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New Year, New Disaster Recovery Centers for Cook County
CHICAGO –Two FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will open this week to help Cook County disaster survivors continue their recovery after the Sept. 17-18, 2023, severe storms and flooding. The Disaster Recovery Centers will open in Burnham and Phoenix on Wednesday, Jan. 3. (see below for addresses and hours).
Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the centers to help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, and learn about ways to make their property more disaster resistant. To find the center nearest you, visit FEMA’s DRC Locator.
Disaster Recovery Centers will open in the following locations:
Burnham
Burnham Community Center
14020 S. Torrence Avenue
Burnham, IL 60633
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday
Phoenix
Village Hall, Hawkins Multi-Purpose Center
650 E. 151st St.
Phoenix, IL 60426
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday
Assistance and translated materials are available in languages other than English, including American sign language. Disaster Recovery Centers are in accessible locations.
You don’t need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.
For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4749. The deadline to register for FEMA assistance is January 19, 2024.
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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
larissa.hale Tue, 01/02/2024 - 18:36
FEMA Awards More Than $1 Million to Maine for COVID Sheltering Costs
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $1 million to the State of Maine to reimburse it for the cost of providing non-congregate sheltering for vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $1,034,884 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for the cost of renting hotel rooms between March and July 2021 for quarantining several categories of people.
The state rented approximately 235 rooms at six hotels to quarantine first responders and healthcare workers; people in congregate shelters; and homeless families or individuals who had been exposed to COVID-19.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Maine with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”
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 $306 million in Public Assistance grants to Maine to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
adrien.urbani Fri, 12/29/2023 - 20:38Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Awarded More Than $2.4 Million
MADISON, Miss. – FEMA has approved $2,411,803.50 to reimburse the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for emergency protective measures following the March 24-25 Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Tornadoes.
The storms created an immediate threat to the health and safety of the public, requiring emergency response and protective measures. These included but were not limited to:
- Search and rescue teams in Sharkey County.
- Fire management and suppression support in Sharkey County.
- Patrol units for traffic control during debris removal in Silver City.
- Patrol units for Sharkey and Monroe counties in the affected areas and at donation sites.
- Mobile mortuary trailers and personnel.
- Nurses and clerical staff to give the tetanus vaccine in affected areas.
All work and costs fell between March 24, and April 21, 2023. FEMA authorized a 100% federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures for a continuous 30-day period of the state’s choosing within the first 120 days of the March 24-25 tornadoes.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants for state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to reimburse the eligible cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures and facility restoration.
For the latest information on recovery from the March tornadoes, visit msema.org and www.fema.gov/disaster/4697. On X/Twitter follow MEMA @MSEMA and FEMA Region 4 @femaregion4.
melanie.barker Fri, 12/29/2023 - 16:19Cheatham, Gibson, Stewart Counties Eligible for FEMA Assistance
NASHVILLE – Cheatham, Gibson and Stewart counties are now eligible for FEMA assistance after the Dec. 9 tornadoes.
Homeowners and renters can apply for FEMA financial help, which may include temporary housing assistance, basic home repairs and certain other uninsured disaster-related needs.
These counties join Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery and Sumner, which were previously designated.
To apply, call toll-free 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. The phone line is open daily, and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
For information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4751.Follow FEMA on X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema. Follow Tennessee Emergency Management Agency at facebook.com/TennesseeEMA.
sandra.habib Fri, 12/29/2023 - 13:45Disaster Recovery Centers in South Holland and Harvey Close Dec. 29
CHICAGO – Disaster Recovery Centers in South Holland and Harvey will close permanently at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29. The centers are currently open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Additionally, all Disaster Recovery Centers will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday Dec. 30–Jan. 1.
Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the centers to help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, and learn about ways to make their property more disaster resistant. To find the center nearest you, visit FEMA’s DRC Locator.
The centers are currently located at:
Harvey
Thornton Township High School, District 205
T107 Building
249 East 151st Street
Harvey, IL 60426
South Holland
South Holland Public Works
155 W. 162nd St.
South Holland, IL 60473
Other recovery centers remain open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at:
Calumet City
Calumet City Public Library
660 S Manistee Ave
Calumet City, IL 60409
Dolton
Former Melanie Fitness Center
14900 Greenwood Rd
Dolton, IL 60419
South Shore
Chicago Public Library - South Shore Branch
2505 E. 73rd St.
Chicago, IL 60649
Assistance and translated materials are available in languages other than English, including American sign language. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible.
