BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $19 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse the state health department for the cost of technology it used to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $18,927,864 FEMA Public Assistance grant will go to the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) for the cost of contracting for technology and data analytics to fight the pandemic between April 2021 and June 2022.

RIDOH contracts included staffing for case investigation and program management which included nurses, physician, case investigators, epidemiologists, staff for outbreak detection, response, quarantine and isolation support, interpreting and translation services.

The state also contracted with IBM to provide support for case investigation including Command Center Management, COVID-19 Inbound Call Center Assessment & Improvement Plan for COVID-19 Hotline, and COVID-19 Inbound Call Process Definition & Deployment for K-12 School COVID-19 Hotline and case investigation.

A contract with KPMG assisted in capacity building and resources support, including coordinating the planning, development, and delivery of new hire onboarding and training, monitoring CDC and RIDOH guidance, and identifying potential changes to training and professional development processes and procedures.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Rhode Island with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

This grant brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to almost $793 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $2 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse it for the cost of hiring temporary staff to handle the increased patient loads at public health care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $2,079,767 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the cost of contracting for medical and nursing staff to support the state-run medical facilities between April 2020 and July 2021.

The department contracted for 123 staff such as registered nurses, certified medical assistants, physicians, and respiratory therapists for a total of 20,595 hours at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain, Tewksbury Hospital, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children in Canton.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $1.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $1.1 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. for the cost of setting up and operating public vaccination sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,105,390 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the health care system in central Massachusetts – headquartered in Worcester and affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School – for the cost of contracting for staff and using its own materials to provide vaccination clinics to the public between February and August 2021.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $1.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $16 million to the State of Maine to reimburse Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center for the cost of hiring temporary staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $15,736,284 in Public Assistance grants will reimburse the 411-bed hospital and Level II trauma center in Bangor for hiring temporary medical and nursing staff to deal with increased patient loads between September 2021 and May 2022.

Eastern Maine Maine Medical Center contracted with Freedom Healthcare Staffing, SimpliFi, Medical Solutions, O’Grady Peyton and Health Carousel Staffing to provide Registered Nurses (RN), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), and Tele/MS Tele Telemetry Nurses to assist in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Eastern Maine Medical Center with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

So far, FEMA has provided more than $270 million in Public Assistance grants to Maine to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Residents of Madera, Mendocino and Mono counties are now eligible for federal disaster assistance through FEMA.

Madera, Mendocino and Mono counties were added to the major disaster declaration for California’s severe storms and flooding that began on Feb. 21.  They join the counties previously designated for Individual Assistance:  Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, San Bernardino, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne.

In addition, Amador, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Inyo, Madera, Modoc, San Francisco and Santa Cruz counties are now eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which reimburses local and state government agencies for the costs of emergency response, debris removal and restoration of disaster-damaged public facilities and infrastructure. The newly designated counties join Alpine, Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, Sierra, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne counties, which were designated earlier for Public Assistance.

In counties designated for Individual Assistance, survivors may be eligible for grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such replacement of damaged personal property and expenses for transportation, childcare, moving and storage.

To apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. Applicants can also call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. The deadline to apply is June 5, 2023.

Houses of worship and certain nonprofit organizations may be eligible for Public Assistance. The program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process.

The federal cost share for Public Assistance projects is 75 percent with 25 percent covered by the state or local governments.  Applicants with questions about making a Request for Public Assistance should email: DisasterRecovery@CalOES.CA.gov.

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $1.2 million to the State of New Hampshire to reimburse the University of New Hampshire for some of the costs of providing testing for students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,206,942 FEMA Public Assistance grant to the public university will reimburse it for purchasing supplies to administer and process COVID-19 tests during March 2022, as well as contracting for temporary staffing by medical laboratory technicians and clinical lab assistants processing specimens and administering tests at the lab in Durham.

