Governor Pierluisi and Cabinet members participate of FEMA Tabletop Exercise

San Juan, Puerto Rico - Today, Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi and key cabinet members participated of a tabletop exercise (TTX) from FEMA’s National Exercise Division (NED), to discuss identified best practices, lessons learned, and other pertinent topic areas needed for an immediate response operation to address a no-notice emergency scenario, such as an earthquake. The exercise took place at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, predesignated alternate facility to respond to a significant or catastrophic event.

Leads for the Puerto Rico Department of Housing, Education, Family, and Health among others, joined Governor Pierluisi in the discussion that focused on preparedness actions in advance of the peak of the hurricane season, considering an earthquake that affects most of the island. The goal is to help strengthen Puerto Rico’s capability to plan for, prepare and respond to challenges related to an earthquake during the hurricane season, that may escalate if another incident happens simultaneously.

Meanwhile, governor Pierluisi said that for the people of Puerto Rico “it is vital, of actual life of death importance, that all government agencies and entities work collaboratively to put in place the systems and protocols necessary to achieve an effective and coordinated emergency response.  There is no doubt that when we work together, state government and federal agencies, we always achieve a better result”.

“Today we continue our mission of building on this work, ensuring we are always looking for new and better ways to improve our readiness, to adopts proven best practices, and to examine ways to be quicker and more effective when disaster strikes.  We are zeroing in on all actions we must be ready to take in the event of an earthquake like the one our people suffered in 2020. My administration is fully committed to putting in place all the necessary components to be able to act immediately, and that is why all our leadership is here today”, Pierluisi added.

The exercise provided an opportunity for top-level officials responsible for the safety of the island, to discuss in a non-attributive and neutral forum, homeland security policy and strategy at the state government organizational level, where they identified and addressed issues and established priorities. This is the second consecutive year that the Governor and his cabinet participate of a FEMA TTX, to reinforce the emergency management capabilities/acquired skills of each agency within their respective fields. This year the exercise was based on an earthquake scenario, as opposed to last year, where a hurricane setting was used.

“Our recent response experiences helped us review the necessary elements to organize and coordinate our emergency management posture for this season. We have a solid commitment to work along the Government of Puerto Rico, which is instrumental in the successful execution of all response and recovery efforts”, said FEMA Region 2 Administrator David Warrington. “For the last 30 years, FEMA has maintained permanent presence in the island through the FEMA Caribbean Area Office to support Puerto Rico before, during and after emergencies. CAO Coordinator Orlando “Landy” Olivera and his personnel work closely with the Governor and his staff to ensure appropriate coordination among all work stakeholders ahead of an incident, since mutual trust and respect will be essential during the next crisis.”

Commissioner Nino Correa Filomeno, from the Department of Public Safety's (DSP) PR Emergency Management Bureau (PREMB), said that “at PREMB, we work every day so that the government and citizens have their plans up to date. This type of exercise keeps us working together with FEMA and state agencies to fine tune details and provide a responsible response to our people in case of an emergency.”

The exercise offered an opportunity to discuss the integration of the Puerto Rico Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) in coordination with the Governor’s Office, other government agencies, and the private sector to identify and prioritize critical infrastructure impacts post-earthquake. This effort gives exercise participants the opportunity to review plans, policies, and procedures, better understand evolving priorities, and identify specific decision points through a cascading events scenario.

During the exercise, the scenario included the immediate response and community stabilization phases from the time of the Earthquake to 72 hours after it happened. Then, it considered the process for sustained operations and the recovery program delivery after 72 hours of the incident through to two (2) weeks after the event that caused major damages to critical infrastructure island wide.

yuisa.rios Fri, 08/05/2022 - 13:56

Owsley County Eligible for FEMA Assistance

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Owsley County is now eligible for FEMA assistance after flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

Individuals and households in Owsley County can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, which may include temporary housing assistance, basic home repairs and certain other uninsured disaster-related needs.

This county joins Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Perry and Pike counties, which were previously approved for Individual Assistance.

Survivors in the designated counties can apply online at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. When you apply, you will need to provide:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted.
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
• Your Social Security Number.
• A general list of damage and losses.
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

Owsley County had previously been designated in the major disaster declaration authorizing Public Assistance emergency protective measures, including Direct Federal Assistance. 

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

sandra.habib Fri, 08/05/2022 - 01:06

FEMA Increases Public Assistance Small Project Maximum to $1 Million

WASHINGTON -- Per the fall 2021 and spring 2022 Unified Agendas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced Wednesday that the agency is moving forward in reducing the administrative burden on government entities and nonprofit organizations receiving FEMA grants following a disaster.

FEMA has implemented a regulatory change to increase the small project maximum for the agency’s Public Assistance program to $1 million.

“We have to make it easier for applicants to seek help following a disaster,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “This important change means a smoother and faster process for getting federal disaster assistance dollars into the hands of government entities and nonprofit organizations.”

“This policy change is a reflection of FEMA and President Biden’s commitment to reduce red tape, cut back on bureaucracy and ensure that communities get the resources they deserve when they need them most,” said Administrator Criswell. “FEMA’s Public Assistance remains our flagship program for helping communities rebuild infrastructure, restore critical services to the public and build climate resilience. By simplifying the application process, we will break down barriers and better meet the funding needs of small communities and our nonprofit partners.”

Section 422 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act allows FEMA to implement simplified procedures for projects below an established threshold. Congress authorized simplified procedures in 1988 to support program efficiency and allow lower dollar projects the opportunity to get recovery funding faster, setting the small project maximum at $35,000. 