You don’t need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.
For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4749. The deadline to register for FEMA assistance is January 19, 2024.
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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
larissa.hale Thu, 12/28/2023 - 22:18FEMA Advances Global Climate Resilience Through a Series of Agency Firsts
WASHINGTON -- In 2023, FEMA led crucial engagements to strengthen readiness and adaptation within the global crisis management community. FEMA’s landmark year of international cooperation was capped by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell being the first FEMA Administrator to attend the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP28).
COP28 provided an important forum for Administrator Criswell to solidify partnerships with the international community in climate mitigation and adaptation. The FEMA delegation identified concrete areas for collaboration with strategic international partners in the face of increasing climate impacts. Shared priorities for the next year include readiness for complex crises, training standards for the emergency management workforce and supporting global coverage of early warning systems.
“The need for more resilient communities is not unique to the United States -- it’s something everyone around the world needs to think about,” said Administrator Criswell. “Engaging with our international partners helps us share best practices, learn new techniques and stay in lockstep with our allies and friends as we build the resilient nations the world needs and deserves.”
In another first for FEMA, the Administrator met with Greece’s Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Australia’s Prime Minister Albanese as proof of the urgent action needed to address climate-driven disasters at a global scale.
For the first time in FEMA history, the agency led a multilateral engagement as part of the United States Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) host year. On Aug. 2, Administrator Criswell chaired the 16th APEC Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum in Seattle welcoming disaster management leadership from 15 APEC economies, the public and private sectors, academia and non-profit organizations. During a Leaders’ Roundtable on adaptive crisis management, APEC members discussed how they are incorporating the principles of adaptability and flexibility to confront an increasingly complex disaster landscape. The meeting concluded with a high-level policy discussion featuring global women leaders exchanging their experiences in crisis management. On Aug. 3, FEMA led a Resilient Community Site Visit, which featured state, local and private sector partner participation.
In yet another milestone, Administrator Criswell delivered the U.S. address at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Convened on May 18-19 by the President of the United Nations, Administrator Criswell highlighted the United States Sendai implementation and commitment to work with the United Nations and member nations to accelerate progress toward safer and more resilient communities. Administrator Criswell’s participation is part of FEMA’s ongoing commitment to domestic and international disaster risk reduction.
Throughout 2023, FEMA advanced global climate resiliency through new forums and partnerships that strengthen emergency management in an interconnected world. Under Administrator Criswell’s leadership, FEMA strengthened emergency management cooperation internationally, increased information sharing and improved emergency readiness and response capabilities in the United States and worldwide.
View Original" data-align="center" data-entity-type="emerald" data-image-style="large" data-asset-type="ImageAsset" data-asset-link="undefined" data-asset-id="50524" src="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/402c0dc9042dd8e8eb2e0ff3135c939a.jpg?itok=WImuumN7" alt="undefined" class="image-style-large" />SEATTLE -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (far left) moderates a panel with women leaders in crisis management to identify ways in which APEC economies can expand equity in crisis management organizations. (FEMA photo)View Original" data-align="center" data-entity-type="emerald" data-image-style="large" data-asset-type="ImageAsset" data-asset-link="undefined" data-asset-id="50523" src="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/5f58ebf49cd620c17ce0c5c12d9a93d2.jpg?itok=xmDihrgv" alt="undefined" class="image-style-large" />DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (right) and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (left) discuss the importance of resiliency in the face of worsening disasters during their brief meeting at COP28. (Dimitris Papamitsos, Official photographer to the Greek Prime Minister)View Original" data-align="center" data-entity-type="emerald" data-image-style="large" data-asset-type="ImageAsset" data-asset-link="undefined" data-asset-id="49447" src="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/ffe80b2ce1192a20919fd201b2e9336e.jpg?itok=fyjRtvic" alt="undefined" class="image-style-large" />Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters. He is greeted by Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks.View Original" data-align="center" data-entity-type="emerald" data-image-style="large" data-asset-type="ImageAsset" data-asset-link="undefined" data-asset-id="49443" src="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/dca13c809ffa419a2117c7d70bfc1592.jpg?itok=-CnFDzGW" alt="undefined" class="image-style-large" />Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters. He toured the building with Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks and Operations Division Director Jeremy Greenberg.View Original" data-align="center" data-entity-type="emerald" data-image-style="large" data-asset-type="ImageAsset" data-asset-link="undefined" data-asset-id="49444" src="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/052d3302d16110df9af2388e3c9ff1f2.jpg?itok=km--SCxB" alt="undefined" class="image-style-large" />Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell gave virtual opening remarks expressing appreciation for the strong, mutually beneficial partnership. luther.wills-dudich Thu, 12/28/2023 - 16:08
FEMA Supports Nonprofits in Puerto Rico
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – From delivering food and offering workshops to providing shelter in times of emergency, nonprofits do invaluable work that impacts thousands of people throughout Puerto Rico. To enable them to do their important work more efficiently and safely, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) obligated over $5.4 million to five of these entities located in San Juan, Humacao and Patillas.
