Five SBA Business Recovery Centers Open to Assist Survivors

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The U.S. Small Business Administration has five Business Recovery Centers open until April 29 to assist tornado survivors with their loan applications.

Survivors who receive a letter from FEMA referring them to the SBA should apply for a loan as soon as possible. SBA loans are not just for businesses. Long-term, low-interest loans are available to homeowners and renters as well. If approved, there is no obligation to accept the loan. Even if survivors think they won’t qualify for a loan, they should complete the loan application and return it anyway.

Those who are turned down for a loan or receive a loan that won’t cover their needs may be referred back to FEMA for additional assistance. A FEMA program called Other Needs Assistance provides financial help for disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs that are not covered by insurance or provided by any other source.

The locations of the business recovery centers are:

• Graves County: Trace Creek Baptist Church, 3577 State Route 131, Mayfield, KY 42066 
  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Monday to Saturday. 
• Hopkins County: Hopkins County Emergency Management, 130 N. Franklin St., Madisonville, KY 42431
  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Monday to Saturday.
• Marshall County: Joe Creason Community Center, 1600 Park Ave., Benton, KY 42025
  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Monday to Saturday.
• Warren County: Western Kentucky University Business Accelerator Center, Room 118, 2413 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101
  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Monday to Friday.
• Warren County: Kummer/Little Recreation Center, 333 College St., Bowling Green, KY 42101
  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Monday to Friday.  

Survivors who cannot visit a Business Recovery Center may apply online using SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. For more information on SBA’s disaster assistance program, email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. You may also call the Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.

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

sandra.habib Wed, 04/06/2022 - 20:31

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Open in Vega Alta

San Juan, Puerto Rico – The Federal Emergency Management Agency opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Vega Alta to help survivors affected by the severe storm, flooding, and landslides that occurred Feb. 4 - 6, 2022.

Residents in flood-affected communities can visit the DRC to get help with their FEMA applications, upload documents and ask questions in person.

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also on hand at the DRC to provide program information and explain how to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, businesses, private nonprofits, and renters, and provide 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 temporary center is located at:

Centro de Usos Múltiples – Luis Muñoz Marin

PR-675 Km 12.5

Barrio Bajuras Sector Machuchal

Vega Alta

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, 04/06/2022 - 19:27

Prepare for the Unexpected: Four Steps to Protect Your Finances in a Disaster

CHICAGO – April is National Financial Capability Month and an opportunity to to take action to improve your financial future while considering the financial resources you may need to rebuild in case of a disaster or other emergency.

"Disasters can be unpredictable and often create financial challenges to fully recover. Everyone must have a financial plan to face emergencies, big or small,” said Thomas C. Sivak, regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “Financial plans provide essential recovery tools for individuals and families and help to create more prepared communities and a more ready nation.” 

1. Set aside enough cash to get you and your family through multiple days after an emergency. This is especially important if ATMs, banks and credit card machines aren’t functioning due to an extended power outage. Include smaller bills as well, in case stores can’t make change. If putting aside that much money isn’t an immediate option, consider saving in smaller increments to eventually save the amount you may need.
2. Gather financial and critical personal, household and medical information. Have extra originals or copies of passports, driver's licenses, birth and marriage certificates, adoption decrees, Social Security cards and military records stored in a safe, easily accessible location—such as a safe deposit box, external hard drive or the cloud—to avoid any issues. 
3. Implement multi-factor authentication on your accounts and think before you click. By implementing a second layer of identification, like a confirmation text message or email, a code from an authentication app, a fingerprint or Face ID, or best yet, a FIDO key, you’re giving your bank or any other site you’re logging into the confidence that it really is you. And remember: if you’re sent a link you don’t recognize, trust your instincts, and think before you click. These simple steps can help protect your personal information every day, but especially after a disaster, when scam artists and other criminals often attempt to take advantage of disaster survivors. Learn more about ways to keep yourself secure online by visiting www.cisa.gov/shields-up.
4. Obtain property insurance. Talk to your insurance agent about the coverage your home may need. Review existing policies and ensure the amount and extent are adequate to cover losses from any possible hazard. With the increased flood risk in warmer spring months, keep in mind that homeowner’s insurance doesn’t typically cover flooding, so you may need to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program. Learn more about your flood insurance options by visiting www.FloodSmart.gov.

