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

FEMA Awards Over $1.1 Million to Dean College for COVID-19 Testing and Disinfection

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $1.1 million to Dean College to reimburse the college for the cost of contracting to manage and administer diagnostic testing and disinfection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,152,033 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private college in Franklin for the cost of diagnostic testing and disinfection between October 2021 and March 2022.

In addition to contractors administering 33,444 PCR tests to 1,573 students, faculty, and staff on the campus, contractors also provided additional cleaning and disinfection of the classrooms and residence halls.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Dean College 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, communities and certain private non profit organizations 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 - 20:24

Multiple Housing Options for Hurricane Ian Survivors

BRANDON, Fla. – The state of Florida and FEMA are providing several kinds of assistance to Floridians in 26 counties whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ian.

FEMA grants can help with repair or replacement of hurricane-damaged primary homes and rental assistance for temporary housing while making repairs. Eligible counties are 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.

Eligible residents of the same 26 counties listed are also being considered for FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA), which provides temporary lodging at hotels for eligible applicants.

FEMA also has authorized Direct Temporary Housing for Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee and Sarasota counties and will provide transportable temporary housing units and travel trailers, as well as direct leasing of homes for eligible applicants.

Types of Assistance Provided Rental Assistance

FEMA may provide financial assistance to homeowners or renters to rent alternate temporary housing if they are displaced from their primary residence due to damage from Hurricane Ian. The damaged house must be uninhabitable because of the hurricane and the housing needs must not be covered by insurance.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance

FEMA may provide temporary sheltering in a hotel. Those who are in shelters or are displaced because the home is inaccessible or uninhabitable may be eligible.

Home Repair/Replacement

Financial assistance may be available for eligible homeowners to rebuild or make basic repairs to make their home safe, sanitary, and functional again.

 

To be eligible for assistance, survivors must apply to FEMA. There are several ways to apply: 1) DisasterAssistance.gov, 2) download the FEMA App for mobile devices, 3) call toll-free 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. To view an accessible video on how to apply visit Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

Operation Blue Roof

In addition to FEMA’s programs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may be able to assist eligible homeowners with temporary roof repairs. Operation Blue Roof is a free service to homeowners impacted by Hurricane Ian in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Homeowners can sign up online at blueroof.us or call 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information. The deadline to sign up for the Blue Roof Program is Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

Direct Temporary Housing Assistance

Options can include:

• Transportable Temporary Housing Units – FEMA may place a travel trailer or manufactured housing unit (MHU) on a private site or in a commercial park. FEMA may also coordinate with the state and local officials to construct group sites for multiple transportable temporary housing units
• Direct Lease – FEMA may lease existing, ready-to-occupy residential properties for use as temporary housing. Eligible property types may include vacation rentals, corporate apartments, second homes, single-family homes, cooperatives, condominiums, townhouses, and other dwellings. Direct lease is for eligible applicants whose housing needs cannot be met with other direct temporary housing assistance options.
• Multi-family Lease and Repair – FEMA funds the repair or improvement of existing vacant multi-family rental properties that eligible applicants can use for temporary housing.

mayshaunt.gary Tue, 11/01/2022 - 18:58

FEMA Welcomes New National Advisory Council Members

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced today the appointment of 16 new members and 3 returning members to the agency's National Advisory Council.

For the first time in the council’s history, a Tribal representative was appointed as council chair. Please join us in congratulating the new National Advisory Council chair, Mr. Jeff Hansen, Director of Community Safety for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Previously, Chair Hansen served as the vice chair of the council for four years, working alongside outgoing Chair W. Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. FEMA appreciates Mr. Kidd’s many years of devoted service.

“The National Advisory Council brings together diverse voices and viewpoints to help us better identify and address the emergency management challenges facing FEMA and our nation,” said Administrator Deanne Criswell. “I am proud to share that, for the first time in its history, a Tribal Nation representative will serve as the chair of the council. Jeff Hansen, of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, dutifully served four years as vice chair of the council and I am confident he will continue to serve our nation well in this new role. Additionally, beginning in 2023, the size of the council will grow from 35 to 40 members, including positions designated on climate change. These new positions will allow FEMA to be better informed as we carry out our mission of helping people before, during and after disasters.”

The National Advisory Council advises the FEMA administrator on all aspects of emergency management, including preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation for disasters and national emergencies. Council members represent a substantive cross-section of officials, emergency managers and emergency response providers from state, local, tribal and territorial governments, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations. Since its creation in 2006, the council has provided nearly 400 recommendations to FEMA on a variety of key emergency management topics.

Of the 19 members selected, 16 are new appointments. The following 19 members will begin their terms of appointment on December 1, 2022:

• Mr. Michael Antoine, Director of Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness at Louisiana State University, New Orleans.