“The commendable mission of each of these organizations plays a vital role in our society. Their impact on the communities and populations they serve, most of them with special needs, is an integral part of the country's recovery and here at FEMA we are committed to them,” said FEMA Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Jose G. Baquero.
An example of the work of these civic, philanthropic, religious or community-based entities, among others, is the Centro de Ayuda Social, founded in San Juan in 1967. The center offers educational, preventive and charitable services, including assistance to thousands of homeless people, tutoring for students, workshops for parents, distribution of emergency groceries, help for pregnant women and a program to attend to the needs of older adults.
According to Lillian Doval, Centro's director, they serve about 25,000 people annually through their initiatives, which are adapted according to the needs they encounter along the way. “After the hurricane we realized that there was a community in great need in the Puerto Nuevo area. We opened a soup kitchen and gave hot meals to 400 to 500 people every day. Older people in wheelchairs, with mobility difficulties, etc. were arriving and we decided to give more emphasis to that population. We started with a visitation plan and today we have a list of almost 500 elderly people,” she explained.
In addition to providing them with special services, such as food, clothing and wheelchair distribution, every three months they hold a breakfast or lunch with a lecture on pertinent topics such as depression and hurricane preparedness. In fact, Centro is certified by the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau as a Community Hub, and they are active members of the Puerto Rico Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and FEMA's Long Term Recovery Group in San Juan.
Doval said that the repairs to be made with FEMA funds will help them be able to offer better services. “During the hurricane we had more than six inches of flooding and we lost office equipment, files, [...] and our electrical system was damaged,” he said.
For the center, over $970,000 were obligated and part of the work has already been completed, such as the replacement of an electric generator, a security camera system, and repairs to the roof. These funds include over $155,000 for risk mitigation, such as the installation of a voltage protector and the waterproofing and drainage of the roof.
Another organization that received an obligation of funds was the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer, founded in 1938, which was allocated nearly $2 million for repairs at the San Juan Oncology Hospital, with a line item for risk mitigation measures such as a fan anchoring system on the roof. Among the work completed were the replacement of doors, air conditioning units, access control systems and surveillance cameras, among others.
On the other hand, the elderly of the Manuel Mediavilla Negrón Home for the Elderly in Humacao will benefit from an obligation of over $1.9 million to repair this complex of some 100 apartments. The home is dedicated to promoting the development of safe housing for low-income seniors and is staffed by a social worker. Work has already been completed on the replacement of the roof slabs and other work remains to be done.
According to Ceciliana Cabrer, president of the Board of Directors, the residents are very excited about the repairs to this place that “offers very attractive spaces for residents to receive an excellent quality of life”.
Similarly, in Patillas it was possible to repair the water intake and the water storage tank of the Mulas-Jagual Aqueduct Association, founded in the 1960s, with an allocation of $85,700. The work performed included the replacement of storage tanks, gates, roof panels and metal posts.
