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Three Ways to Keep Your Request for FEMA Assistance Moving Forward
San Juan, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico survivors of the severe storm, flooding, and landslides that occurred on February 4 – 6 and live in Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Vega Baja are eligible to apply for disaster assistance.
Survivors who applied for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must complete the entire application process to be considered for individual assistance. The following are the top three things that you need to complete in your application for assistance.
1. File your Homeowners/Renters and Flood Insurance Claim
Before FEMA can provide individual assistance, a determination letter is required from any insurance that covers your home.
If you register for FEMA Assistance and do not have a determination letter from your homeowners or flood insurance provider, your application will be put on hold until this information is received. Once you receive this information, it can be uploaded at DisasterAssistance.gov, brought to an open DRC or you can contact the Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 to discuss how to get these documents to FEMA.
2. Complete your SBA Loan Application
After you apply for disaster assistance from FEMA, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration to complete and submit an application for a low interest loan. This is part of the process of applying for disaster assistance and does not mean that you have to accept an SBA loan, if one is offered.
SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors. In planning your recovery, give yourself the widest possible set of options. Submitting the application makes it possible for homeowners and renters to be considered for additional FEMA grants.
Applicants may apply online using SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov or they may email DisasterCustomerService@SBA.gov for more information on SBA’s disaster assistance program.
Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.
3. Answer the phone when FEMA Calls
Whenever FEMA has questions about your application, an application specialist may reach out to you to ensure your application is complete. FEMA employees come from all across the United States, so calls may come from unfamiliar area codes.
Once the caller confirms your identity, they will discuss any part of your application where more information is needed to decide what assistance you may be eligible for.
If you are not comfortable answering this call, please call the FEMA Helpline or visit a Disaster Recovery Center and let them know you received a call about your application, and they will let you know what you need to do to ensure that your application moves forward.
- The FEMA Helpline can be reached at 1-800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. Those who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
- To find a DRC nearest you, click on the FEMA DRC link: fema.gov/drc.
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from the February floods, visit fema.gov/disaster/4649. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico. Follow the FEMA Region 2 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/FEMAregion2.
frances.acevedo-pico Wed, 04/20/2022 - 17:12Crisis Counseling Available to Tornado Survivors
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A tornado disaster can shock the emotions of the people who lived through it. Survivors frequently report feelings of anger, depression, sadness, stress or anxiety for months after the event.
Free crisis counseling services can help survivors of the Dec. 10-11 tornadoes cope with trauma. Counseling is available to residents of Barren, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren counties.
FEMA approved funding for crisis counseling for nine months through Jan. 15, 2023.
Those seeking the free service should contact the commonwealth’s 211 line. The simple three-digit telephone number dialed from anywhere in Kentucky connects residents to health and human services agencies that can provide help to individuals and households recovering from the tornadoes.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Families operates the program through four community behavioral health centers:
- River Valley Behavioral Health (serving Ohio County): rvbh.com/crisis-line/
- Life Skills (serving Barren, Hart, Logan and Warren counties): lifeskills.com/crisis
- Pennyroyal Center (serving Caldwell, Christian, Hopkins, Lyon and Muhlenberg counties): pennyroyalcenter.org/services/behavioral_health/
- Four Rivers Behavioral Health (serving Fulton, Graves, Hickman and Marshall counties): h4rbh.org/resources-after-a-disaster-crisis-or-trauma/
Counselors meet with adults and children affected by the disaster in non-traditional settings such as shelters, homes and community buildings – not in clinical or office settings. They provide emotional support, education, basic crisis counseling and may refer survivors to local resources and disaster relief services in their own area. All services are anonymous, and no records or case files are kept. Counselors usually live in the disaster area and are sometimes survivors themselves.
Children often look to their caregivers for support and to learn how to cope with adversity and trauma. It’s a good time to listen to the children, understand what they’re feeling, and reassure them their feelings make sense because what they experienced was scary and difficult. For more information on helping children cope, read FEMA’s Feb. 7 news release.
Some counseling is offered individually, helping the survivors understand their reactions and review their options. Group sessions may be led by trained crisis counselors who offer skills to help those in the group cope with their situations and reactions.
The Crisis Counseling program is administered through a partnership between FEMA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services (SAMHSA). SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline, 800-985-5990, provides 24/7, 365-days-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
For information on Kentucky’s recovery from the tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4630. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
sandra.habib Wed, 04/20/2022 - 13:06FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Crooks Fire
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds on April 19 to assist the state of Arizona to combat the Crooks Fire burning in Yavapai County.