• Ms. Brenda Bergeron, Deputy Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Farmington, Connecticut.
• Mr. Chad Berginnis, Executive Director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.
• Mr. Michael Berkowitz, Founding Principal of Resilient Cities Catalyst, Brooklyn, New York.
• Mr. Christopher Blanco, Associate Director of the Budget Resources and Recovery Grants Management Division at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, Brooklyn, New York.  
• Mr. Karl Fippinger, Vice President of the Fire and Disaster Mitigation, International Code Council, Manassas, Virginia.
• Mr. Patrick Hernandez, Director of the Office of Incident Command and Control and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.
• Ms. Lori Hodges, Director for the Office of Emergency Management, Larimer County, Colorado.
• Mr. Justin Kates, Director of Emergency Management & Communications Department, City of Somerville, Massachusetts.
• Dr. Misti Kill, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs for the College of Safety and Emergency Services at Columbia Southern University, Fargo, North Dakota.
• Mr. John King, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner for the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety, Roswell, Georgia.
• Dr. Lorie Liebrock, Founding Director for the New Mexico Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, New Mexico.
• Mr. Gary Ludwig, Fire Chief for the Champaign Fire Department, Illinois.
• Mr. Andrew Phelps, State Director for the Office of Emergency Management at the Oregon Military Department, Lake Oswego, Oregon.
• Mr. James Redick, Director for Emergency Preparedness and Response, City of Norfolk, Virginia.
• Dr. Carol Salas Pagán, Director for the Puerto Rico University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and Coordinator of Developmental Disabilities at the University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Ms. Carrie Speranza, Director of Emergency Management Solutions, Esri, Springfield, Virginia.
• Ms. Tafaimamao “Tafa” Tua-Tupuola, State Director for the American Samoa University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the American Samoa Community College, Pago Pago, American Samoa.
• Dr. Jiqiu Yuan, Executive Director for the Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Building Seismic Safety Council at the National Institute of Building Sciences, Potomac, Maryland.

On November 30, 2022, the following members will conclude their terms of appointment:

• Chief W. Nim Kidd, Chief, Texas Division of Emergency Management and Vice Chancellor, Texas A&M System, Austin, Texas.
• Ms. Donna Boston, Senior Manager, Business Resilience and Emergency Planning, Southern California Edison, Silverado, California.
• Mr. Paul Brennan, Director, Pre-Hospital EMS and Preparedness Coordinator, Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence, Massachusetts.
• Mr. Charles Esteves, Administrator, Guam Office of Civil Defense, Agna Heights, Guam.
• Mr. John Grathwol, Deputy Director (Ret.), New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, New York.
• Ms. Nicolette Louissaint, Senior Vice President, Policy and Strategic Planning Healthcare Distribution Alliance, Arlington, Virginia.
• Mr. Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer, State of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida.

For additional information on the council, visit FEMA.gov.

luther.wills-dudich Tue, 11/01/2022 - 17:33

FEMA Celebrates a “Year of Firsts” During National Native American Heritage Month, Reinforces Commitment to Supporting Tribal Nations

WASHINGTON -- November marks National Native American Heritage Month, an opportunity for every person in the nation to reflect on our shared nation’s history and honor the Tribal Nations and tribal citizens who called this land home long before the United States became a country.

This National Native American Heritage Month, FEMA is celebrating a “year of firsts,” with the appointment of the agency’s first-ever National Tribal Affairs Advocate, the release of the agency’s first-ever National Tribal Strategy, the first National Advisory Council meeting in Indian Country and the first tribal citizen to hold the position of council chair in FEMA history.

At FEMA, Tribal Nations and tribal citizens are daily partners in emergency management and disaster resiliency. Tribal Nations are often the first and sometimes only responders to disasters that occur in Indian Country. The agency celebrates and honors the Nation-to-Nation relationships between FEMA and the 574 federally recognized Tribal Nations across the country.

“As we reflect on the achievements, contributions, sacrifices, cultures and traditions of Tribal Nations and tribal citizens -- past and present -- we are also looking to the future,” said FEMA’s National Tribal Affairs Advocate, Ms. Kelbie Kennedy. “We are committed to ensuring that FEMA improves our coordination with, and support of, all Tribal Nations across the country. When Tribal Nations have the support and resources they need, everyone in Indian Country, both Native and Non-Native, become safer.”

To ensure FEMA continues to advance its commitments to align the agency’s capabilities to the needs of Tribal Nations, FEMA has appointed the first tribal affairs political appointee in both FEMA and Department of Homeland Security history. Ms. Kelbie Kennedy, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma who was born and raised in her Nation’s reservation in Southeastern Oklahoma, joined FEMA in October of this year.

As the first FEMA National Tribal Affairs Advocate, Ms. Kennedy advises the FEMA Administrator and the agency on all matters pertaining to tribal affairs, ensures that Tribal Nations and tribal citizen needs are front of mind for FEMA and aims to ensure the agency lives up to its treaty and trust responsibilities to all Tribal Nations.