Nearly $522,000 were also allocated to the Museo Casa del Libro de San Juan, founded in 1955, to provide content conservation and fungus cleaning treatments. The facility, which houses books dating from 1450 to 1501, manuscripts and posters of Puerto Rican graphics from the 1940s, among other valuable works and artifacts, will receive funds for repairs to protect its collections from deterioration due to temperature control situations.
According to the executive director of the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience (COR3), Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, COR3 has worked closely with nonprofits and many have been able to finance the first phases of construction through the Working Capital Advance (WCA) pilot program. “This program's disbursement for this sector amounts to over $70.2 million. The WCA advances FEMA allocations and has been crucial to expedite the reconstruction work in Puerto Rico for this segment, which makes up an essential part of the COR3 subrecipients, along with municipalities and state agencies,” he said.
As of December 2023, FEMA has obligated over $1.4 billion for just over 2,000 nonprofit projects in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane María.
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339, fema.gov/disaster/4473 and recovery.pr. Follow us on our social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.
frances.acevedo-pico Thu, 12/28/2023 - 15:33It’s Important to Submit SBA Disaster Loan Application
NASHVILLE – FEMA may refer survivors of the Dec. 9 tornadoes to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) with information on how to apply for a disaster loan. It’s important to submit the loan application as soon as possible.
If your application is approved, you are not obligated to accept an SBA loan but failure to return the application may disqualify you from other possible financial assistance from FEMA and the State of Tennessee.
SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors. SBA offers long-term, low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
SBA disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources. Survivors should not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application. They may discover they were underinsured for the deductible, labor and materials required to repair or replace their home.
Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
For small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers economic injury disaster loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury disaster loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business experienced any physical property damage.
Apply online at SBA.gov/disaster. Loan information and applications can also be obtained by calling 800-659-2955. SBA is operating Business Recovery Centers at Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission and Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
The filing deadline for physical property damage is Feb. 12, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Sept. 13, 2024.
For information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4751. Follow FEMA on X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema. Follow Tennessee Emergency Management Agency at facebook.com/TennesseeEMA.
sandra.habib Wed, 12/27/2023 - 16:20Understanding Your FEMA Letter
NASHVILLE – Tennessee survivors of the Dec. 9, 2023 storms and tornadoes who applied for assistance from FEMA will receive a letter from FEMA in the mail or via email.
The letter will explain your application status and how to respond. It is important to read the letter fully because it will include the amount of any assistance FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds.
Applicants may need to submit additional information or supporting documentation for FEMA to continue to process an application for financial assistance. Examples of missing documentation may include:
- Proof of insurance coverage
- Settlement of insurance claims or denial letter from insurance provider
- Proof of identity
- Proof of occupancy
- Proof of ownership
- Proof that the damaged property was the applicant’s primary residence at the time of the disaster
If you have questions about your letter, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Phone lines are open seven days a week, and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
Appealing FEMA’s DecisionFEMA cannot duplicate assistance provided by another source, such as insurance settlements. However, those who are underinsured may receive further assistance for unmet needs after insurance claims have been settled. While FEMA may be able to help with basic needs, it does not provide assistance to cover insurance deductibles.
Appeals must be in writing. In a signed and dated letter, explain the reason(s) for the appeal. It should also include:
- Applicant’s full name
- Disaster number (DR-4751-TN)
- Address of the pre-disaster primary residence
- Applicant’s current phone number and address
- The FEMA application number on all documents
If someone other than an applicant or co-applicant writes the appeal letter, that person must sign it and provide FEMA with a signed statement authorizing the individual to act on behalf of the applicant.
Appeals must be postmarked within 60 days of the date noted on the determination letter. Appeal letters and supporting documents may be uploaded to your personal FEMA online account. To set up an account, visit DisasterAssistance.gov and follow the directions.
Other ways to submit documents include:
- By mail: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville MD 20782-7055
- By fax: 800-827-8112 Attention: FEMA
For information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4751.Follow FEMA on X, formerly Twitter, attwitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.
sandra.habib Tue, 12/26/2023 - 21:52President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Utah
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Utah to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by flooding May 1-27, 2023.
