Federal Support for Hurricane Ian Totals $1.93 Billion; FEMA Provides $719 Million in Individual Assistance to Jumpstart Survivor Recovery

WASHINGTON -- More than $1.93 billion in federal grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments has been provided to the state of Florida and households to help survivors jumpstart their recovery after Hurricane Ian.

FEMA has provided $719 million to households and $322 million to the state for emergency response, while the U.S. Small Business Administration has provided $562 million in disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $332 million in claims.  

How FEMA is Helping Floridians

• FEMA has made individual assistance available to 26 counties in Florida. Residents in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties are eligible to apply for Individual Assistance.
• FEMA is meeting survivors where they are to help jumpstart their recoveries. Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists are going door-to-door in Florida neighborhoods to help individuals register for assistance. These teams have interacted with more than 90,000 survivors in counties designated for Individual Assistance.
• Survivors can visit one of 23 Disaster Recovery Centers operating in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee (2 locations), Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties. More centers are planned. Interpretation services and translated materials are available at these centers to help survivors communicate in the language they feel most comfortable. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. As centers are added, real-time locations will be updated at FloridaDisaster.org.
• FEMA expanded Transitional Sheltering Assistance to seven more counties, for a total of 26 counties that are eligible for temporary hotel stays for survivors who cannot remain in their homes because of storm damage. As of today, the program is providing housing for 2,449 households with 6,157 members.
• Hundreds of FEMA inspectors have performed over 191,648 home inspections for survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance.
• FEMA will provide temporary housing to eligible Hurricane Ian survivors in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee and Sarasota counties. FEMA approved Direct Temporary Housing Assistance to provide options for those whose homes are uninhabitable because of the hurricane. FEMA determined that rental assistance is insufficient to meet the housing need in those counties because of a lack of available housing resources. FEMA will notify applicants who are eligible for direct housing. It will take time to transport, permit, install and inspect these units before they are available. Direct Temporary Housing Assistance may be provided for up to 18 months from Sept. 29, 2022, the date of the federal disaster declaration, to March 28, 2024.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $562 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners. Business Recovery Centers are located in Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee and Seminole counties.
• As of Nov. 3, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has received more than 43,000 flood insurance claims and paid more than $332 million to policyholders, including $166 million in advance payments.
• NFIP policyholders may receive up to $1,000 to reimburse the purchase of supplies like sandbags, plastic sheeting and lumber. They may also receive up to $1,000 in storage expenses if they moved insured property. Policyholders should file a claim for flood loss avoidance reimbursement, regardless of whether it was successful in preventing flood damage.
• FEMA is conducting local hiring for more than 300 jobs in Brandon, Fort Myers, Kissimmee, Orlando and Sarasota. These positions are full-time, 120-day appointments that may be extended depending on operational needs. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online through USAJobs.gov. Click here for instructions on how to apply.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to eligible survivors. Floridians can file a claim for loss of income caused by Hurricane Ian by going to Disaster Unemployment Assistance - FloridaJobs.org and selecting “Apply for Hurricane Ian DUA,” visiting a local CareerSource Career Center, or calling 800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
• Low-income Florida residents recovering from Hurricane Ian may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Survivors can find more information on Florida’s D-SNAP program by visiting the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Hurricane Ian Response & Recovery website.
• As of Nov. 3, Operation Blue Roof has installed 18,569 roofs. This is a free service provided to homeowners and is currently operating in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Final blue roof installations are scheduled to be completed by Nov. 9, 2022.
• National Flood Insurance Program Florida policyholders who had flood damage from the hurricane have a 90-day window to renew their policies. The extension applies to policies with renewal dates beginning Aug. 25, 2022 through Oct. 23, 2022. Policyholders whose renewal date is in this range should contact their agent or insurance company. FEMA also extended the proof of loss requirement for flood insurance policyholders in Florida who experienced flood damage from Hurricane Ian from 60 to 365 days. For more information on how to file a flood insurance claim, visit How to Start Your Flood Insurance Claim.
• If you or a member of your household uses adaptive or accessibility items that were damaged by Hurricane Ian, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance for those items. For homeowners, items can include an exterior ramp, grab bars and a paved pathway to the home’s entrance from a vehicle. Awards do not count toward your Housing Assistance or Personal Property maximum awards. For more information for homeowners and renters, visit Update to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide. 

