FEMA Awards Over $2.6 Million to Tufts Medical Center for COVID-19 Staffing Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $2.6 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse Tufts Medical Center for the cost of paying overtime to handle the increased patient load during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $2,600,272 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the teaching hospital in Boston affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine for overtime paid to staff needed to cope with increased patient loads.

Since January 2020, Tufts Medical Center has paid 1,319 staff members for more than 65,776 overtime hours needed to treat patients at the facility in Boston.

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

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

So far, FEMA has provided more than $1.5 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Tue, 02/21/2023 - 16:26

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Oglala Sioux Tribe

WASHINGTON ­-- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Oglala Sioux Tribe to supplement tribal recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storms and snowstorm from Dec. 12-25, 2022.

Federal funding is available to the tribe and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Federal funding is also available for snow assistance for 48 hours, either during or immediate to the incident period.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe is eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Alana B. Kuhn has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made later if requested by the tribal nation and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

luther.wills-dudich Tue, 02/21/2023 - 16:06

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Rosebud Sioux Tribe

WASHINGTON ­-- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe to supplement tribal recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storms and snowstorm from Dec. 12-25, 2022.

Federal funding is available to the tribe and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Federal funding is also available for snow assistance for 48 hours either during or immediate to the incident period.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Alana B. Kuhn has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made later if requested by the tribal nation and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

luther.wills-dudich Tue, 02/21/2023 - 14:48

Joint Statement from Ohio Governor DeWine and FEMA Regional Administrator Sivak

WASHINGTON -- Following continued discussions between the state of Ohio and FEMA regarding the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Governor Mike DeWine and FEMA Regional Administrator Thomas C. Sivak issued the following joint statement:

“FEMA and the State of Ohio have been in constant contact regarding emergency operations in East Palestine. U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA have been working together since day one. Tomorrow, FEMA will supplement federal efforts by deploying a Senior Response Official along with a Regional Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to support ongoing operations, including incident coordination and ongoing assessments of potential long term recovery needs.”

For more information on the federal response to this incident, please visit here: FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Deploys Additional Federal Resources to East Palestine, Ohio - The White House

For more information on FEMA’s field operations and IMAT teams, please visit here: Field Operations | FEMA.gov

 

mayshaunt.gary Sat, 02/18/2023 - 00:41

One Month Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

ATLANTA – Homeowners and renters in Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Troup counties who had damage to their properties after last month’s storms and tornadoes have until Monday, March 20, to apply for federal disaster assistance.

Survivors of the Jan. 12 storms are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before applying for FEMA assistance. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to help disaster survivors with basic, critical needs such as finding a safe, sanitary and functional place to live. In other words, these grants can help pay for temporary housing and for home repairs to your primary home.

FEMA assistance may also cover personal property loss, childcare, medical or dental care and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. FEMA can also refer you to other agencies that may be able to help.

Here are the ways to apply for FEMA disaster assistance:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Download the FEMA mobile app
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.
• For an accessible video on how to apply, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI
• You may also visit any Disaster Recovery Center. Find one here:  https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator

Completing a loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration is a necessary step to being considered for other forms of FEMA disaster assistance. SBA loans are not just for businesses. They are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for homeowners, renters and business owners.

You have until Friday, March 17, to apply for an SBA loan. Here’s how to apply:

• Use SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/
• Request a paper application to apply by U.S. mail by calling the customer service line at 800-659-2955.
• You may also email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 for application assistance and for more information on the SBA disaster assistance program. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.

For the latest information on Georgia’s recovery from the severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4685. You may also follow @GeorgiaEMAHS/Twitter, Facebook.com/GeorgiaEMAHS, @FEMARegion4/Twitter and Facebook.com/FEMA.

felicia.jordan Fri, 02/17/2023 - 20:31

FEMA Assistance May Be Available for Items Damaged by Hurricane Ian

LAKE MARY, Fla. – In Lee County, a renter applied to FEMA after Hurricane Ian, reporting that her home and personal property were damaged by flooding. She also reported a disaster-caused need for medical expenses for which she had no insurance.