Public Assistance federal funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by flooding in Iron, Morgan, Sanpete, Utah and Wasatch counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Jon K. Huss has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.
erika.suzuki Tue, 12/26/2023 - 16:08Disaster Recovery Center Open in Dickson County
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and FEMA have opened a Disaster Recovery Center in Dickson County to help people affected by the Dec. 9 tornadoes.
Center location:Bibb-White Bluff Civic Center
1054 Old Charlotte Rd.
White Bluff, 37187
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Previously opened:
Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library
350 Pageant Lane #501
Clarksville, 37040
Hours of operation:
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Gallatin Public Utilities
239 Hancock St.
Gallatin, 37066
Hours of operation:
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Nashville Public Library
610 Gallatin Pike S.
Madison 37115
Hours of operation:
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
All centers will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Tennessee state agencies, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.
Storm survivors in Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery and Sumner counties may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses.
In addition to visiting a center, homeowners and renters can apply by going online to disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app or calling 800-621-3362. The phone line is open daily, and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities. They have assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to interact with staff. Video Remote Interpreting is available and in-person sign language is available by request. The centers also have accessible parking, ramps and restrooms.
For information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, fema.gov/disaster/4751.Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
sandra.habib Tue, 12/26/2023 - 14:33FEMA Awards Over $23 Million to Rhode Island Hospital for COVID Response Costs
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $23 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse Rhode Island Hospital for the cost of additional labor to deal with the surge in patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $23,011,242 in Public Assistance grants will reimburse the non-profit academic medical center in Providence – affiliated with Brown University – for the cost of hiring temporary staff and paying existing staff overtime between March 2021 and July 2022.
One grant of $12,770,433 will pay for the cost of contracting for registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) for a total of 61,335 hours of work in surgical, behavioral health, intensive care, critical care, and respiratory care units as well as emergency rooms.
A second grant of $10,240,809 will reimburse Rhode Island Hospital for the cost of paying 2,851 employees for a total of 364,420 hours of overtime worked in similar units.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Rhode Island Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”
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 $800 million in Public Assistance grants to Rhode Island to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
adrien.urbani Thu, 12/21/2023 - 20:51FEMA Awards Nearly $3.5 Million to UMass Memorial Health Care for COVID Materials Costs
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $3.5 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. for the cost of purchasing materials needed to treat patients and protect staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $3,470,013 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 purchasing supplies and equipment needed to deal with the surge in patients caused by the pandemic between July 2022 and May 2023.
UMass Memorial Health Care purchased isolation gowns, ventilator supplies, respirators, nebulizers, gloves, N95 masks, surgical masks, blood oxygen sensors, and intravenous supplies as well as cleaning and disinfection materials.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist UMass Memorial Health Care with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”
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 $2.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.
adrien.urbani Thu, 12/21/2023 - 20:49FEMA Awards Over $3.4 Million to The Miriam Hospital for COVID Overtime Costs
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $3.4 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse The Miriam Hospital for the cost of paying its staff overtime to deal with the surge in patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $3,408,967 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private non-profit hospital in Providence – affiliated with Brown University – for the cost of paying existing staff overtime between April 2021 and June 2022.
The hospital paid 25,017 employees for 285,924 overtime hours to provide direct patient care to COVID-19 patients within the emergency, inpatient, and observation departments within the hospital.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist The Miriam Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”
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 $800 million in Public Assistance grants to Rhode Island to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
adrien.urbani Thu, 12/21/2023 - 20:45FEMA Awards Nearly $1.7 Million to Yale New Haven Hospital for COVID Costs
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $1.7 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse Yale New Haven Hospital for the cost of paying for equipment, labor and other steps taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during the pandemic.
A Public Assistance grant of $1,662,212 will reimburse the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Nursing for the cost of paying for setting up and operating entry screening, disinfecting services, furniture storage, security and parking management for COVID-19 test sites between July 2022 and August 2023.
The hospital also rented temporary facilities and heaters, hard drives, monitors and mounting brackets, charging post and management suite, disposable cubicle curtains, and paid for COVID-19 Call Center support and waste disposal.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Yale New Haven Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county, and municipal governments – as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities – for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”
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 $914 million in Public Assistance grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
adrien.urbani Thu, 12/21/2023 - 20:40FEMA Awards $1.56 Million to Vermont for Plainfield Bridge Replacement
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending $1.56 million to the State of Vermont for the Town of Plainfield to replace an undersized bridge to help avoid future flood damage.