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 11/04/2022 - 14:51

Aguas Buenas and San Lorenzo Disaster Recovery Centers to Permanently Close

San Juan, Puerto Rico — The Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Aguas Buenas and San Lorenzo will soon close permanently. Operational hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Nov. 5 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until it closes.  

Additional details below:

• Aguas Buenas DRC will close permanently at 5 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2022
• San Lorenzo DRC will close permanently at 5 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2022

The other temporary FEMA DRCs will also be operating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Nov. 6 unless otherwise stated. Survivors can visit any open center if they need in-person assistance with the federal disaster assistance process. For operational hours or to find the temporary DRC nearest you, click on the FEMA DRC link: DRC Locator.

After the DRC closes, survivors can still view the status of their application online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using FEMA’s mobile app. Individuals can also call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 to discuss their case with a FEMA representative. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. People who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also still apply for assistance if they have not already done so. The deadline to apply is Nov. 21, 2022.

kimberly.keblish Fri, 11/04/2022 - 12:53

Comerío Disaster Recovery Center to Permanently Close and Operational Hour Changes at Other Locations

San Juan, Puerto Rico — The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Comerío will close permanently at 1 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2022.  Operational hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day until it closes.  

The other temporary FEMA DRCs will be operating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Nov. 6 unless otherwise stated. Survivors can visit any open center if they need in-person assistance with the federal disaster assistance process. For operational hours or to find the temporary DRC nearest you, click on the FEMA DRC link: DRC Locator.

After the DRC closes, survivors can still view the status of their application online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using FEMA’s mobile app. Individuals can also call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 to discuss their case with a FEMA representative. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. People who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also still apply for assistance if they have not already done so. The deadline to apply is Nov. 21, 2022.

kimberly.keblish Fri, 11/04/2022 - 12:48

Disaster Recovery Center in Lee County Moving to New Location

BRANDON, Fla. – A Disaster Recovery Center in Lee County will change location Friday, Nov. 4.

The center currently operating at the Fort Myers DMS Building, 2295 Victoria Ave., will close on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m.

 

The center will open on Friday, Nov. 4 at:

Lake Kennedy Center

400 Santa Barbara Blvd.

Cape Coral, FL  33915

Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

 

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida 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.

There are several Disaster Recovery Centers operating throughout the designated counties. To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator or floridadisaster.org, or you can text DRC along with your zip code to 43362.

Currently, all centers are operating seven days a week, hours may vary. No appointment is necessary to get assistance.

 

It is not necessary to visit a 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.

Interpretation services and translated materials are available at these centers to help you communicate in the language with which you feel most comfortable. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible.

In addition to the centers, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing neighborhoods in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian to help residents apply for FEMA assistance and answer questions about federal assistance. DSA teams wear FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. There is no charge for service.

FEMA Individual Assistance can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs.

krystin.ventura Thu, 11/03/2022 - 22:00

Experts to Share Tips on Salvaging Family Treasures

BRANDON, Fla. — Florida survivors of Hurricane Ian can learn how to salvage storm-damaged household treasures from preservation specialists visiting six Disaster Recovery Centers over the next two weeks.

Among the heirlooms that might be saved are photos, artwork, quilts, important documents and other irreplaceable mementos. Specialists trained by the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF) will provide advice and show survivors how to handle, dry, and clean their damaged items on their own.

HENTF experts will be available to assist survivors for two weeks at Disaster Recovery Centers. Here’s the schedule:

LEE COUNTY

Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL 33908

• Saturday, Nov. 5 – Friday, Nov. 11. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 12 – Sunday, Nov. 20. Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Lake Kennedy Center, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, Fort Myers, FL 33901

• Saturday, Nov. 5 – Friday, Nov. 11. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 12 – Sunday, Nov. 20. Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

SARASOTA COUNTY

Shannon Staub Public Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port, FL 34289

• Saturday, Nov. 5 – Friday, Nov. 11. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 12 – Sunday, Nov. 20. Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COLLIER COUNTY