Simplified procedures allow FEMA to fund eligible small projects based on estimates, which expedites disaster recovery funding to applicants.

After the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act in January 2013, FEMA completed an analysis of the program in 2015 and adjusted the threshold to $120,000. FEMA conducted another review in 2020, showing 77% of projects were considered small, and that if a $1 million threshold were applied, 94% of projects would be small and help put additional recovery dollars in the hands of applicants faster.

Per the fall 2021 and spring 2022 Unified Agendas, FEMA implemented a regulatory change to increase the Simplified Procedures threshold to $1 million, including unobligated COVID-19 projects.

Applicants are not required to submit quarterly progress reports on small projects or reconcile final costs, but must still comply with all application laws, regulations and policies. National emergency management partners have supported FEMA making this change to reduce administrative burdens, more efficiently use resources, simplify the program for smaller applicants with smaller dollar projects and speed up the closure of projects.

The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA are committed to providing equitable and accessible recovery support to affected communities. FEMA intends to continue adjusting the threshold annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers and reviewing the base threshold every three years.

The $1 million threshold applies to all projects under major disasters and emergencies declared on or after Aug. 3, 2022. The $1 million threshold also applies to all unobligated PA projects in major disasters and emergencies declared between March 13, 2020, and Aug. 3, 2022.

mayshaunt.gary Thu, 08/04/2022 - 17:20

Revised Preliminary Flood Maps for Washington County, Arkansas Ready for Public View

DENTON, Texas – Revised Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in portions of cities of Farmington, Fayetteville and Prairie Grove, and unincorporated areas of Washington County, Arkansas.

Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the appeal and comment periods for the maps.

For this Physical Map Revision, the FIRMs for Washington County, Arkansas serve multiple purposes, including defining Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). SFHAs are areas at high risk for flooding. Communities and residents can use the information to make informed decisions about building, development and flood insurance.

FEMA stresses that flooding can and does happen outside of the most vulnerable areas.

Review the preliminary flood maps by visiting the local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify community FPAs. Specialists are available by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

The preliminary maps may also be viewed online:

• The Flood Map Changes Viewer at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
• FEMA Map Service Center at http://msc.fema.gov/portal

For more information about the flood maps:

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

There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Carmen.Castro Thu, 08/04/2022 - 16:40

FEMA Mobile Registration Centers Open in Floyd, Pike Counties

FRANKFORT, Ky. – FEMA mobile registration centers are now open in Floyd and Pike counties to help Kentucky flood survivors who experienced uninsured loss from the flooding that began July 26.

Center locations:

• Floyd County, Martin Community Center, 7199 KY Rte. 80, Langley, KY 41645
• Pike County, 15308 US 23 S., Jenkins, KY 41537

Previously opened locations:

• Breathitt County, 421 Jett Drive, Jackson, KY 41339
• Clay County, Clay Community Center, 311 Highway 638, Manchester, KY 40962
• Knott County, Knott County Sportsplex, 450 Kenny Champion Loop #8765, Leburn, KY 41831
• Letcher County, Letcher County Recreation Center, 1505 Jenkins Rd., Whitesburg, KY 41858
• Perry County, Hazard Community and Technical College, 1 Community College Drive, Hazard, KY 41701

Hours for all the centers are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Flood survivors who live in these counties can go to any of the centers to get help applying for FEMA assistance.

FEMA representatives will be at the centers to help with applications for federal assistance and provide information about other disaster recovery resources.

FEMA financial assistance may include money for temporary housing, basic home repairs or other uninsured, disaster-related needs such as childcare, transportation and medical, funeral or dental expenses.

It is not necessary to go to a mobile center to apply for FEMA assistance. Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Perry and Pike counties can go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or use the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: How to Register with Disaster Survivor Assistance - YouTube.

sandra.habib Thu, 08/04/2022 - 14:32

Public Invited to Review Flood Maps in Henrico County

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

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

The 90-day appeal period will begin on or around August 10, 2022. Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.

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

The next step in the mapping process is conducting this 90-day appeals period and addressing any comments or appeals that are received. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

Submit appeals and comments by contacting Kristen Owen, Floodplain & Dam Safety Manager for Henrico County at owe042@henrico.us. The preliminary maps may be viewed online at the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer: http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv. Changes from the current maps may be viewed online at the Region 3 Changes Since Last FIRM Viewer: https://arcg.is/SKCHj. 

For more information about the flood maps:

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

Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent and visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Henrico County Flood Mapping Milestones

• April 27, 2021 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
• Nov 12, 2021 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
• Dec 9, 2021 — Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
• On or Around August 10, 2022 – Appeal Period starts.
• November 2023* — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. (*Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process.)

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at (215) 931-5597 or at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov.

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

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

charles.elison Thu, 08/04/2022 - 14:21

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Miller Road Fire in Oregon

BOTHELL, Wash.  -  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Miller Road Fire burning in Oregon. 

The state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Deputy Administrator Vince Maykovich on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at 12:11 a.m. PT. He determined that the Miller Road Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the first FMAG declared in 2022 to help fight Oregon wildfires. 

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Pine Grove, Tygh Valley, and the City of Maupin. The fire also threatened a major power transmission line and three communications towers in the area. 

FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair, and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials, and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire. 

In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $786,552 will be available to Oregon through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area.  

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Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.