A FEMA inspector verified that her home was uninhabitable because of the flooding. FEMA determined that she met all the eligibility criteria for various categories of assistance: eligible for initial rental assistance, medical assistance and financial assistance for essential personal property and appliances that were damaged by flood. The woman received a total of $19,280 in federal assistance from FEMA.

In Seminole County, a renter reported home damage and personal property damage, with no personal property insurance. A FEMA inspection verified that the home was uninhabitable because of rain and wind-driven rain damage. FEMA determined that he met all the eligibility criteria and he was eligible for initial rental assistance and assistance for disaster-caused damage to essential personal property and appliances. He received $16,199.

These applicants are among 364,000 Florida households that have received federal assistance from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program Other Needs Assistance (ONA) provision. Assistance available under the ONA provision includes assistance for transportation, medical and dental, childcare, funeral, moving and storage, critical needs and other preapproved costs that may not be covered by insurance or other sources.

For the latest information on Florida's recovery from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

bree-constance… Fri, 02/17/2023 - 14:21

Free Disaster Legal Services, Crisis Counseling Available to Georgia Storm Survivors

ATLANTA - If you are facing legal issues or experiencing feelings of hopelessness or stress resulting from Georgia’s Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes, you can get disaster legal advice and crisis counseling.

FEMA has made the free services available to residents in the eight counties most affected by the storms: Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Troup.

Disaster Legal Services. Low-income, elderly and other vulnerable residents who were affected by the disaster and are unable to afford their own lawyer may call 866-584-8027 or 404-527-8793. The helpline is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Voicemail messages can be left 24 hours a day, every day. When leaving a message, include the county where you are located and describe your disaster-related legal problem. Callers may receive assistance from staff at Georgia Legal Aid or a volunteer attorney. Examples of available assistance include help with securing FEMA and other benefits; insurance claims; home repair contracts and contractors; consumer protection matters; replacement of wills and other important legal documents that were destroyed; and mortgage-foreclosure and landlord/tenant problems.

The service is a partnership between FEMA, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and Georgia legal groups.

Immediate Crisis Counseling. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and FEMA have activated a Disaster Distress Helpline in Georgia; telephone or text 800-985-5990. This free crisis support service is available all day, every day, for disaster survivors experiencing emotional distress or mental health problems caused or aggravated by the storms and tornadoes or their aftermath.

The helpline staff may provide confidential counseling and other needed support services. They can also immediately connect callers to trained professionals from the nearest participating crisis-counseling center.

Spanish-speakers can press “2” for bilingual support. Callers can connect with counselors in more than 100 languages via third-party interpretation services by telling the counselor their preferred language. A videophone option for American Sign Language users is also available by calling 800-985-5990 from a videophone-enabled device or via an “ASL Now” link at Disaster Distress Helpline | SAMHSA (samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline.

The deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance is Monday, March 20. For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, go to go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhl. 

For the latest information on Georgia’s recovery from the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4685. You may also follow @GeorgiaEMAHS/Twitter, Facebook.com/GeorgiaEMAHS, @FEMARegion4/Twitter and Facebook.com/FEMA.

 

felicia.jordan Fri, 02/17/2023 - 13:44

Three Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Santa Cruz County

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Three Disaster Recovery Centers are open in the following locations. Residents who were affected by the severe storms and flooding can visit the centers to update FEMA applications and learn about other disaster assistance which may be available.

The Disaster Recovery Centers in Santa Cruz County are located at:

Felton Branch Library

6121 Gushee Street

Felton, CA 95018

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6.p.m. daily (closed Sundays)

Community Room

701 Ocean Street

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

                         

Watsonville City Government Center

250 Main Street

Watsonville, CA 95076

Hours: Monday – Saturday 8:30 a.m. a 4:30 p.m.

