President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for the Hoopa Valley Tribe

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Hoopa Valley Tribe to supplement tribal recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storms and mudslides Feb. 14 to March 5, 2023.

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the tribal government and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storms and mudslides in the Hoopa Valley Tribal Nation.

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

Benigno Bern Ruiz has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made if requested by the tribe and warranted by the results of further assessments.

amy.ashbridge Wed, 04/26/2023 - 18:27

FEMA/Lafayette Public Library Workshop Canceled for April 27

BATON ROUGE, La. – FEMA’s workshop on preparedness for persons with disabilities that was to be held at the Lafayette Public Library on April 27 has been canceled.

kirsten.chambers Wed, 04/26/2023 - 17:49

SBA Helps Arkansas Businesses Impacted by Severe Storms and Tornadoes

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the state of Arkansas and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continue to assist Arkansans following the March 31 severe storms and tornadoes.

In early April, the SBA opened a Business Recovery Center in Little Rock to provide a wide range of services to businesses. Another Business Recovery Center opened April 22 in Wynne. These one-stop locations offer a variety of specialized help including SBA customer service representatives that are available to meet individually with each business owner. Representatives can answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each business owner complete their electronic loan application.

SBA low-interest federal disaster loans are currently available in Cross, Lonoke and Pulaski counties.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of 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. Economic Injury loans are also available in the contiguous Arkansas counties of: Arkansas, Crittenden, Faulkner, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Poinsett, Prairie, Saint Francis, Saline, White and Woodruff.

Two Business Recovery Centers are open at the locations below. No appointment is necessary and all services are provided free of charge.

Pulaski County

Little Rock Business Recovery Center

Adolphine Fletcher Terry Library              

2015 Napa Valley Dr.

Little Rock, AR 72212

Hours: Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Cross County

Veterans Building of Cross County

204 S. Falls Blvd.

Wynne, AR 72396

Hours: Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The SBA can provide business assistance to clients on a wide variety of matters designed to help small business owners re-establish their operations, overcome the effects of the disaster and plan for their future. Services include assessing business working capital needs, evaluating the business’s strength, cash flow projections, and most importantly, a review of options with the business owner to help them evaluate their alternatives and make decisions that are appropriate for their situation.

For business owners who are unable to visit the business recovery center, they may apply online using SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.

SBA low-interest disaster loans are also available to homeowners and renters. SBA offers loans for homeowners up to the $200,000 statutory maximum to repair or replace your primary residence. The loans are customized to your personal financial circumstances. On a case-by-case basis, the SBA may be able to assist with the refinance of your current mortgage(s).

SBA can also help renters and homeowners replace household contents and vehicles, referred to as personal property. You may be able to borrow up to the $40,000 statutory maximum to repair or replace clothing, furniture or appliances that were damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first contact FEMA at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to apply for property damage is June 1, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Jan. 2, 2024.

alexa.brown Wed, 04/26/2023 - 14:29

One Month After Mississippi Tornadoes, Massive Recovery Mission Going Strong

MADISON, Miss. – One month after President Joe Biden signed a major disaster declaration for storm-ravaged Mississippi, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have provided tornado survivors with $17.5 million in federal disaster assistance. The work is just beginning. It is a mission closely shared with the state of Mississippi, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, state and national nonprofits, voluntary agencies, and faith-based organizations that are fully engaged.

“Our communities have made great strides in this response and recovery process,” State Coordinating Officer Todd Demuth began. “We couldn’t do this without the help of our local, state, and federal partners. Our faith-based organizations and volunteers have made a significant difference in the recovery process as well. While it may be a long road to recovery, Mississippians prove time and again we will persevere, and the state will be there every step of the way.”

As of April 25, FEMA has approved $4.1 million to help homeowners and renters with temporary housing in Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe, Montgomery, Panola and Sharkey counties following the March 24-25 storms. FEMA has also provided $3 million to help survivors with storm-related necessities like childcare, storage, disaster medical and dental expenses, and cleaning supplies.