Last week, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell attended the National Advisory Council year-end meeting hosted by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, making it the first-ever council meeting held in Indian Country. During the meeting, the council held focused discussions on improving Nation-to-Nation relationships and supporting tribal sovereignty. At the end of the meeting, the Administrator appointed Jeff Hansen, Director of Community Protection for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, as the National Advisory Council chair. Mr. Hansen is the first tribal citizen to hold the position of council chair in FEMA history.

Earlier this year, the agency also released the first-ever 2022-2026 FEMA National Tribal Strategy to focus engagement and collaboration on the unique needs of sovereign tribal nations. The strategy is designed to foster stronger collaboration and information sharing between FEMA and Tribal Nations by providing the agency with a roadmap to refine and elaborate on major strategic goals and objectives we are working to achieve. Key issue areas were added to address requests from tribal leaders and tribal emergency managers, including tribal-specific technical assistance and tailored resources to support tribal emergency management programs.

To further address the unique needs and considerations of Tribal Nations, FEMA is also creating a Tribal Cybersecurity Grants Program, led by FEMA in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The new grants will address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems owned or operated by, or on behalf of, Tribal Nations. Earlier this year FEMA consulted with Tribal Nations per its Federal trust and treaty responsibilities and has improved the program as a result. Tribal leaders provided important input during the tribal consultation that will significantly improve the final grant program. Detailed information about the tribal cybersecurity program will be available soon.

luther.wills-dudich Tue, 11/01/2022 - 16:12

Federal Support for Hurricane Ian Totals $1.74 Billion; FEMA Provides $684 Million in Individual Assistance to Jumpstart Survivor Recovery

WASHINGTON -- More than $1.74 billion in federal grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments has been provided to the state of Florida and to households to help survivors jumpstart their recovery after Hurricane Ian.

FEMA has provided $684 million to households and $322 million to the state for emergency response, while the U.S. Small Business Administration has provided $464 million in disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $273 million in claims.  

How FEMA is Helping Floridians 

• 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.
• 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 almost 80,120 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 2,384 households with 5,994 members.
• Hundreds of FEMA inspectors have performed over 181,000 home inspections for survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $464 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. 29, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has received more than 43,000 flood insurance claims and paid more than $273 million to policyholders, including $154 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 17,758 roofs. This is a free service provided to homeowners and is currently operating in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can sign up at BlueRoof.us or call toll-free at 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information. The call center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
• 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 through Oct. 23. 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 Tue, 11/01/2022 - 14:05

One Week Left for Missourians to Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance

St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County residents have just one week left to apply for FEMA disaster assistance before the Nov. 7 deadline. Missouri homeowners and renters who had property damage or losses caused by the July 25-28 severe storms and flooding, or those whose apartment complex was damaged and had to move out, may be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

There are several ways for renters and homeowners who were affected by the July disaster to apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

• Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Download and use the FEMA mobile app to apply
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to apply

• If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. The Helpline is open seven days a week. Press 2 for Spanish or 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.

• Survivors may also apply in person at two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC).

University City Recreation Division

Centennial Commons

7210 Olive Blvd.

University City, MO 63130

Closes permanently on Wednesday, November 2 at 5 p.m.        

Ranken Technical College

Mary Ann Lee Technology Center

1313 N. Newstead Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63113

(On the corner of Newstead and Page)

Open Monday—Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

No appointment is necessary to visit a DRC. Walk-ins are welcome.

Have the following information available:

• Phone number where you can be contacted
• Address at the time of the flooding
• Address where you are staying now
• Social Security Number of one member of the household
• Basic list of damage and losses
• Bank information if you choose direct deposit for any FEMA money you may be awarded
• Insurance Information if you have insurance, including the policy number

If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file an insurance claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

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

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

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

tiana.suber Mon, 10/31/2022 - 22:17

FEMA Takes Steps to Accelerate Debris Removal in Florida; Federal Support Totals $1.67 Billion

WASHINGTON -- To accelerate the removal of debris from Hurricane Ian in Florida, FEMA is providing limited waivers to the application process for Public Assistance Private Property Debris Removal/Commercial Property Debris Removal. In areas designated with severe damage, FEMA will waive the requirement for approval of applicants for all storm-related residential debris and commercial right-of-way debris. Determinations of severe damage are based on the best available data: damage assessments and storm impact data, to include wind damage, storm surge and flood inundation.

More than $1.67 billion in federal grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments has been provided to the State of Florida and to households after Hurricane Ian. FEMA has provided $680 million to households and $322 million to the state for emergency response, while the U.S. Small Business Administration has provided $429 million in disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $244 million in claims.