The purchased materials included pipette tips, reagent reservoir, 80% ethanol, Taqpath solution, 96 well plate, optical adhesive covers, viral pathogen solution, 3ml tube saline, and pipette tips o-rings.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the University of New Hampshire with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our institutions of higher education to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $214 million in Public Assistance grants to New Hampshire to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $2 million to the State of New Hampshire to reimburse it for some of the costs of purchasing testing supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,960,000 FEMA Public Assistance grant to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services will reimburse it for purchasing supplies to administer COVID-19 tests between January 2020 and July 2022, specifically 2,000,000 six-inch sterile collection swabs.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of New Hampshire with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $214 million in Public Assistance grants to New Hampshire to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $2.8 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse Providence College for some of the costs of sheltering students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $2,792,703 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private Catholic university for the cost of providing hotels rooms and wraparound services for students exposed to COVID-19 between January and May 2021.

The school contracted with the Providence Marriott and Hilton Providence to provide isolation housing to undergraduate students who tested positive for COVID-19 and quarantine housing for students identified as close contacts of those who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Providence College will also be reimbursed for the costs of meal services, laundry services, security, disinfectant cleaning services, and onsite medical personnel.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Providence College with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our institutions of higher education to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

This grant brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to almost $793 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $124 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse the state for the cost of providing testing for the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $124,208,921 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) for the cost of purchasing and distributing at-home test kits and providing public testing sites between March 2020 and July 2022.

RIDOH purchased and distributed 3,888,090 individual rapid at-home COVID-19 antigen tests at a cost of $33,849,560, as well as contracting to provide 1,307,950 COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to the public at a cost of $43,546,718.

The remainder of the costs incurred included contracting for temporary staff to support the testing locations, leased space for the testing sites, waste removal services, natural gas and electric services, a consulting physician, unarmed security services, ambulance services, management consulting services, printed materials and office supplies to support testing activities.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Rhode Island with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic fight is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

This grant brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to almost $793 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $1.6 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse the state for the cost of purchasing, warehousing and distributing materials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,573,283 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) for purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks, nitrile gloves, and surgical masks between February and June 2022.

RIEMA also purchased warehouse supplies such as tie down straps, ticket holders, shelving for supplies, cleaning supplies, coolers, cups, water, and tents, and rented tents, box trucks with lift gates, and forklifts.

The agency contracted for warehouse staffing for receiving and processing orders, managing and rotating inventory, loading and shipping product, as well as information technology resources and equipment for managing operations.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Rhode Island with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic fight is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

This grant brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to almost $793 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands -- FEMA has committed an additional $33.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to reimburse the territory for emergency medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $33.5 million Public Assistance grant will reimburse the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health for contracting emergency medical services to provide ambulances, personnel, equipment and supplies to assist with the territory’s COVID-19 response from July 2, 2022, through February 28, 2023.

“FEMA’s partnership with the territory led to unified efforts that supported lifesaving and life-sustaining measures during a challenging time for the U.S. Virgin Islands and the nation,” said FEMA Virgin Islands Caribbean Area Office Coordinator Mark A. Walters. “We answered the territory’s request to support its COVID-19 response in March 2020 and it was a privilege to support its efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus over the last three years.”

“The Department of Health is elated to learn that FEMA has provided additional funds to cover the cost of critical, life-saving services to the people of this Territory. The services rendered were a valuable and vital asset in the Territory’s response to COVID and were instrumental in the USVI’s ability to return to normalcy. Our many thanks to the hardworking FEMA team that continues to collaborate and work alongside the Territory in response to manmade and natural disasters,” said Virgin Islands Department of Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion.

As of May 3, 2023, FEMA has committed $146.1 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to reimburse the territory for its COVID-19 response. FEMA’s support for the territory’s COVID-19 response includes funding and technical support for:

• Vaccine centers, emergency operations centers, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical care surge build outs, staffing, testing and emergency response.
  1. 19. Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. Learn more at www.fema.gov/assistance/public . To learn more about the COVID-19 response in the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4513 and www.covid19usvi.com .