The $1,560,281 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant will fund the replacement of Brook Road Bridge in the village of Plainfield, which has been damaged three times in past 40 years by floodwaters.
The project includes removing the existing concrete bridge, replacing it with a bridge that has adequate hydraulic capacity, and raising the roadway profile six inches to reduce flood risk to the roadway, several residences, and the Brook Road Bridge.
The funding for this project comes from funding the state received from FEMA as part of the COVID-19 pandemic disaster through the HMGP program, and represents 90 percent of the total $1,733,646 price tag.
Under the program, every state, tribe, and territory that received a major disaster declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was eligible to receive 4% of those disaster costs to invest in mitigation projects that reduce risks from natural disasters, especially those related to climate change.
HMGP grants are managed by the state and funding for HMGP projects are authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Act, the 1988 law that governs FEMA’s disaster-related activities. Since the funding is limited, states are responsible for prioritizing projects for funding.
“Hazard mitigation funding is FEMA’s way of providing an incentive to state and local governments to rebuild smarter, stronger, and with an eye toward the next disaster that may strike,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “President Biden’s decision to make more than $3.46 billion in climate-related HMGP funding available after the COVID pandemic will pay off in the long run by reducing future disaster losses.”
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is an important source of federal disaster assistance. HMGP funds may become available following the president’s declaration of a major disaster, and help strengthen communities by improving buildings, facilities, residential structures and infrastructure that people use every day.
adrien.urbani Thu, 12/21/2023 - 19:11Roosevelt County, New Mexico, Flood Maps Become Final
DENTON, Texas – New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on June 20, 2024, for Roosevelt County, New Mexico. During the next six months, a FEMA compliance specialist will work with the community to update each floodplain ordinance and adopt these new flood maps.
Residents are encouraged to examine the maps to determine if they are in a low-to-moderate or high-risk flood zone. The current and future Flood Insurance Rate Map can be viewed on FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer.
By understanding flood risks, individuals can decide which insurance option is best for their situation. Community leaders can use these maps to make informed decisions about building standards and development that will make the community more resilient and lessen the impacts of a flooding event.
Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their home, personal property and business. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for those in communities who participate in the NFIP. Residents with federally backed mortgages must have flood insurance if their structures are in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) to review the new flood maps and learn more about your risk of flooding. A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify your community FPA and answer questions about the maps as well. Contact them by phone or online chat.
- Click on the “Live Chat” icon to use the live chat service.
- To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 877-FEMA MAP (877-336-2627) or send an email.
There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting floodsmart.gov.
luther.wills-dudich Thu, 12/21/2023 - 18:45FEMA Offers Workshop to Counteract the Effects of Climate Change
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – Landslides and coastal erosion were two of the most frequent impacts suffered by Puerto Rico's municipalities because of Hurricane María in 2017. These and other threats may worsen and increase as the effects of climate change continue to intensify across the Island.
To address this challenge, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its Community Assistance - Recovery Support Function (CA-RSF) unit, organized a workshop to advise municipal staff on new tools and strategies that can increase the resilience of their recovery projects by considering climate change variables in their jurisdictions. Emergency planners and managers, among other local officials from the municipalities of Bayamón, Cataño, Ciales, Dorado, Florida, Guaynabo, Manatí, Morovis, Orocovis, San Juan, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Vega Alta and Vega Baja participated in the event.
“Puerto Rico's recovery encompasses many complex and far-reaching issues. Being well educated about climate change will ensure that we are all informed and take timely action to prevent or reverse damage to the extent possible,” said FEMA Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.
The workshop brought together experts from the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus (UPRM) Geology Department, the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS) office, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Adaptation Partnerships Program (CAP). Staff from FEMA's Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs provided information on opportunities available to fund projects that address current challenges.