An easy way to start preparing your finances for an emergency is by completing an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit. This important document offers guidance on organizing and securing important documents, provides important advice on managing finances, and describes what to expect should a disaster strike your community. For even more information on how to financially prepare for an unexpected emergency or disaster, visit www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness. 

# # #

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

troy.christensen Wed, 04/06/2022 - 13:33

Itasca 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 Itasca County, Minnesota, on April 12, 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:              Itasca County virtual Flood Map Information Open House

WHEN:             April 12, 2022, from 5 p.m.– 7 p.m. CST

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://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1619158469                          Meeting ID: 161 915 8469, Passcode: ItascaOpen

You may also call into the meeting using one of the following telephone numbers and entering the meeting ID and passcode shown above. Long-distance charges may apply.

                       669 -254 -5252                        646 -828 -7666   

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 FIRMs 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 Tue, 04/05/2022 - 17:54

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

WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided more than $2.1 billion to over 320,000 people to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020.

Eligibility determinations are not driven by state/location; instead, they are based on when the applicant submits all required documentation.

“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

11,019

$51,822,681

7,592

Alaska

430

$1,226,070

238

American Samoa

11

$33,802

Less than 10

Arizona

8,595

$27,751,596

5,554

Arkansas

5,145

$21,718,598

3,436

California

40,505

$176,505,061

27,412

Colorado

4,637

$15,943,246

2,892

Connecticut

4,696

$23,169,733

3,379

Delaware

1,476

$6,131,404

971

District Of Columbia

739

$3,202,781

473

Florida

32,355

$127,867,804

22,662

Georgia

19,609

$92,071,227

13,360

Guam

29

$133,040

19

Hawaii

658

$2,209,387

377

Idaho

1,726

$6,054,029

1,072

Illinois

19,101

$89,436,862

13,049

Indiana

9,961

$43,552,904

6,253

Iowa

4,116

$20,046,916

2,798

Kansas

4,364

$17,970,490

2,781

Kentucky

8,701

$39,987,993

5,539

Louisiana

8,254

$38,621,962

5,609

Maine

998

$3,023,683.18

555

Maryland

8,344

$38,029,050

5,658

Massachusetts

8,857

$39,435,441

5,707

Michigan

17,051

$72,514,810

11,785

Minnesota

5,163

$23,277,018

3,406

Mississippi

7,211

$31,923,194

4,729

Missouri

9,855

$42,135,026

6,687

Montana

1,221

$4,186,290

822

Nebraska

2,169

$9,809,797

1,418

Nevada

4,237

$14,364,085

2,661

New Hampshire

1,256

$4,850,378

797

New Jersey

15,781

$77,152,434

11,211

New Mexico

3,041

$9,573,180

1,826

New York

34,483

$165,363,202

24,125

North Carolina

16,191

$71,691,989

10,954

North Dakota

1,103

$5,780,965

778

Northern Mariana Islands

30

$47,828.11

Less than 10

Ohio

20,760

$87,905,413

13,524

Oklahoma

7,545

$31,134,959

4,909

Oregon

2,302

$6,349,651

1,369

Pennsylvania

22,617

$102,260,338

15,488

Puerto Rico

2,134

$5,042,795

1,322

Rhode Island

1,603

$7,663,470

1,126

South Carolina

10,886

$50,549,249

7,431

South Dakota

1,079

$5,457,710

758

Tennessee

13,696

$64,180,863

9,434

Texas

43,901

$196,336,812

30,110

U.S. Virgin Islands

72

$291,374.59

45

Utah

2,268

$10,070,705

1,460

Vermont

262

$955,367

167

Virginia

11,206

$49,763,375

7,499

Washington

4,156

$13,540,321

2,481

West Virginia

3,605

$15,141,337

2,220

Wisconsin

8,061

$34,873,010

5,277

Wyoming

749

$2,711,529

490

* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. EDT Monday, April 4, 2022.

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, 04/04/2022 - 21:33

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Open in Dorado and Toa 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 Dorado and Toa 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 1

Pabellón Comercial Rafael Hernández Colón

Calle Méndez Vigo #349

(in front of Residencial El Dorado)

Dorado

 

DRC 2

Junta de Inscripción Permanente de Candelaria

RR-865

Barrio Candelaria

Toa Baja, PR

 

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 Mon, 04/04/2022 - 20:09

San Juan CDTs to Be Repaired with Over $21 Million from FEMA

This is the greatest amount of funds obligated for the municipality to date

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved an obligation of over $21 million to repair six Diagnostic and Treatment Centers, known as CDT for its Spanish acronym, in San Juan. In addition to repairing the buildings, the funds include hazard mitigation measures for these centers to be better prepared to face future disasters.

