Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Carter County to Help Kentuckians Affected by April 2 Storms

FRANKFORT, Ky. – FEMA is opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Carter County to assist Kentucky survivors who experienced loss from the April 2 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides. 

The Disaster Recovery Center will open Saturday, June 15. It will be located at: Members Choice Credit Union, 438 Interstate Drive, Grayson, KY 41143. Working hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Saturday; and 1-5 p.m., Sunday, Eastern Time.

Disaster Recovery Centers Currently Open:

• Boyd County: Boyd County Emergency Management Office, 12327 Anthony Drive, Ashland, KY 41102. 
• Henry County: 4H Community Center, 1106 Castle Highway, Eminence, KY 40019. 
• Fayette County: Emergency Operations Center, 115 Cisco Road, Lexington, KY 40504. 
• Union County: Senior Citizens Building, 225 North Richards Lane, Morganfield, KY 42437. 

All Disaster Recovery Centers are open 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. For Boyd, Henry and Fayette counties, the hours are in Eastern Time; and for Union County, in Central Time.

Survivors in Boyd, Carter, Fayette, Greenup, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Mason, Oldham, Union and Whitley counties can apply for FEMA assistance at any of the Disaster Recovery Centers. FEMA representatives can help with applications for federal assistance and provide information about other disaster recovery resources. 

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

In addition to FEMA personnel, representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to assist survivors.

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

For the latest information on Kentucky’s recovery from the April 2 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4782. Follow FEMA on X, formerly called Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.

sandra.habib Fri, 06/14/2024 - 18:59

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Austin, Dallas, Guadalupe Counties

AUSTIN -- FEMA is opening Disaster Recovery Centers in Austin, Dallas and Guadalupe counties June 15 to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds April 26-June 5.

The centers are located at:

Austin County

Bellville Police Department Training Center
162 N Chesley St.
Bellville, TX 77418

Dallas County

Williams Elementary School
1821 Oldgate Ln.
Garland, TX 75042

Network of Community Ministries
1500 International Pkwy., Suite 300
Richardson, TX 75081

Guadalupe County (closes June 23)

Centro Esperanza
2045 Spruce St.
San Marcos, TX 78666

All centers operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. To find the center location nearest you go to fema.gov/drc.

Residents in Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones,  Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker, and Waller counties can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.

To apply, homeowners and renters can:

• Go online to disasterassistance.gov/
• Download the FEMA App for mobile devices
• Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
• Visit any Disaster Recovery Center.

For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

 

 

larissa.hale Fri, 06/14/2024 - 18:51

FEMA Inspecting Homes After Arkansas Storms and Flooding

LITTLE ROCK, Ark – After Arkansans apply for FEMA assistance, a home inspection may be necessary to help determine whether the home is safe, sanitary, and livable.

The inspectors will call or text applicants to arrange to meet at the home. They will leave messages and/or texts on the phone number listed on the FEMA application. These communications may come from an unfamiliar phone number, and it is important that applicants respond so their application can be processed.

Nearly 1,000 of these inspections have taken place to date, and more are being conducted daily. The inspectors do not make any decisions regarding eligibility for assistance. Information gathered during the inspection is only one of several criteria used by FEMA to determine if applicants are eligible for federal assistance. 

The housing inspector will consider:

• The structural soundness of the home, both inside and outside.
• Whether the electrical, gas, heat, plumbing and sewer/septic systems are all in working order.
• Whether the home is safe to live in and can be entered and exited safely.

All FEMA representatives have official identification. Housing inspectors will make an appointment with the applicant before coming. They will already have the applicant’s FEMA application number. They carry photo identification and will show it to the applicant. For security reasons, federal identification may not be photographed. Inspectors will never ask for, or accept, money. Their service is free. 

A typical home inspection takes about 45 minutes to complete. After the inspection, applicants should allow seven to 10 days for processing. If they have questions about the status of their application, they can call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center.

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4788. Follow the FEMA Region 6 at X.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

alexa.brown Fri, 06/14/2024 - 18:44

FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office to Host Eight Hiring Fairs

SANTA FE, N.M. — The FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office is hosting hiring fairs this summer and fall for full-time Claims Office positions. The positions will support the important mission of processing claims and compensating those impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding.