 INDIANAPOLIS – The state of Indiana and FEMA will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Benton County from May 4-6 to help survivors of the March 31–April 1 storms and tornadoes continue their recovery.

Recovery specialists from FEMA, the State and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the center to help with FEMA applications, answer questions and provide referrals to resources.

The center will be located at:

Benton County Annex

410 S Adeway Rd.

Fowler, IN 47944

Center hours on May 4-5 will be 8 a.m-6 p.m.

Hours for May 6 will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Additional recovery centers are open or will be opening soon in other impacted areas. Individuals and businesses in Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan, and White counties can visit any open center for help. To find a nearby center, visit fema.gov/drc.

To apply for FEMA assistance without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or use the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, give FEMA your number for that service.

The deadline to apply for federal assistance is June 14, 2023

###

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

For more information on Indiana’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4704. Follow us on our Facebook.com/FEMA page and Twitter at @femaRegion5.

FEMA does not discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.

INDIANAPOLIS – The state of Indiana and FEMA will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Grant County from May 4-6 and May 15-17 to help survivors of the March 31–April 1 storms and tornadoes continue their recovery.

Recovery specialists from FEMA, the state and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the center to help with FEMA applications, answer questions and provide referrals to resources.

The center will be located at:

YMCA Grant County

123 Sutter Way

Marion, IN 46952

Center hours on May 4-5 and 15-16 will be 8 a.m-6 p.m.

Hours for May 6 and 17 will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Additional recovery centers are open or will be opening soon in other impacted areas. Individuals and businesses in Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan, and White counties can visit any open center for help. To find a nearby center, visit fema.gov/drc.

To apply for FEMA assistance without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or use the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, give FEMA your number for that service.

The deadline to apply for federal assistance is June 14, 2023

###

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

For more information on Indiana’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4704. Follow us on our Facebook.com/FEMA page and Twitter at @femaRegion5.

FEMA does not discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.

INDIANAPOLIS – The state of Indiana and FEMA will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Owen County from May 4-6 and May 15-17 to help survivors of the March 31–April 1 storms and tornadoes continue their recovery.

Recovery specialists from FEMA, the state and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the center to help with FEMA applications, answer questions and provide referrals to resources.

The center will be located at:

Spencer Owen Administration Building

205 East Hillside Ave.

Spencer, IN 47460

Center hours on May 4-5 and 15-16 will be 8 a.m-6 p.m.

Hours for May 6 and 17 will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Additional recovery centers are open or will be opening soon in other impacted areas. Individuals and businesses in Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan, and White counties can visit any open center for help. To find a nearby center, visit fema.gov/drc.

To apply for FEMA assistance without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or use the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, give FEMA your number for that service.

The deadline to apply for federal assistance is June 14, 2023

###

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

For more information on Indiana’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4704. Follow us on our Facebook.com/FEMA page and Twitter at @femaRegion5.

FEMA does not discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.

As eligible Tennessee homeowners and renters begin receiving disaster funds from FEMA for rental assistance, home repairs or other categories of assistance, it is important to keep track of your spending. Use the money for the specified reason stated in your FEMA letter.

• Approved applicants in Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne counties will receive a letter from FEMA. It will provide information about the types of assistance you are eligible to receive and the amount of assistance FEMA is providing for each eligible need.
• Types of assistance may include home repairs (e.g., structure, water well, septic and sewage systems). Homeowners approved for FEMA’s Home Repair Assistance may receive additional mitigation funding for your owner-occupied primary residences to help you rebuild stronger. Mitigation funding addresses roof repair to withstand higher winds and help prevent water seeping in. Other types of assistance may include:
  • Rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily
  • Repair or replacement of a damaged primary vehicle
  • Uninsured out-of-pocket medical expenses for an injury caused by the disaster
  • Reimbursement for increased childcare expenses
  • Repair or replacement of specialized occupational tools and essential educational materials (e.g., computers, schoolbooks, supplies)
  • Moving and storage expenses related to the tornadoes and other disaster-related expenses

• You may spend your Home Repair grant from FEMA in ways that help make your home safe, accessible and functional. Remember to document how you used the disaster funds and keep all receipts for at least three years for verification of how you spent the money.
• Disaster grants are not for regular living expenses such as utilities, food, medical or dental bills, travel, entertainment, or any discretionary expenses not directly related to the disaster.
• Federal disaster assistance funds are tax-free.