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

mary.j.edmon Wed, 08/03/2022 - 18:07

Wisconsin Project Announced Under FEMA Pre-Selection for $6M in Mitigation Grant Funding to Build Community Resilience

CHICAGO – On August 1, FEMA announced the city of Madison, Wisc., was included in the pre-selection of  subapplicants to receive a portion of $1B in funding through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program to assist communities across the nation enhance climate and disaster resiliency. The city’s proposed $8.6M project will focus on protecting the Pheasant Branch Tributary Greenway by increasing the capacity and flood storage of greenway channels, consolidating and expanding stormwater ponds into greenway storage, and improving culverts and storm sewers to reduce local flooding. 

These selection announcements are not awards; rather, it’s a decision on the status of all subapplications for this grant cycle. FEMA will work with applicants “Identified for Further Review” to conduct programmatic reviews before making a final award decision for funding. 

“FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities or BRIC program seeks to shift the focus from reactive disaster spending toward proactive investment in community resilience,” said Tom Sivak, regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “This project has the potential to protect more than 30,000 Madison residents while reducing the risk of flood damage to homes and businesses throughout the west side of the city.”

BRIC is FEMA’s new pre-disaster mitigation grant program providing funds to states, local communities, tribes and territories for eligible mitigation activities to strengthen our nation’s ability to build a culture of preparedness. This program funds activities and projects that invest in a more resilient nation, reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs.

 As part of FEMA’s commitment to the Justice40 initiative to instill equity as a foundation of emergency management, FEMA is prioritizing at least 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water and other investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, overburdened, and underserved. This year, FEMA established a baseline within this grant program to achieve that goal and will continue to build on the work we have done to ensure equitable outcomes.

Through BRIC, FEMA would pay 70% of eligible project costs. The remainder of the project cost will be provided by the state or local community. To learn more about FEMA’s BRIC grant program, visit www.fema.gov/bric.

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

troy.christensen Wed, 08/03/2022 - 17:19

FEMA Announces Selections of FY21 Mitigation Grant Programs to Make Communities More Resilient, New York and New Jersey Included

NEW YORK – On Monday, Aug. 1, Vice President Kamala Harris and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the selections and status of subapplications of its Fiscal Year 2021 pre-disaster hazard mitigation grant programs, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA).

FY21 funding for these two competitive grant programs total more than $1 billion to assist communities across the nation to enhance climate and disaster resiliency. 

More than $115 million will be awarded to selected subapplicants in New York and New Jersey for the BRIC program. FMA and BRIC grants help fund mitigation actions in states, local communities, tribes and territories to combat climate change, build resiliency against extreme weather events and protect underserved communities from multiple hazards.

“Mitigation planning breaks the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction and repeated damage and FEMA’s BRIC and FMA programs are just two ways to help communities fund hazard mitigation activities,” said FEMA Region 2 Administrator David Warrington. “We know that disasters impact individuals and communities differently and for that reason we must ensure that all communities have the necessary tools to reduce risk.”

There are various types of projects eligible for BRIC funding, including but not limited to flood control, utility and infrastructure protection, and retrofitting. Similarly, there are various types of projects eligible for FMA grants which also include flood control as well as mitigation reconstruction and project scoping.

For the BRIC program funding, FEMA will pay 75% of the eligible project costs. The remaining 25% will be provided by the state or local community. The selected projects include those that are large in scope and community-wide flood mitigation projects.

New York Subapplicant BRIC Selections

• NEW YORK CITY - NYCDEP - Clinton Houses/East Harlem Community

Fed. Share: $8.3 million

• NEW YORK CITY -NYCHA - Breukelen Houses Stormwater

Fed Share: $19.8 million

• NEW YORK CITY - NYCEDC - Seaport Coastal Resilience

Fed Share: $50 million

• NEW YORK CITY - NYCEDC - Hunts Point Food Security

Fed Share: $14.6 million

New Jersey Subapplicant BRIC Selections

• BAYONNE - Cottage Street Park Flood Mitigation Project 

Fed. Share: $4.6 million

• BERGEN COUNTY UTILITIES AUTHORITY - BCUA Flood Mitigation of Joint Meeting Pump Station

Fed. Share: $4.5 million

• NEWARK - Newark Ironbound Resilience Hub

Fed. Share: $10.5 million

• PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY- PANYNJ Elevation-Floodproofing of Building 111 Infrastructure Mitigation

Fed. Share $1.9 million

• BAYONNE - 63rd Street Pumping Station Power and Flood Resilience Project

Fed. Share: $2.2 million

Atlantic City, New Jersey was selected for a community flood mitigation project under the FMA program representing a federal share of $5.1 million. A series of pump stations and bulkheads will reduce frequent flooding and improve access for its residents, workers and the millions of visitors that frequent the city annually. This subapplicant is one example of how FEMA is ensuring an equitable delivery of its programs as Atlantic City is an underserved community and has a high Social Vulnerability Index, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tool used to measure community resilience.

“All communities deserve fair and equal access to financial resources to help reduce vulnerabilities prior to the next event,” said Regional Administrator Warrington. “Recognizing the need to support individuals, businesses and communities through grants funding gets us one step closer to building resilience.”

FEMA is committed to ensuring equitable access to its Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs, which includes reducing barriers to funding and providing focused assistance to underserved communities.

Mitigation funding will help build resiliency in state, local, tribal and territorial communities across the nation.