Veteran’s Community Park, 1895 Veteran’s Park Drive, Naples, FL 34109

• Saturday, Nov. 5 – Friday, Nov. 11. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 12 – Sunday, Nov. 20. Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Tringali Rec Center, 3450 North Access Road, Englewood, FL 34224

• Saturday, Nov. 5 – Friday, Nov. 11. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 12 – Sunday, Nov. 20. Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

MANATEE COUNTY

John Marble Park, 3675 53rd Ave East, Bradenton, FL 34203

• Saturday, Nov. 5 – Friday, Nov. 11. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 12 – Sunday, Nov. 20. Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 

FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution co-sponsor the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a partnership of 62 national service organizations and federal agencies. HENTF was created to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies.

If you don’t want to wait for the demonstrations or cannot attend, guidance and resources are available at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures.

krystin.ventura Thu, 11/03/2022 - 21:51

Five Steps to Keep Your Disaster Recovery on Track

San Juan, Puerto Rico — Recovering from a disaster is a continuous process with many options and it is important for disaster survivors to know the resources available to support their recovery efforts. Depending on your particular needs and the steps you’ve already taken, there are several additional steps you can take to recover from your losses and mitigate your property against future damage.

Here is a checklist to ensure you’ve taken all the steps in your federal assistance process:

• Visit a temporary Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) near you. A DRC is a place where you can receive in-person support, speak with FEMA and other federal representatives, upload documents, review the status of your application and submit appeals. To find your nearest DRC and its hours of operation, click on the FEMA DRC link: DRC Locator. Get answers to your questions while the DRC is open.

• Apply for a low-interest U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan. SBA disaster loans are not just for businesses. Homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations may also apply. Next to insurance, an SBA low-interest disaster loan is the primary source of funds for property repairs and for replacing contents destroyed in a disaster event. Know that you are never obligated to accept a loan. To apply visit: disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. Call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955  (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services), or by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

• Request continued temporary rental assistance forms. If you received initial rental assistance and remain unable to return to your pre-disaster primary residence due to a disaster declared event, make sure to apply for FEMA’s Continued Rental Assistance. If you did not receive a form by mail, you may request one by calling the FEMA helpline.

• Stay in touch with FEMA. Disaster survivors who applied for assistance from FEMA are asked to please stay in touch with the agency to review their application status, update their contact information and provide required documentation as needed. It is critical to keep in touch with FEMA. Missing or out of date information could slow much needed disaster assistance. Let FEMA know if your address or phone number has changed. Download the FEMA App, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call FEMA’s helpline.

• Know your appeal options. If you disagree with FEMA decisions, you have the option to submit an appeal letter with additional documentation such as your insurance settlement or prove home ownership or documentation to prove your identity to have your case reconsidered. The appeal should be submitted within 60 days of the initial FEMA decision and include a signed and dated letter explaining why you are appealing and include supporting documentation, such as a copy of a verifiable contractor’s estimate for repairs.

For questions about federal disaster assistance, call the FEMA helpline: 1-800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Operators are available seven days a week.

kimberly.keblish Thu, 11/03/2022 - 20:51

Disaster Recovery Center to Close Temporarily

BRANDON, Fla. – The Disaster Recovery Center in Flagler County will be closed temporarily Nov. 4 – 5 for a previously scheduled event.

The center at the Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Rd., Bunnell, FL 32110 will be closed Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4 and 5 and will reopen at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6.

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida 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.

There are several other Disaster Recovery Centers operating throughout the impacted area. To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator or floridadisaster.org, or you can text DRC along with your zip code to 43362.

Currently, all centers are operating seven days a week, hours may vary. No appointment is necessary to get assistance.

It is not necessary to visit a 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.

Interpretation services and translated materials are available at these centers to help you communicate in the language with which you feel most comfortable. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible.

In addition to the centers, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing neighborhoods in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian to help residents apply for FEMA assistance and answer questions about federal assistance. DSA teams wear FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. There is no charge for service.

FEMA Individual Assistance can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs.

virginia.case2 Thu, 11/03/2022 - 19:43

Commonwealth/FEMA Centers Still Available to Help Eastern Kentuckians

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentuckians looking for help filling disaster related needs, or those who applied with FEMA and have questions about their application or appeal, still have time to visit a commonwealth-managed Multi-Agency Resource Center or FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. There is no limit to how many times survivors can visit these centers.

