-ramp. The Springfield Canal enhancements will be designed in parallel with the city's Tide-to-Town project, which is a working collaboration between the city and multiple organizations to connect 75% of Savannah's neighborhood to walking and biking infrastructure.

The second project provides funds for upgrades to local stormwater drainage infrastructure in the historic Carver Village and Cloverdale neighborhoods, diverting runoff from the neighborhoods to the Springfield Canal and minimizing flooding potential within the community. Once finished, the changes will effectively discharge a 25-year flood, 24-hour flood event.

The Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 Initiative aims to deliver 40% of overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing projects to disadvantaged communities through various FEMA programs. Project obligations like this in Carver Village —located in a historically Black neighborhood established in 1948 as an affordable housing community—help the administration meet this goal. 

“For decades, we’ve seen success after success working with communities in the aftermath of a disaster to build back stronger and mitigate their future risk,” said Regional Administrator Robert Samaan. “The key to the BRIC program is how we work with communities before there is a crisis, applying the lessons we’ve learned from our 45 years of disaster recovery to solve these kinds of problems.”

Through the BRIC program, FEMA invests in a variety of mitigation activities with an added focus on infrastructure projects benefitting disadvantaged communities, nature-based solutions, climate resilience and adaption and adopting hazard resistant building codes. Unlike most FEMA assistance which goes to rebuilding communities after a disaster, BRIC funding is available to the entire nation on a competitive, pre-disaster basis.

Since the BRIC program began in 2021, the application process is opened annually for communities to submit competitive project proposals. Projects that are chosen from the initial review are then funded through phase one, where studies on design, engineering and environmental impact are run to ensure project feasibility. Once phase one is complete and approved, the project moves to the construction phase and has 36 months to be completed at a federal cost share of 70%. The total estimated cost of the Savannah project is $42,923,800.

Since taking office, President Biden has continued to provide additional funding to FEMA’s annual resilience grant programs, increasing them from $700 million when he took office to $1.8 billion for FY 23. This increased funding allows FEMA to expand its geographic scope in funding selections and protect more of our nation’s communities that are most in harm’s way from the effects of climate change and extreme weather. Overall, the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides FEMA nearly $7 billion to help communities proactively reduce their vulnerability to flood, hurricanes, drought, wildfires, extreme heat and other climate-fueled hazards.

In addition to the improvements to the Springfield Canal and community flood protection, Chatham County has multiple additional BRIC projects in the process of being developed for consideration in the next round of the competitive grant process.

For more information about FEMA’s BRIC program, visit fema.gov.

luther.wills-dudich Tue, 04/23/2024 - 20:35

FEMA commits $384 million to rebuild educational facilities on St. Croix and St. Thomas

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands – A commitment of $384.8 million to demolish and replace three elementary schools on St. Croix, one on St. Thomas and repair a school lunch warehouse on St. Thomas mark the latest milestones in FEMA’s collaboration with the Territory to rebuild school infrastructure across the U.S. Virgin Islands which were damaged during hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. 

The prudent replacement of Lew Muckle Elementary School is made possible under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 which clears a path for the demolition and rebuilding of seven of the 11 buildings located on a 3.94-acre parcel in Sion Farm.

Eulalie Rivera Elementary school in Grove Place is also receiving prudent replacement costs to repair damages to school grounds and replace 12 structures including bleachers, athletic field bathroom and classrooms. 

FEMA has also obligated funds to repair the grounds and replace ten buildings at the Juanita Gardine Elementary School in Estate Richmond. Buildings to be replaced at this school include classrooms, offices, the auditorium, and an auxiliary building. 

On St. Thomas, FEMA has committed funds to assist in replacing the Leonard Dober Elementary School. This school was built in 1938 and suffered greatly in the 2017 hurricanes. Funds will be used to repair the school grounds and replace three buildings and fencing. 

Funds have also been obligated to assist in repairing a 7,000 sq ft lunch warehouse on St. Thomas back to pre-disaster design, capacity, and function within the existing footprint.

FEMA along with the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands and its departments, including the V.I. Department of Education, continues to focus on repairing and replacing hurricane-damaged facilities, paving a path for safe and modern school facilities from which to deliver education in an equitable manner for the youngest members of our communities.

