FEMA Awards Floyd County More than $1.6 Million for Property Acquisitions

Frankfort, Ky. – FEMA has approved two projects totaling $1,675,804 in federal funding to Floyd County for the acquisition of properties affected by the July 2022 floods in Eastern Kentucky.

Thirteen flood prone properties that were directly affected by the July 2022 flooding event will be acquired by the Floyd County Fiscal Court, demolished and turned to green space. Funds will be used to acquire these properties at fair market value pre-event, demolish the homes and remove all debris. Once demolished properties will be deed-restricted and any future open space proposals will be subject to pre-approval by FEMA.

The first project, for the acquisition of thirteen properties, totals $2,094,754. The federal share of 75% ($1,571,062) will be contributed by FEMA and the remaining non-federal share of 25% will be contributed by a combination of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, local governments and homeowners.

The second project provides funds totaling $104,738 for Floyd County to manage the acquisitions program. This award is pursuant to Section 1215 of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018, which amended Section 324 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Assistance Act, allowing Subrecipient Management Costs (SRMC) up to 5% of the total project cost, available to the subrecipient at a federal cost share of 100%.

As a condition of these grants, the relevant, commonwealth, tribal, territorial or local government must maintain the property as open space in perpetuity.

These projects will protect the community from the direct impact of severe storm events and provide a long-term solution to existing and future hazardous conditions. These acquisition and demolition projects will protect against future flooding events. Activities will be completed in strict compliance with federal, commonwealth and local rules and regulations.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is managed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the projects are administered by the local community. FEMA does not acquire properties directly from the property owners. Communities may offer homeowners who agree to participate in the property acquisition process the pre-flood fair market value of the property. A licensed appraiser determines the fair market value. This program is voluntary, and homeowners can withdraw from the program if they are no longer interested.

HMGP provides funding to state, local, tribal and territorial governments so they can develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future disaster losses in their communities. When requested by an authorized representative, this grant funding is available after a presidentially declared disaster.

For more information on Kentucky flood recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4663. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4)/Twitter and at facebook.com/fema. 

luther.wills-dudich Wed, 12/13/2023 - 21:06

Mental Health After the Floods

After a disaster like July’s storms, it’s normal to feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed. Here are some resources that can help.

Vermont-Specific

• Visit MentalHealth.vermont.gov/flood to find statewide resources and support, including resources for youth, older adults, people with disabilities and first responders.
• United Way’s 2-1-1 Network partners with local organizations, businesses and government agencies to provide resources including mental health care, health and community services, and more. Call 211 or visit Vermont211.org.
• Starting Over Strong VT offers free services for disaster survivors in their homes and community spaces. Outreach workers provide support and counseling, help develop coping strategies, and share resources that can help you recover. To reach them, call 211 or visit MentalHealth.vermont.gov/SOSVT.
• Pathways Vermont Support Line provides confidential, non-judgmental peer-support for Vermonters 18 and older. The line is open 24/7 – to connect, call or text 833-888-2557.
• Crisis Text Line provides free text-based mental health support and crisis intervention. Text “VT” to 741741 or visit CrisisTextLine.org.
• Farm First helps farmers and their families resolve personal and work-related challenges. Farm First counselors provide resources, professional and personal support to help you tackle stress, financial concerns, labor issues, substance use and more. Call 1-877-493-6216 or visit InvestEAP.org/FarmFirst
  • You will be asked to create a login when accessing the site for the first time – enter “farm” as the organization password.
• Vermont Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health helps people up to age 22 experiencing emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges and their families. Call 802-876-7021 or 800-639-6071.
• Also offers a list of county-specific support phone lines at Vermont Local Mental Health Crisis Support Lines & Phone Numbers (vffcmh.org).

Nationwide

• Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 crisis counseling and emotional support for disaster survivors, run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Call 800-985-5990 – press 2 for Spanish – visit samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline, or text “TalkWithUs” for English or “Hablanos” for Spanish to 66746. Help is available in over 100 languages through interpreters; for American Sign Language, call with a videophone-enabled device, or visit the website and click “ASL Now.”
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers help 24/7 for people in crisis, and for those worried about a loved one. Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for English or 988lifeline.org/es for Spanish.
  • 988 partners:
    • The Trevor Project support for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults: call 866-488-7386, text 678678 or visit TheTrevorProject.org/get-help
    • Veteran’s Crisis Line call 988 and press 1, text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net.

FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they are the victim of discrimination. FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted toll-free at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available.

adrien.urbani Wed, 12/13/2023 - 18:42

Public Invited to Review Flood Maps in Amherst County, VA

PHILADELPHIA-- FEMA is proposing updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Amherst County, Virginia. Community partners are invited to participate in a 90-day appeal and comment period. 

The updated maps were produced in coordination with local, state and FEMA officials. Significant community review of the maps has already taken place, but before the maps become final, community partners can identify any corrections or questions about the information provided and submit appeals or comments. 

The 90-day appeal period will begin on Dec. 14, 2023. Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.

• An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim. 
• Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.
• If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment.

The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

Submit appeals and comments by contacting your local floodplain administrator: Stewart Tyler Creasy, Director of Community Development, at stcreasy@countyofamherst.com. The preliminary maps may be viewed online at the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer: http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv. Changes from the current maps may be viewed online at the Region 3 Changes Since Last FIRM Viewer FEMA Region 3 Mitigation Mapping and Data.

For more information about the flood maps:

• Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
• Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone, toll-free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov. 

Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. 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 and visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Amherst County Flood Mapping Milestones

• Sept. 9, 2022 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
• Feb.28, 2023 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
• March 22, 2023 – Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
• Dec. 14, 2023 –Appeal Period starts.
• March 2025* — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. (*Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process.) 

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov. 

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

Follow us on “X” at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3

erika.osullivan Wed, 12/13/2023 - 14:39

Beware of Rental Scams Offering Too-Good-to-be-True Prices

HONOLULU – Online classified advertisements are luring Maui wildfire survivors with false offers of available rental units, and people are learning too late that the cash they paid for a security deposit went to a scammer instead.

Disaster survivors should be aware that scammers try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after a disaster. They solicit assistance for disaster survivors by phone, email, letter or face-to-face.