Held in early December, this workshop is one of several that the federal agency organizes as part of the CA-RSF's Regional Recovery Focus Workshop, a recovery planning initiative that is carried out in all areas of the Bureau of Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (NMEAD) on the island. These workshops seek to provide information, answers and possible alternatives to specific problems identified by the municipalities in the event of a disaster. The workshop that took place recently in the municipality of Dorado addressed land use planning and management strategies to address landslides, coastal erosion and other threats associated with climate change.
Topics included how to update land use plans according to climate change and nature-based mitigation measures, an aspect that FEMA works on with applicant recovery projects.
Kenneth S. Hughes, a professor in the UPRM Department of Geology and coordinator of the Storm-induced Landslide Impact Dynamics on the Environment and Society (SLIDES-PR) project, said that “while most landslides are caused by gravity, they can also be caused by rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, groundwater pressure, erosion, destabilization of hillsides as a result of deforestation, cultivation, and construction, among others.” According to Hughes, this can be dangerous when they occur in areas where there are roads and even structures and residences, because of the speed and volume with which they occur.
“Hurricane María was an event that taught us what nature is capable of because all the areas in Puerto Rico that were already facing initial landslide problems became even more complicated. After that, around 70,000 landslides were recorded island wide. This opened a path to learn and prepare for future situations that are often unavoidable,” said the geology expert.
For Hughes, the first step to establish risk mitigation measures is to identify where the vulnerable points and areas are: to know the drainage at the site, the conditions of the infrastructure, where and how the road is built and the state of its drainage system, among other aspects. Mitigation measures will depend on the nature of the site or the construction of the structure or road.
He indicated that “in order to know in real time the possibility of a landslide occurring, the SLIDES project has so far installed 17 monitoring stations throughout the island to measure soil moisture, among other parameters that could help alert about imminent landslide conditions before the event occurs.”
For her part, Patricia Chardón Maldonado, deputy director and technical director of CARICOOS, pointed out that coastal erosion was already affecting the width of our beaches before the ravages left by Hurricane María in Puerto Rico. The hurricane's intense winds and strong waves caused what little sand there was on the beaches to be lost in deep water. Chardón, who is a civil engineer and expert in coastal erosion, explained that several scientific investigations on the island estimate that about one to three miles of beach width has been lost.
“This loss on our beaches is significant because our beaches are not very wide. However, there have been some that have recovered, but others have not because of the significant loss of sand, landslides, collapse of structures near the maritime-terrestrial area and poor planning in construction,” said the expert.
As for mitigation measures, Chardon said that it will depend on the area being worked on. More natural design measures can be used, such as coral barriers, dunes and measures to rehabilitate certain beaches through sand suction, among other options presented at the workshop.
“It is important to keep the economic aspect of the project in mind, but especially to keep the social aspect in mind when implementing any risk mitigation measures,” stressed the environmental expert.
Wanda Crespo, a climate adaptation specialist with NOAA's Regional Integrated Science and Assessment Program, urged local governments to incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation measures when updating or revising existing plans, “to avoid the investment and time needed to develop new planning initiatives and thus shorten the implementation of recommended actions.” He indicated that it is better to plan “so as not to have to react later”.
At the conclusion of the event, invited directors and staff from the different units shared concerns and sought possible solutions to counteract the situation in their respective regions.
Some of the recovery challenges discussed in previous workshops include recommendations on how to manage deteriorated structures and encumbrances, bank erosion management through nature-based solutions, and storm runoff.
In 2024, FEMA's CA-RSF will continue to coordinate participatory mapping exercises and related efforts with those municipalities within NMEAD's Ceiba and Caguas Emergency Operational Zones.
Six years after Hurricane María, Puerto Rico has over $31.3 billion in FEMA allocations for nearly 10,900 projects that will help spur rebuilding.
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339, fema.gov/disaster/4473 and recovery.pr. Follow us on our social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.
manuel.deleon Thu, 12/21/2023 - 15:34Donate Wisely
NASHVILLE – The generosity of the public following the Dec. 9 severe storms is helping affected communities to begin recovering from this disaster.
However, an outpouring of donated items can quickly exceed the needs of the affected communities, requiring supporting agencies to redirect manpower from providing direct services to managing donated goods that may not meet survivors’ needs.
The State of Tennessee is asking you not to donate unsolicited goods. This will support improved coordination with experienced disaster relief organizations and state/local emergency management offices so those in need quickly receive the right help.