“I am pleased to approve these latest obligations that help bring the Virgin Islands closer to post-hurricane recovery,” said Kristen A. Hodge, the Director for FEMA’s Recovery Office in the U.S. Virgin Islands. “FEMAs resolve to work with our partners in the USVI to repair and rebuild facilities and infrastructure damaged by Irma and Maria remains a high priority for team members who live here in the territory as well as those in leadership roles at the regional and national levels. Our commitment to help the future leaders of the Virgin Islands by providing them safe facilities in which to receive their education remains strong.” 

###

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

gina.callaghan Tue, 04/23/2024 - 18:27

60-Day Snapshot: Federal Assistance Exceeds $22 Million as San Diego County Disaster Recovery Makes Progress

San Diego, Calif. — The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and FEMA, along with other state, county and local partners in San Diego County, have been working tirelessly to restore homes and businesses to pre-disaster conditions following the Jan. 21-23, 2024 severe storm and flooding disaster. In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), numerous volunteers, and private aid organizations have worked hard to fund recovery and get survivors back on their feet. 

Below is a snapshot of the recovery efforts over the last two months since the Feb. 19, 2024 Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.

Individual Assistance

• More than 2,898 households have been approved for FEMA grants, including:
  • $18.3 million in housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
  • Nearly $3.9 million approved for other essential disaster-related needs, such as expenses related to medical expenses and lost personal possessions.
• FEMA’s door-to-door crews have visited 14,969 households to help survivors apply for assistance.
• Over 76% of homeowners who applied for assistance received some additional funds for mitigation efforts.
• Two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) provided face-to-face assistance to 7,134 survivors.

Local Call Center Support and Door-to-Door Teams

• A locally-based team of Individual Assistance personnel has been working hard to make sure FEMA reaches all survivors who experienced damage from the Jan. 21-23, 2024 severe storm and flooding disaster. 
• Using FEMA’s Enhanced Applicant Services initiative that identifies applications of at-risk survivors, the team has already contacted nearly 3,845 applicants by phone to assist them with completing the process.
• To date, more than 1,377  of these applicants, including older adults and those with access and functional needs, have received grants totaling nearly $3.9 million as a result of this follow-up.
• In addition to call-outs, door-to-door teams have worked through the most impacted neighborhoods to ensure every San Diego survivor was registered for assistance.
• These teams worked with the county and non-profits to register survivors at the 65 hotels where survivors stayed following the storm.

Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs)

• FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL), State VAL and members of San Diego Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), Community Based Organizations, Faith Based Partners, and other local nonprofits have been assisting those affected by January 21-23, 2024 severe storm and flooding disaster. 
• San Diego VOAD opened a Crisis Cleanup site where 425 households signed up for cleanup and mold remediation assistance. 
• Over 1,200 individuals have signed up with San Diego VOAD for help. VOAD has assisted over 1,000 households with referrals and resources. 
• SDVOAD member agency, The Harvey Foundation, has served 32,290 meals. Meals were served to 225 households (750 individuals).
• Partnering with National VOAD Partner, Global Empowerment Mission, SDVOAD is operating a Donations Warehouse with items a survivor needs as they move through the phases of Recovery.

For the latest FEMA information on the Jan. 21-23, 2024 San Diego County severe storms and flooding, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4758. 

###

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

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, or economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, you can call the Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448 (TTY 800-462-7585). Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

camille.schuetze Tue, 04/23/2024 - 15:31

FEMA Funding Can Assist Everyone Who is Eligible

Federal assistance can help Mainers in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington and York counties recover from the January 9-13 severe storms and flooding. Here are ten facts to know about the help that may be available to you:

1. You won’t be taking money away from someone else by applying. FEMA will distribute funds to every eligible applicant regardless of how many people apply. 
2. FEMA assistance is available to homeowners and renters, including owners and renters of mobile homes.
3. Eligible homeowners and renters will receive FEMA assistance as grants that do not have to be repaid. 
4. You can apply for FEMA assistance even before your insurance claim is processed. Report any settlement or denial letter from your insurance company to FEMA. FEMA cannot provide duplicate benefits, so inform FEMA of your insurance coverage when you apply for assistance.
5. FEMA assistance is nontaxable, and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal or state benefits. 
6. You can ask questions and get in-person help applying for assistance at a Disaster Recovery Center. Centers are currently open at: 
   • York County: Wells Fire Station, 585 N Berwick Rd, Wells, ME 04090
   • Hancock County: Moore Community Center, 125 State St, Ellsworth, ME 04605
   • Cumberland County: Old Orr’s Island Schoolhouse, 1594 Harpswell Islands Road, Orr’s Island, ME  04066
   • Washington County: University of Maine, Torrey Building, 40 University Drive, Machias, ME  04654

Centers are open Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays. 

7. If your insurance is delayed by 30 days or more and you need money to relocate immediately, FEMA may be able to help. There are several ways to apply for FEMA assistance. Survivors can go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app, or call 800-621-3362 to apply before the May 20, 2024 deadline. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
8. If your car was damaged by the disaster, you may be eligible for money to repair or replace it. Apply with FEMA first, then, if referred, submit a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan application to determine eligibility. 
9. If FEMA refers you to the Small Business Administration, you should apply. SBA’s long-term, low-interest disaster loans are the largest source of federal recovery funds – and applying allows FEMA to evaluate you for more types of aid. SBA may be able to increase your loan amount by up to 20 percent of your damage so you can make improvements to make your home safer. To learn more, visit SBA.gov/disaster.
10. Calling 211 or applying for assistance through another organization or agency does not automatically register you with FEMA. To apply for FEMA assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. 

FEMA has plenty of funds to support our operations in Maine for the January 9-13 severe storms and flooding. If you were impacted, apply for assistance, and if you qualify, you will receive it. 

kwei.nwaogu Tue, 04/23/2024 - 15:04

FEMA Announces $117 Million for Emergency Food and Shelter Program to Fight Hunger, Homelessness

WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA awarded $117 million to help fight hunger and homelessness in America, which will improve community responses by providing funding to numerous local organizations across the country to lift people out of dire conditions.

Congress appropriated $117 million through the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024 to FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). By law, FEMA must award the full $117 million to the program’s National Board. The National Board then allocates the funds to local organizations dedicated to feeding, sheltering and providing critical resources to people with economic emergencies. The funds are used to provide shelter, food and supportive services to individuals and families who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, hunger or homelessness. 

The program’s National Board allocates funds to local boards in qualifying jurisdictions using the most recent national population, unemployment and poverty data. Local boards then advertise the availability of grant funding in their communities, review applications and award grants to organizations that provide services to those in need. Services can include: 

• Food, in the form of served meals or groceries.
• Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel.
• Rental or mortgage assistance to prevent evictions.
• Utility payment to prevent service cut-offs.
• Transportation costs associated with the provision of food or shelter.
• Supplies and equipment necessary to feed or shelter people.

The National Board is chaired by FEMA, with representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide. United Way Worldwide, the National Board’s Secretariat and Fiscal Agent, are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the program. 

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program has helped make our nation more resilient by distributing more than $4.4 billion to over 14,000 human service agencies in more than 2,500 communities across the country. This collaborative effort between the private and public sectors has helped provide food, shelter and other critical support to hundreds of thousands of people during some of the most challenging periods in their lives.

This program is separate from the former EFSP-Humanitarian program, which assisted migrants encountered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at the southern border. Migrant assistance is now provided through the Shelter and Services Program.

For more information, including how funds are made available by the EFSP National Board to local service providers, visit the EFSP Website (unitedway.org).

luther.wills-dudich Mon, 04/22/2024 - 21:23

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Vermont

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Vermont to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storm from Jan. 9-13, 2024. 

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille and Orleans counties. 

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

William F. Roy has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.

luther.wills-dudich Mon, 04/22/2024 - 18:37

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for New Hampshire

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of New Hampshire to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe storms and flooding from Jan. 9-14, 2024. 

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in Grafton and Rockingham counties.  

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

William F. Roy has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.

luther.wills-dudich Mon, 04/22/2024 - 18:31