“We are committed to helping people get a safe roof over their heads as quickly as possible,” said Federal Coordinating Officer John F. Boyle. “We are working with the state to provide immediate temporary solutions – including hotels, rental assistance, and other tools. Our focus is to meet the immediate sheltering need, give survivors a jumpstart on their recovery, and to bridge the gap between today and the long-term solutions.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration is following suit by already approving $10.4 million in disaster loans and continues to review and process new applications daily.

FEMA home inspectors have completed more than 2,800 inspections, pushing more applications forward for review.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists have knocked on 12,800 doors, interacting with more than 8,300 individuals, in an undertaking to meet survivors where they are and answer questions about federal disaster assistance.

FEMA continues to ensure federal support is available to all affected communities, including people with disabilities, Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and those in underserved populations.

There are also six Disaster Recovery Centers in each of the designated counties and two Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers which provide one-on-one assistance. More than 3,600 survivors and their families have spoken with specialists at a DRC. To find the closest center to you, visit fema.gov/drc.

How to Apply to FEMA

You can apply for FEMA disaster assistance at any Disaster Recovery Center, but there are other options, as well.

For example, create an online account at disasterassistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 from 6 a.m. to midnight CT seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. You can also use the FEMA mobile app. Just download it via text messaging; on an Android device, text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA) or on an Apple Device, text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA).

You may be referred to SBA to request a low-interest disaster loan after you submit your FEMA application. Survivors are encouraged to go through the entire process as this may open the door for additional resources for their recovery.

For the latest information on recovery from Mississippi tornadoes, visit March 24 2023 Severe Weather Disaster Information - MEMA (msema.org) and 4697 | FEMA.gov. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

sandra.habib Wed, 04/26/2023 - 13:32

Free Crisis Counseling Available to Tornado Survivors

RIDGELAND, Miss. – A disaster can shock the emotions of the people who lived through it. Survivors frequently report feelings of anger, depression, sadness, and stress or anxiety for months after the event.

Free crisis-counseling services are available to storm survivors of Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe, Montgomery, Panola and Sharkey counties.

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is providing the free service and referrals; all you need to do is  determine from the list below which location best suits your needs and call that number:

• Panola County: Region 2 - 866-837-7521
• Monroe County:  Region 3 Lifecore Help Group -- 866-255-9986;
• Carroll, Humphreys, Sharkey and Montgomery County: Region 6 Life Help Community Mental Health Center – 866-453-6216;
• The Department of Mental Health at 877-210-8513 (the statewide number) provides information and referral services;
• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Line is also available for you to speak with trained crisis counselors by simply dialing 988.

Counselors are available to meet with adults and children affected by the disaster in non-traditional settings such as shelters, homes and community buildings – not in clinical or office settings. They provide emotional support, education, basic crisis counseling and may refer survivors to local resources and disaster relief services in their own area. All services are anonymous, and no records or case files are kept. Counselors usually live in the disaster area and are sometimes survivors themselves.

The Crisis Counseling program is administered through a partnership between FEMA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services (SAMHSA). The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, 800-985-5990, provides 24/7, 365-days-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

For the latest information on recovery from Mississippi tornadoes, visit March 24 2023 Severe Weather Disaster Information - MEMA (msema.org) and 4697 | FEMA.gov.fema.gov/. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

sandra.habib Tue, 04/25/2023 - 21:17

Oklahoma Survivors in McClain and Pottawatomie Counties Can Apply for Possible FEMA Assistance

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma homeowners and renters in McClain and Pottawatomie counties who sustained damage from the recent severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from April 19-20 could be eligible for help from FEMA.

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

If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week. 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 for assistance, have this information readily available:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number, if available
• A general list of damage and losses
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to cleanup and repair.

Disaster assistance may include financial help with temporary lodging and home repairs along with other programs to assist families recovering from effects of the event.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, homeowners and renters. Like FEMA, SBA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance.

• Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The SBA can also lend additional funds to help business and residents with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
• For small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Jan. 2, 2024.
• Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

Businesses and residents can apply online at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. For questions and assistance completing an application, call 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerAssistance@sba.gov. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may then be eligible for federal assistance.

alexa.brown Tue, 04/25/2023 - 19:32

FEMA Holds its First Water Summit

During the event, solutions to address water access throughout the island will be presented

San Juan, Puerto Rico –Among the most critical impacts of Hurricane Maria was damage related to water resources. Likewise, landslides caused or aggravated some of that damage, something that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will address during its first Water Symposium scheduled for Thursday, April 27.

