AUSTIN -- FEMA is opening Disaster Recovery Centers in Harris, Liberty and Trinity counties on May 28, to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds that began April 26.

The centers are located at:

Harris County

Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center
16600 Pine Forest Lane
Houston, TX 77084

Liberty County

Jack Hartel Building
318 San Jacinto St.
Liberty, TX 77575

Trinity County

Trinity ISD Boardroom
101 W. Jefferson St.
Trinity, TX 75862

The centers 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 Calhoun, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, 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 register 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 locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc. 

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/4781. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

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

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.

Charleston, W.Va.– A state-federal Disaster Recovery Center will open tomorrow May 28, 2024, at 8 a.m. at the Tyler Mountain Fire Department in Charleston to help West Virginia residents affected by the April 2-6 severe storms. Individuals in Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Wayne and Wetzel counties can apply for assistance from FEMA.  

Residents can get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and get questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

The center is located at:

Tyler Mountain Fire Department

   5380 Big Tyler Road, 

   Charleston, West Virginia 25313 

Hours of operation:

Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Other recovery experts from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be available at the Disaster Recovery Center to address additional needs.

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

.

Additional Disaster Recovery Centers will be opening in the impacted counties. Visit the FEMA DRC Locator page for more details on open centers in West Virginia.

If it is not possible to visit the Disaster Recovery Center or to apply online, call 800-621-3362. 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.

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

Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4783

AUSTIN -- Disaster Recovery Centers will be open on Memorial Day, May 27, to help Texans apply for FEMA assistance after the storms that began April 26.

FEMA opened centers in Houston and Coldspring to provide one-on-one help to Texans. 

Memorial Day hours are: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Center locations:

Harris County
Fonde Community Center
110 Sabine St.
Houston, TX 77007

Spring Branch Family Development Center
8575 Pitner Road
Houston, TX 77080

Leon Z. Grayson Community Center
13828 Corpus Christi St.
Houston, TX 77015

San Jacinto County
Innovation Center
250 Live Oak
Coldspring, TX 77331

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow the FEMA Region 6 X account at X.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

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

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 8330285-7448. Multilingual operators are available upon request. For Spanish, press 2.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- FEMA teams will be out this weekend to provide assistance to those affected by the April 2-6, 2024 storms. FEMA staff will be answering questions about applications for Individual Assistance as well as helping those who have not yet registered.

Residents of Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Wayne, and Wetzel counties are eligible to apply for assistance from FEMA to help with costs from damage and losses caused by the April 2-6, 2024 storms. Residents are urged to apply by Monday, July 22, 2024.

The Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams help survivors in different ways including: conducting outreach in the impacted counties, helping survivors register for FEMA assistance in their communities, and checking the status of applications and making minor corrections to applications.

If you have already applied for assistance, FEMA has inspectors on the ground to follow up on applications and review reported damages.

Residents can also visit Disaster Recovery Centers to get help with disaster assistance applications, upload documents and get questions answered about federal disaster assistance. Visit the FEMA DRC Locator page for more details on open centers in West Virginia.

While FEMA staff will be making neighborhood visits, residents of the affected counties should also be aware of potential fraud and scams by people claiming to represent FEMA:

• FEMA representatives never charge a fee or ask for payment.

• You may receive phone calls or unexpected visits to your home from people claiming they work for FEMA. The person might ask for your Social Security number and income or banking information. FEMA representatives will have a laminated identification badge and, if you have already applied, your FEMA registration number.

• Protect the privacy of your nine-digit FEMA case/registration number. Legitimate FEMA representatives will only ask for the last four digits as part of the verification process; the inspector will complete the process by providing the applicant with the first four digits of the registration ID.

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.

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 twitter.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).

AUSTIN -- FEMA is opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Harris County on May 27, to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds that began April 26.

The Center is located at:

Harris County

Leon Z Grayson Community Center

13828 Corpus Christi St.

Houston, TX 77015

The center will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.

Residents in Calhoun, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, 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 in order to register 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.
• Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc. You do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register for assistance.