Learn more about FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants. View the BRIC selections and Flood Mitigation Assistance selections for a full list.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES BRIC Main Page: https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/building-resilient-infrastructure-communities

Flood Mitigation Assistance Main Page: https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/floods

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Project Type Definitions (i.e., flood control, project scoping, etc.) https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/applying/project-types

gina.callaghan Wed, 08/03/2022 - 16:13

FEMA Approves its 10,000th Projects Hurricane María Recovery Project

This represents nearly $28 billion in funds

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reached the milestone of 10,000 projects approved to address the damage after Hurricane María. This total represents nearly $28 billion in funds to address various works that vary between emergency work and the reconstruction of roads, public buildings, community spaces and others.

The largest number of projects with allocated funds corresponds to the municipalities, which represent over 62 percent of the works approved to date. Likewise, the health and social services sector—which includes hospitals, elderly care centers and houses of worship—comprises a total of 1,226 projects under this category.

“On our way to almost five years since the strike of Hurricane María, this achievement of 10,000 projects seeks to promote a robust socioeconomic future for all Puerto Rico residents. The transformation of the island is noticeable as these projects become works completed for the benefit of all our communities. We will continue with this accelerated pace in the approval of funds,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.

The federal official explained that the agency has a total of 695 eligible applicants, including government agencies, municipalities and nonprofit organizations. Of these, more than 65 percent have already completed their Recovery Transition Meeting (RTM), a final FEMA meeting with applicants who have allocated funds for all their projects.

In this meeting, the agency confirms that all damage was properly documented, explains the deadlines for completing the projects and ensures that the applicant understands the terms and conditions of the projects, among other matters.

One of the projects that stands out in the category of parks and recreational facilities is the reconstruction of the iconic Francisco “Paquito” Montaner Stadium in Ponce. After the repairs, the home of the Leones is once again hosting major events for Puerto Rican and international sports, thanks to an allocation of $4 million.

The Paquito Montaner administrator, Misael Medina Meléndez, was satisfied with this process. “I know that this would not have been possible without FEMA. When I saw them, hope, faith, became a little more solid, that this was going to move forward. And we are seeing it now,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the health sector, another noteworthy project is the reconstruction of the new Diagnosis and Treatment Center (CDT, for its Spanish acronym) in Vieques. With an allocation of $43.5 million, the renovated facilities will have an emergency room and outpatient clinics. The space will also offer dental services, as well as dialysis, laboratory, radiology and pharmacy, among others.

According to the mayor of the Isla Nena, José Corcino Acevedo, the new structure will have double the functional space, as well as a water tank and a power generator with tanks to store fuel.

Another recently approved project includes the repairs to the Adjuntas CDT for $2.4 million.

As for works directed to roads and bridges, Puerto Rico already has 2,893 projects awarded, for a total of $1.5 billion in funds. This contemplates the repair of roads in rural communities in Coamo, Hormigueros, Jayuya, Utuado, Villalba and other municipalities, for a more resistant road infrastructure.

Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said, “I thank the Biden-Harris Administration and to all the FEMA team for the great support they have given us since my government began. Together, we have routed the reconstruction of Puerto Rico. The approval of 10,000 projects proves the success of the joint work between the federal government and our government to achieve a more resilient island while we foster our economic development”.

On the other hand, in the municipality of Hormigueros, the asphalt, gutters and concrete curves will be repaired in various road sites in the Guanajibo, Hormigueros and Jaguitas neighborhoods. With an allocation of over $576,000, the repairs include mitigation works to stabilize and strengthen the embankment on roads in the Hoya Grande sector.

The Cerro Gordo community bridge in Villalba is another project that is already underway to provide access to over 500 families in the sector, after an investment of nearly $2.3 million. The mayor of the municipality, Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz, explained that whenever it rained in this sector, the two streams that merged destroyed their access. “This is the most challenging infrastructure project in our city, in terms of bridge construction and road access,” he added. Repairs will include the replacement of culverts, drainage, guardrails and nearly $1.2 million in mitigation funds for a renovated bridge with a fortified structure resistant to the ravages of major natural disasters.

The director of the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, pointed out that, “in COR3 and FEMA we work in synergy, tempering ourselves with the progress of executing more than 2,742 reconstruction projects that translate into better roads, bridges, water facilities and buildings, as well as other projects that transform the electrical and aqueduct network. Fulfilling Governor Pedro Pierluisi’s commitment to advance reconstruction, we have implemented changes to Chapter 7 of the internal policies on disbursement processes and cash management, to achieve greater efficiency in these procedures. Thanks to the changes that FEMA allowed, we are on track to repay and/or advance $1 billion by the end of the year. Without a doubt, these 10,000 projects approved by FEMA will continue their development with our personalized technical assistance so that citizens have safe and resilient facilities.”

For more information on Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María, please visit fema.gov/es/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow our social media pages at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.

frances.acevedo-pico Wed, 08/03/2022 - 12:44

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

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of South Dakota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding during the period June 11-14, 2022.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance to Butte, Haakon, Jackson, Jones, McPherson and Spink counties.

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

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

mashana.davis Tue, 08/02/2022 - 22:24

Hours of operation to change at Disaster Recovery Centers in Muskogee and Seminole counties

OKLAHOMA CITY—Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 3, FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Muskogee and Seminole counties will have new hours of operation. The centers assist survivors affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 2-8

Survivors from any of the seven designated counties can meet face to face with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) specialists to get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and have their questions about federal disaster assistance answered at the center.

The seven designated counties are Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Tulsa.