The main topic of the event, entitled Recovery Strategies for Community Access to Drinking Water and Landslide Mitigation Strategies after Hurricane Maria, will focus on the sedimentation caused by landslides and the risk this poses to thousands of communities. This first virtual session will be from 1:00-3:30 p.m. and is open to the general public through the following link: https://bit.ly/3MTf959.

The symposium is divided into two sessions: problem description and existing and proposed remediation solutions. The order of the topics is designed to provide participants with a resilient approach to water issues according to the watershed cycle, that is, from the top of the mountain to the ocean or from the downspout to the source.

“For FEMA, it is a priority to incorporate strategies that consider equity and climate change impacts throughout the recovery process. As an island, our communities are increasingly threatened by the effects of global warming, with rising sea levels, increased flooding, droughts and more intense weather events. The agency already has recovery projects and strategies that incorporate climate adaptation with a community-wide focus. Our goal is to share information on how these strategies will strengthen long-term resilience,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Jose G. Baquero.

During the conference, FEMA will present recovery projects that promote water access for communities and how they incorporate nature-based solutions to reduce landslides and long-term maintenance costs. One of the examples the agency will showcase is the community aqueduct in the Los Diaz Sector in San Lorenzo. The focus will be on how the aqueduct was rebuilt with community participation and bioengineering techniques to ensure access to the main water source. Today, the aqueduct provides this essential resource to over 80 families.

In addition to FEMA's participation, one of the speakers at this session will be University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus (RUM) Geology Professor Stephen Hughes. The professor - and director of the SLIDES-PR project - will present the landslide problems that worsened after Hurricane Maria and how SLIDES-PR has collaborated with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to develop an island-wide landslide monitoring network. Hughes will also present strategies to address these challenges in communities to reduce the amount of sediment that reaches reservoirs and shorelines.

The SLIDES-PR project involves about 15 undergraduate and graduate students and created a digital catalog of over 70,000 landslides that occurred after Hurricane Maria. With this information, they developed a modern, high-resolution map to illustrate the susceptibility to future landslides due to heavy rains throughout the island. This information is available to the public here.

Part of the project's mission is to share these results to help determine the short- and long-term effects of sedimentation from landslides. They also seek to help understand and forecast how future extreme events could impact the environment and society.

For Anishka M. Ruiz Perea and Tania Figueroa Colón, students participating in the project, the most rewarding aspect has been sharing the information with the public. "That work of taking the message to the people and communicating directly with them - because not everyone has social networks - is something that the SLIDES PR outreach team has been achieving little by little," said Figueroa Colón.

The Symposium comprises a series of virtual and in-person events to promote a community discussion on resilient recovery in the face of climate change. The next two virtual sessions will take place on June 30 and August 21. Pending topics include sedimentation and flooding; and flooding, water quality, and loss of natural coastal barriers. The symposium will conclude with the topic of water resource management in the face of climate change at an event to be held on October 20, 2023.

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.

 

frances.acevedo-pico Tue, 04/25/2023 - 15:31

FEMA Continues to Offer Free Rebuilding Tips at The Home Depot in Vicksburg

PEARL, Miss. – Repairing or rebuilding your home? Disaster survivors who are working on their homes after the March 24-25 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes can visit The Home Depot in Vicksburg to speak with FEMA mitigation specialists about their damage and discuss how to best repair their homes.

Mitigation advisors will give tips about rebuilding and protecting homes from future disaster-related damage. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors. FEMA mitigation specialists will be available from April 27 to May 2 at:

The Home Depot

50 Halls Ferry Park Road

Vicksburg, MS 39180

 

Hours:

7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday, April 27 and 28

8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 29

1 p.m.  to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 30

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 1 and 2

 

Specialists are also available on the Mitigation Helpline, 833-336-2487 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Central Time. You may leave a voicemail at any time. Or you may email FEMA-R4-HMHELP@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

For the latest information on recovery from Mississippi tornadoes, visit March 24 2023 Severe Weather Disaster Information - MEMA (msema.org) and 4697 | FEMA.gov. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

sandra.habib Tue, 04/25/2023 - 14:31

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS –  Indiana residents who couldn’t work as a direct result of the March 31 – April 1, 2023, severe weather and tornadoes may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Eligible individuals in Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan, and White counties can file a claim with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to request benefits. FEMA funds DUA, but the Indiana Department of Workforce Development administers the program.