Be suspicious of prices that are too good to be true and never pay with cash or digital currency. To avoid falling victim to a scam, talk to specialists at the FEMA Helpline (800-621-3362) and American Red Cross representatives at the Lahaina Disaster Recovery Center.

In the latest scam, wildfire survivors find apartments in online ads that include pictures of the units. When contacted, the advertisers ask for a meet-up at a local Maui business and suggest the person interested in the apartment bring cash. In return, the apartment seeker is given an official-looking lease that proves to be worthless. The person who received the security deposit is not the landlord and doesn’t own the unit.

If you believe you or a loved one has been the victim of a scam, report it immediately to the Maui Police Department at 808-244-6400. Consumers may also file a fraud complaint with the Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ hotline at 808-587-4272, Option 7.

If you suspect fraud of any kind related to disaster assistance or you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, report it to the FEMA Fraud Investigations and Inspections Division at FEMA-OCSO-Tipline@fema.dhs.gov or call 866-223-0814.

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. 

scott.reuter Tue, 12/12/2023 - 18:54

FEMA Approves $1.8 Million in Disaster Recovery Funds for City of Hazard

Frankfort, Ky. – FEMA has approved $1,802,054 to reimburse the City of Hazard for the costs of permanent repairs following the 2022 Eastern Kentucky Floods.

During the incident period, severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides caused damage to the Black Gold Circle drainage system. 

In response to the event, the City of Hazard utilized city materials and contractors to restore the system back to pre-disaster condition.

Funding for this Public Assistance (PA) project is authorized under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. PA funds reimburse eligible applicants for the cost of debris removal; life-saving emergency protective measures; and the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged facilities like buildings, roads and utilities.

The FEMA PA grant program is an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program.

Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop project worksheets and scopes of work. Following approvals by FEMA and KYEM, FEMA obligates funding for the project.

The FEMA PA program provides grants to state, tribal, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profit organizations including some houses of worship, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

The federal share for this Public Assistance project is 75 percent of the eligible costs with the remaining 25 percent coming from other sources.

luther.wills-dudich Tue, 12/12/2023 - 15:49

ICYMI -- Administrator Criswell Highlights FEMA Efforts at the White House Tribal Nations Summit

WASHINGTON -- On Dec. 7, FEMA leaders attended the White House Tribal Nations Summit. They were joined by more than 300 Tribal Nation leaders and representatives from agencies across the government. 

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell delivered remarks that highlighted FEMA’s efforts to improve Tribal Nations’ access to the agency’s resources. “Today, I am proud to reflect on the progress we’ve made over the past year to build the FEMA that Indian Country needs and deserves,” said Administrator Criswell. “Together we’ve made incredible strides -- but we still have a lot of work to do to make sure that we at FEMA are living up to our treaty and trust responsibilities.”

During her remarks, the Administrator outlined policy changes, clarifications and updates that support Tribal Nations, including:

Clarification of Public Assistance Eligibility

Roads on tribal lands that were either built or maintained by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the Department of Transportation are eligible to be repaired through FEMA’s Public Assistance programs. This clarification removes a roadblock that left many Tribal Nations unable to access their homes and businesses after a disaster. 

Simplifying Damage Assessments

When traditional tribal residences and tribal ceremonial buildings are damaged, Tribal Nations will now be able to self-certify the damage assessment and scope of work for restoring those traditional structures. This will allow FEMA to more accurately account for damage and to repair traditional and ceremonial structures on tribal lands, such as pueblos, long houses and more. 

Respecting Tribal Sacred Sites

FEMA is working to ensure that Tribal Nation data and coordinates of culturally sensitive locations, remains confidential. The agency will do this by no longer requiring photos, site maps or specific location details of damage done to tribal sacred sites.

Increasing Tribal Nation Input

FEMA plans to include more Tribal Nation input on recovery polices by increasing their participation in Public Assistance Working Sessions and Steering Committees. The agency will also work to hire more staff from Indian Country, while also increasing tribal-specific training for FEMA staff. 

Launch of FEMA’s Tribal Affairs Hub

Administrator Criswell announced the launch of the first FEMA Tribal Affairs Hub, where Tribal Nations can learn more about FEMA grants, tribal disaster declarations, register for trainings and more.

Reminder of Upcoming Tribal Nation Training

Registration is open for the 9th Annual Tribal Nations Training Week (TNTW) at FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness taking place March 9-16, 2024. In 2022, more than 200 leaders, emergency managers and responders from more than 70 Tribal Nations participated in the 8th Annual TNTW. The TNTW is only open to non-federal employees who work for Tribal Nations and Indian Health Service staff.

During the Summit, the Administrator, National Tribal Affairs Advocate Kelbie Kennedy and National Tribal Affairs Advisor Jay LaPlante hosted a closed-door nation-to-nation conversation and breakout session with tribal leaders. 

Discussion topics ranged from building Tribal Nation resiliency long term, updating the tribal disaster declarations, access to FEMA grants, fire suppression in Indian Country, translating emergency messaging into Native languages and more. 

The following senior FEMA leaders participated in the breakout:

• U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell;
• Associate Administrator for Response and Recovery Anne Bink;
• Public Assistance Division Director Robert Pesapane; 
• Chief Financial Officer Mary Comans;
• Assistant Administrator of the Grants Program Directorate Pamela Williams;
• National Continuity Programs Associate Administrator Michael George;
• Director of External Affairs Justin Knighten; and
• Associate Administrator of Mission Support Eric Leckey.

Watch the proceedings of the White House Tribal Nations Summit, including the administrator’s full remarks.

View Original" data-align="center" data-entity-type="emerald" data-image-style="large" data-asset-type="ImageAsset" data-asset-link="undefined" data-asset-id="50408" src="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/73d12cdc36061958e03cc25ad2d93f86.jpg?itok=9NMJ492X" alt="undefined" class="image-style-large" />Tribal leaders meeting with FEMA Administrator Criswell and National Tribal Affairs Advocate Kelbie Kennedy (center). luther.wills-dudich Mon, 12/11/2023 - 21:55

Kahului Disaster Recovery Center to Close Dec. 15; Help Still Here

HONOLULU – The Kahului Disaster Recovery Center will close at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, but disaster-related assistance for survivors of the August wildfires will remain available at multiple locations on Maui.