Survivors can get in-person help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and get questions answered about federal disaster at:

Muskogee County

Harris-Jobe School

2809 N. Country Club Rd

Muskogee, OK 74403

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

Closed Sunday

 

Seminole County

Seminole State College Haney Center, Room: Lecture Hall

2701 Boren Boulevard

Seminole. OK 74868

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday

Closed Sunday

To locate the closest DRC to you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA app or visit the DRC Locator. You can also text 43362 and type DRC (your ZIP Code); for example, DRC 12345.

Download the FEMA mobile app at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products for more information about DRCs.

Carmen.Castro Tue, 08/02/2022 - 19:28

Floyd, Pike Counties Eligible for FEMA Assistance

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Floyd and Pike counties are now eligible for FEMA assistance after flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

Individuals and households in Floyd and Pike counties can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, which may include temporary housing assistance, basic home repairs and certain other uninsured disaster-related needs.

These counties join Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties, which were previously approved for Individual Assistance.

Survivors in the designated counties can apply online at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. When you apply, you will need to provide:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted.
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
• Your Social Security Number.
• A general list of damage and losses.
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

Floyd and Pike counties had previously been designated in the major disaster declaration authorizing Public Assistance emergency protective measures, including Direct Federal Assistance. 

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

sandra.habib Tue, 08/02/2022 - 18:56

Five FEMA Mobile Registration Centers Open in Eastern Kentucky FRANKFORT, Ky. – Five FEMA mobile registration centers are now open in Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties to help Kentucky flood survivors who experienced uninsured loss from the flooding that began July 26. Flood survivors who live in those counties can go to any of the centers to get help applying for FEMA assistance. Center locations:  Breathitt County, 421 Jett Drive, Jackson, KY 41339  Clay County, Clay Community Center, 311 Highway 638, Manchester, KY 40962  Knott County, Knott County Sportsplex, 450 Kenny Champion Loop #8765, Leburn, KY 41831  Letcher County, Letcher County Recreation Center, 1505 Jenkins Rd., Whitesburg, KY 41858  Perry County, Hazard Community and Technical College, 1 Community College Drive, Hazard, KY 41701 Hours for all the centers are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. FEMA representatives will be at the centers to help with applications for federal assistance and provide information about other disaster recovery resources. FEMA financial assistance may include money for temporary housing, basic home repairs or other uninsured, disaster-related needs such as childcare, transportation and medical, funeral or dental expenses. It is not necessary to go to a mobile center to apply for FEMA assistance. Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties can go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or use the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: How to Register with Disaster Survivor Assistance - YouTube. sandra.habib Tue, 08/02/2022 - 15:12

Five FEMA Mobile Registration Centers Open in Eastern Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Five FEMA mobile registration centers are now open in Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties to help Kentucky flood survivors who experienced uninsured loss from the flooding that began July 26.

Flood survivors who live in those counties can go to any of the centers to get help applying for FEMA assistance.

Center locations:

• Breathitt County, 421 Jett Drive, Jackson, KY 41339
• Clay County, Clay Community Center, 311 Highway 638, Manchester, KY 40962
• Knott County, Knott County Sportsplex, 450 Kenny Champion Loop #8765, Leburn, KY 41831
• Letcher County, Letcher County Recreation Center, 1505 Jenkins Rd., Whitesburg, KY 41858
• Perry County, Hazard Community and Technical College, 1 Community College Drive, Hazard, KY 41701

Hours for all the centers are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

FEMA representatives will be at the centers to help with applications for federal assistance and provide information about other disaster recovery resources.

FEMA financial assistance may include money for temporary housing, basic home repairs or other uninsured, disaster-related needs such as childcare, transportation and medical, funeral or dental expenses.

It is not necessary to go to a mobile center to apply for FEMA assistance. Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties can go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or use the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: How to Register with Disaster Survivor Assistance - YouTube.

sandra.habib Tue, 08/02/2022 - 15:06

Five FEMA Mobile Registration Centers Open in Eastern Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Five FEMA mobile registration centers are now open in Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties to help Kentucky flood survivors who experienced uninsured loss from the flooding that began July 26.

Flood survivors who live in those counties can go to any of the centers to get help applying for FEMA assistance.

Center locations:

• Breathitt County, 421 Jett Drive, Jackson, KY 41339
• Clay County, Clay Community Center, 311 Highway 638, Manchester, KY 40962
• Knott County, Knott County Sportsplex, 450 Kenny Champion Loop #8765, Leburn, KY 41831
• Letcher County, Letcher County Recreation Center, 1505 Jenkins Rd., Whitesburg, KY 41858
• Perry County, Hazard Community and Technical College, 1 Community College Drive, Hazard, KY 41701

Hours for all the centers are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

FEMA representatives will be at the centers to help with applications for federal assistance and provide information about other disaster recovery resources.

FEMA financial assistance may include money for temporary housing, basic home repairs or other uninsured, disaster-related needs such as childcare, transportation and medical, funeral or dental expenses.

It is not necessary to go to a mobile center to apply for FEMA assistance. Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties can go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or use the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: How to Register with Disaster Survivor Assistance - YouTube.

sandra.habib Tue, 08/02/2022 - 13:04

FEMA Personnel Working in Kentucky Communities

FRANKFORT, Ky. – FEMA personnel are working in communities affected by recent flooding. Teams are assisting survivors with FEMA applications and other personnel are inspecting homes for damage after owners applied to FEMA.

FEMA employees will be working in Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties for an extended period. They carry FEMA photo identification.

Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will be in neighborhoods and public locations helping survivors apply for federal assistance and providing information about other resources. They are equipped to provide help to those with accessibility needs or limited English proficiency. Personnel wear FEMA attire and never charge for services.