• The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Tuesday, June 6. Here’s how to apply:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Use the FEMA mobile app
• Call the Disaster Assistance Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 6 a.m. to midnight Central Daylight Time daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.
• For an American Sign Language video on how to apply, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI&list=PL720Kw_OojlKOhtKG7HM_0n_kEawus6FC&index=6
• You may also visit any Disaster Recovery Center to get help with your application. Find a center here: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator

For the latest information on Tennessee’s recovery from the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4701. You may also follow TN.gov/TEMA; Twitter.com/TEMA, Facebook.com/TNDisasterInfo, @FEMARegion4/Twitter and Facebook.com/FEMA.

San Juan, Puerto Rico – The Fish Hatchery in the municipality of Maricao will have a new opportunity to continue cultivating fish species that sustain the population of aquatic life in the islands' reservoirs. The hatchery facilities, which are part of the National Register of Historic Places, will be repaired with over $6 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The hatchery is considered one of the municipality's main attractions due to the large number of species that are raised and then relocated to the mountain rivers - its annual production of largemouth bass ranged from 50,000 to 200,000 fish per year.

The funds allocated to the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) will address some of the damage that has kept the hatchery closed to the public since Hurricane María. The gazebos, dike walls and the main drainage channel will be replaced, including the cleaning and unclogging of drainage pipes.

“This is the only state government facility dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of diverse fish in all of Puerto Rico. This is why FEMA supports the renovation of the hatchery, which fosters scientific research related to aquaculture and in turn has an economic impact on the municipality,” said federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.

According to biologist María Olmeda, leader of the hatchery project for the DNER, before Hurricane María, fish " farming" was done in almost all of the island's reservoirs. "The hatchery has been instrumental in the development of Puerto Rico's freshwater fisheries. More than collaborating in the introduction of fish, it has been key to sustain and maintain healthy fish populations already established," she said.

According to the biologist, prior to Hurricane María, the hatchery was considered one of the best and most modern in the Caribbean, where there was a historic production of fish that were transferred to the different reservoirs of the island. In addition, the group working at the hatchery was able to produce pure Florida largemouth bass, which are more resistant to the island's temperatures and live longer.

Maricao mayor Wilfredo Ruiz said the nursery has been an icon of the municipality, particularly between the 1980s and early 2000s. “The Fish Hatchery was the main attraction for tourism in Maricao. As people came to see it, it moved the economy by boosting the patronage of businesses and restaurants in the area. There were many businesses that closed because of the lack of activity due to the closure of the fish hatchery,” he recalled.

In his opinion, with the funds allocated from FEMA, the nursery will benefit sport fishing while it will also serve as a space to collaborate with research projects of the science fairs of colleges and universities in Puerto Rico and abroad. Another benefit of having a repaired facility is that it will allow for the conservation of the Puerto Rican parrot that is currently in captivity in the area.

In addition, the project has over $163,000 to prevent similar damage in the future. Some of these measures include placing a concrete base for the gazebo, installing eco-friendly retaining walls, and adding concrete under the fish hatchery, dam and bridges to give them more stability.

"Fulfilling Governor Pedro Pierluisi's commitment to support projects that promote diverse economies, as well as those aimed at scientific research, we at COR3 will assist the DNER in these efforts aimed at completing the reconstruction of this iconic Fish Hatchery in Maricao, which will provide a safe environment and infrastructure in optimal conditions for our people and members of academia," said the Executive Director of the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), Eng. Manuel A. Laboy Rivera.