The Kahului center’s location:

Maui College Community Services Center Building 205

310 W. Kaahumanu Ave.

Kahului, HI 96732

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday; closed Sundays

Ceases operations: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15

 

The Lahaina Disaster Recovery Center remains open and survivors can continue to get information, application updates or referrals to programs offered by FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal, state and local agencies and organizations. You can also learn about the next steps in your recovery, access FEMA assistance or apply for an SBA disaster loan. 

The Lahaina center’s location:

Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium

1840 Honoapi‘ilani Highway

Lahaina, Hawai‘i 96761

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday; closed Sundays

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, 20, 27

 

Help is also available by phone. What’s important is that you stay in touch with FEMA. Update FEMA if you change your address or phone number, even if only temporarily. Missing or wrong information could delay your recovery. Reach out to a specialist at the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, which is open from 1 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Monday, Dec. 11. Here are the ways to apply:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Use the FEMA mobile app; or
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.
• For an American Sign Language video on how to apply, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI&list=PL720Kw_OojlKOhtKG7HM_0n_kEawus6FC&index=6

 

The deadline for homeowners, renters and businesses to apply for an SBA disaster loan for physical property damage is also Monday, Dec. 11.

• Survivors may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download SBA loan applications at https://www.sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires. You may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information. 
• For people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech disability, dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

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.

scott.reuter Mon, 12/11/2023 - 19:51

State of New Mexico, FEMA and Claims Office Launching Outreach Effort, Starting with Text Message Campaign

Santa Fe, NM. — Beginning Dec. 13, impacted individuals and families of Mora and San Miguel counties who applied for FEMA assistance after the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fires and floods and who have not yet filed a claim with the Claims Office, may receive a text message from the Claims Office asking if they are interested in receiving more information about the Claims Office or additional recovery resources. 

The text message will come from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office and will ask them to select from a series of options to tell us what best fits their current situation. By providing a response, we will know how we can better assist them. Every response will receive an acknowledgement text.

Individuals with a landline and FEMA does not have their cell phone number, they can call the Claims Office Helpline 505-995-7133 or Disaster Case Management at 505-670-4662 to learn more about this effort.

Individual renters or homeowners, regardless of whether they received or were denied FEMA assistance, can file a Notice of Loss with the Claims office. If they have not yet filed a Notice of Loss, they can find the form at fema.gov/hermits-peak or at one of our Claims Offices where Claims Navigators are ready to help.

The text campaign is a joint effort by the state and federal partners to support access to programs like the State of New Mexico Disaster Case Management, FEMA disaster assistance and the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office. 

Recipients who suspect that a text is not from the Claims Office, please call the Helpline and they can help verify the legitimacy of the text. Or call Disaster Case Management at 505-670-4662.

The Claims Office is focused on providing impacted individuals and families with the compensation needed to recover, restore and rebuild what was lost as a result of the fire. For questions about the claims process, you can call the Helpline at 505-995-7133 Monday thru Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also visit one of the Claims Offices located in Las Vegas or Mora Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. And Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The Santa Fe office is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The State of New Mexico’s Disaster Case Management program provides Case Managers that act as a single point of contact to assist with applications and advocate for individuals with all recovery programs. To enroll in Case Management or for more information, call 505-670-4662.

For information and updates regarding the Claims Office, please visit the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office website at fema.gov/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/hermits-peak. You can also follow our Facebook page and turn on notifications to stay up to date about the claims process, upcoming deadlines and other program announcements at Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office | Facebook.

erika.suzuki Mon, 12/11/2023 - 19:22

President Biden Announces $22.4M FEMA Grant for Philadelphia to Hire 72 New Firefighters

FEMA-funded SAFER grant program provides communities nationwide with the resources to hire more firefighters and open engine and ladder companies to effectively and safely respond to emergencies

PHILADELPHIA -- President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. announced that FEMA awarded a $22.4 million grant to the city of Philadelphia, paying for 72 firefighters’ salaries and benefits for three years, allowing three city fire stations to reopen: Engine 6 in Fishtown, Ladder 1 in Fairmount and Ladder 11 in South Philadelphia. In 2022, Philadelphia suffered its highest number of fire fatalities in a decade with more than a dozen of those deaths occurring from a single fire in the Fairmont neighborhood, which was formerly served by now-closed Ladder 1. This new funding will allow these fire stations to now provide faster responses to first-due areas.

Through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, FEMA provided $22,432,509 to assist the city of Philadelphia in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate fire protection from fire and fire-related hazards, and to fulfill traditional fire department missions. 

“Firefighters are the first to be called and the last to leave when nearly any emergency arises,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.  “The Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration and under President Biden’s leadership, is committed to ensuring every firehouse and every firefighter has the support and resources they need to do their critical jobs. The SAFER grant President Biden awarded today meets that mandate, helping the City of Philadelphia recruit and retain more first responders, and helping keep the Fishtown, Fairmount, and South Philadelphia neighborhoods safe.”

“As a former firefighter, I understand just how critical it is that our local fire departments are funded as they work to save lives and protect livelihoods,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Disasters start at the local level, and our firefighters are often the first on the scene. Thanks to President Biden, this grant funding allows FEMA to send additional dollars to these crucial first responders so they can build capacity and focus on saving lives.” 

The President signed legislation last year that delivered $360 million each for FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program and the SAFER programs. It also increased funding for the of the U.S. Fire Administration to fund expanded training courses, renovate the National Emergency Training Center and invest in public awareness and messaging campaigns about fire safety.  

To date, the SAFER Program has awarded approximately $5.2 billion in grant funding to provide critically needed resources to hire new, additional firefighters (or to change the status of part-time or paid-on-call firefighters to full-time firefighters), to rehire laid off firefighters, or to retain firefighters facing layoff, as well as recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. This past year, FEMA made 177 awards totaling $360 million. 

The SAFER grant is an annual competitive grant which eligible fire companies, unaffiliated EMS and state fire academies can apply for. The grant is subject to annual appropriations. Interested applicants can find tools and resources, including links to Program Webinars, at https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/workshops. 

For more information on this grant and how to apply for future funding opportunities, please visit https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters.

luther.wills-dudich Mon, 12/11/2023 - 17:41

FEMA Approved Project to Replace 1.5 Million PREPA Meters

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated over $786 million to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to replace nearly 1.5 million meters damaged by Hurricane María. These will have Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), a two-way communications technology that collects detailed metering information for all of PREPA’s service areas. 