Interested individuals are encouraged to attend one of the hiring fairs to learn more about open roles and secure a fulfilling career while serving their communities.

When

• June 17, 2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MT
• June 18, 2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MT
• July 22, 2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MT
• July 23, 2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MT
• August 27, 2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MT
• August 28, 2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MT
• September 24, 2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MT
• September 25, 2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MT

Where

• Santa Fe Community College Higher Education Center, Second Floor
  1950 Siringo Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Those interested in attending are also encouraged to attend an upcoming free, federal resume writing workshop on June 12, July 10, July 17, August 14, August 21 or September 18 at 5:30 p.m. MT to prepare for the hiring fairs. To attend the workshops, individuals can register at the following link: fema.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_oILjXrmoQsqYxEcNSZxXBA#/registration

Claims Office staff will be available at the hiring fairs to receive resumes and conduct on-the-spot interviews. Open positions for our Santa Fe, Mora and Las Vegas Claims Office locations include navigators, advocate liaisons, attorney advisors, program and data analysts and staff assistants.

The Office is looking for individuals who can represent the Claims Office with compassion, fairness, integrity, and respect. Ideal candidates will have customer service experience; strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills; and experience completing high-quality products within assigned time frames.

“Claims Office staff are at the heart of our mission, working hard to improve operations and maximize compensation to claimants,” said Jay Mitchell, Director of Operations of the FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office. “Hiring individuals from this community reinforces our commitment to New Mexico and the important work it will take to rebuild.”

FEMA employee benefits include eligibility for public service student loan forgiveness; federal retirement plans; paid annual leave; mental health resources; health, dental, and vision insurance; annual federal pay raises, and career growth opportunities.

All questions and concerns can be addressed by calling your claim Navigator or the Claims Office Helpline at 505-995-7133.

The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office is committed to meeting the needs of people impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding by providing full compensation available under the law as expeditiously as possible. At the time of publication, the FEMA Claims Office has paid $802 million to claimants. FEMA is only permitted to pay claims that have a signed Proof of Loss form and supporting documentation. 

Anyone impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding is encouraged to visit any one of our three Claims Offices. Visit fema.gov/disaster/current/hermits-peak/contact-us for locations and hours.

For information and updates regarding the Claims Office, please visit the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office website at fema.gov/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/hermits-peak. You can also follow our Facebook page and turn notifications on to stay up to date about the claims process, upcoming deadlines and other program announcements at facebook.com/HermitsPeakCalfCanyonClaimsOffice. 

amy.ashbridge Thu, 06/13/2024 - 21:24

FEMA Assistance Available for Survivors in Four Additional Counties

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Fulton, Greene, Madison, and Randolph counties have been added to the major disaster declaration for Arkansans who sustained damage from the May 24-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding.

Residents in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Fulton, Greene, Madison, Marion and Randolph counties may be eligible for disaster assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. Eligible applicants may qualify for rental assistance, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other eligible expenses related to storm damage. Additional counties may be added later.

Money provided by FEMA does not have to be repaid, and may include: 

• Serious Needs: Money for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation. 
  • Serious Needs Assistance requires an inspection to confirm eligibility before funds are provided to applicants. 
• Displacement: Money to help with housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster. The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options while you look for a rental unit. 
  • Displacement Assistance requires an inspection to confirm eligibility before funds are provided to applicants. 
• Home Repair or Replacement: Money to help you repair or replace your home damaged by the disaster. The money can also help with pre-existing damage to parts of your home where the disaster caused further damage. 
• Rental Assistance: Money you can use to rent housing if you are displaced from your home because of the disaster. 
• Personal Property: Money to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, and a personal or family computer damaged by the disaster. This can also include money for books, uniforms, tools, additional computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment. 
• Child Care: Money to help you pay for increased or new child care expenses caused by the disaster. 
• Transportation: Money to help you repair or replace a vehicle damaged by the disaster when you don’t have another vehicle you can use. 
• Moving and Storage Expenses: Money to help you move and store personal property from your home to prevent additional damage. 
• Computer Assistance: Money for people whoneed to repair or replace disaster-damaged computers.