Multi-Agency Resource Centers are here to help

The commonwealth-managed Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) are “one stop shop” locations where public and private organizations come together to assist those affected by disasters. MARCs are collaborative operations. By bringing these agencies together, the MARC is staffed and managed by Kentuckians helping Kentuckians for the coordinated recovery of those affected by the disaster.

Beginning Monday, Nov. 7:

• Floyd County: Christian Appalachian Project Foley Community Center – 6134 KY-80, Martin, KY 41649
  • FEMA Individual Assistance, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Kentucky Benefits (kynect), Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH), Mountain Comprehensive Care Center (Crisis Counseling), Department for Natural Resources
  • The center in Floyd County is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
• Clay County: Clay County Community Center – 311 Highway 638, Manchester, KY 40962
  • SNAP, kynect, DPH, Crisis Counseling, DNR
  • The center in Clay County is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Pike County: Dorton Community Center –112 Dorton Hill Rd., Pikeville, KY 41501
  • SNAP, Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
  • The center in Pike County is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

These centers are designed to guide survivors through the recovery process. FEMA representatives can help survivors check the status of their applications, understand their determination letters and help upload documents needed for an appeal.

In addition, survivors can pick up handouts on rebuilding safer and stronger homes and the option of property buyouts. The SBA is also at the recovery centers to answer questions about low-interest disaster loans.

All Disaster Recovery Centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Other commonwealth and federal resources may also be available at certain locations. See the list below for services available at each center:

Beginning Monday, Nov. 7:

• Breathitt County: Breathitt County Library – 1024 College Ave, Jackson, KY 41339
  • FEMA Individual Assistance, SBA, SNAP
• Knott County: Knott County Sportsplex - 450 Kenny Champion Loop #8765, Leburn, KY 41831
  • FEMA Individual Assistance, SBA, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Closed Tuesday, Nov. 8 for election day, will resume operations at 8 a.m. Nov. 9.
• Letcher County: Letcher County Recreation Center – 1505 Jenkins Rd., Whitesburg, KY 41858
  • FEMA Individual Assistance, SBA, USDA
• Perry County: Hazard Community College –1 Community College Dr., Hazard, KY 41701
  • FEMA Individual Assistance, SBA, SNAP
    19. Day Holiday

In observance of Veteran’s Day Friday, Nov. 11, all state and federal centers serving Eastern Kentucky will be closed, but help is still available by calling 800-621-3362, going online to disasterassistance.gov or using the FEMA mobile app. If using a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

sandra.habib Thu, 11/03/2022 - 19:21

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Pinellas County

BRANDON, Fla. – The state of Florida and FEMA have opened an additional Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in

Pinellas County. Here is the address:

PINELLAS COUNTY Lealman Exchange Community Center

5175 45th St. N.

St. Petersburg, FL  33714

Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

 

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida 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.

There are several Disaster Recovery Centers operating throughout Florida’s disaster-damaged counties. To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator or floridadisaster.org, or you can text DRC along with your zip code to 43362.

Currently, all centers are operating seven days a week, hours may vary. No appointment is necessary to get assistance.

It is not necessary to visit a 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.

Interpretation services and translated materials are available at these centers to help you communicate in the language with which you feel most comfortable. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible.

In addition to the centers, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing neighborhoods in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian to help residents apply for FEMA assistance and answer questions about federal assistance. DSA teams wear FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. There is no charge for service.

FEMA Individual Assistance can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs.

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4673. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

 

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

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, you can call the Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448.

virginia.case2 Thu, 11/03/2022 - 15:02

Federal Support for Hurricane Ian Surpasses $1.88 Billion; FEMA Provides $714 Million in Individual Assistance to Jumpstart Survivor Recovery

WASHINGTON -- More than $1.88 billion in federal grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments has been provided to the state of Florida and households to help survivors jumpstart their recovery after Hurricane Ian.

FEMA has provided $714 million to households and $322 million to the state for emergency response, while the U.S. Small Business Administration has provided $533 million in disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $313 million in claims.