AMI will improve the operation of the electric system, as well as the metrics and situational awareness of the Authority and customers to address security issues and irregular situations during future atmospheric events. The smart meters will also allow real-time reading so that customers can be aware of voltage quality.

“The funds are part of the allocations under FEMA’s Accelerated Awards Strategy (FAASt) for the Authority. These meters will provide greater transparency to customers about the service they receive. The infrastructure will also help the government meet its energy public policy goals, according to federal and local statutes,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.

The FEMA-approved project establishes that there will be a better detection of energy service interruptions, as well as a more accurate estimate of outage periods for affected customers. In addition, the smart meters will provide information to identify faults with hot sockets or fallen wires, for example, to dispatch assistance equipment, if necessary.

Furthermore, AMI technology will facilitate the integration of microgrid networks to restore power using alternate energy resources. By identifying service capacity in challenging areas, interconnection points can be provided for a better distribution of resources and thus reduce interruptions created by energy demand.

To date, FEMA has allocated nearly $31.6 billion for nearly 10,900 projects to address Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María. In September 2020, FEMA obligated nearly $9.5 billion to PREPA through the FAASt program for the repair of its energy infrastructure.

To date, FEMA has awarded over $1.2 billion for about 1,100 permanent construction projects in private, nonprofit facilities throughout Puerto Rico, including long-term care facilities and nursing homes.

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 Mon, 12/11/2023 - 10:54

Más de $10 millones en asistencia federal de FEMA para los sobrevivientes en el condado Cook

CHICAGO – Hasta el jueves, 7 de diciembre la asistencia de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) para los residentes del condado Cook afectados por las inundaciones y tormentas sobrepasa los $10 millones.

A continuación, un resumen de la asistencia por desastre de FEMA hasta el 7 de diciembre:

• Más de 3,000 familias han sido aprobados para recibir subvenciones de FEMA por un total de $10.5 millones, entre ellos:
  • $9.4 millones en subvenciones para vivienda, incluyendo Asistencia de Alquiler a corto plazo y costos de reparación de viviendas.
  • $1.1 millones aprobados para otras necesidades esenciales relacionadas con el desastre, como gastos médicos, dentales y pérdida de bienes personales.
• Se han completado casi 4,800 inspecciones de viviendas.
• Hasta la fecha, 700 propietarios e inquilinos del condado Cook han recibido ayuda en uno de los dos centros de recuperación de FEMA.
• Los equipos de Asistencia por Desastre de FEMA han visitado 5,800  viviendas y 150 empresas; han interactuado con casi 1,500  sobrevivientes y han inscrito a más de 125 familias en el programa de Asistencia Individual de FEMA.

El programa de Asistencia de desempleo por desastre está disponible

Para aquellos que perdieron su trabajo a causa del desastre ocurrido del 17 al 18 de septiembre, la Asistencia de desempleo por desastre (DUA, por sus siglas en inglés) está disponible. El Departamento de Seguridad Laboral de Illinois (IDES, por sus siglas en inglés) está aceptando solicitudes de asistencia de DUA de personas del condado Cook cuyo empleo o trabajo por cuenta propia se haya perdido o interrumpido debido a las inundaciones. Los solicitantes tienen derecho a recibir hasta 35 semanas de beneficios de DUA mientras su desempleo siga siendo consecuencia del desastre. La fecha límite para solicitar es el 27 de diciembre de 2023.

Puede realizar una solicitud al programa de Asistencia de desempleo por desastre:

• Comunicándose con la línea de citas del centro de llamadas del IDES al: 217-558-0401.
• Identifique que están llamando en relación con la inundación del Condado de Cook - Beneficios de DUA.
• Programe una cita para visitar el American Job Center de Lawrence, Pilsen o Woodlawn para presentar una solicitud de beneficios de DUA.

Antes de solicitar DUA, los solicitantes deben solicitar las ayudas ordinarias del seguro de desempleo y ser declarados que son elegibles para recibirlas. IDES trabajará con las personas de forma individualizada para determinar la elegibilidad y el pago de los beneficios de DUA. Para más información, visite IDES acepta solicitudes de ayuda por desempleo tras las inundaciones en el condado de Cook (enlace en inglés).

Recordatorio: Solicite asistencia de FEMA

Se recomienda a los residentes del condado Cook con pérdidas no aseguradas o sin suficiente cobertura debido a las tormentas severas e inundaciones ocurridas el 17 y 18 de septiembre que soliciten asistencia federal si aún no lo han hecho.

Hay varias formas de iniciar el proceso:

• Visitando DisasterAssistance.gov/es.
• Utilizando la aplicación móvil de FEMA.
• Llamando a la Línea de Ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Hay operadores multilingües disponibles. Si utiliza el servicio de retransmisión por vídeo (VRS, por sus siglas en inglés), el servicio telefónico subtitulado u otros, deberá facilitar a FEMA el número de dicho servicio.
• Visitando un Centro de Recuperación por Desastre. Los centros son puntos de atención integral para los sobrevivientes que necesitan asistencia personalizada. Los sobrevivientes pueden acudir a cualquier centro para recibir asistencia. Para conocer la ubicación de los centros y el horario actual, visite FEMA.gov/DRC. 

Para más información sobre la recuperación del condado Cook, visite www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4749. La fecha límite para solicitar asistencia por desastre de FEMA es el 19 de enero de 2024.    

                                                                                    ###

La asistencia de recuperación por desastre está disponible sin importar la raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés ni la situación económica. Acomodos razonables, incluso traducción e intérpretes de Lenguaje de Señas Americano mediante servicio de retransmisión de video, estarán disponibles para garantizar una comunicación efectiva con los solicitantes que no tengan un buen dominio del inglés, discapacidades y necesidades funcionales y de acceso. Si usted o alguien que conoce ha sido objeto de discriminación, llame a la línea libre de cargos de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Si usted usa un sistema de retransmisión, como el servicio de retransmisión por vídeo (VRS), servicio telefónico con subtítulos u otros servicios, debe proveerle a FEMA el número para ese servicio

darrell.habisch Jue, 07/12/2023 - 22:39

FEMA Administrator Attends COP28 for the First Time in FEMA’s History, Announces 2024 as ‘Year of Resilience’ for the Agency

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell heralded 2024 as the agency’s “Year of Resilience” at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This is the first time a FEMA Administrator has attended COP, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to climate mitigation and adaptation, and collaborating with the international community to combat the effects of climate change. 