Apply to FEMA
You can apply to FEMA in several ways including online at DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices, or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4788. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/. 

alexa.brown Thu, 06/13/2024 - 20:57

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Newton, Tyler Counties June 14

AUSTIN -- FEMA is opening Disaster Recovery Centers in Newton and Tyler counties June 14 to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds April 26-June 5.

The centers are located at:

Newton County
Howard Civic Center
213 E. Court St.
Newton, TX 75966

Tyler County
Tyler County Emergency Operations Center
201 Veterans Way
Woodville, TX 75979

All centers operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. To find the center location nearest you go to fema.gov/drc.

Homeowners and renters in Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties with uninsured losses from the storms and flooding April 26-June 5 may be eligible for FEMA assistance. 

To apply, homeowners and renters can:

• Go online to disasterassistance.gov/
• Download the FEMA App for mobile devices
• Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
• Visit any Disaster Recovery Center.

For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

larissa.hale Thu, 06/13/2024 - 20:26

Five Steps to a More Disaster-Resilient Home

COLUMBUS – As recovery after the March 14 tornadoes continues, FEMA encourages residents to consider five ways they can strengthen their property against future high-wind events.

1. Reinforce your Residence. Retrofitting your home can provide structural updates that didn’t exist when it was constructed. For example, a homeowner can install straps to their roof’s structural beams to make it strong enough to resist the "uplift" effect of high winds that can cause it to lift and collapse back down on the house.
2. Defend Those Doors.  Garage or double-entry doors can fail under wind pressure. Garage doors can be reinforced with girts and by strengthening the wheel tracks. Double-entry doors can be reinforced with a heavy-duty deadbolt, adding slide bolts on one of the doors, and using longer hinge attachments on the door and frame. 
3. Guard your Glass. Storm shutters prevent windows from breaking when there is windborne debris. You can also add shatter-resistant film or stormproof high-impact glass to defend glass from breaking.
4. Trim and Tighten. Consider cutting away any dangling tree branches that pose a threat to your home and securing outdoor furniture and fuel tanks that can serve as projectiles during high wind events.
5. Ensure You’re Fully Insured. Take the time to review your insurance coverages and talk to your agent to verify your household is adequately insured for high-wind events and other disaster risks in your community.

Federal Funds to Help You Reduce Your Home’s Disaster Risk

Homeowners who applied with FEMA and received assistance may receive additional funds for specific risk reduction measures. For Ohioans affected by the March 14 tornadoes, this assistance could include roof repairs to withstand higher winds and help prevent water infiltration. The additional funds will be provided within the award amount for homeowners determined eligible for home repair assistance from FEMA. Learn more at go.dhs.gov/3x8.

In addition, eligible U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan borrowers may choose to receive expanded funding to help mitigate their home or business against future disasters. SBA disaster loans can be increased up to 20% to make building upgrades. Learn more at www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. 

For even more tips to protect your home in high-wind events, you may also visit Protect Your Property From Severe Winds Brochure 2023 (fema.gov).

gerard.hammink Thu, 06/13/2024 - 19:11

Disaster Assistance Tops $2 Million for West Virginia Survivors

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – More than $2 million has been approved for homeowners and renters in West Virginia, less than a month after President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration for the state for the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides of April 2-6, 2024.   

That total includes more than $1,232,418 million in housing assistance to help homeowners and renters with expenses such as temporary housing and essential home repairs. Additionally, more than $834,805 has been approved for other needs assistance, which covers expenses such as transportation, childcare and medical and dental costs. More than 1,342 households and businesses have registered with FEMA to date. 

“I am proud of the hard work and support from at all levels of government and community partners to support those West Virginia residents who were impacted by the April storms,” Federal Coordinating Officer Jeff Jones said. “It is great to see FEMA surpass $2 million in assistance to residents to recover. As we all work diligently to continue the mission, we hope the updates to FEMA’s programs have made the recovery process easier for survivors.”

Federal disaster assistance is available to residents of 11 counties: Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Wayne and Wetzel. 

1. The State and FEMA have opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in the disaster-designated counties. The centers report 306 visitors to date. Most DRCs are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For a current list of open DRC locations, please visit DRC Locator online. If your access to internet is limited, one resource may be your local public library which offers public access to the internet. 

If it is not possible to visit a DRC, call 800-621- FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

The fastest and easiest way to apply for assistance is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov

For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4783 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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

Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).

