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FEMA Funding Can Assist Everyone Who is Eligible
- 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.
- FEMA assistance is available to homeowners and renters, including owners and renters of mobile homes.
- Eligible homeowners and renters will receive FEMA assistance as grants that do not have to be repaid.
- You can apply for FEMA assistance before your insurance claim processes. However, once you receive a settlement, make sure to report it to FEMA. FEMA can’t duplicate benefits from other sources, so we need to see what your insurance covers before we can process your application.
- FEMA assistance is nontaxable, and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal or state benefits.
- You can ask questions and get in-person help applying for assistance at a Disaster Recovery Center. Five centers are currently open:
- Manchester Fire Department, 37 Readfield Rd., Manchester
- Franklin County: University of Maine – Roberts Learning Center, 270 Main St., Farmington
- Androscoggin County: 65 Central Ave., Lewiston
- Oxford County: 150 River Street, Rumford
- Somerset County: 4 County Drive, Skowhegan
All locations are currently open daily 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. You can visit any location and no appointment is needed.
- 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. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 December 17-21, 2023, severe storm and flooding. If you were impacted, apply for assistance, and if you qualify, you will receive it.
adrien.urbani Fri, 02/23/2024 - 17:41FEMA’s Resilient Nation Partnership Network and Sundance Institute to Co-Host April 2024 Partnership Forum Highlighting Stories of Resilience
WASHINGTON – FEMA’s Resilient Nation Partnership Network (RNPN) eighth forum will host in partnership with the Sundance Institute. The theme for this year is “Stories of Resilience: Voices That Inspire.” The Forum will feature robust panel discussions on resilience challenges and how we can act together to address them by using storytelling to advance natural hazard resilience. Sessions will take place online Thursdays in April from 1-3 p.m.
“FEMA’s Resilient Nation Partnership Network and Sundance Institute collaboration is a powerful opportunity to showcase community-led resilience building in action,” said Victoria Salinas FEMA Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for Resilience. “As FEMA launches 2024 as its Year of Resilience, partnerships such as these allow our agency to reach broader audiences that are critical to increasing resilience across our nation. By hearing the stories of communities who are often left out of the conversation, we cultivate new spaces and ways to build trust with communities, promote equity, and increase resilience.”
“We are very excited to team up with FEMA and the RNPN. Storytelling is key to understanding climate justice, and these kinds of partnerships help us imagine a stronger future," said Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs, Sundance Institute’s Director of Artist Accelerator and Women at Sundance. "Sundance has a long history of lifting up the voices that tell gripping climate stories. These stories take us into communities, get local activists involved, and shed light on our shared concerns. Collaborations like this are essential: widening our audience, educating them, and motivating all of us to act. It's all about building a resilient climate future for everyone."
Each day of the Forum will feature diverse speakers discussing and inspiring community-led resilience. Registration is open to all.
To learn more and register, go to FEMA.gov/RNPN.
FEMA’s Resilient Nation Partnership NetworkThe Resilient Nation Partnership Network (RNPN) represents a diverse network of voices united in their commitment to help communities act and become more resilient toward natural disasters and climate-related events. What started as a handful of like-minded individuals has flourished to over 1,600 organizations represented. Our mission is to inform, educate, and motivate communities to protect themselves from the loss of life, property, and prosperity as a result of natural hazards.
Sundance InstituteAs a champion and curator of independent stories, the nonprofit Sundance Institute provides and preserves the space for artists across storytelling media to create and thrive. Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, the Institute’s signature labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. Sundance Collab, a digital community platform, brings a global cohort of working artists together to learn from each other and Sundance advisors and connect in a creative space, developing and sharing works in progress.
The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences and artists to ignite new ideas, discover original voices, and build a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Through the Sundance Institute, artist programs we have supported include projects such as Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Big Sick, Bottle Rocket, Boys Don’t Cry, Boys State, Call Me By Your Name, Clemency, CODA, Drunktown’s Finest, The Farewell, Fire of Love, Flee, The Forty-Year-Old Version, Fruitvale Station, Get Out, Half Nelson, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Hereditary, Honeyland, The Infiltrators, The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Little Woods, Love & Basketball, Me and You and Everyone We Know, Mudbound, Nanny, Navalny, O.J.: Made in America, One Child Nation, Pariah, Raising Victor Vargas, Requiem for a Dream, Reservoir Dogs, RBG, Sin Nombre, Sorry to Bother You, The Souvenir, Strong Island, Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Swiss Army Man, Sydney, A Thousand and One, Top of the Lake, Walking and Talking, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, and Zola.