These medical facilities have emergency rooms, provide primary care and pediatric services, obstetrics and gynecology, apart from preventive services like radiology, laboratories and vaccination. Likewise, they provide specialized services to homeless people, and some offer mental health services at specific times.

“The health sector in San Juan will be transformed with this unprecedented allocation. And to help prevent that another storm causes similar damage again, the federal share includes nearly $1.7 million for work that will strengthen the roofs and protect electric equipment,” stated FEMA’s Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José G. Baquero.

The health centers that will benefit from this obligation are the José S. Belaval CDT, Más Salud Dr. Gualberto Rabell Center, Dr. José López Antongiorgi CDT, Dr. Olivera Guerra CDT, Dr. Enrique Koppisch CDT and the Dr. Manuel Quevedo Báez CDT. To date, FEMA has obligated more than $168 million to the Municipality of San Juan for emergency and permanent work.

“Today is a great day for the residents of San Juan and for public health in Puerto Rico. The obligation will allow us to update important centers that provide comprehensive and accessible care to the individuals and families of the Capital City, whether residents, neighbors or visitors, regardless of their financial situation or migratory status. [They] offer direct services that are essential to accomplishing the quality of life that we aim for our town. This will also allow us to improve the work areas of our talented and committed medical faculty, as well as administrative staff, essential to continue improving the service to our town,” said Miguel A. Romero Lugo, the mayor of San Juan.

For the Más Salud Dr. Gualberto Rabell Center in Santurce, which specializes in mental health services, over $10.4 million are earmarked to remove doors, the acoustic panels, the air conditioning units and the condenser, among others. These works have already been completed and lighting work, the installation of membranes on the roof, waterproofing of windows and improvements to the drain systems to prevent leaks are pending.

Moreover, at the Dr. Enrique Koppisch CDT in Río Piedras, some works were completed like the repair of the emergency generator, the removal and replacement of the air conduits, acoustic panels, luminaries, among others. Within the share of $2.8 million approved for this facility, over $460,000 were addressed towards hazard mitigation measures like the installation of membranes on the roof.

Likewise, the residents of the Sabana Llana area will have a repaired health center. The Dr. Olivera Guerra CDT, which has offered services for over 55 years, has completed part of its repairs, like the replacement of the air conditioning units. The work will continue with the replacement of gates, LED lighting and windows with over $2.7 million assigned.

The projects for the S. Belaval CDT and Más Salud Dr. Gualberto Rabell Center are covered under the Bipartisan Budget Act, which ensures that Puerto Rico rebuilds its critical services facilities according to the current industry standards without having to consider their conditions prior to the disaster.

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 Sun, 04/03/2022 - 13:23

Happening Today: FEMA’s Podcast Relaunches with New Focus, Format

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that FEMA is relaunching the agency’s podcast, “Before, During & After” across multiple platforms today.

The podcast will offer a new format with information and insights tailored to the nation’s emergency management community. The first of the relaunched episodes is a one-on-one interview with Administrator Criswell, setting the stage with a robust discussion of the agency’s priorities in the years ahead.

“It is FEMA’s priority to engage and empower all communities to help us become a more prepared and resilient nation,” Criswell said. “The podcast will provide listeners with insight into where emergency management is headed, how we are preparing today for the threats of tomorrow and how each of us has a role in keeping our communities safe from future disasters.”

Release of the podcast is being done on the agency’s 43rd anniversary, marking the date President Jimmy Carter signed an executive order on April 1, 1979 establishing FEMA.

“Before, During & After - a Podcast from FEMA” is available on Apple iTunes, Google Play or www.FEMA.gov/podcast to stream or download. Approximately 20 to 30 minutes in length, the podcast will be updated with a new episode on a bi-weekly basis. By subscribing, new episodes will automatically update on a listener’s device.

Each podcast is fully accessible to listeners within the deaf and hard of hearing community, with subtitle text uploaded to all platforms alongside the audio. Transcripts of episodes are also posted on FEMA.gov/podcast.

Future podcast episodes will cover FEMA’s work in climate resilience and adaptation, how equity is being instilled into emergency management, recent disaster recovery efforts and resources available to better prepare for future disaster risks.