 

amanda.hancher Thu, 06/13/2024 - 18:46

Disaster Recovery Centers opening in three counties

FEMA is opening Disaster Recovery Centers in Shelby, Story and Union counties to provide one-on-one help to Iowans affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding this spring:

Union County Emergency Management

705 E. Taylor St.

Creston, IA 50801

Open 1-7 p.m. June 13

8 a.m.-7 p.m. June 14-16

Story County Admin Building

900 6th St.

Nevada, IA 50201

Open 1-7 p.m. June 14

8 a.m.-7 p.m. June 15-17

Shelby County 

Chamber of Commerce

1901 Hawkeye Ave., Suite 101

Harlan, IA 51537

1-7 p.m. June 14

8 a.m.-7 p.m. June 15-17

Additionally, a DRC in Pleasant Hill (Polk County) is closing as of 7 p.m. June 13.

Homeowners and renters in Adair, Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Story and Union counties with uninsured losses from severe weather April 26-27 or May 20-21  may be eligible for FEMA assistance.

Disaster recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are present at the centers to provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications. 

To save time, apply online or by phone before visiting a DRC by:

• Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
• Calling FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)
• Using the FEMA app

All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or with access and functional needs. They are equipped with assistive and adaptive technology such as amplified phones, caption phones, video phones, wheelchair ramps and other resources to help ensure all applicants can access resources.

Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. For an accessible video on three ways to apply for FEMA assistance, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI.

thomas.wise Thu, 06/13/2024 - 18:26

FEMA Honors Pride Month

WASHINGTON -- In honor of Pride Month, FEMA recognizes the importance of the LGBTQI+ community, celebrates the contributions of its diverse workforce and for the third successive year, unveiled the Progressive Pride Flag at FEMA Headquarters.

This year, members of the LGBTQI+ community at FEMA picked the theme “Rainbow Resilience” to unify agency Pride events. This theme exemplifies not only the resilience of the LGBTQI+ community, but also the agency’s commitment to ensuring everyone is included in our efforts to build a resilient nation able to withstand future disasters.

During the June 3rd flag unveiling ceremony, four FEMA employees in the LGBTQI+ community were honored by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell for their contributions to the agency and commitment to creating a safe, welcoming environment for all employees. The honorees -- Dillon Lappe, DeMarques Coleman, Annie Cranston and Caitlin Heavey – each spoke on the importance of FEMA’s core values in their work. 

FEMA’s core values of compassion, fairness, integrity and respect guide FEMA’s service to the nation and its communities, including the LGBTQI+ community.  

This Pride Month, FEMA is hosting several events at its Washington D.C. headquarters and nationwide through its regional offices. These events provide an opportunity for LGBTQI+ staff and their allies to meet and talk about issues pertaining to their identities, build rapport and create a supportive LGBTQI+ community.

FEMA and its workforce are enhanced by the diversity of those who serve the agency and the nation and FEMA supports this annual celebration of equality, appreciation and love.

WASHINGTON -- FEMA employees DeMarques Coleman and Caitlin Heavey unveil Progressive Pride Flag at FEMA Headquarters in Washington D.C. WASHINGTON -- FEMA employees DeMarques Coleman, Dillon Lappe, Caitlin Heavey, and Annie Cranston speak about the importance of FEMA’s core values at Progressive Pride flag unveiling in FEMA Headquarters.  WASHINGTON -- FEMA employees celebrate Pride month by unveiling the Progressive Pride flag at FEMA headquarters with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (center).   amy.ashbridge Thu, 06/13/2024 - 16:08

FEMA Specialists Reaching out to Applicants

FRAMINGHAM, MA – To support Massachusetts residents who have applied for disaster assistance for the storms and flooding that took place Sept. 11-13, 2023, FEMA specialists are following up with some of the applicants by phone. 

FEMA may need to contact applicants for any one of the following reasons: to help registrants complete their application; verify information provided at registration; make an appointment for an inspection; or to discuss needs for additional financial assistance. Phone calls are made to the applicant’s number provided during registration.  