Through year-round artist programs, the Institute also nurtured the early careers of artists such as Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, Gregg Araki, Darren Aronofsky, Lisa Cholodenko, Ryan Coogler, Nia DaCosta, The Daniels, David Gordon Green, Miranda July, James Mangold, John Cameron Mitchell, Kimberly Peirce, Boots Riley, Ira Sachs, Quentin Tarantino, Taika Waititi, Lulu Wang, and Chloé Zhao. Support Sundance Institute in our commitment to uplifting bold artists and powerful storytelling globally by making a donation at sundance.org/donate. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. For more information, email press@Sundance.org.
luther.wills-dudich Fri, 02/23/2024 - 17:40Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Macomb County
LANSING, Mich. – A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will open in Macomb County February 23 to help residents in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties kickstart their recovery after the August 24-26, 2023, severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.
Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration at the center can help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, learn about ways to make their property more disaster resistant and get their questions answered in person.
The Macomb center will open on the following date at this location:
Opening 8 a.m. Friday, February 23 at:
Chesterfield Township Fire Department Central Station
33991 23 Mile Road
Chesterfield, MI 48047
Hours: 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays
Open until further notice.
The Macomb recovery center is in addition to the Ingham County center:
Opened 8 a.m., Thursday, February 22, at:
Northeast Ingham Emergency Services Authority
1296 W. Grand River Ave.
Williamston, MI 48895
Hours: 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays
Closing permanently 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 2.
Assistance in languages other than English, including American Sign Language, and translated materials are available at the centers. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. Accessible parking spaces are available.
Additional recovery centers will be opening soon. To find the center nearest you, visit FEMA.gov/DRC. Survivors may visit any center for assistance.
Survivors don’t need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. The deadline to apply for assistance is April 8, 2024.
For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757.
kirsten.chambers Thu, 02/22/2024 - 21:37One Week Remains to Request Free FEMA Help for Mitigation Planning and Project Support
WASHINGTON -- A deadline is approaching for communities and Tribal Nations to receive free FEMA help with hazard mitigation planning and potential Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) project support.
Communities and Tribal Nations that lack resources to begin climate resilience planning and designing projects have until Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, to submit forms to request BRIC Direct Technical Assistance.
“As the nation faces increasing threats from climate change, we know there are communities that need support to increase their ability to better withstand the hazards of today and tomorrow,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Direct Technical Assistance is the tool FEMA has to provide hand-in-hand support to these communities. We want to help as many communities as possible to advance resilience. I encourage communities to apply while the application period is still open.”
FEMA’s BRIC Direct Technical Assistance offers tailored support to communities and Tribal Nations for up to 36 months through a range of activities from pre-application to grant closeout to further explore and better understand their specific requests for technical assistance.
The agency plans to announce the community and Tribal Nation selections later this summer. FEMA has already announced a total of 74 communities and Tribal Nations to receive support from FEMA’s BRIC Direct Technical Assistance. FEMA is expecting to make 80 additional selections from the open application period.
One example of a Direct Technical Assistance selection benefiting from the program is DePue, Illinois, an economically disadvantaged rural community. DePue was the first DTA community selected in the BRIC national competition.
Using $23 million from the FY2022 BRIC funding cycle, local leaders plan to build a new wastewater treatment plant on property outside flood prone areas. The old plant -- overwhelmed during flooding in 2008 leading to sewage backup in homes -- will be torn down to create open space.
Project types from past BRIC Direct Technical Assistance requests include:
- General support in grants management, project scoping and hazard mitigation planning.
- Technical assistance and evaluation for climate risk assessment and nature-based solutions projects.
- Natural hazards project scoping activities, such as flooding, drought, fire, typhoon and erosion.
To be considered for selection, applicants do not need a previous BRIC grant subapplication, award or a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan. Interested communities and Tribal Nations can apply to this program by submitting a BRIC Direct Technical Assistance Request Form to fema-bric-dta-submission@fema.dhs.gov for this cycle of selections.