How FEMA is Helping Floridians

• 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.
• 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 almost 77,000 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 2,362 households with 5,966 members.
• Hundreds of FEMA inspectors have performed over 178,000 home inspections for survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $429 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. 29, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has received more than 43,000 flood insurance claims and paid more than $244 million to policyholders, including $142 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 17,321 roofs. This is a free service provided to homeowners and is currently operating in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can sign up at BlueRoof.us or call toll-free at 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information. The call center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
• 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 through Oct. 23. 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 Mon, 10/31/2022 - 15:27

FEMA Hiring Local Residents to Work on Florida Recovery from Hurricane Ian; Federal Support Totals $1.65 Billion

WASHINGTON -- FEMA is conducting local hiring for more than 300 jobs in Brandon, Fort Myers, Kissimmee, Orlando and Sarasota, as the state of Florida continues recovering after Hurricane Ian. 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.

More than $1.65 billion in federal grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments has been provided to the state and households to help survivors jumpstart their recovery. FEMA has provided $674 million to households and $322 million to the state for emergency response, while the U.S. Small Business Administration has provided $408 million in disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $244 million in claims.

How FEMA is helping Floridians:

• 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.

• 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 71,000 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 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 2,277 households with 5,755 members. Hundreds of FEMA inspectors have performed over 170,000 home inspections for survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance.

• The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $408 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners. Business Recovery Centers are located in Collier, DeSoto, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Sarasota and Seminole counties.

• As of Oct. 29, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has received more than 43,000 flood insurance claims and paid more than $244 million to policyholders, including $142 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.

• 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 16,485 roofs. This is a free service provided to homeowners and is currently operating in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can sign up at BlueRoof.us or call toll-free at 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information. The call center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

• 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 through Oct. 23. 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 Sun, 10/30/2022 - 15:25

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Pasco County

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

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.

New Disaster Recovery Centers PASCO COUNTY

Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter

11611 Denton Ave.

Hudson, FL 34667

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

 

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 but are listed online. 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 the FEMA Helpline at 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 can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs.

krystin.ventura Sun, 10/30/2022 - 15:00

Help With Hurricane Ian Recovery; FEMA Is Hiring

BRANDON, Fla. – Come to work for FEMA and help your community recover from Hurricane Ian.

FEMA is conducting local hiring for more than 300 jobs in Brandon, Fort Myers, Kissimmee, Orlando and Sarasota. The agency is seeking people with experience in customer service, logistics, environmental protection, engineering, emergency management and other job categories.

These positions are full-time 120-day appointments that may be extended depending on operational needs.

FEMA Local Hire Employees are Eligible for the Following Benefits

• Health insurance for individual or family coverage. Employer contribution is 75% of premium. Local Hire employees are eligible for enrollment for health insurance coverage as of the official hire date/employment date with FEMA.
• Flexible spending accounts
• Federal long term care insurance
• Ability to earn 4 hours of paid sick leave per pay period
• Holiday pay
• Worker’s compensation

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, and possess a high school diploma or GED. Individuals will be required to pass a background investigation that includes finger printing and credit check, be able to furnish their own transportation to and from work and live within 50 miles of the employing office. Lodging and meals will not be covered or reimbursed by the agency. Employees are also required to participate in mandatory direct deposit/electronic funds transfer for salary payment.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online through USAJobs.gov. As the disaster operational needs shift, new positions will be posted on USAJobs. Candidates can be notified when FEMA Local Hire positions posts. You can save a search to help you look for jobs in your area of interest through USAJobs. For instructions, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center | How to save a search.

krystin.ventura Sun, 10/30/2022 - 14:24

Federal Support for Florida's Hurricane Ian Recovery Surpasses $1.6 Billion; Additional Counties Eligible for Direct Temporary Housing

WASHINGTON -- More than $1.62 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 $669 million to households and $322 million to the state for emergency response, while the U.S. Small Business Administration has provided $387 million in disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $244 million in claims.

How FEMA is helping Floridians:

• FEMA will provide temporary housing to eligible Hurricane Ian survivors in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee and Sarasota counties. Hardee and Sarasota counties became eligible this week. 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.

• 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 71,000 survivors in counties designated for individual assistance.
• Survivors can visit one of 22 Disaster Recovery Centers operating in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee (2 locations), Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties. More centers are planned to open in the coming days. 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.
• As survivors recover from Hurricane Ian, rental resources may not be available in some communities for displaced residents. To assist these households, FEMA is providing travel trailers and larger manufactured housing units to eligible households in six counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee and Sarasota. It takes time to transport, permit, install and inspect these units. We are working as quickly as possible with the state and local authorities to provide housing to survivors.
• 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 2,277 households with 5,755 members. Hundreds of FEMA inspectors have performed over 170,000 home inspections for survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $386.9 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners. Business Recovery Centers are located in Collier, DeSoto, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Sarasota and Seminole counties.
• As of Oct. 29, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has received more than 43,000 flood insurance claims and paid more than $244 million to policyholders, including $142 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.

• 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 15,879 roofs. This is a free service provided to homeowners and is currently operating in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can sign up at BlueRoof.us or call toll-free at 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information. The call center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
• 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 through Oct. 23. 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 Sat, 10/29/2022 - 19:34

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Flagler County

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

FLAGLER COUNTY

Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Rd., Bunnell, FL 32110

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 text DRC along with your zip code to 43362.

