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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Increases Federal Cost Share for Florida
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the state of Florida to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene from Sept. 23 to Oct. 7, 2024.
The President authorized the federal cost-share to be increased to 100% for debris removal and emergency measures, including direct federal assistance for a period of 120 days of the state’s choosing within the first 180 days from the start of the incident period. The major disaster declaration made federal funding available for public assistance, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and other needs assistance for total eligible costs.
amy.ashbridge Mon, 12/09/2024 - 19:32President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Increases Federal Cost Share for Virginia
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the Commonwealth of Virginia to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene from Sept. 25 to Oct. 3, 2024.
The President authorized the federal cost-share to be increased to 100% for debris removal, including direct federal assistance for a period of 120 days of the commonwealth’s choosing within the first 180 days from the start of the incident period. The major disaster declaration made federal funding available for public assistance, the Hazard Mitigation Grant program and other needs assistance for total eligible costs.
amy.ashbridge Mon, 12/09/2024 - 19:22
FEMA Offers Free Rebuilding Advice in Cocke and Hamblen Counties
If you are repairing or rebuilding your home after Tropical Storm Helene, you can get free advice from FEMA to make your home safer and stronger in Cocke and Hamblen counties Dec. 9-21.
Mitigation Specialists will be on-hand to answer questions and offer home-improvement advice, along with proven methods to prevent or reduce damage from disasters. They will also offer tips and techniques on rebuilding hazard-resistant homes and provide information on flood insurance and elevating utility systems.
The specialists will be available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the following locations:
Cocke County
Lowe’s Home Improvement
120 Epley Road
Newport, TN 37821
Hamblen County
The Home Depot
1930 West Andrew Johnson Highway
Morristown, TN 37814
Maintain Your Focus on Safety During the Holiday Season
From traditions such as decorating a dried century plant, to stringing ornaments and lights around an inkberry tree or a modern flair to dazzling decorations on an imported North American pine – many of us enjoy the glow of the holidays. It’s a festive time of year.
Whether listening to “Ma Ma bake your Johnny Cake” by Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights or gathering with family for an Old Time Crucian Christmas, the holidays present a great time to unwind from everyday life. Though we must not let our guard down when it comes to safety.
“The Atlantic hurricane season is officially behind us and many of us are preparing to gather with friends and family to mark the holidays and the arrival of a new year in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said FEMA Virgin Islands Caribbean Area Office Acting Coordinator Aaron VanDoren. “We wish everyone a peaceful and joyful holiday season though it is important for Virgin Islands residents and visitors to maintain their focus on safety as they ring in the new year.”
There are some simple ways to make sure we decorate our homes and shop safely for gifts online.
For decorating safely:
- Make sure to have working smoke alarms close to where anyone may be sleeping.
- Keep candles 12 inches away from things that can burn throughout the holiday season. Consider using flameless candles during Kwanzaa or Hanukkah celebrations.
- Inspect lights for frayed wire or other defects before use. Turn your holiday lights off before leaving home or going to bed. Every. Single. Time.
- Don't overload extension cords.
- Keep your Christmas tree at least 3 feet away from heat sources.
- Water your Christmas tree every day and unplug lights on your Christmas tree before you go to bed. A dry tree is dangerous because it can catch on fire easily. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNjO3wZDVlA
For online shopping vigilance:
- Connect with care. Do your online shopping at home, and make sure your home wireless network is protected. www.ready.gov/cybersecurity.
- Be cautious online. During the holidays, scammers may send fake emails that are too good to be true. Don't click on links! CISA Insights - Cyber: Enhance Email & Web Security
- Set strong passwords and change your password often. Do not set passwords that will be easy for cyber criminals to guess. Strengthen Your Passwords With Three Simple Steps
- Too good to be true? It probably is. Shop online through trusted retailers to avoid getting scammed.
- For more tips for happy holiday shopping go to FTC's tips for happy holiday shopping | Consumer Advice.
VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen reminds us that with the holidays comes visitors to the Territory, “Please use caution on the roadways and especially at traffic lights as we will have many visitors who are not familiar with our driving on the left side of the road, know where existing potholes are located, and are unaccustomed to right-hand turns onto the left lanes. Nighttime driving will be even more challenging for visitors, so be sure to keep alert and stay safe.”
And the same goes with the ocean, “Many visitors during this holiday season rent boats but are not familiar with navigating our waterways. Boating safety is everyone’s responsibility, so keep your eyes and ears alert, and look out for swimmers, kayakers, paddle boarders, scuba divers and other boaters enjoying our beautiful waters.”
For visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are a few simple ways to stay in tune with real-time weather alerts, marine hazards, emergency notifications and prepare for common hazards while in the USVI.
Sign up for Alert VI from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) to receive emergency notifications for up to five addresses within the USVI. Download the FEMA app on your smartphone to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service and learn basic preparedness strategies such as how to create a family emergency communication plan. Check the settings on your mobile devices to ensure you can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts, which require no sign-up.
Staying alert and vigilant should ensure your family’s holiday celebrations are both meaningful and safe this year in the U.S. Virgin Islands. See more details on how to avoid scams this holiday season from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency and get prevention messages from the U.S. Fire Administration to put a freeze on holiday fires.
kate.macedo Mon, 12/09/2024 - 15:51Federal Disaster Assistance for Connecticut Tops $10 Million
More than $10 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for over 2,454 households in Connecticut following the August 18-19, 2024 Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides.
As of December 5, Connecticut’s recovery assistance from FEMA includes:
- $10,083,522 million in FEMA’s Individual and Households Program (IHP) grants awarded to eligible homeowners and renters in three Connecticut counties. These grants help pay for uninsured and underinsured losses and storm-related damage, including:
$6,120,771 million in FEMA housing grants to help pay for home repair, home replacement and rental assistance for temporary housing.
$3,962,751 million in Other Needs Assistance grants to help pay for personal property replacement and other serious storm-related needs, such as moving and storage fees, transportation, childcare, and medical and dental expenses.
While the deadline to register with FEMA passed on November 19 for those affected by August’s severe storms, FEMA representatives are still available to answer questions and help Connecticut survivors complete their applications. FEMA also encourages applicants to stay in touch, especially if they have a change of address or other updates to their applications.
To view the status of your application, update your application or get answers to questions, survivors can view their application online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by downloading and using FEMA’s Mobile App. You may also call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 to discuss your case with a FEMA representative. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight) seven days a week.
adrien.urbani Mon, 12/09/2024 - 14:57Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Spartanburg County
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center will open in Spartanburg County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene.
Spartanburg County
Boiling Springs Library
871 Double Bridge Road
Boiling Springs, SC 29316
Open Dec. 7, Dec. 9-10, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Closed Dec. 8.
Additional Disaster Recovery Centers are scheduled to open in other South Carolina counties. Click here to find centers that are already open in South Carolina. You can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the state of South Carolina and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.
To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362.
Homeowners and renters in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation can apply for federal assistance.
The quickest way to apply is to go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link.
FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
martyce.allenjr Mon, 12/09/2024 - 14:08COLUMBIA, S.C. – A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Chester County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Chester County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene.
Chester County
Gateway Conference Center
3200 Commerce Drive, Suite A
Richburg, SC 29729
Open Dec. 9-13, 16-20, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Additional Disaster Recovery Centers are scheduled to open in other South Carolina counties. Click here to find centers that are already open in South Carolina. You can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the state of South Carolina and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.
To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362.
Homeowners and renters in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation can apply for federal assistance.
The quickest way to apply is to go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link.
FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
martyce.allenjr Mon, 12/09/2024 - 14:01President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Increases Federal Cost Share for North Carolina
WASHINGTON – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the state of North Carolina to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene from Sept. 25, and continuing.
The major disaster declaration approved by President Biden on Sept. 29, 2024 made federal funding available for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and other needs assistance, with a federal cost-share of 75%. An amendment approved on Oct. 2, 2024 increases that federal cost share to 100% for the first 180 days of the incident period.