How FEMA is Helping Floridians

• FEMA has made individual assistance available to 26 counties in Florida. Residents in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties are eligible to apply for Individual Assistance.
• FEMA is meeting survivors where they are to help jumpstart their recoveries. Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists are going door-to-door in Florida neighborhoods to help individuals register for assistance. These teams have interacted with nearly 87,000 survivors in counties designated for Individual Assistance.
• Survivors can visit one of 23 Disaster Recovery Centers operating in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee (2 locations), Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties. More centers are planned. Interpretation services and translated materials are available at these centers to help survivors communicate in the language they feel most comfortable. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. As centers are added, real-time locations will be updated at FloridaDisaster.org.
• FEMA expanded Transitional Sheltering Assistance to seven more counties, for a total of 26 counties that are eligible for temporary hotel stays for survivors who cannot remain in their homes because of storm damage. As of today, the program is providing housing for 2,447 households with 6,128 members.
• Hundreds of FEMA inspectors have performed over 187,923 home inspections for survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance.
• FEMA will provide temporary housing to eligible Hurricane Ian survivors in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee and Sarasota counties. FEMA approved Direct Temporary Housing Assistance to provide options for those whose homes are uninhabitable because of the hurricane. FEMA determined that rental assistance is insufficient to meet the housing need in those counties because of a lack of available housing resources. FEMA will notify applicants who are eligible for direct housing. It will take time to transport, permit, install and inspect these units before they are available. Direct Temporary Housing Assistance may be provided for up to 18 months from Sept. 29, 2022, the date of the federal disaster declaration, to March 28, 2024.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $533 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners. Business Recovery Centers are located in Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee and Seminole counties.
• As of Nov. 1, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has received more than 43,000 flood insurance claims and paid more than $313 million to policyholders, including $163 million in advance payments.
• NFIP policyholders may receive up to $1,000 to reimburse the purchase of supplies like sandbags, plastic sheeting and lumber. They may also receive up to $1,000 in storage expenses if they moved insured property. Policyholders should file a claim for flood loss avoidance reimbursement, regardless of whether it was successful in preventing flood damage.
• FEMA is conducting local hiring for more than 300 jobs in Brandon, Fort Myers, Kissimmee, Orlando and Sarasota. These positions are full-time, 120-day appointments that may be extended depending on operational needs. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online through USAJobs.gov. Click here for instructions on how to apply.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to eligible survivors. Floridians can file a claim for loss of income caused by Hurricane Ian by going to Disaster Unemployment Assistance - FloridaJobs.org and selecting “Apply for Hurricane Ian DUA,” visiting a local CareerSource Career Center, or calling 800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
• Low-income Florida residents recovering from Hurricane Ian may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Survivors can find more information on Florida’s D-SNAP program by visiting the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Hurricane Ian Response & Recovery website.
• Operation Blue Roof has installed 18,569 roofs. This is a free service provided to homeowners and is currently operating in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Final blue roof installations are scheduled to be completed by Nov. 5, 2022.
• National Flood Insurance Program Florida policyholders who had flood damage from the hurricane have a 90-day window to renew their policies. The extension applies to policies with renewal dates beginning Aug. 25, 2022 through Oct. 23, 2022. Policyholders whose renewal date is in this range should contact their agent or insurance company. FEMA also extended the proof of loss requirement for flood insurance policyholders in Florida who experienced flood damage from Hurricane Ian from 60 to 365 days. For more information on how to file a flood insurance claim, visit How to Start Your Flood Insurance Claim.
• If you or a member of your household uses adaptive or accessibility items that were damaged by Hurricane Ian, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance for those items. For homeowners, items can include an exterior ramp, grab bars and a paved pathway to the home’s entrance from a vehicle. Awards do not count toward your Housing Assistance or Personal Property maximum awards. For more information for homeowners and renters, visit Update to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide. 

luther.wills-dudich Thu, 11/03/2022 - 14:13

Bowling Green Receives More Than $3.3 Million in Federal Funding

FRANKFORT, Ky. – FEMA has approved more than $3.3 million in federal funding to reimburse the City of Bowling Green for debris removal as a result of the Dec. 10-11, 2021, tornadoes.