Other personnel will be conducting housing inspections as part of a survivor’s application for FEMA assistance.

FEMA housing inspectors will schedule an appointment and will verify information on the application, such as the survivor’s registration number. They will inspect the property and the damages listed on the application. There is no fee for the service.

The inspector will inform the owner how to verify proof of ownership or occupancy.

Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties can apply for FEMA assistance online at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

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

Kentucky flood survivors can apply for FEMA assistance online at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

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

neily.chapman Mon, 08/01/2022 - 21:48

FEMA announces $72 million in BRIC & FMA grants to fund resiliency projects across Region 3

PHILADELPHIA– The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced the recipients of the FY21 pre-disaster hazard mitigation grants from their Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) programs. These grants are open to all communities to help fund mitigation actions to combat climate change and protect communities that are vulnerable to disaster.

BRIC FY21 Region 3 Recipients

The following projects were selected as part of the national competition for the FY21 BRIC program:

District of Columbia Water & Sewer Authority (District of Columbia.): $20.3 million 

This grant will help fund a project at the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWTP). Three floodwall segments will be built to complete a floodwall system for DC Water. It will provide the Blue Plains AWTP with flood risk mitigation against the 500-year flood event, plus three feet of freeboard to account for wave action and sea level rise. 

City of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA): $25 million 

This grant will help fund the final phase of the Cohocksink Flood Mitigation Project which will include the construction of new sewer infrastructure and green stormwater infrastructure systems in the flood prone Northern Liberties, Ludlow and South Kensington neighborhoods. 

City of Virginia Beach (Virginia Beach, VA):  $25.1 million 

This grant will help fund the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvement Project in Virginia Beach which has seen an increase in storms impacting the area. The project will include several infrastructure improvements that will provide vital protections to residents, businesses and critical assets.  

FEMA changed the scoring criteria for the FY21 BRIC grant program to expand access to disadvantaged communities. Scoring criteria for the competitive grant program has been adjusted to incentivize mitigation actions that consider climate change and future conditions, populations impacted and economically disadvantaged rural communities. 

FY21 BRIC projects selected in other FEMA regions across the country can be found at Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities FY 2021 Subapplication and Selection Status | FEMA.gov

FEMA is also now disbursing funds to the previously announced FY20 BRIC recipients which include one project in The District of Columbia and one in Baltimore, Maryland totaling more than $50 million dollars in funding. FEMA previously awarded $19.95 million to another BRIC grant project in The District of Columbia at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital.  

BRIC FY20 Region 3 Recipients 

The following projects were selected as part of the national competition for the FY20 BRIC program:

The District of Columbia Emergency Management Agency (District of Columbia): $18.61 million 

This grant will help implement subsurface and landscape mitigation strategies that will create a greenway corridor between two parks that help move water away from low-lying areas. This project will reduce flooding, heat and heat island effect. 

The South Baltimore Gateway Partnership (Baltimore, MD): $31.92 million 

This grant will help protect the heart of Baltimore City against sea level rise-related flood risk and erosion. Through a coordinated network of vegetated berms, living shorelines, restored wetlands/aquatic habitats, and public space enhancements, the grant will be used to fund Stage 1 of the Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative along the Patapsco River. In turn, this will help increase the resilience of two community lifelines: the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s (BGE) Spring Gardens site and the Medstar Harbor Hospital site. 

Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital Campus & D.C. Emergency Communications Microgrid Project (District of Columbia): $19.95 million 

This grant will help construct a microgrid at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital Campus to provide resilient power to their communications center, which provides several vital services including 9-1-1 service.  

FMA FY21 Region 3 Recipients

Nine projects totaling over $1.6 million were selected in the nationwide competition for award consideration in the Flood Mitigation Assistance program.

These projects are located in communities across Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia and will cover activities including hazard mitigation planning, detailed scoping for future infrastructure projects, upgrading pump stations and acquiring flood prone properties at fair market value.  

State

Grant Title

 Federal Share

Maryland

 FMA 2021 Maryland Management Costs

 $2,500.00

 

Maryland

 2021 Calvert County Flood Mitigation Plan Update

 $25,000.00

 

Pennsylvania

 FMA 2021 Pennsylvania State Management Cost

 $75,000.00

 

Pennsylvania

 Scoping FMA West Pittston Luzerne Levee 

 $562,500.00

 

Pennsylvania

 2021 FMA Technical Assistance

 $50,000.00

 

Pennsylvania

 Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County   Acquisition Project

 $291,900.00

 

Pennsylvania

 Easton Northampton Acquisition/Demolition

 $267,250.00

 

Virginia

 FMA 2021 Virginia Management Costs

 $30,000.00

 

Virginia

 Henrico County - Almond Creek Pump Station

 $300,000.00

 

FMA projects selected in other FEMA regions across the country can be found at Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant | FEMA.gov.

“As we finalize the second year of BRIC and another year of FMA grant selections and awards, we’re happy to work with states within our region and Washington D.C to find new and innovative ways to make their communities more resilient,” said FEMA Region 3 Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “We encourage those communities who didn’t apply or weren’t selected to work with their state hazard mitigation partners to apply for funding in the next cycle.” 

President Biden recently announced that there will be nearly $2.3 billion available in FY22 for BRIC grants, a historic amount for the program. Communities can expect Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) and for the application process to open for FY22 BRIC grants in the next few months.  