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

It is not necessary to visit a center to apply for FEMA assistance. Survivors can apply online at disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, which 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 also 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 affected by Hurricane Ian to help residents apply for FEMA assistance and answer any questions survivors may have. 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.

mayshaunt.gary Sat, 10/29/2022 - 14:44

Hardee and Sarasota Counties Approved for Direct Temporary Housing Assistance

BRANDON, Fla. – Hardee and Sarasota counties are now eligible for FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Assistance.

They join Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto and Lee counties previously approved for Direct Temporary Housing Assistance, which provides options for people 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.

The Direct Housing Program Provides Three Primary Options

• Multi-Family Lease and Repair, where FEMA enters into a lease agreement with the owner of multi-family rental properties and makes repairs to provide temporary housing for applicants.
• Transportable Temporary Housing Units such as a travel trailer or manufactured home.
• Direct Lease, which is leasing existing ready-for-occupancy housing.

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.

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. It is important that partners at all levels – local, state, other federal, nonprofit and private sector – work together to fill any gaps.

Survivors who have applied to FEMA for assistance do not need to reapply to be eligible for direct temporary housing assistance. If you haven’t yet applied, you can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app for smartphones or call 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

mayshaunt.gary Fri, 10/28/2022 - 23:23

Duval and Pinellas Counties Eligible for FEMA Public Assistance

BRANDON, Fla. – Duval County is now eligible for debris removal and repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities. They were previously approved for emergency protective measures.

Pinellas County is eligible for repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities. They were previously approved for Individual Assistance, debris removal and emergency protective measures under the Public Assistance Program.

mayshaunt.gary Fri, 10/28/2022 - 23:23

St. Clair County Disaster Survivors: Be Alert to Fraud After a Disaster

After a disaster, scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals may attempt to prey on survivors. The most common post-disaster fraud practices include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building contractors, bogus pleas for disaster donations and fake offers of state or federal aid.

Survivors should keep in mind:

• Federal and state workers never ask for or accept money and always carry photo-ID badges.
• There is NO FEE required to apply for or to get disaster assistance from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration or the state.
• Scam attempts can be made over the phone, by mail or email, text, or in person.

FEMA encourages survivors to be especially vigilant for these common post-disaster fraud practices:

• Fraudulent building contractors
  • • Use only licensed local contractors backed by reliable references.
    • Use only contractors who carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
    • Don’t pay more than half the costs of repairs upfront.
  • Bogus pleas for post-disaster donations
    • Verify legitimate solicitations by asking for the charity’s exact name, street address, phone number and webpage.
    • Call the charity and confirm that the person asking for funds is a genuine employee or volunteer.
    • Don’t pay donations with cash.
    • Request a receipt with the charity’s name, street address and phone number.
  • Fake offers of state or federal aid
    • Beware of visits, telephone calls or emails – claiming to be from FEMA or the State of Illinois – asking for your Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information.
    • Avoid scam artists who promise a disaster grant and ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.
    • Federal and state workers will never ask for or accept money or charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.

If you suspect fraud, you are encouraged to call the toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or the Illinois Attorney General’s fraud hotline at 1-800-243-0618, Línea Gratuita en Español 1-866-310-8398. Complaints also may be made by contacting local law enforcement agencies.

For disaster updates from FEMA, follow @FEMAregion5 on Twitter, and turn on mobile notifications. Visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4676.

For disaster updates from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), follow @ReadyIllinois on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and turn on mobile notifications. http://www.illinois.gov/iema/ continues to be a go-to, single source to help Illinois residents easily find information and disaster-related resources.

tiana.suber Fri, 10/28/2022 - 20:27

In Florida, a Massive Recovery Effort Is Under Way

BRANDON, Fl. – One month after Hurricane Ian made landfall, one of the largest disaster recovery missions in recent history is taking place in Florida.

The Category 4 storm, with 150 mph winds and a 15-foot storm surge, made landfall Sept. 28 near Cayo Costa, Fl., creating devastation that stretched from the southwest coast across the central part of the state and all the way to the northeast coast before entering the Atlantic.

It was the fourth-largest storm to hit Florida, cutting power to 2.7 million people, destroying homes and businesses, knocking out water systems and leaving piles of debris everywhere.

In 30 days, FEMA and its federal partners have provided the state and Florida households with $1.56 billion in grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments. The work is just beginning. More than 2,400 federal personnel are in Florida working on recovery. Private sector, voluntary agencies and faith-based organizations are fully engaged.

“Even for a state that is no stranger to hurricanes,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Tom McCool, “this was enormous. It presented challenges for our partners at the state, local and federal level unlike any we have seen for many years.