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/4781. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

FEMA Assistance Available for West Virginia Survivors following April Storms

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – If you are a West Virginian who sustained damage from severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides from April 2-6, 2024, you may be eligible for disaster assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. 

Residents of Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Wayne, and Wetzel counties are eligible to apply for assistance from FEMA to help with costs from damage and losses caused by the April 2-6, 2024, storms. Applicants may qualify for rental assistance, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other eligible expenses related to storm damage. FEMA assistance may be available to residents with and without insurance coverage. 

How to Reach FEMA
You can register with 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. 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.

Displacement Assistance or Lodging Expense Reimbursement

You may be eligible for either Displacement Assistance or Lodging Expenses Reimbursement for immediate housing needs required in the immediate aftermath of the severe storms. 

Displacement Assistance is a one-time payment. FEMA may provide up to two weeks of funds for temporary lodging at a hotel, motel, or the home of friends or family. Alternatively, FEMA may reimburse out-of-pocket, temporary lodging expenses through Lodging Expenses Reimbursement.

Rental Assistance for Temporary Housing
If you currently reside in Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Wayne, and Wetzel counties and suffered damage to your primary residence, FEMA may be able to provide rent for a temporary place to live while you are displaced. Rental assistance is intended to cover monthly rent, security deposit and cost of essential utilities such as electricity and water.

Major Repairs and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program assistance is intended to help jumpstart your recovery. Here are some examples of basic needs:

• Home Repair Assistance may be provided to homeowners to repair the structural parts of your home. This includes windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC), utilities (electrical, plumbing and gas systems) and entrance ways. This includes assistance for accessibility-related property and items such as exterior ramps, grab bars, and paved paths. FEMA may also reimburse for the actual cost to repair or replace your furnace, private well and septic system damaged or destroyed by the disaster.
• Other Needs Assistance may be provided to homeowners and renters for eligible uninsured property or items your insurance doesn’t cover, such as:
  • Serious Needs Assistance foressential items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
  • Personal Property Assistance: repair or replacement of household items that are necessary for daily living including household appliances such as a refrigerator, bedroom furniture, a household computer, wheelchairs or items needed for a member of the household with a disability, and tools and electronics required for school or work including for those who are self-employed.
  • Medical and dental expenses; funeral and burial costs.
  • Personally owned, disaster-damaged cars and trucks in need of replacement or repairs.
  • The purchase or rental expense of generators used at a primary residence to power necessary equipment for an existing medical condition.

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 twitter.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).

FEMA is opening a Disaster Recovery Center Sunday, May 26 at 1 p.m. in Greenfield, Iowa to provide one-on-one assistance for people affected by the recent tornadoes and severe storms.

Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain disaster assistance programs and help people complete or check the status of applications for federal assistance. 

Disaster Recovery Center location: 

Greenfield – FEMA Disaster Recovery Center

Greenfield City Hall

202 South First Street

Greenfield, IA 50849 

Hours of operation: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, then 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Disaster Recovery Centers are physically accessible to people with disabilities and others 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.

FEMA can provide money to eligible homeowners and renters for help with needs, paying for a temporary place to live, home repairs and other needs not covered by insurance. To save time, please apply with FEMA online or by phone before visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. 
 

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Call FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)
• Download and use the FEMA app
• 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
• Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).

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.

A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will be open from 1-7 PM on May 25 in Ringgold County to help survivors who experienced loss or damage to their homes or personal property from the April 26-27 tornadoes. We can help with questions about disaster assistance programs, who is eligible for assistance, what kind of things FEMA can help with or what the status is with an application already filed. We can help you with an application or even upload documents for you if they are needed to complete your application.

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be open on a temporary basis and will rotate to other designated counties. Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications. 

The DRC will be at each location for 4 days.