To be eligible for DUA benefits, individuals must meet the following criteria: 

• Became unemployed, including self-employed individuals, as a direct result of the presidentially declared disaster (March 31 – April 1, 2023, severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds);
• Be a U.S. national or a qualified alien;
• Not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state;
• Have worked or were self-employed in, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in, one of the counties listed above; and
• Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income. 

Learn more about the DUA eligibility criteria at in.gov/dwd/indiana-unemployment/individuals/dua/.

 Applications for DUA must be filed by May 22, 2023. Individuals must first file a regular claim for Unemployment Insurance benefits by visiting the Uplink Claimant Self-Service System at uplink.in.gov/CSS/CSSLogin.htm. If applicants are denied regular Unemployment Insurance benefits, they can then apply for DUA.

Hoosiers who think they may be eligible for DUA benefits may apply by completing the forms found on the DUA website: in.gov/dwd/indiana-unemployment/individuals/dua/.  After completing the forms, click the “fill out this form” link on the DUA website to apply and upload the completed forms.

For applicants who do not have access to a computer or mobile device, Unemployment Insurance access kiosks are available at WorkOne offices in the 12 designated counties. Find your local WorkOne at in.gov/dwd/files/WO_CareerCenters_Map.pdf.

###

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.

nicole.wilson Mon, 04/24/2023 - 22:23

FEMA Specialists to Offer Rebuilding Tips in Sherwood

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– FEMA Hazard Mitigation Outreach Specialists will be available at F.L. Davis Ace in Sherwood from Tuesday, April 25 to Saturday, May 6.

Hazard mitigation outreach specialists will be on hand to answer questions about rebuilding from previous disasters and protecting your homes from future disaster-related damage. Some of the topics include clean up, selecting a contractor and ways to reduce risks from future disasters. This information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors and no appointment is needed.

Hazard mitigation outreach specialists will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, April 25 to May 6 at:

Pulaski County

F. L. Davis Ace

2913 E Kiehl Ave.

Sherwood, AR 72120

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

If you cannot visit in person, please call 833-FEMA-4-US or 833-336-2487 to speak to a hazard mitigation outreach specialist, Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM. All calls will be returned within one business day. If you prefer, you may email your questions to FEMA-ARMit@fema.dhs.gov or visit FEMA’s Arkansas Mitigation home page at https://fema.connectsolutions.com/armit/.

If you need to discuss your assistance application, please call the Helpline at 800-621-3362 to speak to a FEMA individual assistance specialist. Hazard mitigation outreach specialists offer general rebuilding tips and will not be able to discuss specific details of individual assistance cases.

alexa.brown Mon, 04/24/2023 - 20:31

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

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Texas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2023.

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the counties of Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Hays, Henderson, Kendall, Lee, Leon, Milam, Robertson, Travis and Williamson.

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

Gerard M. Stolar has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

mayshaunt.gary Mon, 04/24/2023 - 20:00

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

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Oklahoma to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from April 19-20, 2023.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in McClain and Pottawatomie 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 state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and debris removal caused by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes in McClain and Pottawatomie counties.

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

Adam D. Burpee has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made 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 your number for that service.

mayshaunt.gary Mon, 04/24/2023 - 20:00

Private Nonprofit Arkansas Houses of Worship May Be Eligible for FEMA Help to Cover Tornado Damage

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– Qualifying private nonprofit houses of worship in Arkansas may be eligible for FEMA grants to cover expenses related to the March 31 severe storms and tornadoes.

Grants through FEMA’s Public Assistance program may cover costs to repair or replace facilities damaged during the storms.

FEMA defines religious facilities as a church, synagogue, mosque, temple or other house of worship without regard to the religious character of the facility. No religious facility or house of worship may be excluded from this definition because leadership or membership in the organization is limited to persons who share a religious faith or practice.