“We are committed to helping people get a safe roof over their heads as quickly as possible. We are working with the state to provide immediate temporary solutions – including hotels, rental assistance and other tools. Our focus is to meet the immediate sheltering need, give survivors a jumpstart on their recovery, and to bridge the gap between today and the long-term solutions.”

In Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee and Sarasota counties, FEMA is providing Direct Temporary Housing Assistance, which includes travel trailers and manufactured homes for eligible survivors, in addition to direct leasing of housing and repair for multifamily buildings that FEMA can lease for survivors.

The state of Florida and FEMA activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for Hurricane Ian to house eligible survivors temporarily in hotels. FEMA expanded that program this week to all 26 counties eligible for Individual Assistance.

“We continue to work closely with our federal and local partners to find innovative ways to cut through red tape and quickly and efficiently provide resources to communities impacted by Hurricane Ian," said Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie. “I look forward to our continued partnership and working to see the families and businesses impacted through the recovery process.”

As of Oct. 28, FEMA has provided $661.6 million to households for housing and other needs and $322 million to the state for emergency response. The U.S. Small Business Administration has provided $356.6 million in disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $223 million in claims, including advance payments.

Working closely with the FDEM, FEMA coordinated a federal response that involved multiple agencies.

On Sept. 25, four days before the storm made landfall, FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta activated the Regional Response Coordination Center to track the storm and put personnel, equipment and supplies in place before landfall. The center activated all Emergency Support Functions, the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard.

FEMA staged generators for quick movement to critical facilities such as hospitals. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) worked with the state to support restoration of water service.

FEMA provided 11 million liters of water, 6.8 million meals, tarps, blankets, cots, medical equipment and other commodities for the state to distribute when needed.

Eleven FEMA Urban Search & Rescue teams worked with state teams to conduct operations after the storm. The teams inspected more than 86,000 structures in the search process.

FEMA contracted for 300 ambulances to supplement state and local units. The Department of Health and Human Services deployed seven Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, which treated more than 3,700 patients in three weeks.

USACE installed more than 14,940 Blue Roofs at no charge to homeowners impacted by Hurricane Ian in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Lee, and Sarasota counties.

FEMA deployed more than 450 Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists who are going door-to-door to help people apply for FEMA assistance. The teams have interacted with more than 67,000 individuals.

FEMA home inspectors have performed more than 170,000 inspections to help the processing of applications for assistance.

The deadline for applications is Nov. 28. To apply for FEMA assistance, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App for mobile devices, or call toll-free 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. To view an accessible video on how to apply visit Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

Recovery will be a long process and FEMA will work closely with the state to ensure that Florida’s requirements are met. A joint state/federal field office has been established in the Tampa area to coordinate recovery operations. FEMA’s Interagency Recovery Coordination is working with multiple federal agencies to identify priority recovery needs.

krystin.ventura Fri, 10/28/2022 - 19:25

Biden-Harris Administration Jumpstarts Floridians’ Recoveries, Delivers Massive, Billion-Dollar Recovery Effort Following Hurricane Ian

WASHINGTON – One month after Hurricane Ian made landfall, FEMA and its federal partners have delivered over $1.56 billion to Floridians through grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments. The federal government is leading a whole-of-community effort, with more than 2,400 federal personnel on the ground along with private sector, voluntary agencies and faith-based organizations to meet immediate needs of survivors and help Floridians jumpstart their recovery.

“Well before this catastrophic storm made landfall, FEMA and the entire federal family took a forward-leaning posture to support Floridians, and we are applying that same approach as we transition to long-term recovery efforts,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.

“The massive amount of funding we’ve already delivered to Floridians to help jumpstart their recoveries, coupled with our people first approach, will allow us to reach and support as many people as possible. We remain steadfast in our mission to help people identify temporary housing solutions and avenues for rebuilding their lives and livelihoods. Together, with the help of our government counterparts, along with our faith-based and community partners, we will be here as long as it takes to help Floridians recover from this disaster.”

To date, FEMA has delivered over $661 million into the hands of survivors and $322 million towards the state’s emergency response operations. Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration has provided over $356 million in disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid more than $223 million in claims.

Transitional Shelter Assistance is now available for all 26 counties included in the major disaster declaration. This program allows FEMA to make payments directly to participating hotels and motels in Alabama, Florida and Georgia that provide emergency shelter to survivors. As of today, the program is providing housing for over 2,200 households with over 5,600 members.

Today, FEMA announced its direct temporary housing program is now available in Hardee and Sarasota counties, in addition to Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto and Lee counties. This program provides travel trailers and larger manufactured housing units to help eligible Hurricane Ian survivors get a safe roof over their head.

FEMA strives to be more accessible to reach every survivor. To ensure critical information about Hurricane Ian could reach all affected communities, we published and shared over 160 new web pages in languages other than English, provided numerous in language media engagements and public safety messages, and distributed key messages through social media in 14 languages to reach survivors.  Our new disaster multimedia toolkit was updated with graphics that help people understand storm recovery and disaster assistance in many other languages, which community partners and media were able to use to conduct outreach to local under-served communities. 