“We are already feeling the influence of climate change on a global scale as severe weather becomes stronger and more frequent,” said Administrator Criswell. “FEMA is typically recognized as a response and recovery agency, but now more than ever, we are a resilience agency.  FEMA’s Year of Resilience is an opportunity to share best resilience practices, advance new innovative ideas and protect even more Americans against disasters. This was my first COP and I was excited to make new connections as well as strengthen existing partnerships with international colleagues. I’m looking forward to bringing the best practices we’ve learned back to the American people.”

While at COP28, Administrator Criswell had the privilege of meeting with UAE Civil Defense Commander in Chief His Excellency Major General Jassim Mohammed AlMarzouqi to discuss civil defense approaches in the UAE, the importance of readiness for complex crises and training standards for the emergency management workforce. 

During her visit to the UAE, Administrator Criswell was also graciously welcomed by Deputy Director of Dubai Civil Defense and Deputy Commander of UAE Civil Defense His Excellency Major General Jamal bin Aded Al Muhairi. Administrator Criswell toured the UAE Civil Defense facilities and exchanged experiences on crisis management, including the importance of innovation and technology in support of management.

COP28 was a crucial opportunity for Administrator Criswell and FEMA leadership to meet with other global leaders championing climate resilience and adaptation. She also had the distinct honor of meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Alexandra Sdoukou in a high-level dialogue about shared priorities, including preparing for, responding to and recovering from frequent and severe disasters including wildfires. Other meetings included bilateral engagements with the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Japan and Chile among others. 

The FEMA delegation also attended the historic establishment of the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership (MCAP), an initiative bringing together government leaders representing Africa, Australia, Europe and North and South America to increase collaboration, knowledge-exchange and support among regions around the world with a Mediterranean climate experiencing drastic climate impacts.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (middle left) meets with UAE Civil Defense Commander in Chief His Excellency Major General Jassim Mohammed AlMarzouqi (middle right) and colleagues to discuss new frameworks for civil protection and readiness for complex crises. (UAE Civil Defense Photo) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (middle left) meets with UAE Civil Defense Commander in Chief His Excellency Major General Jassim Mohammed AlMarzouqi (middle right) and colleagues to discuss new frameworks for civil protection and readiness for complex crises. (UAE Civil Defense Photo) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (right) and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (left) discuss the importance of resiliency in the face of worsening disasters during their brief meeting at COP28. (Dimitris Papamitsos, Official photographer to the Greek Prime Minister) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (middle left) and Deputy Director of Dubai Civil Defense and Deputy Commander of UAE Civil Defense His Excellency Major General Jamal bin Aded Al Muhairi (middle right) met with staff to discuss disaster resilience and shared COP28 goals. (UAE Civil Defense Photo) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (middle left) and Deputy Director of Dubai Civil Defense and Deputy Commander of UAE Civil Defense His Excellency Major General Jamal bin Aded Al Muhairi (middle right) met with staff to discuss disaster resilience and shared COP28 goals. (UAE Civil Defense Photo) erika.suzuki Thu, 12/07/2023 - 20:19

More Than $10 Million in FEMA Assistance Approved for Cook County Survivors

CHICAGO – As of Thursday, December 7, FEMA assistance to Cook County survivors affected by the Sept. 17 - 18 storms and flooding topped $10 million.

Here is a snapshot of FEMA disaster assistance as of December 7:

• More than 3,000 households have been approved for FEMA grant funding totaling $10.5 million, including:
  • $9.4million in housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
  • $1.1 million approved for other essential disaster-related needs, such as expenses related to medical, dental, and lost personal possessions.
• Nearly 4,800 home inspections have been completed.
• To-date, 700 Cook County homeowners and renters have been helped at two open FEMA recovery centers.
• FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance crews have visited nearly 5,800 homes and 150 businesses; they have interacted with almost 1,500 survivors and have registered 125 households for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available

For those who lost work because of the Sept. 17-18 disaster, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is now accepting applications for DUA benefits from individuals in Cook County whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to the flooding. Claimants are eligible to receive up to 35 weeks of DUA benefits as long as their unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. Applications for DUA benefits must be filed by December 27, 2023.

To file a DUA benefits claim, individuals are encouraged to:

• Contact the IDES call center appointment line at: 217-558-0401.
• Identify they are calling related to the Cook County Flood – DUA Benefits.
• Schedule an appointment to visit the Lawrence, Pilsen, or Woodlawn American Job Center to file a DUA benefits claim.

Claimants must first apply for and be found ineligible for regular state unemployment insurance benefits before applying for DUA benefits. IDES will work with individuals on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility and payment(s) of DUA benefits. For more information, visit IDES Accepting Disaster Unemployment Assistance Applications After Cook County Flooding (illinois.gov).

Reminder: Apply with FEMA 
Residents of Cook County with uninsured or under insured losses from the September 17 - 18 severe storms and flooding are encouraged to apply for federal assistance if they haven’t done so already.

There are several ways to start the process:

• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. 
• Use the FEMA mobile app. 
• Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. 
• Visit a disaster recovery center. The centers serve as one-stop shops for survivors who need one-on-one help. Survivors can visit any center for assistance. To find center locations and current hours, visit FEMA.gov/DRC. 

For more information about Cook County’s recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4749. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is January 19, 2024.      

                                                                      ###

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

larissa.hale Thu, 12/07/2023 - 19:57

Cuidado con el fraude por desastre

CHICAGO – Luego de los desastres, la actividad fraudulenta suele incrementar, los estafadores pueden intentar obtener su dinero o preguntarle sobre su información personal para intentar robar su identidad. Si su vivienda o propiedad personal sufrieron daños por las tormentas e inundaciones ocurridas el 17 y 18 de septiembre, tenga cuidado al compartir su información personal.

Recuerde, la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés), la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) y otros trabajadores federales y estatales de desastre nunca le solicitarán dinero ni exigirán un pago de cualquier tipo.