For FEMA’s fiscal year, 2023 BRIC Notice of Funding Opportunity, communities and Tribal Nations requesting BRIC Direct Technical Assistance must identify at least two ongoing or potential community partners in the request form. Identifying community partners is essential as they will work with selected communities and Tribal Nations by providing collaborative support throughout the 36-month program to plan for climate resilience or design projects.
To learn more about BRIC Direct Technical Assistance, visit FEMA.gov.
luther.wills-dudich Thu, 02/22/2024 - 20:08FEMA Assistance Available for Survivors of Eastern Washington Wildfires
SPOKANE, Wash. – FEMA Individual Assistance is now available for residents in Spokane County affected by the Gray and Oregon Road Wildfires between August 18 and August 25, 2023.
Be sure to apply for both state and FEMA disaster assistance so that you can receive all of the assistance from FEMA that may be available based on your eligibility.
FEMA assistance is unable to duplicate benefits offered through insurance, state programs, or other programs. But if your losses or damage go beyond disaster assistance available from other sources – or include items or categories not covered by other assistance – you may be eligible for additional funds from FEMA.
If you still have unmet needs, they may be able to be addressed through other sources.
You can apply for FEMA assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
Stay in touch and continue to partner with or register through your Disaster Case Managers for the Gray Fire and Oregon Road Fire. For more information and resources text 99411 or visit The Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group | Disaster Relief (srltrg.org).
If you require a reasonable accommodation -- such as language translation or interpretation, mobility assistance, or sign language interpretation -- email FEMA-language-access-request@fema.dhs.gov or notify staff in the field.
In addition to Individual Assistance, Spokane County has been approved for FEMA Public Assistance, which provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits, so communities can quickly recover from major disasters or emergencies by helping to cover the cost of debris removal and the restoration of public infrastructure.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
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Follow FEMA Region 10 on X 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 Thu, 02/22/2024 - 19:05Costa Sur Receives Approval for $55 Million in Additional Funds from FEMA
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – Nearly $55.3 million in federal funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were allocated for the second construction phase at the Costa Sur Power Plant in Guayanilla. This allocation to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) is part of the total obligation of about $9.5 billion for the restoration of the island's power grid through the agency's Accelerated Award Strategy (FAASt).
“All work to strengthen Puerto Rico's power grid is a priority for FEMA. We recognize the importance of having the grid working in optimal and robust condition, as it has an overall impact on the island, from health, education and the economy, to the homes of every citizen. Having a solid grid will help us face other emergencies and future disasters,” said FEMA Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.
The FAASt strategy allows critical infrastructure projects with similar damage to be grouped together to expedite Hurricane María recovery efforts. It reduces the time and resources that would be required to inspect thousands of damaged facilities.
The focus of this allocation for the Costa Sur thermoelectric generation plant — that produces energy for transmission and distribution plants around the island — is to repair the facility. The most outstanding works are the replacement of existing infrastructure and transmission circuit breakers, the construction of new control facilities to include protection, control and metering equipment, and the replacement of existing transformers. In addition, an emergency transformer and a spare transformer will be purchased.
To date, Costa Sur has over $125 million in FEMA funds under Hurricane María FAASt obligations; in addition to over $15 million for damage following the 2020 Earthquakes.
One of the previous allocations to this thermoelectric plant was nearly $21 million to replace equipment at the substation, such as oil circuit breakers and two gas circuit breakers with 13 new gas circuit breakers; and to install new disconnecting switches, among others.
These obligations, as well as other initiatives in which FEMA provides financial and technical assistance — such as the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transitions to 100% Renewable Energy Study (PR100) — are part of the agency’s collaboration with the Government of Puerto Rico to achieve the goal of transitioning to renewable energy by 2050.
To date, FEMA has obligated over $32 billion for more than 10,900 Hurricane María recovery projects and nearly $916 million for nearly 800 projects to address damage from the 2020 Earthquakes.
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.
Costa Sur Thermoelectric Generation Plant, Guayanilla, Puerto Rico
Guayanilla, Puerto Rico (September 9, 2021) – FEMA allocated nearly $55.3 million for the second reconstruction phase at the Costa Sur Power Plant in Guayanilla. This allocation to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) is part of the total obligation by FEMA of about $9.5 billion for the restoration of the island's power grid. Photo FEMA/Eliezer Hernández
frances.acevedo-pico Thu, 02/22/2024 - 18:25Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Ingham County
LANSING, Mich. – A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will open in Ingham County February 22 to help residents in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties kickstart their recovery after the August 24-26, 2023, severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.
Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration at the center can help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, learn about ways to make their property more disaster resistant and get their questions answered in person.
The center will be open on the following dates at this location:
Opening 8 a.m., Thursday, February 22, at:
Northeast Ingham Emergency Services Authority
1296 W. Grand River Ave.
Williamston, MI 48895
Hours: 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays
Closing permanently 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 2.
Assistance in languages other than English, including American sign language, and translated materials are available at the centers. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. Accessible parking spaces are available.
Additional recovery centers will be opening soon. To find the center nearest you, visit FEMA.gov/DRC. Survivors may visit any center for assistance.
Survivors don’t need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. The deadline to apply for assistance is April 8, 2024.
For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757.
kirsten.chambers Wed, 02/21/2024 - 21:53Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Clay County
Charleston, W.Va.– A state-federal Mobile Disaster Recovery Center, located at 223 Main Street, is now open to help West Virginia residents affected by the severe flooding that occurred Aug. 28-30, 2023.
Residents can get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents, and get questions answered about federal disaster assistance.
Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers are outside and exposed to weather. The sites will have some heaters and space for visitors to get warm, but they should be prepared to be outside for short periods of time as they get assistance.
The center is located at:
Clay CountyLocated at 223 Main Street
Clay, 35043, WV
Hours of operation:
Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.to 6 p.m.
Other recovery experts from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available at the Disaster Recovery Center to address additional needs.
The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/.
If it is not possible to visit the Disaster Recovery Center or to apply online, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
- For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4756 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Dakota
WASHINGTON-- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of North Dakota to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms and straight-line winds Dec. 25-27, 2023.
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 severe winter storms and straight-line winds in Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Grant, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman and Traill counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
James R. Stephenson has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.
luther.wills-dudich Wed, 02/21/2024 - 16:12Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Kennebec County
The State of Maine and FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Kennebec County. The DRC is a temporary facility established to help survivors recover from the severe storm and flooding from Dec. 17-21, 2023.
Kennebec County
Manchester Fire Department, 37 Readfield Rd., Manchester
This location will be open through March 4.
All centers operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week unless otherwise noted. Other DRC locations include:
Franklin County
University of Maine – Roberts Learning Center, 270 Main St., Farmington
Oxford County
Rumford Municipal Building, 150 River St., Rumford
Somerset County
Somerset County Emergency Operations Center, 4 County Dr., Skowhegan
Androscoggin County
Lewiston Armory, 65 Central Ave., Lewiston
DRCs provide disaster survivors with information from Maine 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.
DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities. They have assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to interact with staff. Video Remote Interpreting is available. The centers also have accessible parking, ramps and restrooms.
It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply. Survivors can go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.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. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
adrien.urbani Wed, 02/21/2024 - 15:09Beware of Fraud and Scams
LANSING, Mich. – Disasters bring out criminals looking to prey on survivors who appear to be easy targets for their scams.
Survivors of the August storms in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties should be aware that fraud and scams can occur anytime. FEMA encourages survivors to be alert and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud by scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals.
Anyone who suspects fraud or scams should call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 (TTY call 711). The toll-free number is open 24 hours a day.
Common tactics used by scam artists include phone calls from people claiming to work for FEMA. They caller may ask for the survivor’s Social Security number, income or banking information.
Survivors should never trust someone claiming to be a disaster assistance employee asking for money. FEMA does not endorse any commercial business, product or service, and local and federal disaster assistance workers do not solicit or accept money.
For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757.
kirsten.chambers Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:46President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Washington
WASHINGTON-- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Washington to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from Aug. 18 – 25, 2023.
The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Spokane County. 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 disaster.
Federal funding is also available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and debris removal in Spokane County.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Lance E. Davis has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
luther.wills-dudich Tue, 02/20/2024 - 20:11Damaged Furnace, Well or Septic System? FEMA Can Help
If you lost access to water because a private well or septic system was damaged, or if your furnace or heating system was damaged by the severe storm and flooding on December 17-21, 2023, you may be eligible for financial assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. The five (5) counties designated for this assistance program are Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, and Somerset.