Easiest way to help: Donate cashThe most effective way to support disaster survivors’ recovery is to make tax-deductible financial donations to trusted voluntary-, faith- and community-based charitable organizations. This gives them the ability to purchase, or provide vouchers for, what survivors actually need.
In addition, when these organizations or survivors purchase goods or services locally, they pump money back into the local economy, helping businesses recover faster.
Donate through a trusted organizationTo ensure your financial contribution is used responsibly, only donate to reputable organizations. Both the Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (tnvoad.org) and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (nvoad.org) list trusted organizations receiving donations. The Tennessee VOAD website has a list of vetted disaster relief organizations providing services to survivors of the Dec. 9 storms.
VolunteeringTennessee is asking potential volunteers to visit tnvoad.org to learn how to register with the voluntary or charitable organization of their choice.
For information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, fema.gov/disaster/4751. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
sandra.habib Wed, 12/20/2023 - 19:44Culvert Fights Generations of Floods
In Brandon, Vermont, catastrophic floods have hit the town’s residents from the time of its founding – until they used FEMA funding after Tropical Storm Irene to build a $2.5 million culvert. This July, when severe storms rolled across Vermont, that decision proved its worth: downtown didn’t flood.
Brandon has a distinct hydrological feature nestled in its downtown: the Neshobe River becomes a waterfall.
Neshobe Falls drops over twenty-five feet onto a rocky outcrop, then continues underneath scenic U.S. Route Seven, known locally as Center Street.
The river has been one of Brandon’s major attractions since it was chartered in 1761. In the 1820s, residents harnessed the river to generate hydropower for the mills downtown. They built a low dam upstream – creating the falls – and installed a canal that twisted the river almost 90 degrees. This turn produced a swifter flow, which increased the hydropower the river created – but also increased flooding.
The Neshobe flooded again and again: in 1869, 1927, 1938, 1947 and 1973. When Tropical Storm Irene struck in 2011, it carved a swath through downtown Brandon that almost exactly mirrored its destruction in 1938.
Furnace Street, Brandon in 1938 (top) and 2011 (bottom)
Center Street in 1938 (top) and 2011 (bottom)
With downtown businesses shuttered, residents rallied to rebuild. Ethan Swift, a former elected member of the town selectboard and longtime employee of Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation, proposed building a culvert. If they could give the overflow somewhere to go, it wouldn’t keep overwhelming the bottleneck at the falls.
After an informational campaign, including videos and public meetings, the town was onboard.
Town management and the state of Vermont coordinated with FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to plan and fund the massive effort.
The project was completed in several stages. First, the House of Pizza, a restaurant that the Neshobe pushed onto the sidewalk of Center Street, was demolished. Most of the adjacent business’ rear dining area was removed, and two pillars were installed for stability: parts of the building still hung over the river.
Then, construction under the street began. Crews excavated into the bedrock, then used cranes to lower pre-formed concrete sections into place.
The resulting culvert now measures six feet high, 12 feet wide and 230 feet long. It remains dry most of the year, but when heavy rain or snow melt inundates the river, it funnels the water safely under Center Street.
Spot proposed for culvert after Irene
Brandon’s culvert today
Construction ran from October 2016 through May 2017, and finished right on time – according to the schedule, and to nature.
“On the first of July, we received four inches of rain in a couple hours,” said Bill Moore, the former interim town manager. “The culvert accepted water for the first time, and saved downtown from flooding.”
Each time the downtown flooded, repairs would cost an average of $412 thousand. With this project, FEMA covered $1.8 million – 75% of the cost – to install the culvert that averted not only this year’s flood, but, hopefully, many more.
“It’s been life changing,” said the current town manager, Seth Hopkins. “It used to be, when a big storm was predicted, all the business owners would start to think, ‘What do we need to do? Do we need to put sandbags around the backdoor?’”
Now, a group of residents has a new tradition: when the rains ease, they carry folding chairs to a ledge by the culvert, and sit and watch the river flow through.
“It’s really just been this massive relief,” said Hopkins.
adrien.urbani Wed, 12/20/2023 - 19:02Pages