Solicitudes fraudulentas 

Si un inspector de FEMA se presenta en su vivienda y usted no envió una solicitud de FEMA, su información puede haber sido utilizada sin su consentimiento para crear una solicitud de FEMA. Si esto sucede, infórmele al inspector que usted no solicitó asistencia de FEMA, para que pueda enviar una solicitud para detener el curso del procesamiento de la solicitud.

Si usted no solicitó asistencia, pero recibió una carta de FEMA, llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Si utiliza un servicio de retransmisión de video, teléfono con subtítulos u otro servicio, proporcione a FEMA su número de dicho servicio. La línea de ayuda enviará una solicitud para detener el posterior procesamiento de esa solicitud.

Otras estafas por desastre

Los equipos, inspectores de viviendas y otros funcionarios de FEMA trabajarán en las zonas afectadas por las tormentas e inundaciones ocurridas el 17 y 18 de septiembre. Siempre solicite ver una identificación. El personal de FEMA siempre tiene una credencial oficial de identificación.

Tenga cuidado con las llamadas telefónicas inesperadas o las visitas a su vivienda de personas que dicen trabajar para FEMA. Si tiene dudas, contacte a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362 para verificar. 

Tome medidas
Si considera que usted es víctima de una estafa, repórtelo de inmediato a la policía local. 

Si conoce fraudes o estafas que involucren a las operaciones de ayuda por desastre de FEMA, puede reportar esto a FEMA:

• Por correo electrónico: StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov
• Por teléfono: 866-223-0814
• Por correo postal: 400 C Street SW, Suite &SW-1009, Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.

Para reportar y obtener ayuda para la recuperación del robo de identidad, visite RobodeIdentidad.gov. 

Para obtener más información sobre las operaciones de recuperación por desastre en Illinois, visite https://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4749.    

                                                                      ###

La asistencia de recuperación por desastre está disponible sin importar la raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés ni la situación económica. Acomodos razonables, incluso traducción e intérpretes de Lenguaje de Señas Americano mediante servicio de retransmisión de video, estarán disponibles para garantizar una comunicación efectiva con los solicitantes que no tengan un buen dominio del inglés, discapacidades y necesidades funcionales y de acceso. Si usted o alguien que conoce ha sido objeto de discriminación, llame a la línea libre de cargos de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Si usted usa un sistema de retransmisión, como el servicio de retransmisión por vídeo (VRS), servicio telefónico con subtítulos u otros servicios, debe proveerle a FEMA el número para ese servicio.

larissa.hale Jue, 07/12/2023 - 16:56

Centro de Recuperación por Desastre inicia operaciones en Burnham y el centro en Calumet City extiende su horario

CHICAGO – Un Centro temporal de Recuperación por Desastre (DRC, por sus siglas en inglés) de FEMA iniciará operaciones en Burnham el martes 5 de diciembre para ayudar a los residentes a impulsar su recuperación tras las tormentas e inundaciones ocurridas el 17 y 18 de septiembre. El centro estará disponible durante siete días y cerrará permanentemente a las 5 p.m. del lunes 11 de diciembre.

Además, el Centro de Recuperación por Desastre en la Biblioteca Pública de Calumet City ahora estará abierto los siete días de la semana, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. para brindar servicio a los sobrevivientes durante el proceso de asistencia. 

Especialistas de FEMA y de la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) estarán presentes en el centro para ayudar a los sobrevivientes a solicitar asistencia federal por desastre, cargar documentos, informarse sobre cómo hacer su propiedad más resistente a los desastres y obtener respuesta a sus preguntas en persona.

El nuevo centro en Burnham estará ubicado en:  

Burnham
Burnham Community Center
14020 S. Torrence Avenue
Burnham, IL 60633 

Horario: 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. desde el martes 5 hasta el lunes 11 de diciembre, cierra permanentemente a las 5 p.m. del lunes 11 de diciembre 

En estos centros se ofrece asistencia en otros idiomas distintos del inglés, incluido el Lenguaje de Señas Americano, y materiales traducidos. Las ubicaciones de los Centros de Recuperación por Desastre se eligen por su accesibilidad, con el objetivo de llegar al mayor número de personas posible. En todos los centros hay estacionamientos accesibles. 

Ya están abiertos varios centros de recuperación. Para encontrar el centro más cercano, visite la página de FEMA Localizador de DRC. 

No es necesario visitar un Centro de Recuperación por Desastre para solicitar asistencia de FEMA. Para solicitar la asistencia sin visitar un centro, llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362, visite DisasterAssistance.gov/es, o descargue la aplicación móvil de FEMA. Si utiliza un servicio de retransmisión como el servicio de retransmisión por video (VRS, por sus siglas en inglés), el servicio telefónico subtitulado u otros, deberá facilitar a FEMA el número de dicho servicio cuando solicite asistencia.

Para más información sobre las operaciones de recuperación por desastre en Illinois, visite www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4749. La fecha límite para solicitar asistencia de FEMA es el 19 de enero de 2024.

###

La asistencia de recuperación por desastre está disponible sin discriminación por motivos de raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del idioma inglés o situación económica. Se brindará acomodo razonable, incluyendo traducción e intérpretes de Lenguaje de Señas Americano a través del Servicio de Retransmisión de Vídeo, para garantizar una comunicación eficaz con los solicitantes con dominio limitado del inglés, discapacidades y necesidades funcionales y de acceso. Si usted o alguien que conoce ha sido víctima de discriminación, llame al número gratuito de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Si utiliza un Servicio de Retransmisión de vídeo, servicio de teléfono subtitulado u otro, brinde a FEMA su número asignado para ese servicio.

darrell.habisch Mié, 06/12/2023 - 18:36

Beware of Disaster Fraud

CHICAGO – After disasters, fraudulent activity typically increases, and con artists may try to get money from you or ask for your personal information to try and steal your identity. If your home or personal property was damaged in the September 17 – 18 storms and flooding, be careful when giving out your personal information.

Remember, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and other federal and state disaster workers will never ask for money and never require payment in any form.

Fraudulent Applications

If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If this happens, inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance, so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you did not apply for assistance but receive a letter from FEMA, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. The Helpline will submit a request to stop any further processing of that application.

Other Disaster-Related Scams

FEMA crews, housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas affected by the September 17 - 18 storms and flooding. Always ask to see I.D. FEMA personnel always have an official identification badge.