We’ve recently enacted registration intake changes and increased messaging to make recovering from disaster easier for those with disabilities and access and functional needs. Disaster survivors who self-identify as having a disability and access and functional need are comprising more than 15 percent of all valid applications in the recent devastation of Ian, which is a notable increase from past disaster operations.  

FEMA continues to work with its federal, state, local partners to ensure that every eligible survivor has equal access to the assistance they need. We conducted over 26 individual town hall events over the last 30 days to speak directly to the communities and meet survivors where they are.

In addition to our 21 Disaster Recovery Centers across the state, we focused Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams on impacted areas and accessibly challenged communities and partnered with faith and neighborhood leaders to engage those communities. These teams have interacted with more than 67,000 individuals, helping them understand and apply for FEMA assistance.

Since the storm hit, Civil Rights specialists have been in constant collaboration with local and tribal emergency managers, faith leaders and community advocates and FEMA operational leadership. These specialists work to protect survivors’ rights and ensure everyone receives fair and equal treatment under the law regardless of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin (including immigration status), age, disability, limited English proficiency or economic status.

The deadline for applications is one month from today, Nov. 28. To apply for FEMA assistance, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App for mobile devices, or call toll-free 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. To view an accessible video on how to apply visit Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

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

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 10/28/2022 - 18:53

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Open in Arroyo

San Juan, Puerto Rico — An additional Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Arroyo. The joint DRC, a partnership between the municipality, the Government of Puerto Rico and FEMA will help Hurricane Fiona survivors apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents needed for their application and answer questions in person.

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand at the DRC to provide program information and explain how to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, businesses, private nonprofits and renters, and provide information about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.

Services are provided in English and Spanish. If you need a reasonable accommodation or a sign language interpreter to communicate with FEMA, please send an email to FEMA-PRaccesible@fema.dhs.gov. You can also call 1-833-285-7448, press 2 for Spanish.

The additional center is located at:

• Terminal de Carros Públicos de Arroyo (next to the City Hall), 178 Calle Morse, Arroyo, PR 00714

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless otherwise stated. To find your nearest DRC and its hours of operation, click on the FEMA DRC link: DRC Locator.

All DRCs have Hazard Mitigation Community Education Outreach Specialists on site to support and provide guidance to visiting survivors.

Additional DRC locations in Puerto Rico are:

• Centro de Bellas Artes de Caguas, Calle Padial, Esquina Calle Ruiz Belvis, Caguas, PR 00725

• Cancha de Baloncesto Reinaldo Lugo, Calle Desengaño, Barrio Colombia, Mayagüez, PR 00680

• Estadio Pedro Montañez, Carretera Núm. 14, Km 69.7, Calle Matías Soto, Barriada San Cristóbal, Cayey, PR 00736

• Centro Comunal Los Naranjos, Comunidad Los Naranjos, Calle 2, Barrio Cabo Caribe, Vega Baja, PR 00693

• Centro Servicios Múltiples Francisco “Pancho” Robledo, Ave. Padre Severo Ferrer Santa Isabel, PR 00757

• Polideportivo Francisco “Frankie” Colón Alers, Ave. Los Caobos Final, Ponce, PR 00716

• Centro de Recepciones y Bellas Artes, Sala de Recepción, Ramal 152, Ave. José Zayas Green, Barrio Barrancas, Barranquitas, PR 00794

• Cancha de Balonmano Néstor Milete Echevarría, Carr. 3, Río Grande, PR 00745

• Centro de Convenciones de Cabo Rojo Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances y Alacán, PR-100, Cabo Rojo, PR 00623

• Centro Comunal Justo Concepción, Carr. 486, Km 2.2, Barrio Zanjas, Camuy, PR 00627

• Cancha Juanito Cabello, Calle Ramón Baldorioty de Castro, PR-173, Cidra, PR 00739

• Centro de Entrenamiento y Formación del Volleyball David Cuevas, Carr. 111, Ave. Los Patriotas, Barrio Pueblo, Lares, PR 00669 (open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Cancha Juan E. Lluch, PR 315 km 0.9, Lajas, PR 00667

• Centro Bellas Artes Ceferino Caro Ramos, Calle Unión, Rincón, PR 00677

• Biblioteca Municipal de Salinas, Calle Dr. Santos P. Amadeo, Casco Urbano, Salinas, PR 00751

• Casa Alcaldía (1er Piso), Calle Georgetti #35, Barceloneta, PR 00617

• Centro de Recepciones Luis Ángel Ortiz Hernández, Ave. Luis Muñoz Marín, PR-155, Orocovis, PR 00720

• Centro de Usos Múltiples Néstor Vázquez, Terminal de Carros Públicos, 38 Calle Terminal, Patillas, PR 00723

• Coliseo Roberto Clemente Walker, Ave. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, San Juan, PR 00920