Help with repairs and replacement costs may be available to houses of worship in Cross, Lonoke and Pulaski counties.

To be an eligible applicant, a house of worship must:

• Be owned or operated by a private nonprofit organization.
• The facility must be open to the public.
• Have been damaged by the March 31 severe storms and tornadoes.
• Have either not received funding or received insufficient funding after applying for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan to repair or replace a facility.
• The application must include state and/or U.S. Internal Revenue Service documentation of tax-exempt status, pre-disaster charter and other documentation.

SBA’s can provide as much as $2 million in loans for damaged real estate and the replacement of property. The interest rate is 2.375% with terms up to 30 years. The deadline to apply for property damage is June 1, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Jan. 2, 2024.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. 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. Completed applications should be mailed to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

All applicants – even if they must wait for an SBA loan decision -- are encouraged to make a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) as soon as possible by contacting their local emergency management office. Some activities regarding Emergency Work that was performed in preparation or response to the storm may be eligible without or while pending an SBA decision. The deadline to file an RPA is May 2, 2023.

Other Resources

Houses of worship administrators can contact their county emergency management office for more information on how to submit a FEMA request for Public Assistance.

• Public Assistance Policies - Official guidance, policies, news advisories and related publications that govern the program include:

• Public Assistance Program & Policy Guide (PAPPG) FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (version 4 applicable to emergencies and major disasters declared on or after June 1, 2020.)
• Public Assistance Program Delivery Guide (fema.gov) (draft document published September 2022.)

• Video: https://youtu.be/JgHWcA5LnOc.
• Web page: Assistance for Governments and Private Non-Profits After a Disaster | FEMA.gov
• Procurement Guide: Purchasing under a FEMA Award: Resources for Private Nonprofits and Religious Organizations
• Downloadable FEMA Fact Sheet: Public Assistance: Private Nonprofit Eligibility Factsheet (fema.gov)

Downloadable FEMA Fact Sheet: Mitigate Disaster Damage with FEMA Public Assistance

alexa.brown Mon, 04/24/2023 - 19:56

Wayne County Disaster Recovery Center Opened April 22

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Disaster Recovery Center opened at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 22, in Waynesboro to accommodate residents who were affected by the storms and tornadoes and want to update their existing FEMA applications or learn about state and community programs and other available assistance.

Under the major disaster declaration, 10 Tennessee counties were designated for FEMA Individual Assistance, meaning residents who had uninsured or underinsured damage or losses from the March 31 to April 1, 2023, storms and tornadoes may apply for FEMA assistance. The designated counties are Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne.

You do not need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply to FEMA. But do first file a claim with your insurance company or agent before applying for FEMA assistance.

The Wayne County Disaster Recovery Center is located at:

Lincoln Brass Works

309 Hurricane Meadows Dr.

Waynesboro, TN 38485

Opened: 7 a.m. CDT Saturday, April 22

Regular hours: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. CDT Sunday; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT Monday to Saturday

Specialists at Disaster Recovery Centers can clarify information you have received from FEMA or other agencies. They can also discuss with you other FEMA grants that don’t have to be repaid, including funding if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily or funding for basic home repairs if, as a homeowner, your primary residence was damaged in the storms. And they can submit your requested documents to a FEMA processing center.

As Disaster Recovery Centers open across western Tennessee, you may decide to visit any recovery center to get help. To find one near you, go to:  https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.

Here are the ways to apply for FEMA disaster assistance:

• 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

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.

sandra.habib Mon, 04/24/2023 - 12:40

Nature-Based Solutions for a Resilient Recovery

Local experts work mitigation strategies with the support of FEMA allocations

San Juan, Puerto Rico –The north coast of Puerto Rico is home to nearly 50 percent of the island’s dunes, which provide important services for the ecosystem: they protect hawksbill habitats, as well as communities and critical infrastructure from coastal flooding and storm surges. However, hurricanes Irma and María, the commercial and illegal extraction of sand and heavy foot traffic from beachgoers, among other factors, have reduced the size of the dunes and their ability to act as natural barriers.