Specialists at recovery centers can clarify information you have received from FEMA or other agencies; they can explain the rental assistance available to homeowners and renters; and they can fax your requested documents to a FEMA processing center and scan or copy new information or documents needed for case files.

Residents who had uninsured or underinsured damage and losses resulting from the severe storms and flooding are encouraged to apply to FEMA, although you do not need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply. Here are other ways to apply:

Go to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Helpline operators are available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. For an accessible video on how to apply, go to youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI. You can also visit any Disaster Recovery Center and meet with FEMA staff and representatives of other federal and state agencies who can provide information about disaster assistance. To find a recovery center near you, visit DRC Locator (fema.gov).

brindisi.chan Fri, 02/17/2023 - 01:26

Disaster Recovery Centers to Close on Sundays

ATLANTA - All FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Georgia will be closed on Sundays, starting Feb. 19, 2023. Regular hours will resume Monday through Saturday.

The centers provide one-on-one help to people affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes. Recovery specialists from FEMA, the state and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their disaster applications.

Centers are located in Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding and Troup counties.

For disaster recovery center locations and the latest information on Georgia’s recovery from the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4685. You may also follow @GeorgiaEMAHS/Twitter, Facebook.com/GeorgiaEMAHS, @FEMARegion4/Twitter and Facebook.com/FEMA.

felicia.jordan Thu, 02/16/2023 - 19:28

Disaster Recovery Center in Tallapoosa County to Close Feb. 17

PRATTVILLE, Ala. -- The FEMA-state Disaster Recovery Center in Tallapoosa County will close permanently Feb. 17.

The center is currently closed due to weather. It will be open 2-17-2023 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then close permanently.

WHERE:  

Tallapoosa County

Betty Carol Graham Technology Center, Room 202

at Central Alabama Community College

1675 Cherokee Road

Alexander City, AL 35010

 

Recovery specialists from FEMA, the state and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications for assistance.

The centers provide one-on-one help to people affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes.

Other recovery centers remain open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Central Time, Monday through Saturday.

WHERE:  

Dallas County

Dr. Michael and Catherine Bullock Community Center

1428 Broad St.

Selma, AL 36701

 

Dallas County

Felix Heights Community Center

405 Medical Center Pkwy.

Selma, AL 36701

 

Greene County

Robert H. Young Community Center

720 Greensboro St.

Eutaw, AL 35462

Sumter County

Emelle City Hall

123 Dailey Ave.

Emelle, AL 35462

 

Morgan County

Turner-Surles Community Center

702 Sycamore St. NW

Decatur, AL 35601

No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center.

 

Survivors may also apply for assistance by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app for smartphones or calling 800-621-3362. The helpline is open, and help is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time 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.

The deadline to apply for assistance for all designated counties is March 16, 2023.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to, youtube.com/watch?v= WZGpWI2RCNw.

For information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4684. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

felicia.jordan Thu, 02/16/2023 - 19:19

Stay Alert for All Hazards Throughout the Year

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands – Atlantic hurricane season is four months away, but now is the perfect time to start preparations to harden your home against damage from storms, review and update your family’s emergency plan and replenish your disaster supply kit.

Putting together a plan and practicing it with your household throughout the year is a great away to uncover gaps in your plan and avoid panic and confusion when a storm is approaching in the Atlantic.

During hurricane season, storms could form any time off the west coast of Africa, or in the Caribbean, and approach the U.S. Virgin Islands, but you should be prepared for other hazards as well throughout the year. Earthquakes occur regularly in the Virgin Islands and on rare occasions, earthquakes of serious magnitude do occur, as the sea moves with them.

On Nov. 18, 1867, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Anegada trough, between St. Croix and St. Thomas, and generated two tsunami waves on St. Thomas and St. Croix. As well, we have witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to 130 deaths in the U.S. Virgin Islands since 2020, and recent global events have brought cybersecurity to the forefront.