Scheduled locations and hours of operations are as follows: 

Ringgold County                                                                      United Baptist Presbyterian Church

Saturday, May 25                     1 p.m. – 7 p.m.                       2343 U.S. 169

Sunday, May 26                       8 a.m. – 7 p.m.                        Mount Ayr, IA 50854  

Monday, May 27                      8 a.m. – 7 p.m.                                      

Tuesday, May 28                      8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Union County                                                                    Union County Emergency Management

Wednesday, May 29       1 p.m. – 7 p.m.                                705 E Taylor Street

Thursday, May 30         8 a.m. – 7 p.m.                                    Creston, IA 50801

Friday, May 31              8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 1          8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Clarke County                                                                            Clarke County Annex Building

Sunday, June 2             1 p.m. – 7 p.m.                                    109 South Main St.

Monday, June 3            8 a.m. – 7 p.m.                                     Osceola, IA 50213

Tuesday, June 4           8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Wednesday, June 5      8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Here’s how to apply:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Call FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)
• Download and use the FEMA app

Disaster Recovery Centers are physically accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. They are equipped with assistance and adaptive technology such as amplified phones, caption phones, video phones, wheelchair ramps and other resources to help ensure all applicants can access resources.

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).

COLUMBUS – A new, temporary FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will open in Auglaize County Tuesday, May 28 to help residents kickstart their recovery after the March 14 tornadoes. 

Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the center to help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, learn about ways to make their property more disaster resistant, and get their questions answered in person.

The center in Auglaize will be open temporarily at the following location, days and hours: 

Auglaize County Administration Building​

209 S. Blackhoof St. 

Wapakoneta, OH 45895

Hours: Tues. May 28 – Sat. June 8, 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., CLOSED Thurs. May 30 for an event.

This center will close Saturday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m. 

Additional recovery centers will be opening in other impacted counties soon. To find the center nearest you, visit FEMA.gov/DRC. Survivors may visit any center for assistance.

Assistance in languages other than English, including American sign language, and translated materials are available at these centers. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. Accessible parking spaces are available at all centers. 

Survivors don’t need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for or receive FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.

If you have questions about your application, you can also call the FEMA Helpline. In addition to visiting a recovery center, you can submit documents for FEMA review by mail or fax or by uploading them to your DisasterAssistance.gov account. To set up a FEMA online account, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Apply Online” and follow the directions.

For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Ohio, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4777. 

AUSTIN – Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Texas businesses and residents impacted by the major disaster declaration for the severe storms, straight‑line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began on April 26. Residents and businesses in Calhoun, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller counties are eligible to apply. 

FEMA partners with other agencies to help meet the needs of disaster survivors. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans in a declared major disaster area. As a matter of fact, 80% of SBA loans are lending to homeowners and renters. 

SBA is the largest source of funds to help private property owners pay for disaster losses not covered by insurance or other recoveries. The program covers deductibles, and increased cost of compliance after a disaster. Survivors should not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application. 

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

Homeowners may be eligible for a disaster loan up to $500,000 for primary residence repairs or rebuilding. SBA may also be able to help homeowners and renters with up to $100,000 to replace important personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged property, destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

If your application is approved, you are not obligated to accept an SBA loan. 

Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster.  SBA representatives are available to provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants at the Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area. Business owners may apply in-person by visiting a Business Recovery Center. Two centers are currently open in Houston. 

Harris County

University of Houston Downtown (UHD)

Marilyn Davies College of Business

320 North Main Street

Room B106, 1st Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day Holiday

*Parking is underneath the Marilyn Davies College of Business in the Shea Street Building

Harris County

Trini Mendenhall Community Center

1414 Wirt Rd.

Houston, TX 77055

Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day Holiday

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. There is no cost to apply for an SBA disaster loan. 

The deadline to apply for property damage is July 16, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Feb. 18, 2025.

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

FEMA teams will begin canvassing neighborhoods in Greenfield on Saturday, May 25 to help survivors of this week’s devastating tornado.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams will work in coordination with state and county emergency management.

FEMA can provide money to eligible applicants for help with serious needs, paying for a temporary place to live, home repairs, medical expenses and other needs not covered by insurance.