Attention to this and other damage as a result of climate change is key in coordinating a long-term recovery for Puerto Rico. Aware of this, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) works together with local organizations to find solutions that contribute to the preservation of the country’s infrastructure and natural resources.

“Long-term recovery requires us to develop projects focused on mitigation, preservation and nature-based solutions. The agency has already obligated over $1.5 billion for mitigation measures for Public Assistance projects and approved over $3 billion under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. However, citizen participation and the knowledge of local students and researchers are required to find answers that apply to our needs as a Caribbean island. Puerto Rico has the talent and FEMA provides the funds: we all work as a team for a common good,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.

To address coastal erosion, a team of students and researchers from Vida Marina: Center for Conservation and Ecological Restoration—from the Aguadilla Campus of the University of Puerto Rico— has been working together with communities on natural measures to restore the dunes of the north coast. However, the passage of Hurricane María caused serious damage to the structures that the organization worked on.

With the support of over $650,000 from FEMA and through a collaborative agreement with the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER), the organization will restore what are known as biomimicry matrices on Maranto Beach in Arecibo; the Nolla Farm in Camuy; and the Middles and Poza Del Teodoro beaches in Isabela. Biomimicry is the practice of designing solutions that imitate nature or natural processes. For this project, Vida Marina installed pieces of disused wooden pallets to create matrices three feet underground to promote the sand’s natural accumulation.

The project also includes the reconstruction of boardwalks and fences at critical access points to reduce pedestrian impact on the dunes. Informational signs will also be reinstalled to educate the public about the dunes and to protect them from potential human damage. As part of the mitigation measures for this project, materials will be used to reinforce the structure of the boardwalks against the waves of future hurricanes.

The executive director of the Puerto Rico Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, stated that “government agencies, as well as municipalities and non-profit organizations, concentrate part of their efforts on the development of projects focused on mitigating multiple risks in order to rebuild a resilient infrastructure. Complying with Governor Pedro Pierluisi’s public policy, we will continue to support this development led by the DNER and the UPR, Aguadilla Campus, which is added to other measures that the chief executive recently announced to mitigate coastal erosion through an allocation of $105 million.”.

Repairs to the facilities of the Caña Gorda Beach in the municipality of Guánica is another permanent project of the agency that incorporates nature-based solutions. There are nearly $770,000 to address damage to the lifeguard area, offices, lightning poles and gazebos, among others. Within the mitigation measures for the project, the affected area will include a revetment with vegetation to protect the coastline. This nature-based solution provides economic, aesthetic and ecological benefits, and also mitigates erosion and damage from storm surges.

On the other hand, a $1.5 million allocation allowed the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) to develop an assessment of the beach systems after the passage of Hurricane María. The study generated a high-precision database that presents the attributes and extension changes of the 1,285 beaches of Puerto Rico after the storm. As part of the project, the UPR designed a story map which contains all the findings of the study and which is accessible to government agencies, entities, organizations and the public. During the disclosure of the study, 48 actions were presented to solve the problem of erosion on the island.

Puerto Ricans in FEMA Address Climate Change

To address the challenges of climate change from the agency and with a focus on the particular needs of Puerto Rico, a group of local FEMA personnel developed the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Memorandum, which acknowledges the need to establish immediate actions that address the threats of climate change as part of FEMA’s recovery efforts on the island. The memorandum is an initial effort to define and identify actions; and support those considered at the United States level in response to President Joseph R. Biden’s public policy to address climate change.

Through this tool, a series of activities have been carried out to benefit over 1,000 participants. This includes FEMA personnel in Puerto Rico, municipalities, contractors, the academia and non-profit organizations. The meetings have increased awareness on climate change, in addition to presenting possible recovery measures with a mitigation and adaptation approach to address future climate threats.

To date, FEMA has allocated over $30.3 billion in Public Assistance funds towards Puerto Rico’s recovery following Hurricane María.

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.

frances.acevedo-pico Sat, 04/22/2023 - 16:23

Hours to Change at Disaster Recovery Centers

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– The five FEMA and the State of Arkansas joint Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will begin new hours of operation on Sunday, April 23. The centers assist survivors affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred March 31.

Survivors can meet face to face with specialists from FEMA, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and state and local agencies to have their questions about disaster assistance answered. They may also upload any documents needed for their applications at the centers.