On April 19, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened 700 homes in and around the communities of Potato Patch, Mountain Pine, Groom Creek and Walker. The fire also threatened 50 businesses, local fire stations, a community center, post office, elementary school, and infrastructure power lines in the area.
FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to become a greater incident.
Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.
For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9.
robert.barker Wed, 04/20/2022 - 01:02FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Tunnel 2 Fire
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds on April 19 to assist the state of Arizona to combat the Tunnel 2 Fire burning in Coconino County.
On April 19, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened 2,500 homes in and around the communities of Downey Park, Timberline and Blackville Park. The fire also threatened 150 businesses, local power and gas distribution networks, and various historical and cultural sites in the area.
FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to become a greater incident.
Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.
For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9.
robert.barker Tue, 04/19/2022 - 23:56President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Massachusetts
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to supplement commonwealth, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storm and snowstorm Jan. 28 - 29, 2022.
The President's action makes federal funding available to commonwealth, tribal and eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities in Bristol, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk counties, and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
In addition, federal funding is available to commonwealth, tribal and eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures in all areas of the commonwealth.
William F. Roy has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made later if warranted by the results of damage assessments.
amy.ashbridge Mon, 04/18/2022 - 22:55Crawford County Residents Invited to Attend Virtual Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host a Virtual Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Crawford County, Ohio, on April 26, 2022, from 5 – 7 p.m. The open house will give residents the chance to review preliminary versions of a recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1-percent-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within areas of the county, and offer information that public officials may use when permitting development in the floodplain.
Experts at the virtual open house will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process. Residents can meet with experts one-on-one to view their own addresses on the new maps. They’ll learn about their specific risk and ways to help prevent flood loss.
Once effective, the maps will inform flood insurance rates and local floodplain management rules adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Crawford County virtual Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: April 26, 2022, from 5–7 p.m. ET
WHERE: Visit www.zoom.com and enter the meeting ID and passcode. This requires registering for a free Zoom account or clicking the following link: https://stantec.zoom.us/j/94321881500?pwd=V0R5MGYvL0hWaU56TE1qS2JndWcydz09 Meeting ID: 943 2188 1500, Passcode: Crawford
301-715-8592 312- 626-6799 646-876-9923
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.
For more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Mon, 04/18/2022 - 14:41Public Invited to Appeal or Comment on Flood Maps in Somervell County, Texas
DENTON, Texas – Revised Preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps are available for review in Somervell County, Texas. Residents and business owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements.
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 stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the 90-day appeal and comment period.
The 90-day appeal and comment period will begin on or around April 15, 2022.
Appeals and comments may be submitted through July 14, 2022 for:
- The City of Glen Rose; and the unincorporated areas of Somervell County
- 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 to resolve all comments and appeals. Once these are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.
To review the preliminary maps or submit appeals and comments, visit your local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can identify your community FPA. 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.
daniel.green2 Fri, 04/15/2022 - 16:11Karuk Tribe Receives $4M Grant to Reduce Wildfire Risk
OAKLAND, Calif. – The northern California Karuk Tribe received a $3 million Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to save lives and reduce the severity of wildfire property damage. The funds will help protect over 400 community members, 146 housing units, a Head Start center, wellness center, government facilities and tribal infrastructure.
The tribe’s project will incorporate three activities to maximize community safety. The first includes the creation of defensible space by clearing and removing flammable vegetation around structures. The second will retrofit homes with ignition-resistant materials, such as replacing wood siding with vinyl, decking with concrete and cedar roofing with metal. And the third phase will reduce hazardous fuels in the area by clearing or thinning flammable vegetation along roadsides and other areas where wildfires could threaten life or property. Separately, each mitigation measure is effective, but together they will provide for enhanced wildfire protection on Karuk tribal lands.
These measures are just one aspect of the Karuk Tribe’s relationship with fire in the region. The new measures will act as a safety guard for the current population and future generations in the area while the Karuk Tribe works to increase traditional land management practices bringing the Karuk tribal lands to a healthier state.
The $4 million project includes a $3 million grant from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), with the remaining $1 million coming from the tribe.
FEMA’s HMGP helps states, territories, federally-recognized tribes, local communities, and certain private, non-profit organizations become more resilient to potential infrastructure damage and reduce future disaster costs. In the past 33 years, FEMA has invested nearly $1.5 billion to reduce disaster risk in California.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9.