For more information about “Before, During & After - a Podcast from FEMA” or to provide ideas for future episodes, visit www.FEMA.gov/podcast.   

mayshaunt.gary Fri, 04/01/2022 - 14:59

Door 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 Door County, Wisconsin, on April 7 and 12, 2022, from 5 – 8 p.m. CT. 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 Map (FIRM).

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:              Door County virtual Flood Map Information Open House  

WHEN:             April 7 and April 12, 2022, 5 – 8 p.m. CT

WHERE:          Visit www.zoom.com and enter the following meeting ID and passcode:                          Meeting ID: 161 776 8604, Passcode: 2022

You may also call into the meeting using the following telephone number and entering the meeting ID and passcode shown above. Long-distance charges may apply.

                          669-254-5252

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 https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload/.

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 Fri, 04/01/2022 - 13:01

Apply for FEMA disaster assistance today

San Juan, Puerto Rico – Homeowners and renters in the five municipalities that were approved for federal disaster assistance for the recent severe storms, flooding and landslides that occurred from February 4 to 6, 2022 may apply for assistance from FEMA, TODAY.

Survivors from the affected municipalities of Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta, and Vega Baja are encouraged to apply for FEMA disaster assistance, using any of the following options:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov or DisasterAssistance.gov/es for Spanish.
• By phone at 800-621-3362 (FEMA); Multilingual operators are available. Press 2 for Spanish and press 3 for other languages. Telephone lines are open from 7:00a.m. to 11:00pm.
• Use the FEMA Mobile App or en español for Spanish.

FEMA grants can supplement what is available from the Government of Puerto Rico. You must apply with FEMA to be considered for FEMA assistance, which may include:

• Temporary housing, including rental assistance, if the home is unlivable.
• Replacing uninsured personal property.
• Medical, dental, funeral expenses, transportation, childcare, moving, storage and other serious emergency needs not covered by insurance or other federal, Government of Puerto Rico and charitable aid programs.

###

yuisa.rios Thu, 03/31/2022 - 21:52

FEMA Region 3 Helps Bereaved Families, Reaches COVID Funeral Cost Milestone

PHILADELPHIA - The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s mission is to help people. In doing so, FEMA Region 3 has marked an important milestone in its COVID-19 operation: funeral assistance funds provided to families of applicants have topped $208 million.

The funds have gone to more than 30,000 bereaved families in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Here are the totals as of March 25, 2022:

DC: $4,507,961

DE: $5,773,609

MD: $34,278,813

PA: $103,879,215

VA: $44,667,929

WV: $14,983,540

Region 3 staff members have gone the extra mile to spread the word about the funeral assistance program, working extensively with government colleagues at all levels, as well as private sector partners.

“Our hearts go out to the thousands of families in Region 3 that have suffered financial stress due to funeral expenses for their loved ones,” FEMA Region 3 Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney said. “We want to assure families that we’re here to help.” Reaching the $200 million mark is a tangible sign of our commitment to the grieving families in our region.”

Nationally, FEMA has provided over $2 billion to more than 300,000 people to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020.

Sample expenses that qualify for reimbursement.

•  Transportation to identify the deceased individual        •   The transfer of remains
•  A burial plot or cremation niche                                     •   A marker or headstone
• Clergy or officiant services                                             •   The use of funeral home equipment or staff
• Cremation or interment cost

 Information needed before contacting FEMA to apply:

• Name, social security number, date of birth, mailing address and contact phone numbers.
• Name, social security number and date of birth for each deceased individual.
• Location or address where the deceased individual passed away.
• Documentation and receipts for any assistance already received from other sources, including burial or funeral insurance, donations, voluntary agencies, other government programs or non-profit organizations.
• The name and information of any co-applicant(s) if anyone besides yourself incurred funeral expenses for the deceased individual(s)

How to apply for assistance:

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline: 844-684-6333

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time

Visit FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance page for more information about this program and how to apply.

 

###

 

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at (215) 931-5597 or at femar3newsdesk@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, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

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

amanda.hancher Wed, 03/30/2022 - 16:23

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

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Washington to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides from Jan. 1-15, 2022.

The President's action makes federal funding available to state, 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 Cowlitz, Franklin, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skagit, Skamania, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties; and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Hoh Indian Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Skokomish Indian Tribe, Squaxin Island Indian Tribe, Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.