The new operating hours for the centers in Cross and Pulaski counties include:

Cross County 

Wynne

Ridgeview Church

999 US Hwy 64 East

Wynne, AR 72396

Hours: Monday—Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.

Pulaski County

Jacksonville

1st United Methodist

308 W. Main St.

Jacksonville, AR 72076

Hours: Monday—Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.

Little Rock

West Central Community Center

8616 Colonel Glenn Road

Little Rock, AR 72204

Hours: Monday—Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.

North Little Rock

North Little Rock Community Center

2700 Willow St.

North Little Rock, AR 72114

Hours: Monday—Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.

Sherwood

Wildwood Center & Medical Tower

2404 Wildwood Ave.

N. Little Rock, AR 72120

Hours: Monday—Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Arkansans can visit any DRC to learn more about FEMA disaster and recovery assistance. You may also get help to do the following:

• Apply for assistance.
• Learn the status of your FEMA application.
• Understand any letters you get from FEMA.
• Find housing and rental assistance information.
• Get answers to questions or resolve problems.
• Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance.
• Learn about SBA loan programs.

Residents of any of the three counties approved for individual assistance, Cross, Lonoke and Pulaski may visit any open disaster recovery center in Arkansas. No appointments are necessary.

You do not have to visit a disaster recovery center to apply for assistance. The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov.

If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

alexa.brown Fri, 04/21/2023 - 22:00

It’s Important to Return Your SBA Loan Application

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After you apply for disaster assistance from FEMA, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the largest source of federal disaster funds for survivors. If you receive a disaster loan application, you are encouraged to submit it even if you’re not sure you want or need a loan.

Here’s why. If SBA cannot approve your loan application, SBA will refer you to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for possible additional assistance. Not returning the application may disqualify you from other assistance FEMA offers for disaster-related car repairs, essential household items and necessary disaster-related expenses.

In planning your recovery, give yourself the widest possible set of options. Completing and submitting the SBA application makes another resource available if you choose to use it.

Businesses may borrow up to $2 million from the SBA; homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

To apply to SBA online or to download applications, go to https://DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/. You may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov for more information or to have a loan application mailed to you. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.

Completed paper loan applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. You may also apply with the help of an SBA representative or submit your loan application at a Business Recovery Center.

Business Recovery Centers are staffed with SBA customer service representatives who can assist business owners and nonprofit organizations with their loan applications; accept documents for existing applications; and provide loan status updates. Homeowners and renters may also visit the centers for assistance.

Business Recovery Centers are open at the following locations:

Macon County

Macon County Emergency Communications District

898 Highway 52 Bypass East

Lafayette, TN 37083

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

 

McNairy County

The Latta Theater Visitor Center

205 W. Court Avenue

Selmer, TN 38375

Opens: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 20

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

 

Rutherford County

Rutherford County Historic Courthouse

One Public Square, Suite 303

Murfreesboro, TN  37130

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

 

Tipton County

Dyersburg State Community College

Jimmy Naifeh Center

Learning Resource and Student Center, Room 183

3149 Highway 51 South

Covington, TN 38019

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

 

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following 25 Tennessee counties are eligible to apply only for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Bedford, Chester, Clay, Coffee, Crockett, Davidson, Decatur, DeKalb, Fayette, Henderson, Hickman, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Madison, Marshall, Maury, Perry, Shelby, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Warren, Williamson and Wilson.

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA 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.

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance and a low-interest disaster loan from the SBA is Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The last day for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations to apply for an SBA economic injury loan is Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

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.

sandra.habib Fri, 04/21/2023 - 19:38

Cannon County Disaster Recovery Center Opened April 21

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Disaster Recovery Center opened at 7 a.m. Friday, April 21, in Woodbury to accommodate residents who were affected by the storms and tornadoes and want to update their existing FEMA applications or learn about state and community programs and other available assistance.

Under the major disaster declaration, 10 Tennessee counties were designated for FEMA Individual Assistance, meaning residents who had uninsured or underinsured damage or losses from the March 31 to April 1, 2023, storms and tornadoes may apply for FEMA assistance. The designated counties are Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne.