For private wells, heating systems, furnaces and septic systems, FEMA may provide assistance to help you cover the cost of a licensed contractor, or a professional and/or licensed technician to visit your home and prepare an estimate for necessary repairs or replacement of your disaster-damaged systems.
FEMA may also pay for the actual repair or replacement cost of your septic system or private well, which are not insurable items. At the time of your inspection, let the FEMA inspector know you have a private well and/or septic system that may have been damaged by the storm. If the damage is determined to be caused by the disaster, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance.
If you have already had an inspection and damage to the well or septic system wasn’t reported, contact the FEMA Helpline to receive instructions about how to amend your application.
If you have applied for FEMA assistance and have not had a home inspection, you should call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362. 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. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
adrien.urbani Tue, 02/20/2024 - 17:57Assistance Available for Vehicles Damaged by the Severe Storm and Flooding in Maine
If you have damage to a vehicle as a result of the severe storm and flooding that occurred Dec. 17 – 21, 2023, auto insurance and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are the primary resources available to help with your repairs. If you’re unable to receive help through insurance or SBA, you may qualify for assistance through FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program. Here’s how to find out if you qualify for vehicle repair or replacement assistance:
- First, file a claim with your insurance company if you have a comprehensive policy. Comprehensive policies usually pay for storm-related damage to a vehicle. Federal disaster assistance may help fill the gaps for those whose coverage does not pay for any or all storm-related damage costs.
- Return a completed U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster-loan application. After registering with FEMA, you may be referred to the SBA to apply for a low-interest disaster loan application.
- Submit your application to SBA as soon as possible. Even if your insurance claim has not been settled, you can still submit an application.
- Homeowners and renters may be eligible to borrow up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
- If you qualify for an SBA low-interest loan, you don’t have to accept it. However, if you qualify and don’t accept the loan, you may not qualify for additional FEMA assistance.
- If SBA determines you cannot afford a loan, and you have registered with FEMA, you will automatically be referred to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program.
To begin the process with ONA, you need to verify the following:
- Your vehicle was damaged during the storm and flooding. Damage can be recorded by the FEMA housing inspector, or you may refer to your FEMA eligibility letter for help on where to send documents.
- Ownership of the vehicle with valid registration and title.
- A minimum of liability insurance that meets the State of Maine requirements for insurance at the time of the disaster-damage.
- You have no other usable vehicle, can confirm the vehicle was damaged within the disaster-designated area, and provide a mechanic’s statement listing the cause of damage, the cost of repair and whether the vehicle is repairable or totaled.
- FEMA accepts copies, so please keep all original documents for your own records.
Other vehicle needs:
- If you have more than one storm-damaged vehicle, you will have to write a statement explaining why your household needs more than one working vehicle. Include the number of vehicles and an insurance settlement or statement for each vehicle.
- If your vehicle is farm equipment, such as a tractor, contact your local Farm Services Agency office to inquire about the USDA disaster assistance program or go to https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/index.
SBA offers low-interest federal disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes. SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funds for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged property. For more information about the SBA loan process call 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit the SBA website at sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. If you are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-877-8339.
Registering with FEMAThe registration process with FEMA is the first step in your recovery and requires information such as insurance policies and bank information for possible direct transfer of funds. If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- By phone: 1-800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. ET. 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.
- Download the FEMA App.
FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, or other federal benefits.
Register even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.
adrien.urbani Tue, 02/20/2024 - 17:51Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Boone County
Charleston, W.Va.– A state-federal Mobile Disaster Recovery Center is now open at 446 John Slack Circle in Racine to help West Virginia residents affected by the severe flooding that occurred Aug. 28-30, 2023.
Residents can get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents, and get questions answered about federal disaster assistance.
Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers are outside and exposed to weather. The sites will have some heaters and space for visitors to get warm, but they should be prepared to be outside for short periods of time as they get assistance.
The center is located at:
Boone County
38 John Slack Circle, Racine, WV 26165
Hours of operation:
Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.to 6 p.m.
Other recovery experts from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available at the Disaster Recovery Center to address additional needs.
The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/.
If it is not possible to visit the Disaster Recovery Center or to apply online, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
- For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4756 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.
Tennessee Disaster Recovery Centers to Close Feb. 26
NASHVILLE – Two Disaster Recovery Centers serving Tennesseans after the Dec. 9, 2023, storms and tornadoes are scheduled to cease operations Monday, Feb. 26.