DSA personnel help survivors apply with FEMA and address immediate and emerging needs. They also provide application status updates and referrals to additional community resources.

FEMA DSA staff can easily be identified by their federal photo identification and FEMA clothing. Residents are encouraged to ask for official photo ID before providing personal information.

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Call FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)
• Download and use the FEMA app
• FEMA works with every household on a case-by-case basis.
• 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 
• Designated counties in Iowa are Adair, Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Story, and Union.

FEMA is offering a wide variety of help to people affected by the recent tornadoes. Every homeowner and renter who suffered damage is encouraged to apply.

FEMA can provide money to eligible applicants for help with serious needs, paying for a temporary place to live, home repairs and other needs not covered by insurance.

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.
• 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.
• 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, medical equipment and other items required for school or work, including self-employment.
• Child Care: Money to help you pay for increased or 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.

In addition to DSA teams, FEMA housing inspectors are working in Iowa, inspecting damage reported by people who have applied with FEMA. Inspectors will call or text to make an appointment before coming to a home. They will display official photo identification. If the official ID is not visible, it’s OK to ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.

In general, people without insurance will be contacted first.

If you have insurance – and have damage to your home – give FEMA a copy of the declarations page from your insurance policy, settlement information or letter from your insurance agency.

Applicants who have insurance may be contacted for an inspection after they send FEMA a copy of the declarations page from their insurance policy or settlement information.

Language translation and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be available at the survivors’ request.

• Everyone with disaster damage should apply whether they have insurance or not.
• If you have homeowners, renters, or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. Please stay in close contact with your insurance agency.
• FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. 
 

AUSTIN -- FEMA is opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Houston on May 25, to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds that began April 26.

The Center is located at:

Harris County

Spring Branch Family Development Center

8575 Pitner Rd.

Houston, TX 77080

The center will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.

Residents in Calhoun, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, 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 in order to register 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.
• Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc. You do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register for assistance.

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/4781. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

SANTA FE, N.M. – The FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office has updated its Program and Policy Guide (PPG), a comprehensive document outlining the entire claims process as well as the Claims Office’s policy and procedural requirements, for those impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

“The Claims Office recognizes the importance of transparency and accessibility in our operations,” said Jay Mitchell, Director of Operations at the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office. “The updated Program and Policy Guide reflects our commitment to addressing community concerns, clarifying any points of confusion, and adapting to new policies and process changes that may arise in the future.”

Aligned with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act passed by Congress, as well as the implementing regulations, the PPG offers detailed information on navigating the claims process, ensuring that every eligible individual receives compensation expeditiously and to the fullest extent permitted by law. The latest version of the PPG has been enhanced to provide further clarity and specifically address concerns related to appeals and arbitration. These updates aim to streamline the claims process, ensuring that all individuals affected by the disaster receive the support and compensation they deserve. 

Importantly, the Claims Office emphasizes that the Program and Policy Guide is a living document. The Claims Office will release new versions of the PPG when updates are required to reflect the best available data, updated policy, process changes, or eligibility clarifications. The changes will be noted in the version history, table of changes, and a new version number will be assigned. 

The Program and Policy Guide can be found at https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_hpcc-hermits-peak-calf-canyon_program-and-policy-guide.pdf. All questions and concerns can be addressed by contacting 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 $668.38 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. 

HONOLULU – Mitigation specialists from FEMA have partnered with Ace Hardware to offer free advice and tips on how to rebuild homes stronger and safer as Maui residents begin repairing, rebuilding and making improvements to their homes after the August wildfires. 

FEMA specialists will be available from Tuesday, May 28, to Saturday, June 8, at this location:

Lahaina Gateway Ace Hardware
325 Keawe Street, Suite A101
Lahaina, HI 96761
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays only.

The specialists are available to answer questions and offer home-improvement tips and proven methods to help reduce damage from disasters. Most information is aimed at general contractors or those who do the work on their own.

For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires - YouTube. Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook.com/fema. You may also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires.

WASHINGTON-- FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Iowa to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 20-21, 2024.  