The mission of the Karuk Tribe is to promote the general welfare of all Karuk People, to establish equality and justice for our Tribe, to restore and preserve Tribal traditions, customs, language and ancestral rights, and to secure to ourselves and our descendants the power to exercise the inherent rights of self-governance.
robert.barker Thu, 04/14/2022 - 15:52FEMA Reaches One Year Mark of COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, Provides More Than $2.1 Billion to Families
WASHINGTON -- Over the past year, FEMA has provided more than $2.1 billion in COVID-19 funeral assistance to 326,000 applicants grappling with the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic.
Committed to reaching all affected communities, the agency launched a targeted outreach campaign this month. Paid advertisements are directed to localities identified with high rates of COVID-19-related deaths, low funeral assistance application rates and a high Social Vulnerability Index score.
The advertisements help ensure information about FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program reaches underserved communities who have experienced a high COVID-19 death rate. The ads are running in San Bernardino, California; Bronx County, New York; Philadelphia; and Hidalgo, Texas.
In its first year, COVID-19 funeral assistance has:
- Awarded over $2.1 billion to assist 326,000 applicants.
- Provided a $6,500 average award.
- Maintained a 97% eligibility approval rate.
- Supported 76 languages through the toll-free COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline.
- Translated 13 web pages and 29 languages for an informational one-pager.
Eligible applicants may qualify for up to $9,000 for each deceased individual per application, with a maximum of $35,500 for applicants who may have incurred funeral expenses for multiple individuals due to COVID-19.
Additional information, including eligibility requirements, can be found at COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov.
mayshaunt.gary Wed, 04/13/2022 - 19:51FEMA Administrator Criswell Urges Resilience Planning during National Hurricane Conference
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell urged collective action today at the 2022 National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, Florida.
She focused her remarks on risk, resilience, innovation and partnerships as she presented to the assembled emergency managers, meteorologists and government officials at the annual gathering.
Criswell also highlighted the need for all parts of the emergency management cycle to engage with each other to benefit the overall mission.
“How can we build strong partnerships during mitigation and preparedness that carry over into response and recovery?” Criswell said. “We need more people sitting at the table when preparedness and mitigation are being discussed… It will require us to expand our network, bring new partners to the table and work toward our common goal of building a safer, stronger and more resilient nation.
FEMA recently found that U.S. communities who chose to adopt modern building codes will avoid paying $132 billion in damages by the year 2040. However, 65% of our country’s counties, cities and towns still have not adopted modern building codes and will not receive this benefit.
To address this issue, Administrator Criswell introduced a new FEMA campaign designed to increase community building codes.
“It will strengthen nationwide capability for superior building performance,” she said. “It will support vulnerable communities, and it will drive public action to increase the adoption and enforcement of hazard-resistant building codes to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.”
Click here for a full transcript of the Administrator’s speech.
Orlando, Fla. -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (center) and National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham record an episode for the FEMA podcast in Orlando today at the National Hurricane Conference. (FEMA Photo by Alex Hall)
mayshaunt.gary Wed, 04/13/2022 - 19:51FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Closed Sunday
San Juan, Puerto Rico – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will close Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta and Vega Baja on Sunday due to the holiday.
All DRCs will resume normal operational hours on Monday, April 18.
The temporary centers are located at:
Pabellón Comercial Rafael Hernández Colón
Calle Méndez Vigo #349
(in front of Residencial El Dorado), Dorado
Centro Comunal Los Naranjos
Barrio Cabo Caribe
Comunidad Los Naranjos
Parcela 119-A, Vega Baja
Centro de Usos Múltiples - Luis Muñoz Marín
PR-647 Km 12.5
Barrio Bajuras, Sector Machuchal, Vega Alta
Junta de Inscripción Permanente de Candelaria
RR-865
Barrio Candelaria, Toa Baja
Centro de Usos Múltiples
Carr. PR-5, Km 2.6
Sector Juana Matos, Cataño
Normal Hours:
Monday: 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday - Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Survivors from the affected municipalities of Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Vega Baja are eligible to apply for disaster assistance. To find a DRC nearest you, click on the FEMA DRC link: fema.gov/drc.
You may also apply with FEMA through your smart phone, home computer or by phone. The fastest ways to apply for assistance are:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- By phone at 800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. Those who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week
- Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online.