The President’s latest action authorizes the federal cost-share to be increased from 75% to 90% for Public Assistance projects after the first 180 days.
amy.ashbridge Fri, 12/06/2024 - 23:17President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Increases Federal Cost Share for Georgia
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the state of Georgia to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene from Sept. 24 to Oct. 30, 2024.
The President authorized the federal cost-share to be increased from 75% to 100% for debris removal and emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, for a period of 120 days of the state’s choosing within the first 180 days from the start of the incident period. The major disaster declaration made federal funding for public assistance, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and other needs assistance for total eligible costs.
mashana.davis Fri, 12/06/2024 - 22:05President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Increases Federal Cost Share for Tennessee
WASHINGTON – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the state of Tennessee to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene from Sept. 26-30, 2024.
The President authorized the federal cost-share to be increased from 75% to 100% for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for a period of 120 days of the state’s choosing within the first 180 days from the start of the incident period. The major disaster declaration made federal funding available for emergency protective measures, other needs assistance and direct federal assistance for total eligible costs.
mashana.davis Fri, 12/06/2024 - 21:56President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Increases Federal Cost Share for South Carolina
WASHINGTON – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the state of South Carolina to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene from Sept. 25-Oct. 7, 2024.
The President authorized the federal cost-share to be increased from 75% to 100% for debris removal, including direct federal assistance, for a period of 120 days of the state’s choosing within the first 180 days from the start of the incident period. The major disaster declaration made federal funding available for public assistance, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and other needs assistance for total eligible costs.
mashana.davis Fri, 12/06/2024 - 21:39Disaster Recovery Centers Extending Operations in Lexington, Spartanburg and Union Counties, Closing Early in Hampton County
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Disaster Recovery Centers in Lexington, Spartanburg and Union counties will continue operating past their original closure dates. Their new dates and times of operation are:
- Lexington County: Batesburg-Leesville Fire Station, 537 W. Church St., Batesburg, SC 29006
Open Dec. 6-7, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
- Spartanburg County: Spartanburg Emergency Management, 175 Community College Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303
Open Dec. 6-7, Dec. 9-13, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.,
Closed Dec. 8.
- Union County: Union County Library, 300 E. South St., Union, SC 29379
Open Dec. 6-7, Dec. 9, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Closed Dec. 8.
The Disaster Recovery Center in Hampton County will close Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. It is located at:
Bull Durham Center, 380 Railroad Ave., Estill, SC 29918
To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362.
Survivors do not need to visit a center for assistance. Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link.
FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
martyce.allenjr Fri, 12/06/2024 - 18:55One Month Left to Apply for FEMA Assistance
North Carolinians with disaster-related damage or loss from Tropical Storm Helene have one month to apply for federal assistance. The application deadline is Jan. 7, 2025.
This applies to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina and residents of the following counties:
Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey.
Homeowners and renters in these areas may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for displacement, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses.
Disaster survivors who have not yet applied for FEMA assistance should apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, which is the quickest way to apply. Survivors can also apply using the FEMA App on mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is open every day, and help is available in most languages. Those who use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, should give the FEMA representative their number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
Survivors can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to apply for assistance in-person. To find additional information on DRCs, visit, FEMA.gov/DRC.
Applicants will be contacted by an inspector within 10 days after applying and will be sent a decision letter within 10 days after the inspector’s call. Applicants have 60 days from the date of their decision letter to appeal if denied.
kwei.nwaogu Fri, 12/06/2024 - 16:58FEMA, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Partner to Increase Post-Disaster Housing Capabilities
WASHINGTON -- FEMA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) held a summit on Nov. 19 and 20, 2024 to launch their second cohort of the Pre-Disaster Housing Initiative, which helps states develop plans to boost their post-disaster housing capabilities. During an eight-month period, both agencies will provide technical assistance and guidance to Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri state officials and emergency managers to minimize potential housing shortfalls in communities when disasters strike.
These states were chosen to provide a wide cross section of perspectives on the challenges of planning and executing post-disaster housing missions. Considerations included geographic diversity, frequency of major disaster declarations and the types of disasters they are most likely to face. Each state will set their priorities and expected outcomes and engage with their local and community partners to develop a disaster housing strategy that can be executed when needed.