FEMA is heeding the call to vigilance as we continue to collaborate with our territorial and federal partners to strengthen the territory’s capability to prepare and respond to all hazards. We continue to review our communications, supply chain and other operations to ensure we will be ready to support the territory at its request.

We are engaged with our territorial and federal partners for this year’s Readiness Initiative, which will culminate with series of response exercises across the territory in May. We urge Virgin Islanders to resolve to be ready again this year to ensure your household is prepared for emergencies or disasters that could arrive with no notice.

“We continue to focus on how we could use our resources to strengthen the U.S. Virgin Islands’ capabilities to respond to disasters when the territory requests our support,” said Mark A. Walters, Coordinator for FEMA’s Virgin Islands Caribbean Area Office. “Our team is reviewing and refining its plans to ensure we are ready to prepare and respond to any event. We ask you to review and practice your emergency plans to ensure your household is prepared to withstand future events.”

Get tips on creating a plan from ready.gov/plan. Consider these steps:

▪ How will you receive emergency alerts and warnings, and do you need to update your emergency preparedness kit?

▪ Consider specific needs for your household.

▪ Create a family emergency plan.

▪ Practice your plan with your family and household.

As well, we look forward to sharing preparedness information and discussing plans to fit your household’s needs during this weekend’s Partners in Preparedness event, which will take place at the Agricultural and Food Fair of the U.S. Virgin Islands on St. Croix. We hope to see you there.

gina.callaghan Thu, 02/16/2023 - 19:14

FEMA-funded Generators to Provide More Reliable Security Service Facilities

San Juan, Puerto Rico –The need for the services provided by critical facilities, such as police stations and government centers that serve the community, is vital during a disaster and to preserve the lives and safety of people. That’s why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated nearly $2 million for the first phase of a project of approximately $25 million in total. The hazard mitigation proposal consists of purchasing and installing generators at 35 police stations and 39 government facilities of the Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority.

“With the first phase of this project, which includes the contracting process, identifying the engineering firm that will perform the evaluation, design and other procedures, we take an important step towards communities having more reliable facilities. By having an alternate source of energy, we help address the lack of electricity that greatly affected these places during Hurricane Maria,” said FEMA's Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José G. Baquero.

This allocation is provided through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and will allow facilities such as police stations, courthouses, government centers and emergency response offices that transform schools into shelters during emergencies, to provide their services during power outages.

Several police stations in towns such as Aibonito, Humacao, Lajas, Las Marías, Lares, Quebradillas and Santa Isabel are included in this group of facilities, as are government centers in Añasco, Ceiba, Hatillo, Jayuya, Loíza, Moca, Sabana Grande, Utuado and Yabucoa, among others.

The Secretary of the Department of Public Safety, Alexis Torres, said that they will keep collaborating with FEMA to continue moving these hazard mitigation projects forward. “This time, we will impact 35 police stations with the installation of electric generators, which will allow us to provide service to residents during electric services interruptions. Our commitment, together with the Public Buildings Authority, is to impact as many police stations as possible throughout the island.”

Generators for municipal facilities

Likewise, a municipal project under HMGP to install generators was completed in Cabo Rojo. Here, the purchase of a generator will provide backup power to the facility that houses the Municipal Police headquarters and the Office of Emergency Management. This project received an obligation of over $86,000 and was fully funded by the HMGP program.

According to Cabo Rojo Emergency Management Director, Eliot Santiago Ortiz, this generator benefits three facilities: the municipal police headquarters, the Emergency Management Office and Emergency Medical Services. “The impact of having the generator is that every time there is a power outage, we can count on having our communications system up, the 9-1-1 system and the system that links emergency agencies with 9-1-1. Our phones need Internet to work. In addition, the Emergency Operations Center operates from the Emergency Management building and computers are linked to the system where people report their damage and fill the forms we send to Emergency Management (at state level) to request or report any need from the community,” he explained.