Be careful of unexpected phone calls or visits to your home from people claiming they work for FEMA. If unsure whether a visit or call is legitimate, contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify. 

Take Action

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department. 

If you have knowledge of fraud or scams involving FEMA’s disaster relief operations, report it to FEMA:

• Email: StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov
• Phone: 866-223-0814
• Mail: 400 C Street SW, Suite &SW-1009, Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.

To report and get help recovering from identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov.

For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4749.    

                                                                      ###

 Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

darrell.habisch Wed, 12/06/2023 - 16:51

Centro de Recuperación por Desastre inicia operaciones en Burnham y el centro en Calumet City extiende su horario

CHICAGO – Un Centro temporal de Recuperación por Desastre (DRC, por sus siglas en inglés) de FEMA iniciará operaciones en Burnham el martes 5 de diciembre para ayudar a los residentes a impulsar su recuperación tras las tormentas e inundaciones ocurridas el 17 y 18 de septiembre. El centro estará disponible durante siete días y cerrará permanentemente a las 5 p.m. del lunes 11 de diciembre.

Además, el Centro de Recuperación por Desastre en la Biblioteca Pública de Calumet City ahora estará abierto los siete días de la semana, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. para brindar servicio a los sobrevivientes durante el proceso de asistencia. 

Especialistas de FEMA y de la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) estarán presentes en el centro para ayudar a los sobrevivientes a solicitar asistencia federal por desastre, cargar documentos, informarse sobre cómo hacer su propiedad más resistente a los desastres y obtener respuesta a sus preguntas en persona.

El nuevo centro en Burnham estará ubicado en:  

Burnham                     

1. Burnham Community Center 
2. 14020 S. Torrence Avenue
3. Burnham, IL 60633 
4. Horario: 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. desde el martes 5 hasta el lunes 11 de diciembre, cierra permanentemente a las 5 p.m. del lunes 11 de diciembre 

En estos centros se ofrece asistencia en otros idiomas distintos del inglés, incluido el Lenguaje de Señas Americano, y materiales traducidos. Las ubicaciones de los Centros de Recuperación por Desastre se eligen por su accesibilidad, con el objetivo de llegar al mayor número de personas posible. En todos los centros hay estacionamientos accesibles. 

Ya están abiertos varios centros de recuperación. Para encontrar el centro más cercano, visite la página de FEMA Localizador de DRC. 

No es necesario visitar un Centro de Recuperación por Desastre para solicitar asistencia de FEMA. Para solicitar la asistencia sin visitar un centro, llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362, visite DisasterAssistance.gov/es, o descargue la aplicación móvil de FEMA. Si utiliza un servicio de retransmisión como el servicio de retransmisión por video (VRS, por sus siglas en inglés), el servicio telefónico subtitulado u otros, deberá facilitar a FEMA el número de dicho servicio cuando solicite asistencia.

Para más información sobre las operaciones de recuperación por desastre en Illinois, visite www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4749. La fecha límite para solicitar asistencia de FEMA es el 19 de enero de 2024.

###

La asistencia de recuperación por desastre está disponible sin discriminación por motivos de raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del idioma inglés o situación económica. Se brindará acomodo razonable, incluyendo traducción e intérpretes de Lenguaje de Señas Americano a través del Servicio de Retransmisión de Vídeo, para garantizar una comunicación eficaz con los solicitantes con dominio limitado del inglés, discapacidades y necesidades funcionales y de acceso. Si usted o alguien que conoce ha sido víctima de discriminación, llame al número gratuito de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Si utiliza un Servicio de Retransmisión de vídeo, servicio de teléfono subtitulado u otro, brinde a FEMA su número asignado para ese servicio.

darrell.habisch Mié, 06/12/2023 - 15:33

Don’t Wait, Look to Purchase Flood Insurance Just in Case

Many Florida residents believe they don't need to buy flood insurance. They don't live in a high-risk flood zone. But flooding can happen anywhere, often to the surprise of residents who thought they were covered for disaster. When flooding happens, the damage is typically not covered by most standard homeowners' insurance policies. One inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 of damage in a home. 

Flooding in Florida is common. After Hurricane Idalia, more than 5,000 flood claims were filed through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with a total payout over $300 million to date, closing over 85% of the NFIP claims in the first 90 days after the event. In all, the Hazard Mitigation Community Education & Outreach has counseled over 11,000 survivors on the NFIP and other mitigation measures. The flood insurance program has more than 1.7 million policyholders across the state with total coverage exceeding $448 billion.

Residential and business property owners as well as renters can protect themselves from financial losses by having a flood insurance policy through the NFIP to insure buildings and/or their contents. Flood insurance coverage is available regardless of federal disaster declarations. There is a 30-day waiting period before new policies go into effect, so don't wait to obtain a policy. 

In Florida, 468 communities participate in the NFIP; 10 communities do not. Residents can purchase a flood insurance policy if their community participates in the NFIP, no matter their flood risk. Coverage is available for residential and commercial buildings and the contents therein: 

• Up to $250,000 in building coverage and up to $100,000 in contents coverage for single-to-four family residential structures.
• Up to $500,000 in building coverage and up to $500,000 in contents coverage for five-or-more family residential structures. 
• Up to $500,000 in building coverage and up to $500,000 in contents coverage for businesses. 

As part of its disaster assistance, FEMA has provided Group Flood Insurance Policies (GFIP) to homeowners and renters after Hurricane Idalia. The group policies are 36-month NFIP insurance certificates for disaster survivors who live in a high-risk flood zone, sustain flood damage, do not have flood insurance, and receive FEMA disaster assistance. When a GFIP certificate expires, the survivor is responsible for obtaining and maintaining flood insurance. Failure to maintain flood insurance will affect their eligibility for future disaster assistance. 

To purchase a policy, contact your insurance company or agent. In addition to the NFIP, flood insurance is also available from some private insurance providers. For an agent referral, call 800-427-4661 or visit https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance.

FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX)

Specialists at the FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) Customer Care Center can help you with questions about flood mapping and insurance. The FMIX provides the full range of information you need to make informed decisions about both insurance and risk to protect the life you’ve built. The FMIX also connects customers with technical experts specializing in subjects like modeling, GIS mapping, insurance underwriting and claims, and the Hazus loss-estimation software.