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from the February floods, visit fema.gov/disaster/4649. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Follow the FEMA Region 2 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/FEMAregion2.
frances.acevedo-pico Wed, 04/13/2022 - 19:15
Nueces County, Texas Flood Maps Become Final
DENTON, Texas – New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on Oct. 13, 2022 for Nueces County, Texas. During the next six months, a FEMA compliance specialist will work with the community to update each floodplain ordinance and adopt these new flood maps.
Residents are encouraged to examine the maps to determine if they are in a low-to-moderate or high-risk flood zone. The current and future Flood Insurance Rate Map can be viewed on FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer at https://msc.fema.gov/fmcv.
By understanding flood risks, individuals can decide which insurance option is best for their situation. Community leaders can use these maps to make informed decisions about building standards and development that will make the community more resilient and lessen the impacts of a flooding event.
Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their home, personal property and business. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for those in communities who participate in the NFIP. Residents with federally backed mortgages must have flood insurance if their structures are in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) to review the new flood maps and learn more about your risk of flooding. A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify your community FPA and answer questions about the maps as well. Contact them by phone or online chat.
- To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
- To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to 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.
Kurt.Pickering Wed, 04/13/2022 - 18:24Public Invited to Appeal or Comment on Flood Maps in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
DENTON, Texas – Preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps are available for review in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. Residents and business owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements.
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 stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the 90-day appeal and comment period.
The 90-day appeal and comment period will begin on or around April 13, 2022.
Appeals and comments may be submitted through July 12, 2022 for:
- The City of Thibodaux; the towns of Golden Meadow and Lockport; and the unincorporated areas of Lafourche Parish
- 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 to resolve all comments and appeals. Once these are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.
To review the preliminary maps or submit appeals and comments, visit your local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can identify your community FPA. 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.
Kurt.Pickering Wed, 04/13/2022 - 16:46Severe Weather Threat Tomorrow: Are you Ready?
CHICAGO – As temperatures warm, many Midwesterners face a heightened risk of severe storms, heavy rains, localized flooding and even the potential for tornadoes tomorrow. Monitor local forecasts, and take steps now to prepare for the possibility of a dangerous situation.
“The threat of severe weather should be taken seriously,” said FEMA Region 5 Administrator Thomas Sivak. "Now is the time to make sure you and those you care about know where to go to stay safe in case those risks become reality."
- Follow the direction of local and state officials and make sure to sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. If your community has sirens, become familiar with the warning tone.
- Identify nearby, sturdy buildings close to where you live, work, study and play. Pay attention to weather reports and warnings and be ready to take shelter immediately, if necessary.
- Secure your property. Remove any dead trees or overhanging branches near structures, loose roofing materials and objects in yards, patios, roofs or balconies that could blow away.
- Make sure all mobile devices are fully charged in advance of the storm. Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs in case the power goes out, such as a portable charger or power bank. Have flashlights for every household member.
- Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.
- After the storm and once you are safe, check on neighbors and friends to make sure they’re okay.
Find even more valuable tips to help you prepare for severe weather at www.ready.gov/severe-weather and download the free FEMA app, available for your Android, Apple or Blackberry device.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Tue, 04/12/2022 - 20:49Covid-19 Funeral Assistance Is Still Available
CHICAGO – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to provide financial assistance for individuals who incurred COVID-19 related funeral expenses for loved ones. Since launching the program on April 1, 2021, FEMA has provided more than $2.1 billion in COVID-19 funeral assistance to eligible applicants across the country, but assistance is still available for those who qualify.
"This program was created to address the unique financial challenges faced by our nation caused by the pandemic that has taken the lives of nearly a million loved ones, friends and neighbors across the country,” said Thomas C. Sivak, FEMA Region 5 administrator. “While we cannot bring those people back, this financial assistance can help ease the burden of their final arrangements.”
Eligible applicants may qualify for up to $9,000 for each deceased individual per application, with a maximum of $35,000 for families who may have multiple funeral expenses due to COVID-19. Since the assistance began on April 12, 2021, the average amount of assistance awarded is $6,500.
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.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Tue, 04/12/2022 - 15:14Survivors Should Notify FEMA About Insurance Settlements
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Survivors of the Dec. 10-11 tornadoes who have already applied for FEMA disaster assistance are encouraged to let FEMA know about any insurance settlements you receive. FEMA’s Individual Assistance program may cover damage that your insurance does not.
By law, FEMA cannot provide funding to individuals or households for losses covered by insurance or any other source. However, if you filed an insurance claim and have disaster-related needs that still need to be addressed, FEMA may consider you for its Other Needs Assistance program or refer you to an agency that can help.