Applicants should be aware that phone calls from FEMA may come from an area code outside Massachusetts or an unidentified number. If you have questions or concerns about someone contacting you from FEMA, you can call the agency’s helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

If you registered for disaster assistance with FEMA, be sure to stay in touch. If you changed your address or phone number — even temporarily — please update that information by calling FEMA or through your DisasterAssistance.gov account. Missing or incorrect information could result in delays in receiving assistance. It’s a good idea to provide a secondary contact phone number —  a cell phone or a land line number (if you have one). 

You should also call the helpline if you have questions on the status of your application. Or you can visit one of the Disaster Recovery Centers in Attleboro (11 Field Road) or Leominster (at City Hall, 25 West Street), open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., call 1-800-621-3362 or visit your account on DisasterAssistance.gov.

For the latest information visit 4780 | FEMA.gov. Follow FEMA on Twitter (X) at twitter.com/femaregion1 and at facebook.com/fema.

For updates on Massachusetts response and recovery operations, follow the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency on Twitter (X) MEMA (@MassEMA) / X and Facebook Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) | Facebook or visit Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency | Mass.gov.

barbara.murien… Thu, 06/13/2024 - 15:47

FEMA Assistance Won’t Affect Other Benefits

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Applying for disaster assistance will not affect other federal benefits you may receive. If you sustained loss from the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides that occurred on April 2, and you live in Boyd, Carter, Fayette, Greenup, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Mason, Oldham, Union and Whitley counties, don’t hesitate to apply for FEMA assistance. 

Accepting FEMA funds will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or other federal benefit programs. Also, FEMA assistance is not taxable.

Disaster funds help survivors pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, essential personal property replacement, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance 

There are several ways to apply:

• Visit a Disaster Recover Center. To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362 (Ex: DRC 40019) 
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages. The Helpline is available daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).
• Download the FEMA mobile app.

For the latest information on Kentucky’s recovery from the April 2 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4782. Follow FEMA on X, formerly called Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.

sandra.habib Thu, 06/13/2024 - 15:46

FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Offices and Helpline to Close on Wednesday, June 19 in Observance of Juneteenth

SANTA FE, N.M. — The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Offices in Las Vegas, Mora and Santa Fe and the Claims Office Helpline will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. All Claims Office locations will resume normal operations on Thursday, June 20.

The Claims Office Helpline will also be observing Juneteenth. Please leave a voice message at (505) 995-7133 and your call will be returned during normal business hours. 

The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office is committed to meeting the needs of people impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding by providing full compensation available under the law as expeditiously as possible. At the time of publication, the FEMA Claims Office has paid more than $790 million to claimants. 

Anyone impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding is encouraged to visit any one of our three Claims Offices. Visit fema.gov/disaster/current/hermits-peak/contact-us for locations and hours. Questions and concerns can also be addressed by calling your claim Navigator or the Claims Office Helpline at 505-995-7133. 

The deadline to submit a Notice of Loss is November 14, 2024. Compensation through the Claims Office is not taxable income and will not impact eligibility for other federal benefits including social security or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

For information and updates regarding the Claims Office, please visit the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office website at fema.gov/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/hermits-peak. You can also follow our Facebook page and turn notifications on to stay up to date about the claims process, upcoming deadlines and other program announcements at facebook.com/HermitsPeakCalfCanyonClaimsOffice.

erika.suzuki Thu, 06/13/2024 - 14:40

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Rose Fire

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 9 Administrator authorized the use of federal funds on June 12 at 8:45 p.m. PDT / 11:45 p.m. EDT to assist the state of Arizona to combat the Rose Fire burning in Maricopa County.

On June 12, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 300 homes in and around Wickenburg, AZ, population 7,650. 450 mandatory evacuations and 450 voluntary evacuations are taking place for approximately 900 people.

95% percent of the threatened homes are primary residences and 5% are secondary residences. The fire is also threatening an AZ Dept of Corrections Yard, DPS HWY Patrol Station, Transition and distribution lines, and the Hassayampa River Preserve in the area.

The fire is 0% percent contained. The fire started on June 12, 2024, and has burned more than 200 acres of State and Federal land. There are six other large fires burning uncontrolled within the State.

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 x.com/FEMARegion9.

brandi.richard… Thu, 06/13/2024 - 13:12

Kentucky Survivors of April 2 Storms Can Apply for FEMA Assistance and an SBA Disaster Loan at the Same Time

FRANKFORT, Ky. – It is now easier for survivors of the April 2 severe storms who live in designated Kentucky counties to apply for FEMA assistance and a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) at the same time. 