“This initiative is designed to strengthen relationships between emergency management and housing agencies both within a state and between the states in the cohort,” said FEMA’s Assistant Administrator for Recovery, Colt Hagmaier. “This partnership remains a priority for both FEMA and HUD and we are thrilled to see the exponential impacts of this initiative throughout the nation.”
“Finding and ensuring safe housing for people after a disaster is one of the most critical steps towards recovery,” said FEMA’s Director of Interagency Coordination Division, Grace Lee. “This joint initiative will focus on what states can do ahead of time to make sure their communities have the housing options they need to recover effectively. Disasters are not one size fits all, and together with HUD, we will continue to help prepare and support communities before disasters strike.”
FEMA and HUD’s efforts will help build local capacity and ensure states adopt a proactive approach to housing recovery. The initiative was created to address potential housing issues when disasters were not actively affecting the states to help ensure individuals, families and communities can recover effectively. This type of planning also helps disaster-stricken states move from short-term sheltering programs to more sustainable housing solutions.
“HUD and FEMA are not just waiting until after a disaster occurs to bring assistance to our state and local partners. Partnerships like these are essential in mitigating housing recovery challenges before disasters strike,” said HUD Agency Head, the Honorable Adrianne Todman. “But when disasters do strike, we have an obligation to help communities rebuild. That’s why I am calling on Congress to move swiftly to approve the President’s $12 billion request for HUD’s Disaster Recover Funding, so we can help Americans rebuild their homes, now.”
In 2023, FEMA and HUD concluded efforts for the first cohort of the joint housing initiative for Louisiana, Montana, New Jersey and Washington. This inaugural initiative focused on the importance of identifying and addressing housing recovery challenges in a non-disaster environment, the benefit of information sharing among states and the value in tailoring federal support and resources to the unique needs and challenges of each state.
To learn more about the 2023 Pre-Disaster Housing Initiative, visit Planning Guides.
amy.ashbridge Fri, 12/06/2024 - 16:01FEMA Mitigation Experts Offer Rebuilding Advice in Hernando County
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As Floridians rebuild, survivors of Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby can get free advice on how to rebuild stronger and safer against storms. FEMA mitigation specialists will be available to answer questions and offer free home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. This information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.
Mitigation is an effort to reduce the loss of life and property damage by lessening the impact of a disaster through construction and remodeling best practices.
Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will be on hand to help survivors apply for assistance. An insurance specialist will also be present to answer National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) questions.
FEMA specialists will be available at the following location:
The Home Depot
4765 Commercial Way
Spring Hill, FL 34606
- 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday, Dec. 9 – 13
- 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 14
Homeowners and renters impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance before the Jan. 7 deadline.
How to ApplyThe quickest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube.
For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Office of Civil Rights if they feel that they have a complaint of discrimination. FEMA’s Office of Civil
Rights can be contacted at FEMA-OCR@fema.dhs.gov or toll-free at 833-285-7448.
sixto.valentin… Fri, 12/06/2024 - 15:55Appealing FEMA’s Decision on Your Application
If you received a letter from FEMA saying that the information you provided is incomplete, you are ineligible for disaster assistance, or you disagree with the amount of FEMA assistance determined, you have the right to appeal the decision within 60 days of the date on the letter.
All appeals are reviewed. Decisions may take up to 90 days. Additional information may be requested from you if FEMA does not have enough information to make a decision. You will be notified in writing of the response to your appeal, either by mail or via the DisasterAssistance.gov account you created when you applied with FEMA.
If you have questions regarding your letter or how to file an appeal, you may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
What to Include When You Appeal
Your FEMA letter will provide the following:
- Whether you are approved for assistance.
- How much assistance you will receive.
- How the assistance must be used.
- Additional information on the types of documents or information that will need to be provided if you choose to appeal FEMA’s initial decision.
- How to appeal if you do not agree with FEMA’s decision.
The letter will apply specifically to the decision made on your application.