FEMA has approved $2,074,369 for debris removal throughout the city between Dec. 27, 2021, and Jan. 25, 2022. Contractors removed 110,438 cubic yards of vegetative debris and 48,457 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris, which includes parts of buildings, lumber, roofing material, concrete and other materials.

Also removed were 156 leaning trees, 102 hanging limbs and 4 stumps that were determined to pose a threat to public health and safety were also removed in the city.

Public Assistance is a cost-sharing program. Because of the magnitude of damage from the tornadoes, President Biden in January 2022 authorized a cost share adjustment to 100% federal funding for debris removal for a 30-day period of the commonwealth’s choosing (Dec. 27 – Jan. 25).

FEMA has also approved an additional $1,252,659 for the collection, reduction and disposal of debris that took place Dec. 12, 2021, to Dec. 26, 2021, and Jan. 27, 2022, to March 15, 2022. Contractors collected approximately 23,559 cubic yards of vegetative debris and 13,098 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris.

In addition, 93 hanging limbs, 33 hazardous leaning trees and 28 stumps that were determined to pose a threat to public health and safety were also removed.

This project was funded at a 90% cost share. This means FEMA reimburses applicants at 90% of eligible costs with the remaining 10% covered by the commonwealth. The federal share is paid directly to the commonwealth to disburse to agencies, local governments and the nonprofit organizations that incurred costs.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal, and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations including some houses of worship, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

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

sandra.habib Wed, 11/02/2022 - 17:31

Pike County Flood Survivors Can Now Be Considered for Direct Temporary Housing

FRANKFORT, Ky – To assist survivors displaced by the July 26, 2022, Eastern Kentucky floods, FEMA has approved direct temporary housing assistance for Pike County—bringing the total number of approved counties to six—including: Breathitt, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Perry and Pike.

This program makes available to disaster survivors several additional short-term housing solutions. However, it takes time to transport, permit, install and inspect these units, before they are available.

The Direct Housing program provides two primary options:

• Multi-Family Lease and Repair, where FEMA enters into a lease agreement with the owner of multi-family rental properties (i.e., three or more units) and makes repairs to provide temporary housing for applicants.
• Temporary Housing Units such as a travel trailer or manufactured home.

Direct temporary housing takes significant time to implement and is not an immediate solution for a survivor's interim and longer-term housing needs. Additionally, not everyone impacted by the disaster will be eligible for direct housing. Therefore, it is important that partners at all levels – local government, the commonwealth, other federal agencies, nonprofit and private sector organizations – work together to fill any gaps.

Survivors who have applied with FEMA for assistance do not need to reapply to be eligible for Direct Housing. FEMA reviews applications to identify those with housing needs. Survivors who need to update their FEMA application, or inform FEMA about changes in their housing situation, can do so by going to DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

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

sandra.habib Wed, 11/02/2022 - 16:57

Federal Support for Hurricane Ian Tops $1.79 Billion; FEMA Provides $689 Million in Individual Assistance to Jumpstart Survivor Recovery

WASHINGTON -- More than $1.79 billion in federal grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments has been provided to the state of Florida and households to help survivors jumpstart their recovery after Hurricane Ian.

FEMA has provided $689 million to households and $322 million to the state for emergency response, while the U.S. Small Business Administration has provided $499 million in disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $288 million in claims.  