Local communities should be mindful of state application deadlines which will be in advance of FEMA’s deadline. Communities apply for these grant programs through their states. 

The key differences between FEMA’s FMA & BRIC grant programs: 

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

• FMA is a pre-disaster, competitive grant program that provides funding to states, local communities, federally recognized tribes and territories. 
• Funds can be used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. 
• FEMA chooses recipients based on the applicant’s ranking of the project and the eligibility and cost-effectiveness of the project. 
• FEMA requires state, local, tribal and territorial governments to develop and adopt hazard mitigation plans as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for hazard mitigation assistance projects.  
• Cost share: 75% federal; 25% local. If a project mitigates a repetitive loss property insured by the NFIP, the cost share is 90% federal; 10% local. For severe repetitive loss properties, FEMA will provide up to 100% of the project costs. 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) 

• BRIC is a pre-disaster grant program that provides funding to states, local communities, federally recognized tribes, and territories.
• There are three funding options within BRIC: 
  • State/Territory Allocation: provides a specified amount of money to each state or territory for capability & capacity building projects. 
  • Tribal Set-Aside: A specified amount of money set aside for projects undertaken by tribal governments across the country.
  • National Competition 
• The BRIC program’s guiding principles are:
  • supporting communities through capability- and capacity-building
  • encouraging and enabling innovation
  • promoting partnerships
  • enabling large projects
  • maintaining flexibility; and providing consistency. 
• Funds diverse mitigation projects with a focus on holistic infrastructure solutions.  
• Cost share: 75% federal; 25% local. If an applicant is an economically disadvantaged rural community, then there is a 90% federal cost share, 10% local. 

More information on how communities can apply for BRIC or FMA funding and resources available can be found here: www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/applying.

State, local, tribal or territorial officials, as well as community leaders, interested in making the connection between equity and hazard mitigation are encouraged to contact us at FEMA-ExpandingMitigation@fema.dhs.gov. 

###

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 Mon, 08/01/2022 - 19:26

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance State-by-State Breakdown

WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided more than $2.7 billion to over 420,000 individuals and families to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020. This assistance helped pay for the funerals of more than 430,000 people who died from COVID-19.

Eligibility determinations are based on when the applicant submits all required documentation. The determinations are not driven by state/locations.

“Applications” in the chart below reflect the number of individuals who called to begin the assistance process.

Please find state-specific information below:

State / Territory

Applications

Amount Approved

Number of Awards

Alabama

11,834

$64,818,565.09

9,550

Alaska

487

$1,695,739.66

346

American Samoa

31

$57,235.52

11

Arizona

9,362

$36,234,552.87

7,312

Arkansas

5,542

$28,081,660.78

4,501

California

44,047

$220,228,455.14

34,442

Colorado

5,092

$21,632,228.50

3,985

Connecticut

5,085

$28,567,064.72

4,179

Delaware

1,628

$8,286,924.79

1,307

District of Columbia

782

$3,911,403.08

588

Florida

34,649

$155,820,493.67

27,841

Georgia

21,082

$115,828,255.16

16,935

Guam

33

$138,673.19

19

Hawaii

752

$3,291,498.37

570

Idaho

1,912

$8,466,065.09

1,546

Illinois

20,632

$115,990,794.07

16,856

Indiana

10,833

$61,187,559.74

8,831

Iowa

4,432

$26,222,950.00

3,680

Kansas

4,772

$25,375,117.32

3,908

Kentucky

9,773

$56,923,294.55

7,903

Louisiana

8,838

$47,563,992.96

6,894

Maine

1,169

$4,886,928.21

910

Maryland

9,018

$48,763,510.60

7,257

Massachusetts

9,714

$53,580,572.26

7,865

Michigan

18,675

$94,479,747.23

15,363

Minnesota

5,709

$31,996,502.54

4,709

Mississippi

7,913

$41,956,305.88

6,203

Missouri

10,689

$54,841,364.09

8,792

Montana

1,347

$5,512,621.96

1,094

Nebraska

2,369

$13,549,268.48

1,960

Nevada

4,638

$18,890,833.99

3,561

New Hampshire

1,399

$6,770,581.60

1,135

New Jersey

16,982

$95,404,471.45

13,826

New Mexico

3,406

$13,679,715.77

2,600

New York

36,971

$202,724,519.75

29,579

North Carolina

17,557

$92,975,656.82

14,267

North Dakota

1,204

$7,406,516.35

996

Northern Mariana Islands

33

$87,531.99

16

Ohio

22,714

$122,239,646.05

18,860

Oklahoma

8,296

$42,381,477.94

6,766

Oregon

2,591

$8,901,362.55

1,994

Pennsylvania

24,859

$136,601,280.34

20,682

Puerto Rico

2,485

$7,171,410.47

1,832

Rhode Island

1,707

$9,591,255.30

1,402

South Carolina

11,719

$64,522,066.92

9,578

South Dakota

1,174

$6,881,780.67

961

Tennessee

14,895

$81,871,091.72

12,178

Texas

47,456

$248,346,279.18

38,278

U.S. Virgin Islands

80

$394,749.32

63

Utah

2,448

$13,439,545.06

1,978

Vermont

311

$1,342,823.13

244

Virginia

12,242

$65,898,589.62

9,973

Washington

4,624

$18,575,853.84

3,508

West Virginia

4,099

$22,314,391.18

3,280

Wisconsin

8,694

$47,662,159.04

7,204

Wyoming

821

$3,627,506.83

666

* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. EDT today.