Along with the letter, FEMA will also include an optional appeal form that may be used to help provide additional information, if you choose to provide additional information.
For example, if you are unsatisfied with the initial amount of FEMA assistance and want to appeal for additional assistance to help repair your home, you will want to provide FEMA with any receipts, bills or repair estimates from the disaster.
When submitting any documentation or information to FEMA, you must include your nine-digit FEMA application number and disaster number (DR-4843-NM) on every page.
If you choose to have a third party submit an appeal on your behalf, include a statement signed by you authorizing the third party to appeal the decision on your behalf unless those documents are already on file.
For more information on the FEMA appeals process, including instructions in American Sign Language, visit FEMA Answers: Questions on the Appeals Process.
How to Submit Your AppealOnline at DisasterAssistance.gov, log into your account and upload all supporting documents using the Correspondence "Upload Center".
For in-person assistance with any step of the appeal process, visit the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Roswell Mall next to Bath & Body Works at 4501 N Main St. Roswell, NM 88201 where specialists from FEMA can answer questions, help you submit documents and guide you through the appeals process.
You can also send a letter to FEMA:
Appeals Officer
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
Finally, you can fax your letter and supporting documents to 1-800-827-8112 with a cover sheet addressed to: Attention - FEMA Appeals Officer.
angela.ambroise Fri, 12/06/2024 - 14:11FEMA-Funded Temporary School Receives National Award for Construction Management Achievement
YouTube Video Here: Temporary King Kamehameha III Elementary School Installation is Complete - YouTube
LAHAINA, Maui– Every school day, on a hillside overlooking the West Maui coastline, King Kamehameha III Elementary welcomes hundreds of children to its campus.
It’s a temporary replacement for their former waterfront school, which served Lahaina’s children for more than a century until wildfires destroyed the school and much of the historic town. Remarkably, the temporary school was built in a matter of months.
The major federal disaster declaration on Aug. 10, 2023, enabled the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to develop a temporary school.
USACE hired local workers and sub-contracted with Pono Aina Management, a native Hawaiian organization, and soon the new school began to take shape. Construction of the $78.8 million project, which can accommodate up to 600 students, began in November 2023 and was completed in 95 days.
The results garnered national praise. The Construction Management Association of America recently named the temporary school the 2024 Project of the Year, an award celebrating the skill, collaboration and impact of its construction management.
“Some of you may think that 95 days is a long time, but I have news for you. In the construction industry it’s merely a blip,” said Col. Eric Swenson, who was the USACE recovery field officer at the time of the school’s dedication ceremony on March 25. “We got this work done quickly because the hands behind the tools were invested in the community and committed to delivering for their families, their neighbors, their neighborhood and their community. For most, this was personal and something for which failure was simply not an option.”
The school first opened to students April 1, 2024. After summer vacation, it opened Aug. 7 for the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
The temporary school spreads across a 10.2-acre campus and is composed of336 modular units assembled into 38 buildings, including 30 air-conditioned classrooms, restrooms, a dining room, community space, administrative offices and learning resources areas.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Education furnished and installed telecommunication equipment before opening the school for the fourth school quarter of the year.
FEMA Regional Administrator Robert J. Fenton said that FEMA worked closely with USACE to fund the temporary replacement of the King Kamehameha III Elementary School.
“They did a tremendous job of accomplishing that in 95 days and being able to reopen the school on the first of April,” Fenton said. “This is one of several projects demonstrating our commitment to the community."
In a tribute to the school’s history, distinctive features of the old school were saved and installed at the new site -- its gate, for instance, and also a bust of Kamehameha III, the Hawaiian king for whom the school is named.
The bust of Kamehameha III had special meaning for the community. Families had raised funds to purchase it for the school’s centennial celebration in 2013.
The students have two new playgrounds created with equipment donated by Berliner, a German company, and Playworld, a Pennsylvania-based company. Additional playground funding was donated by Maui United Way and the Public Schools Hawaiʻi Foundation. Others have donated school uniforms or supplies.
“This is a whole community effort to do what’s best to create a successful student,” said Principal Ian Haskins. “We are doing everything we can to create successful students.”