Other proposals under HMGP for security installations include wind retrofitting, flood protection and the creation of safe rooms.

Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), said “with this million-dollar obligation, the Public Buildings Authority has at its disposal the Working Capital Advance request that would advance 20 percent of the $2 million to begin the execution of the scope of work approved in this first phase. Through the energy resilience provided by the installation of these generators in police stations and government centers, the continuity of services to citizens is guaranteed to safeguard their lives in times of emergency.”

To date, nearly $2.8 billion has been approved through HMGP for a total of 67 projects to address the damage caused by Hurricane Maria, focused on preparing the island to face future disasters.

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 Thu, 02/16/2023 - 13:08

Make Sure to Apply with SBA

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Those affected by the severe winter storms, which caused massive flooding across the state from Dec. 27, 2022, to Jan. 31, 2023, may need more financial assistance for long-term recovery than FEMA can provide. A disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may go a long way in helping to recover from the storms.

Residents and homeowners in the designated counties of Alameda, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Ventura may be eligible to apply for an SBA disaster assistance loan.

However, those affected by the winter storms may be reluctant to apply for a loan. But before rejecting the idea of applying, survivors should consider the following:

• You do not have to accept a loan if you are approved.
• If FEMA refers you to SBA, you must apply with SBA before you can be considered for certain FEMA grant money, such as reimbursement for damaged personal property, transportation assistance and Group Flood Insurance Policy (GFIP).

 

• SBA is offering zero interest on new disaster loans. Homeowners and business owners approved for these loans have up to one year from the date of the loan to begin making payments.
• The extended deferment to 12 months is automatic and borrowers do not need to take any additional action. There is no prepayment penalty and borrowers can begin making loan payments during the deferment period if they choose.
• There is no cost to apply for an SBA low disaster loan.
• Waiting for an insurance settlement? Your policy may not cover all the replacement, repair and rebuilding costs needed. A disaster loan could help cover the difference. You can then use your insurance proceeds to reduce or pay off the SBA loan balance.

 

• 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. 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

 

• Homeowners may be eligible for a disaster loan up to $200,000 for primary residence structural repairs or rebuilding. SBA may also be able to help homeowners and renters with up to $40,000 to replace important personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

 

• In addition, you may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20 percent of the physical damage to make your home safer. Eligible work could include building retaining walls, elevating or retrofitting the flood prone structure or relocating utilities to protect against future damage.

 

For information on the loan application process:

• To apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications, go to https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. You 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, dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
• The SBA deadline to apply for property damage is March 16, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Oct. 16, 2023.
• SBA has opened two Business Recovery Centers to assist business owners with their loan applications. Homeowners and renters may also visit the centers. No appointment is necessary.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Business Recovery Center

Capitola City Hall

Community Room (Located on the First Floor)

420 Capitola Avenue

Capitola, CA  95010

Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

*Public parking is located behind City Hall

SACRAMENTO COUNTY

Business Recovery Center

The Hub

9072 Elk Grove Boulevard

Elk Grove, CA  95624

Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance:

• Go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Helpline operators are available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. For an accessible video on how to apply, go to youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI.

brindisi.chan Thu, 02/16/2023 - 00:47

FEMA, SBA Assistance Tops $8.1 Million for Alabama Tornado Survivors

PRATTVILLE, Ala.– Just 30 days after President Joe Biden declared a major disaster for the state of Alabama following the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes, more than $8.1 million in federal assistance has been provided by FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support disaster recovery here. 

Homeowners and renters whose homes and property were damaged by the storms, and who still need to apply for federal assistance, have until March 16, 2023, to do so.

As of Feb. 15, Alabama’s recovery assistance includes:

• More than $4.6 million in FEMA’s Individual and Households Program (IHP) grants awarded to eligible homeowners and renters in 10 Alabama counties. These grants help pay for uninsured and underinsured losses and storm-related damage, including:

• More than $3.6 million in FEMA housing grants to help pay for home repair, home replacement and rental assistance for temporary housing.
• More than $958,000 in Other Needs Assistance grants to help pay for personal property replacement and other serious storm-related needs—such as moving and storage fees, transportation, childcare, and medical and dental expenses.