To be considered for disaster assistance, you must have applied to FEMA before the deadline, which was March 14. If you’re insured, FEMA will confirm that you filed a claim with your insurance company.
Remember when you file a claim with your insurance agent or company, find out what your policy covers. And be sure to keep papers and receipts for any work you have done to repair your home.
Here are some other reminders:
- If your insurance settlement is delayed longer than 30 days, let FEMA know by writing a letter and including proof that you filed a claim. Any assistance FEMA provides would be considered an advance and would have to be repaid once you get the insurance settlement.
- If you received the maximum settlement from your insurance company and still have unmet disaster-related needs, write to FEMA and explain what your need is. Again, include documentation from the insurance company.
- If you spent the “additional living expense” provided by the insurance company and still need help with finding temporary housing, write to FEMA and explain your need. Attach documentation from the insurance company to prove you used the funds provided. Also include your permanent housing plan.
Here’s how to stay in touch with FEMA:
- Log into your account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.
- You may also fax FEMA at 800-827-8112 or send a letter to this address:
FEMA National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
For information on Kentucky’s recovery from the tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4630. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
sandra.habib Mon, 04/11/2022 - 13:13FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Open in Cataño and Vega Baja
San Juan, Puerto Rico – Survivors of the severe storm, flooding, and landslides that occurred Feb. 4 - 6, 2022 can meet with FEMA specialists and apply for disaster assistance at two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Cataño and Vega Baja.
Residents affected by the February storms can get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and get questions answered. Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also on hand at both DRCs to provide program information and explain how to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, businesses, private nonprofits, and renters, and provide literature about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.
Hazard Mitigation will have a Community Education Outreach Specialist on site to assist survivors in preparing for future incidents.
The DRCs are located at:
DRC 4 DRC 5 Centro Comunal Los Naranjos Centro de Usos Múltiples Barrio Cabo Caribe Carr. PR-5, Km 2.6 Comunidad Los Naranjos, Parcela 119-A Sector Juana Matos Vega Baja CatañoHours:
Monday - 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday - Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Survivors from the affected municipalities of Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Vega Baja are eligible to apply for disaster assistance. To find the DRC nearest you, click on the FEMA DRC link: fema.gov/drc.
You may also apply with FEMA through your smart phone, home computer or by phone. The fastest ways to apply for assistance are:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- By phone at 800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. Those who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week
- Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online.
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from the February floods, visit fema.gov/disaster/4649. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Follow the FEMA Region 2 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/FEMAregion2.
frances.acevedo-pico Sat, 04/09/2022 - 19:27FEMA Authorized Statements on PREPA Projects
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved nearly $9.5 billion to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) in September 2020, representing the largest funding allocation in the history of the federal agency's Public Assistance program under the FEMA Accelerated Awards Strategy (FAASt).
For the rebuilding of the Island's power grid, FEMA works on the basis of project submissions that must include a detailed scope of work of how the work will be done as well as a hazard mitigation proposal.
At the moment, FEMA has not received transmission and distribution projects for evaluation and the approval of construction funds. The projects submitted by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) for generation and by LUMA for substations are broken down as follows:
- Transmission and distribution: 0
- Substations: Only 5 have a detailed scope of work.
- Generation: Only 5 have a detailed scope of work. Below is a breakdown of the five generation projects with detailed scopes of work:
- Aguirre plant, units 1 and 2
- Detailed Scope of Work submittal date: March 31, 2022
- Repairs to the condenser circulating water pump motor, among other repairs.
- Aguirre Power Plant Infrastructure Projects
- Detailed Scope of Work submission date: March 31, 2022
- Wastewater treatment plant improvements, rehabilitation of the reserve tanks, fuel tanks of the generating facility, replacement of the steam plant, among other repairs.
- Permanent repairs to the Cambalache power plant
- Detailed scope of work submission date: March 7, 2022.
- Repairs to the wastewater pumping system, hydraulic equipment, storm water pump system, among other repairs.
- Mayagüez Hydro-Gas Power Plant Permanent Repairs
- Detailed Scope of Work submission date: March 7, 2022
- This project was recently approved with a federal share of over $16.3 million.
- Repairs include the gas generator and Fuel Tank 1, among other repairs.