To date, FEMA has obligated nearly $30.4 billion in Public Assistance funds for roughly 10,600 projects that will support the rebuilding of a more resilient Puerto Rico.

For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from Hurricane María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339 y recovery.pr. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands –- Now is the time to prepare yourself and your household for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season. During Hurricane Preparedness Week, assess your personal risk, update your family's emergency communications plan, start to replenish your emergency kit, and review your personal and financial documents.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, but the time to prepare is now when you are not under pressure as storms form in the Atlantic. If you wait until a hurricane is approaching, the odds are that you will be under duress and might not make the best decision.

FEMA and its partners in the U.S. Virgin Islands will conduct a series of response exercises in the coming months to ensure we are ready to support a response to a storm, at the territory’s request. The best way to help your community recover from a disaster is by taking steps now to prepare yourself and your family before a disaster happens. Each of us can take steps to make sure we’re prepared for any disaster.

“FEMA’s partnership with the U.S. Virgin Islands on strengthening response focus areas to prepare for storms continues to flourish and we are ready for the Atlantic hurricane season,” said Virgin Islands Caribbean Area Office Coordinator Mark A. Walters. “We are asking Virgin Islanders to stay informed, be ready and vigilant during hurricane season. It only takes one hurricane to change your life and your community,” said Walters.

According to VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen, “Time is a very precious commodity and one we can never get back. We owe it to ourselves, our families, our friends, and our business partners to use this time before hurricane season, wisely. Having a written and shared hurricane plan for 2023 not only provides comfort, but it also guides us in the final hours before landfall and assists in surviving the days that follow.”

As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs such as operating medical equipment.

• Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plan.
• Identify any additional help needed in an emergency if you or anybody in your home is senior or has a disability, access, or functional requirement. The V.I. Department of Human Services’ Elder, Dependent Adult, and Disabled Persons Disaster Registry is open to Virgin Islanders aged 60 and over, as well as those with disabilities.
  • To register, call 340-774-0930 ext. 4018 on St. Thomas, 340-776-6334 on St. John and 340-772-7148 on St. Croix. You can download and fill out a registry form at www.dhs.gov.vi  .
• Have several ways to receive alerts. Sign up for Alert VI to receive emergency notifications in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Download the FEMA app on your smartphone and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Check the settings on your mobile devices to ensure you can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts, which require no sign-up.
  • Have an emergency charging option for your phone and other devices.
• Protect your home against storms. Declutter drains and gutters, consider hurricane shutters and leave room in your home to bring in outside furniture during a storm.
• Learn your evacuation routes, practice with your household, pets, and identify where you will stay during a hurricane. Follow the instructions from territorial agencies who will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety measures.
• Make sure your insurance policies and personal documents are up to date. Make copies and keep them in a secure password protected digital space. You might need your documents to apply for and receive assistance after a disaster.
• Have enough supplies for your household, include medication, disinfectant supplies, masks, pet supplies in your go bag or car trunk. After a hurricane, you may not have access to these supplies for days or even weeks.
  • Replenish supplies in your emergency kit and replace expired items as needed.

Visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes , www.ready.gov/es/huracanes and www.ready.gov/ht/hurricanes  for more information on how to prepare for hurricanes, stay safe during a hurricane and returning home after a hurricane. Review Hurricane Preparedness Week’s themes, such as know your risk: wind and water and take action today at www.noaa.gov/hurricane-prep-social-media-english and www.noaa.gov/hurricane-prep-social-media-en-espa-ol , and follow www.vitema.vi.gov for information on local events and community readiness.

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Disaster 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 crews, housing inspectors and other officials will be working in areas impacted by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Broward County. They carry official photo ID badges. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration 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.

Be wary of unexpected phone calls or visits to your home from people claiming to be FEMA housing inspectors or people claiming they work for FEMA. FEMA representatives will have your FEMA application number.

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 Attorney General by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or visit myfloridalegal.com. To file a fraud complaint, go online to Scam Report (myfloridalegal.com).