• More than $3.5 million in long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the SBA for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations to repair, rebuild or replace disaster-damaged physical property and to cover economic injury from the Jan. 12 storms and tornadoes.

The 10 Alabama counties designated for Individual Assistance in this disaster are: Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Morgan, Mobile, Sumter and Tallapoosa.

• The state and FEMA have staffed and operated 11 Disaster Recovery Centers in nine counties that provide one-on-one assistance to survivors. The centers have tallied more than 1,285 visits by survivors.  

Recovery specialists from FEMA, state and the U.S. Small Business Administration at the recovery centers provide information on available services, explain assistance programs, and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications for assistance. No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Walk-ins are welcome. All centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Saturday.

• FEMA has sent Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams to storm-affected neighborhoods in every designated county. These teams travel door-to-door in hard-hit neighborhoods helping survivors apply for assistance. DSA teams visit homes, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to help residents apply for assistance, identify, and address immediate and emerging needs, and make referrals to other local, state, and voluntary agencies for additional support.
  • These teams provide information on resources available from federal and state governments, nonprofit organizations, and the faith-based community to help address immediate needs.
  • To date, DSA personnel have interacted with more than 4,050 survivors; and have helped more than 645 households apply for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. They visited more than 300 businesses. FEMA is working to remove barriers to assistance, ensuring all survivors have equal access to disaster aid and resources.
    • No one’s background or primary language is a barrier to receiving FEMA financial assistance. FEMA offers help in many languages available through our call centers to assist caseworkers and processing staff to provide customer service to non-English speaking applicants. Operators are available by phone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time daily.
    • FEMA is providing timely translation of information and resources into Spanish.

FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program reimburses counties, the state and certain nonprofits for eligible costs of disaster-related debris removal, emergency protective measures and repair and replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, such as roads, bridges, public utilities, including water treatment and electrical plants, government buildings and parks.

Eleven Alabama counties have been designated for some form of Public Assistance.

• Greene and Sumter counties have been designated for PA categories A and B: debris removal and emergency protective services.
• Autauga, Barbour, Chambers, Conecuh, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Hale and Tallapoosa have been designated for categories A-G. These categories include debris removal and emergency protective services and the restoration of disaster-damaged facilities.

PA is at a 100% federal cost share for categories A and B of the total eligible costs for a 30-day period of the State’s choosing within the first 120 days of Jan. 12, 2023. 

For information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4684. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

felicia.jordan Wed, 02/15/2023 - 22:13

FEMA Teams Helping Pike County Survivors Jump-start their Recovery

ATLANTA – FEMA teams are on the ground helping people in Pike County, which was added to the major disaster declaration for Georgia’s severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes of Jan. 12. Pike County residents who sustained damage or losses from the storms may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are going door-to-door in neighborhoods impacted by the storms to help individuals apply for FEMA assistance. Using mobile technology, DSA personnel can help survivors apply for assistance, update a FEMA application, and answer questions about federal assistance. DSA teams wear FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. There is no charge for service.

Home Inspectors are also on the job. Those who report they cannot live safely in their home may need FEMA to perform an inspection of the damaged dwelling. FEMA will contact you to meet at the address where the damage was reported. You or your designated co-applicant identified on your registration will need to meet with an inspector and provide a photo ID.  Housing inspectors will have an official photo-ID, your FEMA application number, and never charge fees for an inspection. If you have a question about the inspection, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. 

It is not necessary to wait for a visit from DSA to apply for assistance. Survivors in Pike County can visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Spalding County, at the address listed directly below, which is the DRC closest to the impacted area in Pike County, or any of the additional six DRCs in Georgia. For a list of DRC locations and daily hours, visit the DRC Locator at egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.