How FEMA is Helping Floridians

• FEMA has made individual assistance available to 26 counties in Florida. Residents in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties are eligible to apply for Individual Assistance.
• FEMA is meeting survivors where they are to help jumpstart their recoveries. Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists are going door-to-door in Florida neighborhoods to help individuals register for assistance. These teams have interacted with nearly 84,000 survivors in counties designated for Individual Assistance.
• Survivors can visit one of 23 Disaster Recovery Centers operating in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee (2 locations), Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties. More centers are planned. Interpretation services and translated materials are available at these centers to help survivors communicate in the language with which they feel most comfortable. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. As centers are added, real-time locations will be updated at FloridaDisaster.org.
• FEMA expanded Transitional Sheltering Assistance to seven more counties bringing to a total 26 counties that are eligible for temporary hotel stays for survivors who cannot remain in their homes because of storm damage. As of today, the program is providing housing for 2,419 households with 6,063 members.
• Hundreds of FEMA inspectors have performed over 184,504 home inspections for survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance.
• FEMA will provide temporary housing to eligible Hurricane Ian survivors in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee and Sarasota counties. FEMA approved Direct Temporary Housing Assistance to provide options for those whose homes are uninhabitable because of the hurricane. FEMA determined that rental assistance is insufficient to meet the housing need in those counties because of a lack of available housing resources. FEMA will notify applicants who are eligible for direct housing. It will take time to transport, permit, install and inspect these units before they are available. Direct Temporary Housing Assistance may be provided for up to 18 months from Sept. 29, 2022, the date of the federal disaster declaration, to March 28, 2024.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $499 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners. Business Recovery Centers are located in Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee and Seminole counties.
• As of Oct. 31, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has received more than 43,000 flood insurance claims and paid more than $288 million to policyholders, including $158 million in advance payments.
• NFIP policyholders may receive up to $1,000 to reimburse the purchase of supplies like sandbags, plastic sheeting and lumber. They may also receive up to $1,000 in storage expenses if they moved insured property. Policyholders should file a claim for flood loss avoidance reimbursement, regardless of whether it was successful in preventing flood damage.
• FEMA is conducting local hiring for more than 300 jobs in Brandon, Fort Myers, Kissimmee, Orlando and Sarasota. These positions are full-time, 120-day appointments that may be extended depending on operational needs. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online through USAJobs.gov.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to eligible survivors. Floridians can file a claim for loss of income caused by Hurricane Ian by going to Disaster Unemployment Assistance - FloridaJobs.org and selecting “Apply for Hurricane Ian DUA,” visiting a local CareerSource Career Center, or calling 800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
• Low-income Florida residents recovering from Hurricane Ian may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Survivors can find more information on Florida’s D-SNAP program by visiting the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Hurricane Ian Response & Recovery website.
• Operation Blue Roof has installed 18,233 roofs. This is a free service provided to homeowners and is currently operating in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Final blue roof installations are scheduled to be completed by Nov. 5, 2022.
• National Flood Insurance Program Florida policyholders who had flood damage from the hurricane have a 90-day window to renew their policies. The extension applies to policies with renewal dates beginning Aug. 25, 2022 through Oct. 23, 2022. Policyholders whose renewal date is in this range should contact their agent or insurance company. FEMA also extended the proof of loss requirement for flood insurance policyholders in Florida who experienced flood damage from Hurricane Ian from 60 to 365 days. For more information on how to file a flood insurance claim, visit How to Start Your Flood Insurance Claim.
• If you or a member of your household uses adaptive or accessibility items that were damaged by Hurricane Ian, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance for those items. For homeowners, items can include an exterior ramp, grab bars and a paved pathway to the home’s entrance from a vehicle. Awards do not count toward your Housing Assistance or Personal Property maximum awards. For more information for homeowners and renters, visit Update to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide. 

luther.wills-dudich Wed, 11/02/2022 - 15:15

FEMA Awards Vermont Over $13.2 Million For COVID Testing Expenses

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $13.2 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse it for the cost of testing both the public and public employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $13,248,491 Public Assistance grant will go to the Vermont Agency of Human Services for the costs of administering 1,792 CUE LAMP and 269,629 PCR COVID-19 tests required for the safe opening and operations of state facilities, including employees and visitors at state buildings, between May 2021 and March 2022.

That also included inmates, staff, and visitors at correctional facilities; students, staff, and visitors at public and non-profit schools; residents, staff, and visitors at non-profit long-term care facilities; and staff, campers, and visitors at public and non-profit summer camps.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Vermont with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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 $413 million in grants to Vermont to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Tue, 11/01/2022 - 20:48

FEMA Awards Vermont More Than $3 Million For COVID Response Expenses

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $3 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse it for costs incurred responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3,003,227 Public Assistance grant will go to the Vermont Agency of Administration for steps taken to help combat the Coronavirus pandemic between January 2020 and December 2021.

The grant will pay for the cost of purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as nitrile gloves and respirators; supplies such as hand sanitizer, hand pail and piston pumps; signage relating to COVID-19 health requirements such as social distancing and mask mandates; and free-standing plexiglass barriers in state and public facilities to ensure safe social distancing.