If you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at:  StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov, fax: (202) 212-4926 or write to: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.

If you suspect identity theft, please visit Identity Theft | FTC Consumer Information or IdentityTheft.gov.

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4709. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

INDIANAPOLIS - El estado de Indiana y la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) abrirán un centro de recuperación por desastre en el condado White del 1 al 3 de mayo y del 11 al 13 de mayo para ayudar a los sobrevivientes de las tormentas y tornados ocurridos el 31 de marzo y 1 de abril a continuar con su recuperación.

Los especialistas de recuperación de FEMA, del estado y de la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios se encontrarán en el centro para ayudar con las solicitudes de FEMA, responder preguntas y proporcionar referidos a recursos.

El centro se encontrará en:

1017 O'Conner Blvd.

Monticello, IN 47960

El horario del centro será de 8 a.m. a 6 p.m.

del 1 al 3 de mayo y 11 y 12 de mayo y de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. el 13 de mayo.

Ya se encuentran abiertos o abrirán próximamente centros adicionales de recuperación en otras áreas afectadas. Los individuos y negocios en los condados Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan y White pueden visitar cualquier centro abierto para recibir ayuda. Para encontrar un centro de recuperación abierto, visite fema.gov/drc.

Para solicitar asistencia de FEMA sin visitar un centro, llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362, ingrese en internet a Disasterassistance.gov/es o utilice la aplicación móvil de FEMA. Si utiliza un servicio de retransmisión, como un Servicio de Retransmisión de Video (VRS) o servicio de teléfono con subtítulos, proporcione a FEMA su número de dicho servicio.

La fecha límite para solicitar asistencia federal es el 14 de junio de 2023

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La misión de FEMA es ayudar a las personas antes, durante y después de los desastres.

Para más información sobre la recuperación en Indiana, visite fema.gov/es/disaster/4704. Síganos en nuestra página de Facebook en Facebook.com/FEMAespanol y en Twitter en @femaRegion5.

FEMA no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, orientación sexual, religión, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés o situación económica.

INDIANAPOLIS - El estado de Indiana y la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) abrirán un centro de recuperación por desastre en el condado Clinton del 1 al 3 de mayo y del 11 al 13 de mayo para ayudar a los sobrevivientes de las tormentas y tornados ocurridos el 31 de marzo y 1 de abril a continuar con su recuperación.

Los especialistas de recuperación de FEMA, del estado y de la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios se encontrarán en el centro para ayudar con las solicitudes de FEMA, responder preguntas y proporcionar referidos a recursos.

El centro se encontrará en:

Edificio de manejo de emergencias de Clinton

1859 S Jackson St.

Frankfort, IN 46041

El horario del centro será de 8 a.m. a 6 p.m.

del 1 al 3 de mayo y 11 y 12 de mayo y de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. el 13 de mayo.

Ya se encuentran abiertos o abrirán próximamente centros adicionales de recuperación en otras áreas afectadas. Los individuos y negocios en los condados Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan y White pueden visitar cualquier centro abierto para recibir ayuda. Para encontrar un centro de recuperación abierto, visite fema.gov/drc.

Para solicitar asistencia de FEMA sin visitar un centro, llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362, ingrese en internet a Disasterassistance.gov/es o utilice la aplicación móvil de FEMA. Si utiliza un servicio de retransmisión, como un Servicio de Retransmisión de Video (VRS) o servicio de teléfono con subtítulos, proporcione a FEMA su número de dicho servicio.

La fecha límite para solicitar asistencia federal es el 14 de junio de 2023

###

La misión de FEMA es ayudar a las personas antes, durante y después de los desastres.

Para más información sobre la recuperación en Indiana, visite fema.gov/es/disaster/4704. Síganos en nuestra página de Facebook en Facebook.com/FEMAespanol y en Twitter en @femaRegion5.

FEMA no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, orientación sexual, religión, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés o situación económica.