FMIX | Floodmaps | FEMA.gov

Contact Us: 1-877-336-2627

Email: FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Idalia, visit floridadisaster.org/updates/ and fema.gov/disaster/4734. Follow FEMA on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.

Learn more at fema.gov 

thomas.wise Wed, 12/06/2023 - 15:12

FEMA’s National Preparedness Report Highlights Cyber Security, Building Codes and Individual Preparedness for a Resilient Nation

WASHINGTON -- FEMA released the 12th annual National Preparedness Report, which provides an overview of the nation’s current disaster risk and capability landscape and outlines progress toward achieving the national preparedness goal of a secure and resilient country. This year’s report continues to highlight the reality of rising costs, frequency and severity of disasters due to climate change as a challenge being faced across all levels of government.

From analyzing 2022 data and looking at trends over decades, FEMA identified preparedness for ongoing community-level risk factors from large-scale disasters and cyber threats, gaps in individual and household preparedness and the lack of building code adoption as key areas for improvement to increase national resilience. 

“As the threats to our homeland continue to evolve, the Department of Homeland Security will continue to meet its mandate of identifying and mitigating our country’s security vulnerabilities,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The annual National Preparedness Report helps us do exactly that. In outlining the current disaster risk and capability landscape, this report will guide critical Department work in the years ahead -- from equipping communities with the resources and information necessary to prepare for modern homeland security threats, to improving our Departmental disaster response and recovery efforts. I am grateful to FEMA and the many regional, state and local stakeholders whose continued partnership and leadership are essential to our shared goal of building a more secure, more resilient America.”

For over a decade, FEMA has been reporting on the state of national preparedness to identify the risks and opportunities that inform emergency management decision-making. This report offers practical insights into preparedness and capabilities at the federal, state, local, tribal and territorial levels as well as the individual household level to inform decisions about program priorities and resource allocations that increase community resilience. 

“The 2023 National Preparedness report makes one thing clear: We all have a part to play when it comes to making sure our communities are prepared for when disaster strikes," said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. "At FEMA, we've been working hard to target our preparedness efforts to make the biggest impact at the individual level. From our Ready Campaign's focus on older adult preparedness to grants designed to help update building codes, I'm incredibly proud of the work we've done with our partners to fill some of the gaps identified in this year's report and increase our nation's resilience."

What does the 2023 report say about the state of the nation’s preparedness?

The 2023 National Preparedness Report covers calendar year 2022 and captures trends based on data from the 2022 National Household Survey on Disaster Preparedness and National Risk and Capabilities Assessments, including the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and the National Stakeholder Preparedness Review. The evolving threat and hazard landscape includes:

• Lack of Standardized Building Code Adoption: The inconsistent adoption of building codes is one of the most significant factors that compound risk and increase costs from natural hazards. Two out of three communities in the United States need to incorporate the latest building codes. 
• High Community-Level Risk: Communities identified cyberattacks, pandemics and floods as most likely to occur and cyberattacks, pandemics and earthquakes as most stressful for one or more capabilities. Long-term housing, relocation assistance and community sheltering capabilities continue to be a challenge in higher-risk areas throughout the nation.
• Ongoing Individual and Household Preparedness Gaps: The 2022 National Household Survey on Disaster Preparedness found that 43% of households surveyed indicated that they intend to prepare in the future but have not started yet and 14% of survey participants indicated they did not intend to prepare. 

To respond to these challenges, FEMA has undertaken a series of initiatives to ensure the nation is better prepared when disaster strikes.

• In Oct. 2023, FEMA made $1.8 billion available for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance grant programs designed to help communities increase their resilience to the impacts of climate change, including activities that incorporate eligible building code adoption. Aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Initiative to Advance Building Codes, FEMA set aside $25 million for federally recognized tribes and $2 million for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories that are committed to building code activities.  
• The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) plays a vital role in ensuring continuity of operations during conditions such as cyberattacks, severe weather or incidents caused by human error. In Nov. 2023, CISA and FEMA launched two large efforts to increase cyber preparedness:
  • The new Shields Ready Campaign empowers the critical infrastructure community to prepare for, adapt to, withstand and rapidly recover from disruptions caused by changing conditions. Shields Ready builds on CISA’s Shields Up Campaign, which helps critical infrastructure stakeholders take specific, time-sensitive actions that reduce risk during cyberattacks, physical security threats or natural disasters. 
  • FEMA and CISA also released the first-ever Cyber Incidents Planning Guidance for Emergency Managers, which provides a roadmap for emergency managers across the nation to plan for swift and effective solutions to address the consequences of a cyber incident. 
• This year as part FEMA’s Ready Campaign focused on individual preparedness, FEMA launched the first ever #SummerReady and #WinterReady initiatives to promote preparedness and resilience against extreme heat and cold. As part of the 2023 National Preparedness Month, FEMA focused on empowering older adults and their caregivers to increase their preparedness while encouraging them to spread preparedness in their communities. FEMA also released the Disaster Preparedness Guide for Older Adults and signed an MOU with the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers as part of the ongoing commitment to increasing preparedness for this large part of the U.S. population.

Building community-wide resilience sets the foundation for successful response and recovery efforts. Governments need to work with non-governmental partners and the private sector to ensure holistic preparedness and a full understanding of both the impacts of disasters and the capabilities needed to manage them. This year’s report provides concrete recommendations that partners and stakeholders across the whole community can take to increase the nation’s resilience.

The National Preparedness Report was established in Presidential Policy Directive/PPD-8, signed on March 30, 2011, which required the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to the President the first national preparedness report based on the National Preparedness Goal.

To read the full report, go to fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness#reports.  

amy.ashbridge Tue, 12/05/2023 - 22:04

FEMA Awards Over $1.1 Million to MIT for COVID Testing Costs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $1.1 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the cost of testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,146,544 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private land-grant research university in Cambridge for the costs of contracting for temporary staff for its testing program between August 2020 and January 2022.

A total of 60 temporary staff were contracted to work a total of 37,447 hours at various testing sites set up on campus to serve students, faculty and staff, performing test check-in/registration, test observation, unobserved test collection, test consolidation and transport preparation, and supervision of front-line staff.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $2.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Tue, 12/05/2023 - 14:35