You do not need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply to FEMA. But do first file a claim with your insurance company or agent before applying for FEMA assistance.

The Cannon County Disaster Recovery Center is located at:

East Side Elementary School

5658 McMinnville Highway

Woodbury, TN 37190

Opened: 7 a.m. Friday, April 21

Regular Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT Monday to Saturday; 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. CDT Sunday

Specialists at Disaster Recovery Centers can clarify information you have received from FEMA or other agencies. They can also discuss other FEMA grants that don’t have to be repaid, including funding if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily or funding for basic home repairs if, as a homeowner, your primary residence was damaged in the storms. Specialists can also submit your requested documents to a FEMA processing center.

As Disaster Recovery Centers open across western Tennessee, you may decide to visit any recovery center to get help. To find one near you, go to:  https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.

Here are the ways to apply for FEMA disaster assistance:

• 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

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.

sandra.habib Fri, 04/21/2023 - 19:19

FEMA Extends Deadline for HBCU/Minority Serving Institutions Summer Internship Program, Opens Program to Tribal Colleges

WASHINGTON -- FEMA is extending the application deadline for its Summer 2023 Minority Serving Institutions Internship, and will open the program to tribal colleges.

The deadline to apply for this opportunity has been extended to April 28, 2023, and the applicant pool will include students from tribal colleges and universities as well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions.

“This Internship program gives college students the opportunity to learn from emergency management officials as they help their communities become safer and better prepared for disasters and other hazards,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks. “Reducing barriers for historically underserved communities is a top priority for FEMA, and it is our hope that these talented students will be able to take the tools they gain from these programs and not only make their communities more resilient, but help the entire nation to be ready when disaster strikes.”

Candidates will be selected based on their dedication to public service, their efforts to make a difference in their communities and their potential for national leadership in emergency management. Additional ideal experience includes, but is not limited to: performing research, gathering data, creating reports, performing analytical duties and using normal business software programs.

This internship opportunity is open in Atlanta, Denver and Washington, D.C.

Those interested in participating should send their resume, current unofficial transcript(s) and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation to fema-hbcu-msi-internships@fema.dhs.gov by April 28 with a subject line of “FEMA HBCU MSI Summer Program 2023.” Additional information about the positions can be found on FEMA.gov.

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 04/21/2023 - 17:19

Federal Assistance for Tornado Survivors Tops $1.6 Million

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two weeks after Tennessee was granted a major disaster declaration for the March 31 to April 1 storms and tornadoes, more than $1.60 million in federal assistance was approved for Tennessee homeowners, renters and business owners.

Assistance includes FEMA grants for individuals and families, and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Homeowners, renters and business owners who had damage and losses from the storms have until Tuesday, June 6, 2023, to apply for FEMA assistance and SBA disaster loans.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program for those whose homes were destroyed or left uninhabitable is key to the Tennessee recovery effort. The program, which is offered to eligible survivors in Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne counties, aims to keep tornado-impacted communities intact. It will continue to provide support as survivors proceed through their long-term recovery.

Since the April 7 presidential disaster declaration, federal assistance approved for Tennessee survivors includes:

• $1,454,806 under the FEMA Individuals and Households Program, including:
  • • $1,239,152 approved for housing assistance
    • $215,654 approved for other needs such as medical and dental expenses, childcare, moving and storage, and other essential storm-related expenses
• $149,600 approved in SBA disaster loans.

Disaster Recovery Centers began opening April 16 in the storm-damaged areas to provide survivors with information and advice about community, state and federal agencies that may assist them. State, FEMA and SBA specialists at the centers also help survivors update their existing FEMA applications and complete their SBA loan applications.

If you live or own a business in any of the counties designated for assistance, you may visit any Disaster Recovery Center. Find one here: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.

In this disaster, FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides reimbursement funding to eligible state, tribal and local government entities and nonprofit organizations including houses of worship in the 10 counties designated for emergency debris removal and emergency work to protect lives and secure property.

FEMA’s Public Assistance is a cost-sharing program, meaning FEMA reimburses applicants at least 75% of the eligible costs. The remaining 25% represents nonfederal funds.

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

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.

sandra.habib Fri, 04/21/2023 - 17:14