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Adair, Montgomery, Polk and Story counties. 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 to eligible state, tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency work by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Adair County.

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

DuWayne Tewes 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. 

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

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Disaster Recovery Center in Sulphur has new hours to help Oklahomans affected by the April 25-May 9 storms continue their recovery. 

Starting May 25, the center will be open:

• 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
• Closed Sunday

The center will be closed Memorial Day, and will reopen at 8 a.m. the next day, May 28.

The center is open at:

Murray County Extension Office
3490 Highway 7 West
Sulphur, OK 73086

• The Extension Office is the smaller building at this address.

Residents and businesses in Carter, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Washington, and Washita counties can visit the center to apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents, learn about available resources and get their questions answered in person. Recovery specialists from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other organizations are available to meet with visitors – no appointment is needed.

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

For more information about Disaster Recovery Centers near you, visit fema.gov/drc.

To apply for FEMA assistance without visiting a center, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, give FEMA your number for that service when you call.

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

SANTA FE, N.M. – As of May 23, 2024, the FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office (Claims Office) has processed 3,697 claims and paid $659.8 million in compensation. Along the way, the Claims Office team has learned a lot of lessons and incorporated the community’s recommendations to improve operations. As part of an ongoing commitment to improve the claims process, the office is launching comprehensive surveys to gather valuable feedback directly from claimants.

Beginning at the end of May, representatives from FEMA will begin reaching out to claimants via phone calls and mailed surveys to inquire about their overall experience with our office. The confidential survey will gather perspectives and insights from claimants regarding their interactions with the Claims Office. Surveys will be analyzed and used to inform future process improvements. 

Responses to the survey are anonymous and will not impact the outcome of a claim. Participation in the survey is voluntary, and claimants can expect the process to take approximately four (4) to six (6) minutes to complete. Calls will display a 505-area code.

“The voice of this community is extremely important to me, and feedback from claimants has been critical to the evolution of our current operations,” said Jay Mitchell, Director of the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office (JRO). “As we transition to the New Mexico JRO and I assume my new role, I will rely on the feedback and insight from this survey to inform future operational changes. Community feedback and perspectives will continue to enhance our services, ensuring all who were impacted receive the support and compensation they need and deserve.”

The FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office encourages all claimants to participate in the survey and help shape the future of the claims process. The office values the input of claimants and is dedicated to incorporating their feedback to ensure the needs of all impacted individuals are reflected in future operations. 

All questions and concerns can be addressed by contacting 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. 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. 

AUSTIN – Survivors should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after a disaster. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.

If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If so, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you did not apply for assistance, but receive a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline will submit a request to stop any further processing of that application.

If you do wish to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the helpline will assist you in creating a new application.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews, housing inspectors and other officials are working in areas impacted by the storms. They carry official identification badges with photo IDs. FEMA employees will also have access to your FEMA application number. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.

Don't believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.

Don't give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff's department or contact the Office of the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.

If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov to report a tip.

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Disaster Recovery Center in the Marietta City Hall/Police Department will close Saturday, May 25, at 7 p.m.

The center, which has been jointly run by FEMA and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until May 25. It is located at:

700 South Highway 77

Marietta, OK 73448

Outreach teams from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will return to the site from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 28-31 to help any remaining visitors.

Residents who still need assistance can get help in four ways. They can:

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362
• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov
• Download the FEMA App
• Visit any other Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center near you, visit fema.gov/drc. 

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/.

AUSTIN -- FEMA will be opening Disaster Recovery Centers in Houston and Coldspring on Friday, May 24 to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds that began April 26.

Center locations:

Harris County

Fonde Community Center

110 Sabine St.

Houston, TX 77007

San Jacinto County

Innovation Center

250 Live Oak

Coldspring, TX 77331

The centers will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.

Residents in Calhoun, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, 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).

Homeowners and renters can apply to FEMA in several ways, including visiting a Disaster Recovery Center, going online to 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. Central time. 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/4781. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.