• Estadio Municipal Mario “Ñato” Ramírez, Ave. Blvd Jimmy Negrón Palma Real, Yauco, PR 00698

• Centro Comunal Eugenio Walker, Calle 10, Monte Verde, Barrio San Isidro, Canóvanas, PR 00729

• Coliseo Municipal Samuel “Sammy” Rodríguez, PR-174, Km 22.8, Barrio Mula, Aguas Buenas, PR 00725

• Coliseo Manuel G. “Petaca” Iguina Reyes, PR-129, Km 2.4, Ave. Industrial, Barrio Hato Abajo, Arecibo, PR 00612

• Centro Comunal Medina, Urb. Medina, Calle #1, B-20, Isabela, PR 00662

• Coliseo Arquelio Torres Ramírez, Atléticos de San German, Ave. Universidad Interamericana, Carr. 102 Km 33.1, San Germán, PR 00683

• Centro Comunal Martorell, Parcelas Martorell Calle #2, Yabucoa, PR 00767

• Terminal de Carros Públicos 33-35, Calle Anexo Baldorioty, Utuado, PR 00641 (open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Centro de Servicios Integrados Núm. 4 (La Antigua Escuela), Calle Rafael Janer, Maricao, PR 00606 (open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Centro de Diagnóstico y Tratamiento (CDT), PR-198 Km 22.6 Int., Zona Industrial, Las Piedras, PR 00771

• Centro Comunal de Toa Alta Heights, Calle 19, Toa Alta, PR 00953

• Universidad Ana G. Méndez, 2 Calle Romero Barceló #10, Jayuya, PR 00664 (open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Complejo Deportivo Llaneros, Calle José de Diego, Levittown, Toa Baja, PR 00949

• Alcaldía de Guánica Provisional (Parking), Carr. 333 Km 0.3, Guánica, PR 00653

• Estadio Municipal Cristóbal “Cagüitas” Colón, 3 Calle B, San Lorenzo, PR 00754

• Complejo Deportivo Villalba, Calle Albizu Campos, Villalba, PR 00766

• Casa Alcaldía (Parking), Calle Espíritu Santo, Loíza, PR 00729

• Policía Municipal de Ciales (back of building), Carr. 149 Km 12.9, Ciales, PR 00638 (open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Centro de Servicios Múltiples, PR-3, Punta Santiago, Humacao, PR 00741

• Estadio Luis A. “Canena” Márquez (Parking), Ave. Las Cascadas, Aguadilla, PR 00603

• Casa de la Cultura Cacique Comerío, Calle Georgetti #27, Comerio, PR 00782

• Plaza de Recreo de Naguabo, Calle Baldorioty, Naguabo, PR 00718

• Coliseo Luis Aymat Cardona, Carr. 111 Km 18.2, Barrio Bahomamey, San Sebastián, PR 00685  

You may also register for assistance with FEMA or check status of your case through your smart phone, home computer or by phone.

The fastest ways to apply for assistance are:

• Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

If you need help registering for assistance, you may also visit any open DRC or call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. 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.

The deadline to apply for assistance from FEMA is Nov. 21, 2022.

kimberly.keblish Fri, 10/28/2022 - 18:34

FEMA announces $51 million in firefighter grants across Region 3

PHILADELPHIA– Some 300 fire departments in five mid-Atlantic states have received more than $51 million in competitive grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) awards help fire departments protect their communities by funding replacements of aging equipment; vehicle purchases; personnel training; radios, protective gear, tools and life-saving equipment; and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fires and fire-related hazards.

State

Number of Awards  

Amount  

Delaware

2

 $257,216

Maryland

22

 $6,766,841

Pennsylvania

226

 $31,775,832

Virginia

22 

 $5,621,286

West Virginia

29

 $6,710,363

Totals

301

$51,131,541

“Firefighters play a crucial role in keeping America’s communities safe and resilient,” said FEMA Region 3 Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “We take pride in helping fire departments stay ready to save lives and property, and we urge fire departments to apply for funding in the next cycle.” 

Awards went to fire departments in areas from small towns to big cities. A few include:

• East Bank, a small town in West Virginia, which received more than $150,000 to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). SCBA allows crews to breathe safely as they fight fires. 
• Chesterfield County, Va., just south of Richmond, which received $1.9 million for a source capture exhaust system and its installation. These systems capture and contain vehicle exhaust emissions and airborne particles, reducing health risks to firefighters.
• The City of Pittsburgh, which received $1.7 million for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
• And Sharpsburg, Md., a small town near the Antietam National Battlefield, that received $1.9 million for mobile radios.    

Opportunities to apply for the next round of AFGs should begin in late 2022 or early 2023; the date has not yet been set.

To see a list of the most recent recipients, click here and scroll down to the “Awards” section. You can search by city or state to see if any departments in your area received an AFG.  

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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, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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

charles.elison Fri, 10/28/2022 - 18:03