In addition, the agency contracted for cleaning and disinfection services for state and public facilities; leases for non-congregate sheltering and treatment space for COVID-19 patients; medical surge sites and PPE storage; and services like utilities, snow removal and waste disposal.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Vermont with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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 $413 million in grants to Vermont to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Tue, 11/01/2022 - 20:46

FEMA Awards Over $6.7 Million to Tufts Medical Center for COVID-19 Staffing Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $6.7 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse Tufts Medical Center for the cost of hiring temporary staff and paying overtime during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $6,714,459 in Public Assistance grants will reimburse the teaching hospital in Boston affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine for contracting for hiring additional staff and paying overtime to deal with increased patient loads due to the Coronavirus.

The hospital spent $2,399,986 to contract with several different companies to provide 123 medical staff such as registered nurses, medical assistants, and respiratory therapists, as well as 4 translation specialists to accommodate patients with hearing impairments or language barriers, for a total of 29,529 regular hours and 1,567 overtime hours between June and December 2020.

An additional $4,314,473 was spent to pay the hospital’s regular staff for 68,887 emergency overtime hours that were needed to handle the extra workload between March and August 2020.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Tufts Medical Center with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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 almost $1.4 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Tue, 11/01/2022 - 20:45

FEMA Awards More Than $14 Million to Lowell General Hospital for COVID Staffing Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $14 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse Lowell General Hospital for the costs of contracting for additional staff to handle increased patient loads during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hospital, part of the Tufts Medicine health system, will receive $14,041,699 in FEMA Public Assistance grants to reimburse it for paying temporary nursing staff to work between August 2020 and January 2022.

Nursing contractors Medical Solutions LLC and Vital Contingent Planning provided more than 51,670 hours of labor at Lowell General Hospital’s Main Campus and at Saints Campus.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Lowell General Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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 nearly $1.4 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Tue, 11/01/2022 - 20:38

FEMA Awards More Than $3 Million to State of Connecticut for Keeping DMV Open During Pandemic

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $3 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse the state for the cost of keeping the Department of Motor Vehicles operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3,015,287 Public Assistance grant to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (CTDMV) will reimburse it for the additional costs of operating safely in a pandemic environment between February 2020 and October 2021.

To ensure the safety of staff and customers at the CTDMV branches, the department provided temperature screeners, temporary free-standing barriers, and cleaning and disinfectant services and supplies.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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 $591 million in Public Assistance grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Tue, 11/01/2022 - 20:37

FEMA Awards Nearly $2.3 Million to University of New Hampshire for COVID Testing

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $2.3 million to the State of New Hampshire to reimburse the University of New Hampshire for the cost of providing testing for students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $2,288,046 FEMA Public Assistance grant to the public university will reimburse it for purchasing supplies and contracting for staff to administer and process COVID-19 tests at the university’s Manchester and Durham campuses between November 2020 and January 2021.

UNH hired temporary staff who acted as medical laboratory technicians and clinical lab assistants to administer COVID-19 tests, process specimens, and assist with COVID testing logistics. The university provided COVID-19 testing supplies such as labels for test tubes, pipettes, solution, calibrators, reagent chemicals, tubing, plastic combs and plates, deep-well plates, biological safety cabinets, adhesive film and power supply units.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the University of New Hampshire with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our institutions of higher education to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

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 $172 million in Public Assistance grants to New Hampshire to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Tue, 11/01/2022 - 20:36

FEMA Awards Over $42 Million to Connecticut for Covid Personal Protective Equipment

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $42 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse the state for purchasing, storing and distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $42,221,775 FEMA Public Assistance grant to the Connecticut Department of Corrections will reimburse it for purchasing large quantities of PPE and operating a system of warehouses and distribution centers around the state between April 2020 and August 2021.

Acting as the state’s logistical agency, the department contracted to lease two warehouse facilities and set up eight points of distribution in five regions across the state, and to purchase more than 96 million various PPE items including goggles, masks, face shields, respirators, gowns, gloves, and shoe coverings and distribute them to other state entities, agencies, municipalities and first responders.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Connecticut with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

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 $591 million in Public Assistance grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Tue, 11/01/2022 - 20:27