Applicants may apply by calling 844-684-6333 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday. Multilingual services are available. Please note, phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Applicants who use a relay service, such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to them for that service so that agency representatives are able to contact them.

Additional information about COVID-19 funeral assistance, including frequently asked questions, is available on FEMA.gov.

mayshaunt.gary Mon, 08/01/2022 - 18:47

Biden-Harris Administration Announces over $1 Billion in Project Selections to Make Communities More Resilient to Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events

WASHINGTON—Today, Vice President Kamala Harris, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the selections for $1.16 billion in climate resilience funding through two competitive grant programs to help communities across the nation enhance climate and disaster resiliency.

The selections include large resilience projects funded by the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) national competition and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) community-wide flood mitigation projects. Selections are from Fiscal Year 2021 funding round with $1 billion made available through BRIC and $160 million made available for Flood Mitigation Assistance.

"Climate change poses a very real threat to the safety, security, and prosperity of the United States,"said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. "Its impacts are being felt in real time and are felt most acutely by the nation's most vulnerable communities. While we can't eliminate the threats we face as a nation, we can and must build our resilience against those threats – and that is why we are making this announcement today – because, together, we are building climate resilience."

Last year, President Biden doubled the funding available for the BRIC program. Recently, he announced that he is doubling it again, to a historic level of $2.3 billion – for Fiscal Year 2022 – available for states, local communities, tribes and territories to proactively reduce their vulnerability to flood, hurricanes, drought, wildfires, extreme heat, and other hazards, boosted by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"Communities across our nation are experiencing first-hand the devastating impacts of climate change and the related extreme weather events that follow—more energized hurricanes with deadlier storm surges, increased flooding, and a wildfire season that has become a year-long threat,"said Administrator Criswell. "FEMA and the entire Biden-Harris Administration are using every lever at our disposal to ensure that we are better prepared for the threats we face today, along with the ones that will come tomorrow. Today’s announcement represents that continued commitment. This funding will also help to ensure that our most vulnerable communities are not left behind, with hundreds of millions of dollars ultimately going directly to the communities that need it most."

For BRIC, FEMA selected projects across all 10 FEMA regions with 53 states and territories, the District of Columbia and 271 different communities, including 33 tribes. The Flood Mitigation Assistance projects will cover19 states and 72 different communities. Both the BRIC and FMA programs were vastly oversubscribed, representing the intense demand for climate resilience funding.

Selected projects will help improve community resilience to a multitude of hazards including floods, droughts and wildfires. Many projects leverage innovative solutions to protect communities such as nature-based solutions, which can increase resilience and provide multiple co-benefits to the environment.

To align with the Justice40 Initiative, FEMA evaluated equity impacts to both programs by utilizing metrics and tools, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index tool. In total, approximately $510.1 million in selections are going to communities that meet Justice40 criteria for being underserved or disadvantaged.

State, local, tribal and territorial governments submitted record-breaking requests for funding totaling a combined estimate of $4.7 billion for the BRIC and FMA grant programs. The oversubscription for communities looking to receive grant funding demonstrates the growing needs for resilience investments nationwide.

FEMA anticipates the additional funding made available through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help to minimize the gap for future funding cycles.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities

During President Biden’s first year in office, he increased BRIC funding from $500 million to $1 billion, allowing FEMA to select more projects across a more diverse geographic scope. This resulted in FEMA more than doubling project selections and increasing the number of states with BRIC project selections.

FEMA's selections include 53 mitigation national competition projects totaling $796 million in federal cost share—not including management costs—across 19 states in 48 different communities across the nation.

Learn more about these projects at fema.gov. Stories include a drinking water improvement and drought mitigation project in Provo, Utah and a flood mitigation project that uses nature-based solutions in Nebraska.

Approximately 49%—$455.8 million—of projects selected through the national competition will be delivered to communities that meet one or more Justice40 interim criteria. For overall BRIC selections, FEMA has achieved delivering nearly 50% of grants to disadvantaged communities.

Flood Mitigation Assistance

Of the $160 million made available, FEMA selected 61 subapplications totaling $134.5 million across 53 different communities in 14 states. Most of this funding— $93 million—will go towards elevation, acquisitions, and mitigation reconstruction of repetitively flood-damaged buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Learn more about these projects at fema.gov. Stories include a drainage project in Jefferson County, Texas and a demolition and reconstruction project in Oldham County, Kentucky.

Approximately 16%—$25.1 million—will go to communities with moderate to high social vulnerability. FEMA will continue to evaluate this program to achieve Justice40 Initiative goals and use this year’s selections to continue to evaluate what changes can be made to promote accessibility of Flood Mitigation Assistance funding to socially vulnerable National Flood Insurance Program policyholders and communities.

In May, FEMA announced the first selections of FY 21 BRIC and Flood Mitigation Assistance funding, which provided expedited funding for hazard mitigation planning, adoption and enforcement of building codes and standards, project scoping and small-scale resilience projects.

FEMA also announced in May the selection of 20 diverse communities, tribes and territories set to receive non-financial direct technical assistance to help build community-wide resilience through the BRIC program. This assistance provides free support for resilience projects and application-specific needs to underserved communities that may encounter barriers when trying to access Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs.

FEMA remains committed to investing in mitigation. Important elements of its grant programs are aligned to build a culture of preparedness and promote and sustain a prepared nation by reducing disaster losses and protect life and property from disaster damage.

For more information, visit the Hazard Mitigation Assistance.

mashana.davis Mon, 08/01/2022 - 16:43