The Spalding County DRC is located at:

Spalding County Senior Center 855 Memorial Dr. Griffin, GA 30223

Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Monday-Saturday)

To apply online or for more information, go online to disasterassistance.com, use the FEMA mobile app , or call 800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, seven days a week. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone, or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

For the latest information on Georgia’s recovery from the severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4685. You may also follow @GeorgiaEMAHS/Twitter, Facebook.com/GeorgiaEMAHS, @FEMARegion4/Twitter and Facebook.com/FEMA.

felicia.jordan Wed, 02/15/2023 - 19:17

FEMA Needs Your Current Contact Information

PRATTVILLE, Ala. –After you apply for federal disaster assistance, it is important that FEMA be able to contact you. Be aware that phone calls from FEMA may appear to come from unidentified numbers. Make sure that FEMA has your up-to-date contact information.

FEMA may need to call some survivors in Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Morgan, Mobile, Sumter and Tallapoosa counties to continue processing their application for assistance after the severe storms and tornadoes on Jan. 12. FEMA also may contact some survivors to obtain more information for their application.

If there are changes in your phone number, current address, banking or insurance information, you should let FEMA know as soon as possible or you may miss important telephone calls or correspondence.

You can update your contact information in several ways:

• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time in most languages, seven days a week.
• Download the FEMA app for smartphones.                

Survivors can apply for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362. The helpline is open, and help is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

For information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4684. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

felicia.jordan Wed, 02/15/2023 - 15:39

379,000 Florida Households Receiving Assistance from FEMA

LAKE MARY, Fla. – More than 379,000 households are receiving help from FEMA as they recover from Hurricane Ian. The assistance comes in many forms.

More than 49,000 households have received rental funds from FEMA because they can’t move back into their homes. FEMA, the state of Florida and voluntary organizations are working with these families to help them with housing resources. Households may be eligible for continued rental funds, which serve as a bridge to longer-term housing.

More than 3,000 Florida households displaced by Hurricane Ian have moved out of hotel rooms provided by FEMA after finding longer-term housing.  Nearly 1,000 continue to receive this help.

In Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Sarasota and Volusia counties, 286 families are occupying leased apartments, travel trailers or manufactured housing units provided by FEMA. This week, families are moving into 105 travel trailers at a commercial park in Lee County leased by FEMA. As soon as the site was ready, FEMA began giving keys to applicants and by early this week 23 were in their temporary new homes, with more moving in every day.

This assistance is part of an extensive effort by FEMA to assist survivors of Hurricane Ian. Assistance includes funds for rent, home repairs, hotel stays, apartment leases, travel trailers and manufactured housing units, as well as funds for other disaster-related needs.

In Lee, Sarasota and Volusia counties, FEMA has leased 312 apartment homes and is placing families in them. FEMA also is planning to repair and lease more apartments and provide temporary homes for disaster survivors.

Households receiving rental assistance and home repair total 69,000, and these forms of help are the most immediate that FEMA can provide for housing. More than 363,000 households have received funds for other disaster-related needs, including transportation, medical and dental, childcare, essential personal property and other expenses.

“We are working non-stop to help the families that need travel trailers or manufactured housing units,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom McCool. “The permitting, ordering, placement, utility hookup and inspection takes more time than rental assistance or home repair funds. We are working with permitting offices, utility companies and local staff in seven counties to make this go as quickly as possible. We have learned how limited the suitable locations are for temporary housing units and we’re working on as many sites as are feasible. We know how critical this is for the families and for the local communities. We’re going to stay on it until the mission is complete.”

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4673. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

bree-constance… Wed, 02/15/2023 - 14:11

It’s Important to Return SBA Loan Application

ATLANTA – After you apply for disaster assistance from FEMA, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). If you receive an email from the SBA with a disaster loan application link, you should click the link, fill out the application, and return it. 