FEMA no longer requires survivors to apply for an SBA loan before being considered for FEMA assistance for the most recent disasters, including Kentucky April 2 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides. Survivors now have the option to apply for a low-interest SBA loan when they apply for FEMA assistance. This new policy streamlines the process of applying for disaster assistance. 

Kentucky survivors who experienced loss from the April 2 incident and live in Boyd, Carter, Fayette, Greenup, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Mason, Oldham, Union and Whitley counties may be eligible for FEMA assistance.

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance 

There are several ways to apply:

• Visit a Disaster Recover Center. To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362 (Ex: DRC 40019).
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages. The Helpline is available daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).
• Download the FEMA mobile app.

How to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans

The SBA offers disaster loans to assist businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters with their recovery. Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for disaster loans to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate and damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for loans to cover physical damage. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are also available to qualified businesses and nonprofits to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.

There are currently two SBA Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) open to assist those impacted by the April 2 storms:

• DetailTech Building in Nicholasville, KY
• Anchorage Middletown Fire Station in Prospect, KY

For more information about SBA disaster loans and how to apply, visit sba.gov/disaster call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov@sba.gov.

For the latest information on Kentucky’s recovery from the April 2 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4782. Follow FEMA on X, formerly called Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.

sandra.habib Thu, 06/13/2024 - 12:44

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Harrison

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- FEMA and the State of Arkansas will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Harrison on Thursday, June 13, to provide one-on-one help to Arkansans affected by the May 24-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding. 

The new recovery center will be located at:

Boone County

Boone County Government Building 

220 N. Arbor Drive

Harrison, AR 72602

This location joins the present recovery center at: 

Benton County

Northwest Arkansas Community College

Becky Paneitz Student Center, SC 108 

1211 SE Eagle Way,

Bentonville, AR 72712

Parking available at 1202 Water Tower Road in the adjacent multi-level parking garage on levels 2 and 3

Both centers will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Residents in Baxter, Benton, Boone and Marion counties can visit either disaster recovery center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, along with many Arkansas departments and other community partners. No appointment is needed to visit the center. 

The center is accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and is equipped with assistive technology. If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish).

You do not have to visit a center to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The quickest way to apply is by going online at disasterassistance.gov/.

Additional options when applying include:

• Download the FEMA App for mobile devices 
• Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
• To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4788. Follow the FEMA Region 6 X account at X.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

alexa.brown Wed, 06/12/2024 - 22:59

FEMA Hiring Staff Members for Iowa Disaster Recovery

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is hiring Iowa residents to support the severe weather recovery efforts. 

Positions include Site Inspectors and Public Assistance Program Delivery Manager. The temporary positions are for 120 days and may be extended, in 120-day increments, for a maximum 365-day appointment, based on the needs of the disaster. 

All candidates should possess strong computer, communication, interpersonal and customer service skills. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. U.S. citizenship is required. Selected candidates will be required to complete a background investigation, including fingerprinting. FEMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Salaries are comparable to local pay rates.

To see posted positions, visit USAJOBS.gov. Type “FEMA Local Hire” in the search box and “Iowa” in the location box. Detailed information is provided, including pay, benefits and application deadline for each position. 

Site inspector

Duties include:

• Conducting Damage Description and Dimensions based on photographs, site sketches/drawings, and damage assessed during the site inspection.
• Capturing an applicant's claimed damages for all categories of work.
• Completing a Site Inspection Report and scanning all supporting documentation into the Customer Relations Management Tool.
• Reporting progress of activities to immediate supervisor.

To qualify for this position, you must have experience:

• Conducting damage inspections and assessments
• Analyzing building codes and standards
• Utilizing computer programs such as Adobe and Microsoft Office Suite.