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

Toney L. Raines has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

zella.campbell Tue, 03/29/2022 - 20:16

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, flooding and landslides from Feb. 4-6, 2022.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the municipalities of Cataño, Dorado, Toa Baja, Vega Alta and Vega Baja. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

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

Robert Little III has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

zella.campbell Tue, 03/29/2022 - 19:36

FEMA Administrator Criswell Headlines NEMA Mid-Year Event

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell addressed emergency management colleagues today at the opening of the National Emergency Management Association’s Mid-Year Forum in Alexandria, Virginia.

Administrator Criswell focused her remarks on enhanced partnership initiatives tied to equity, resilience and a ready and prepared nation, hallmarks of the “2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan.”

“Last year, we embarked on an incredibly aggressive journey to develop the agency’s new strategic plan,” she said. “A plan that commits to helping communities, like the ones you lead, become more prepared and resilient.”

Administrator Criswell’s remarks were a call to action to increase collaboration with FEMA to share expertise, increase readiness and enhance collaboration. New programs highlighted included the Maryland Department of Energy’s revolving loan fund, FEMA’s emergency manager exchange program and the agency’s Swift Current initiative.

She ended her remarks with a challenge for her emergency management partners, to plan for future disaster resilience.

“I challenge you to inspire your local partners to adopt a future-based mindset,” Criswell said. “This will help fuel innovative thinking that will help us anticipate risks that are 10, 20, 30 years down the road.”

mayshaunt.gary Tue, 03/29/2022 - 17:50

SBA Loans Can Help Your Disaster Recovery

FRANKFORT, Ky. – U.S. Small Business Administration loans hold many benefits for survivors of the Dec. 10-11 tornadoes in Kentucky who apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

SBA loans are not just for businesses. In a presidentially declared disaster, these long-term, low-interest loans are available to homeowners and renters as well as businesses of all sizes. SBA loans are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors.

In planning your recovery from the storms and tornadoes, give yourself the widest possible set of options, which includes an SBA loan.

The opportunity to apply for an SBA loan is part of the process of submitting an application for federal disaster assistance. After you apply with FEMA, you may receive a letter referring you to SBA. Even if you think you won’t qualify for a loan, you should complete the loan application and return it anyway.

You are not obligated to accept the loan.

Remember, if you’re turned down for a loan or receive a loan that won’t cover your needs, you may be referred back to FEMA for additional assistance. If you choose not to accept the loan, those additional resources may not be available to you.

FEMA may be able to compensate you for necessities such as disaster-related car repairs, essential household items and other serious disaster-related expenses.

You may apply online using SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. Email FOCE-Help@SBA.gov for more information on SBA’s disaster assistance program.

You may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.

Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 from SBA to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or working capital.

The filing deadline for homeowners and renters to return applications for property damage was March 14, but SBA will accept a late application if you have a reasonable explanation for the delay. (Maybe there’s a medical reason you applied late; maybe you were waiting for an insurance settlement.)

The deadline for businesses to return economic injury applications is Sept. 12, 2022.

SBA has opened four Business Recovery Centers in Western Kentucky to assist survivors – homeowners, renters and business owners -- with their loan applications:

• Western Kentucky University Business Accelerator Center, 2413 Nashville Road, Room 118, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Monday-Friday. Closing permanently April 29.  

• Kummer/Little Recreation Center, 333 College St., Bowling Green, KY 42101

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Monday-Saturday. Closing permanently April 29.

• Hopkins Emergency Management, 130 N. Franklin St., Madisonville, KY 42431

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT Monday-Saturday. Closing permanently April 29.

• Joe Creason Community Center, 1600 Park Ave., Benton, KY 42025

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Monday-Saturday. Closing permanently April 29

 

For the latest 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 Tue, 03/29/2022 - 13:06

FEMA Cost-Share Adjustment Grants More Assistance for Alaska

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced today that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional assistance available to the state of Alaska by authorizing an increase in federal funding for public assistance projects undertaken as a result of an earthquake on Nov. 30, 2018.   

Under the major disaster declaration issued for the state of Alaska on Jan. 31, 2019, federal funding was made available for public assistance, hazard mitigation and other needs assistance at 75% of the total eligible costs. Under the President's order today, the federal share for public assistance has been increased to 90% of the total eligible costs.

mayshaunt.gary Mon, 03/28/2022 - 22:50

Thomas C. Sivak Appointed FEMA Region 5 Administrator

CHICAGO – Thomas C. Sivak, recently appointed as regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), began his service on Monday, March 28, 2022.  As Region 5’s administrator, Sivak will lead and coordinate all activities in support of FEMA’s mission with the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin and 34 federally recognized tribes in the region.