- San Juan Power Plant - Auxiliary Infrastructure
- Detailed Scope of Work submission date: March 31, 2022
- Repairs to auxiliary infrastructure, Nautilus water treatment system, acquisition of raw water tank for units 7 and 10.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to develop the scope and cost of the projects. The development of the scope and cost of the projects by the applicant means that the project was created. For each project, the applicant must develop a detailed scope of work with its initial design in accordance with industry codes and standards. FEMA can only consider and approve a project once the applicant has completed all of these steps.
As it has for the past four and a half years, FEMA continues to be at the complete disposal of PREPA, LUMA and the Government of Puerto Rico to provide the necessary technical support to address delays in the submission of projects by local agencies. The objective is for PREPA and LUMA to submit their projects with the complete documentation that is required and to accelerate the work related to the electric grid for the benefit of all residents and PREPA customers in Puerto Rico.
FEMA allocates federal funds to the Government of Puerto Rico, which are managed by the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3). Disbursements to subrecipients, such as PREPA, can be found on COR3's transparency portal. Information on obligations and disbursements is updated weekly: https://www.recovery.pr/. Any questions regarding disbursements of funds to PREPA should be directed to COR3.
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 Fri, 04/08/2022 - 15:44Public Invited to Appeal or Comment on Flood Maps in Lincoln County, Oklahoma
DENTON, Texas – Preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps are available for review in Lincoln County, Oklahoma. Residents and business owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements.
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 stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the 90-day appeal and comment period.
The 90-day appeal and comment period will begin on or around April 7, 2022.
Appeals and comments may be submitted through July 6, 2022 for:
▪ The City of Stroud; and the unincorporated areas of Lincoln County
Residents may submit an appeal if they consider 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 to resolve all comments and appeals. Once these are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.
To review the preliminary maps or submit appeals and comments, visit your local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can identify your community FPA. 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.
Kurt.Pickering Thu, 04/07/2022 - 21:24Over $600 Million from FEMA for Earthquake Recovery
The agency expects to approve all funding for this disaster by the end of this year
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico –Public housing facilities, police operations centers, childcare centers and libraries are some of the municipal buildings that will be repaired with a multimillion-dollar allocation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to the federal agency, of the $640 million, $309 million is for 488 permanent construction projects that include other structures damaged by the earthquakes.
“With these funds, the municipalities have the opportunity to renovate the affected spaces to once again offer services for their communities. The recovery supports a better quality of life for the residents of these municipalities and the reconstruction is directed to that end,” said the FEMA Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.
The funds for municipalities in the south, center and west of the Island include seven public housing complexes in Guánica and Ponce. The Administrator of the Public Housing Administration (PRPHA), Alejandro Salgado Colón, explained that over 2,300 people will have better and safer homes after the repairs are completed with the approved funds.
“After the earthquakes that shook mostly the southern region of the Island, we have looked for ways to continue addressing the damage that risked the homes of the affected families. Truthfully, this obligation of funds represents one more step towards disaster recovery. There is still a long road ahead, but we’re sure that, with the collaboration of the federal agencies, we will accomplish a complete reconstruction for the benefit of our residents,” said Salgado Colón.
One of the facilities affected was the Montalva Community Center in Guánica. The work to be completed with the obligation of more than $779,000 includes demolishing the center, where workshops and other social and community development activities will be held after reconstruction.
The Mayor of the Municipality, Ismael Rodríguez Ramos, explained that “the Montalva Community Center has been a multiuse center that has served the community with social events that make an impact. With this allocation we’ll rebuild a facility that serves all generations of people from Guánica; the younger ones with workshops that encourage development, as well as our elderly, by being a place of gathering and welcome that serves them in different ways.”
The repairs also consider public and community service spaces, as is the case of some centers that serve the more than 22,000 residents of Lajas. Funds were earmarked for the city hall and the center where the municipal police station and the Municipal Emergency Management Office are located. In addition, repairs will be completed at the Multi-Service Center for the Elderly, which has an enrollment of over 90 people and provides meals and activities for those who are bedridden.
For his part, the Executive Director for the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), Eng. Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, said, “in COR3, we continue working as a team alongside the subrecipients in favor of the development of these reconstruction projects that will provide resiliency to the aqueducts infrastructure and other structures that house families. This significant obligation of federal funds will give peace of mind to the communities and the opportunity to begin to rebuild their living spaces. To date, COR3 has disbursed $258 million to address matters related to this disaster that affected us two years ago and we are committed to continue being facilitators in this difficult task.”
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from the earthquakes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4773 and recuperacion.pr. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr y Twitter @COR3pr.
frances.acevedo-pico Thu, 04/07/2022 - 11:55Pages