The school is expected to continue operating for three to five years until a new permanent school is built. As of Dec. 3, 2024, it had 362 students enrolled.
For now, the temporary school has become more than a center for education. It serves as a symbol of resilience – and what can be achieved when community and government work together.
shannon.carley Fri, 12/06/2024 - 01:22FEMA Extends Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program
HICKORY, N.C. – At the request of the state of North Carolina, FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program has been extended to Jan. 11, 2025, for Helene survivors who continue to need temporary shelter.
This allows households additional time to identify other housing solution or make repairs to their home. This will continue providing free hotel and motel rooms to more than 4,900 families who are already checked into area hotels.
"North Carolina is thankful for FEMA's continued partnership as we work together to ensure that all Helene survivors have safe shelter as they begin the recovery process,” said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray. “The approval of our extension request of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program through the holiday season is another step to helping North Carolinians recover from this disaster."
The program has been extended through the night of Jan. 10, 2025, for North Carolina Helene survivors who continue to need temporary shelter. They will check out of lodging Jan. 11, 2025.
To date, more than 10,000 households have taken temporary shelter in Transitional Sheltering Assistance participating hotels; approximately half have found suitable, longer-term housing and moved on with their recovery.
FEMA will notify households approximately seven days before their checkout dates with the method of communication they selected when originally applying for assistance. A message is also sent to their participants’ disaster assistance accounts if they have set them up on DisasterAssistance.gov.
For more information, survivors should contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
zella.campbell Thu, 12/05/2024 - 22:40FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Carter and Cocke Counties
Two Disaster Recovery Centers will open in Newport and Elizabethton to help Tennesseans affected by Tropical Storm Helene apply for FEMA assistance and get information and advice about community, state and federal resources.
The Cocke County center will open at noon ET on Thursday, Dec. 5:
Old Walmart Building593 B W. Broadway
Newport, TN 37821
Opening Day Hours: noon to 7 p.m. ET
Regular Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday to Saturday; closed Sunday
The Carter County center will open at 10 a.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 6:
Carter County Public Library201 N. Sycamore St.
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Opening Day Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
Regular Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday to Saturday; closed SundayDisaster Recovery CentersCountyAddressRegular Days of Operation (Eastern Time)Carter
Carter County Public Library
201 N. Sycamore St.
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Opening Day: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Friday Dec. 6
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday
Closed: Sunday
CockeOld Walmart Building
593 B W. Broadway
Newport, TN 37821
Opening Day: noon to 7 p.m. Thursday Dec. 5
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday
Closed: Sunday
Greene
Greene County Courthouse/Annex
204 N. Cutler St.
Greeneville, TN 37745
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday
Closed: Sunday
JohnsonTennessee National Guard Armory
1923 S. Shady St.
Mountain City, TN 37683
Regular hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday
Closed: Sunday
Unicoi
National Guard Armory/Unicoi Emergency Operations Center
615 South Main Ave.
Erwin, TN 37650
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday
Closed: Sunday
WashingtonCherry Grove Baptist Church
104 Cherry Grove Rd.
Jonesborough, TN 37659
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday
Closed: Sunday
kwei.nwaogu Thu, 12/05/2024 - 21:20FEMA Needs Your Current Contact Information
After you apply for federal disaster assistance for Tropical Storm Helene, it is important that FEMA is able to contact you. Make sure that FEMA has your current contact information and be aware that phone calls from FEMA may come from unidentified numbers.
If there are changes in your phone number, current address, banking or insurance information, let FEMA know as soon as possible or you may miss important telephone calls or correspondence.
FEMA may need to call survivors in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties to continue processing your application for assistance. FEMA may also contact you to get more information for your application.
You can update your contact information in several ways: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, you can give FEMA your number for that service. Specialists speak many languages.
You may also visit any Disaster Recovery Center for updates about your FEMA application or answers to questions. Find a center here: fema.gov./drc.
FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. Their services are free. Do not believe anyone who promises a disaster grant if you pay them first.
kwei.nwaogu Thu, 12/05/2024 - 21:13Pages