“I’m honored by this opportunity to lead the FEMA Region 5 office, building from my emergency management experiences serving the beautiful and diverse neighborhoods of Cook County and city of Chicago to join a team of seasoned responders dedicated to helping people across our Great Lakes states before, during and after disasters,” said Sivak.  “I firmly believe we will continue achieving FEMA’s mission while finding innovative ways to foster communities that are safer and more resilient to future disaster risks.”

Prior to joining FEMA, Sivak was the Deputy Director of Operations for Cook County, Illinois Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security and served for six years as the Deputy Director for Emergency Management at Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication. Throughout Sivak’s 15-year emergency management and public safety career, he has proudly worked for private, urban area and county public sector organizations and filled leadership roles during major activations, including the 2012 Super Bowl, 2018 Mercy Hospital active shooter incident, COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest in May and August 2020, and presidential election consequence management.  

Sivak is a Certified Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers and a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security. He holds a Master of Science in Public Service Leadership from DePaul University as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University and is originally from East Cleveland, Ohio.

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

troy.christensen Mon, 03/28/2022 - 14:11

FEMA Approves $1.26 Million for Douglas County COVID-19 Response

FEMA Approves $1.26 Million for Douglas County COVID-19 Response

DENVER – FEMA has approved another $1.26 million in Public Assistance funding for the COVID-19 response in Colorado. The assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued March 28, 2020. FEMA has now approved more than $1.71 billion in Public Assistance grant funds for Colorado’s COVID-19 response to date with this additional funding.   

FEMA approved the grant funds to Douglas County as reimbursement for the cost of emergency measures undertaken by the county during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This includes the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 respirators, isolation gowns and nitrile gloves.  This PPE was used for hospitals, medical and dental facilities within Douglas County, as well as for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to keep staff safe during the pandemic.  In addition, FEMA’s grant includes the cost of COVID-19 testing services from May 1 to December 30, 2020.  

For the COVID-19 response, FEMA has simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to address the magnitude of this event and to allow state and local governments to receive eligible funding more quickly. These reimbursements play a critical role as state, tribal and local officials work to assist their communities during this response.

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at www.fema.gov/assistance/public.

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

Follow us on twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion8

jamie.casterton Fri, 03/25/2022 - 21:50

FEMA Issues Public Notice for Counties Affected by Dec. 31-Jan. 2 Tornadoes

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A public notice is now available that addresses FEMA’s intention to reimburse eligible applicants in 13 counties in Kentucky on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair and/or replacement of facilities damaged in the Dec. 31-Jan. 2 tornadoes and flooding.

The public notice is now posted on FEMA’s Kentucky disaster website as FEMA Public Notice. The notice describes proposed activities that may affect historic properties and activities and critical actions that may affect wetlands and floodplains.

On Feb. 27, the president approved a disaster declaration for Kentucky for the late December-early January tornadoes and flooding.

The following 13 counties were designated for the FEMA Public Assistance program: Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Christian, Clay, Floyd, Green, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Owsley, Pike and Taylor.

FEMA is required by law to share the public notice of its intent to provide federal assistance and grant opportunities through its Public Assistance program and its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Under the Public Assistance program, FEMA reimburses eligible applicants for eligible costs to repair and/or replace publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private nonprofit organizations that sustained damage in the Dec. 31-Jan. 2 tornadoes. The program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures.

Under Public Assistance Category A-G, eligible applicants in the 13 counties can seek reimbursement for emergency debris removal; emergency work to protect lives and secure property; and for permanent work projects.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, or funding for use in mitigating future hazards, is available statewide.

To obtain information about FEMA’s actions or a specific project, write to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency – Region IV - EHP, 3005 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4112 or send an email to FEMA-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov. Please include in the subject line of the email “DR 4643-KY.”

sandra.habib Fri, 03/25/2022 - 13:15

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Disaster Declaration for the State of Alaska

WASHINGTON — FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Alaska to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms and straight-line winds from Dec. 25–27, 2021.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe winter storms and straight-line winds in Denali Borough, Fairbanks North Star Borough and the city of Nenana.

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

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

mashana.davis Fri, 03/25/2022 - 00:36