 

Public Assistance Program Delivery Manager

Duties include:

• Tracking and communicating the progress of all projects through the entire program delivery model in coordination with the applicant.
• Engaging program offices as soon as potential opportunities or concerns arise.
• Discussing potential hazard mitigation opportunities with the applicant.
• Hosting key information meetings ensuring recovery priorities and program eligibility requirements are communicated.
• Gathering all required documentation to enable FEMA to write grants so the applicant can be returned to their Pre-Disaster condition as soon as possible.
• Facilitating the delivery of Public Assistance grant funding on behalf of applicants; this includes (but is not limited to) developing the list of damaged sites, scheduling site inspections, summarizing applicant damages, and coordinating requests for information and questions.
• Working with the applicants to resolve their program related needs ensuring projects are processed as efficiently and expeditiously as possible.

To qualify for this position, you must have experience:

• Reviewing federal grant documentation for compliance regulations.
• Developing and presenting correspondence such as reports or briefings.
• Coordinating with federal, state, local and/or tribal partners in support of a disaster recovery mission.

thomas.wise Wed, 06/12/2024 - 22:13

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Bell County

AUSTIN -- FEMA is opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Bell County June 13 to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms and flooding April 26-June 5.

The center is located at:

Bell County
Tarver Elementary School
7949 Stone Hollow Drive
Temple, TX 76502

The center will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. To find the center location nearest you go to fema.gov/drc.

Residents in Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones,  Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrel, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.

All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology. If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish).

Texans do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply, homeowners and renters can:

To apply, homeowners and renters can:

• Go online to disasterassistance.gov/
• Download the FEMA App for mobile devices
• Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

Deadline to apply is July 16.

For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

larissa.hale Wed, 06/12/2024 - 21:16

Hurricane Season Is Here: Update Your Emergency Communications Plan Today

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Hurricane season has begun, and it is crucial for residents to prepare themselves and their households for storms that could churn up in the Caribbean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year, with the potential for 17-25 named storms, it is essential to be prepared, stay informed and vigilant for hazards that could disrupt the lives of individuals, families and businesses.

Take these simple steps now to update your emergency communications plan through actions that have little to no cost. Taking these steps now, helps relieve future stress for you and your family when tropical weather systems begin to form and approach the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Review and update your emergency plan with your family. Share your emergency plan with a family member who lives out of the territory and let others know to check in with that person if communication channels become limited.
• Use this template to record important contact and medical information about your family. You could share the template with others and store copies both digitally and on paper.
  • This emergency communications plan template is also available in Spanish, please share with your Spanish-speaking friends and neighbors.

Once you update your emergency communications plan, practice it with your family/household so you will know how to contact one another and reconnect if separated after a storm makes landfall in the U.S. Virgin Islands this year.

Visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes , VITEMA’s website vitema.vi.gov and follow FEMA U.S. Virgin Islands’ Facebook page for more tips on how to prepare for, stay safe during and return home safely after a hurricane and for preparedness information on other hazards that could affect the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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

gina.callaghan Wed, 06/12/2024 - 18:49

45 Days Later, Oklahoma’s Recovery Continues

OKLAHOMA CITY –  FEMA and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management continue to support Oklahoma’s recovery from the April 25-May 9 severe storms and tornadoes.

45 days after the major disaster declaration, more than $9.39 million in federal grants, loans and flood insurance payments has been approved for homeowners, renters and businesses. This includes:

• $5.62 million in FEMA grants for 985 families.
• $3.77 million in disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for businesses, homeowners and renters.
• $4,800 in National Flood Insurance Program claims paid to policyholders.

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is July 1. Residents of Carter, Craig, Hughes, Johnston, Kay, Lincoln, Love, McClain, Murray, Nowata, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Washington and Washita counties can use any of these options to apply:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Download the FEMA App.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available; if you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
• Visit a Disaster Recovery Center – for locations and hours, visit fema.gov/drc.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams met survivors across the affected counties, visiting over 8,800 homes and making contact with over 3,900 individuals to help people register for assistance and provide referrals to address unmet needs.

FEMA continues to coordinate with the state of Oklahoma to reimburse the costs of emergency services, debris removal, repair or replacement of damaged public infrastructure and fund projects to mitigate losses from future storms.

For the latest information about Oklahoma’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4776. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

FEMA Civil Rights Office works to ensure assistance is distributed equitably, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the Civil Rights Office if they feel that they are the victim of discrimination. FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted toll-free at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available by pressing #2 for Spanish.

alexa.brown Wed, 06/12/2024 - 17:11