Center locations:
- Davidson County: Nashville State Community College North Davidson Campus, 1520 Gallatin Pike North Madison, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, closed Saturday-Sunday, closes permanently 4:30 p.m. Feb. 26
- Montgomery County: Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, 350 Pageant Lane #501, Clarksville; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, closes permanently 8 p.m. Feb. 26
Specialists from Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to provide help to people with losses from the storms. Any resident of Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Stewart or Sumner County who had uninsured losses from the disaster can visit any operating center.
Since December, TEMA and FEMA have operated seven centers. After the centers close, residents who applied to FEMA can continue to receive information about their applications by calling 800-621-3362.
Two SBA Business Recovery Centers will cease operations Feb. 29. The centers are located at Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission and Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
For information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4751. Follow FEMA on X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema. Follow Tennessee Emergency Management Agency at facebook.com/TennesseeEMA.
sandra.habib Tue, 02/20/2024 - 15:37Coal County, Oklahoma, Flood Maps Become Final
DENTON, Texas – New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on July 31, 2024, for Coal County, Oklahoma. During the next six months, a FEMA compliance specialist will work with the community to update each floodplain ordinance and adopt these new flood maps.
Residents are encouraged to examine the maps to determine if they are in a low-to-moderate or high-risk flood zone. The current and future Flood Insurance Rate Map can be viewed on FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer at https://msc.fema.gov/fmcv.
By understanding flood risks, individuals can decide which insurance option is best for their situation. Community leaders can use these maps to make informed decisions about building standards and development that will make the community more resilient and lessen the impacts of a flooding event.
Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their home, personal property and business. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for those in communities who participate in the NFIP. Residents with federally backed mortgages must have flood insurance if their structures are in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) to review the new flood maps and learn more about your risk of flooding. A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify your community FPA and answer questions about the maps as well. Contact them by phone or online chat.
- To use the live chat service, visit floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
- To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 877-FEMA MAP (877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.
There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting floodsmart.gov.
alexa.brown Tue, 02/20/2024 - 14:22President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for California
WASHINGTON --- FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of California to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding, January 21-23, 2024.
The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in San Diego County.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
N. Allison Pfaendler has been named the 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.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
mashana.davis Tue, 02/20/2024 - 02:41Mobile Disaster Recovery Center in Calhoun County will Close Early Today Feb. 17, 2024.
Charleston, W.Va.– A state-federal Mobile Disaster Recovery Center will be closing early on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 80 Spring Run Rd. in Arnoldsburg, WV due to inclement weather.
The Mobile Disaster Recovery Center will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday Feb. 19, 2024.
The center is located at:
Calhoun County80 Spring Run Rd., Arnoldsburg, WV 25234
Hours of operation:
Closing Today
Reopening 8 a.m. Monday Feb 19, 2024
All other West Virginia centers will remain open until 6 p.m. today to assist survivors in Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Harrison, and Kanawha counties.
If it is not possible to visit the Disaster Recovery Center or to apply online, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
- For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4756 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Going Door-to-Door to Support Maine Communities
Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams from FEMA are going door-to-door in Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, and Somerset counties, canvassing neighborhoods and helping disaster-impacted residents register for FEMA disaster assistance for the December 17-21, 2023 severe storm and flooding.
Residents are encouraged to ask for identification before providing any personal information. DSA staff wear a FEMA identification badge with a photograph. Just wearing a FEMA shirt, vest or jacket is not proof of identity. Criminals and scammers can easily make official looking clothes.
DSA team members are visiting homes, schools, nonprofits and community gathering spots. They are also meeting with local officials and community leaders to identify disaster-related issues and unmet needs in the area.
DSA teams can help survivors register for assistance, update their information and assist with referrals to voluntary agency partners. DSA teams will never ask for or accept money. While helping someone register, DSA team members may ask for personal information, including social security number, annual income and bank information.
If you are not comfortable speaking with a FEMA DSA team member, there are multiple ways to register for assistance:
Visit a Disaster Recover Center (DRC). To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362 (Ex: DRC 04074). You can visit any DRC location and no appointment is necessary.
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages. The Helpline is available daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST.
Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).
Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish), available at Google Play or the Apple App Store.
adrien.urbani Fri, 02/16/2024 - 21:56Pages