If your application is approved, you are not obligated to accept an SBA disaster loan. However, completing the application may make you eligible for other FEMA assistance, such as disaster related car repairs, essential household items, and other expenses. 

SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors. In planning your recovery, give yourself the widest possible set of options. Completing the application makes it possible for you to be considered for additional grants, and if you qualify for a loan, you will have that resource available if you choose to use it. 

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at www.sba.gov/disaster. 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. If you 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 U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76155. 

Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or working capital (Economic Injury Disaster Loans).

Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 from SBA to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. 

The deadline to return SBA loan applications for property damage is March 17, 2023. The deadline to return applications for economic injury is Oct. 16, 2023.

For the latest information on Georgia’s recovery from the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4685. You may also follow @GeorgiaEMAHS/Twitter, Facebook.com/GeorgiaEMAHS, @FEMARegion4/Twitter and Facebook.com/FEMA.

felicia.jordan Tue, 02/14/2023 - 20:32

Update Contact Information to Keep in Touch with FEMA

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Applicants for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole should ensure that FEMA has their current contact information. FEMA may need to contact applicants for more information or to arrange a home inspection to verify damage.

If you are referred for a FEMA inspection and have been waiting three weeks or longer, contact FEMA to check on the status of your application. If your contact information has changed, you should update your FEMA application immediately.

To update your information, you can create an account at DisasterAssistance.gov and click the green icon titled “Check Status,” and follow the prompts to create an account or access your account, call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center near you text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 or visit fema.gov/drc.

Applicants should update FEMA concerning changes in insurance, current housing situation, phone number, mailing address and your payment preference. Missing or wrong information could delay the financial assistance you may be eligible to receive. When contacting FEMA, refer to the nine-digit number assigned to you when you applied.

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4673 or fema.gov/disaster/4680. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

bree-constance… Tue, 02/14/2023 - 16:35

Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Releases Strategy to Meet Aerial Firefighting Equipment Needs

WASHINGTON -- The Biden-Harris administration’s Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission released a report yesterday, outlining a strategy to meet aerial firefighting equipment needs through 2030. As climate change fuels longer and more intense wildfire seasons, aerial assets bring unique response capabilities to wildland fire suppression. The report reexamines existing approaches to aviation fleet procurement, mobilization, composition and quantity to set aviation management on a new trajectory for the next decade and beyond.

The Commission, created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and announced in December 2021, was charged with making recommendations to improve federal policies related to the mitigation, suppression and management of wildland fires in the United States, and the rehabilitation of land in the United States devastated by wildland fires.

The Commission -- chaired by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell – was tasked with developing two reports to Congress: the report on aerial firefighting and another report scheduled for release in Fall 2023 that delivers a comprehensive set of recommendations to address the nation’s wildfire crisis. The Commission, composed of representatives from federal agencies, state, local and Tribal governments and representatives from the private sector meets monthly to discuss and craft these recommendations.

“Climate change and associated extreme weather events are being felt by communities across the country. We are seeing a surge in devastating floods, more energized hurricanes and a wildfire season that’s now a year-long threat. Wildfires in particular are becoming a near-constant risk, destroying lives and property nationwide,” said Administrator Criswell. “To respond to these increasing threats, we must use every tool at our disposal while reexamining existing approaches to better protect people. This report is an example of the type of work required to mitigate climate risks and we will continue to work with our partners across the Biden-Harris Administration to improve federal policies related to America’s persistent fire problem.”

“Climate change has increased the duration and intensity of wildfire seasons and, with it, added pressures on wildland firefighters who are on the frontlines. The Biden-Harris administration is committed to providing the necessary equipment and resources to support their work and keep them safe,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Administration is providing coordinated investments in wildland fire management and support for our firefighting workforce. I am grateful to the Wildland Fire Management and Mitigation Commission for their hard work as they guide us into the future.”

“Wildfires are growing larger and more complex and business as usual is not an option in protecting communities and landscapes,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Thanks to the landmark support from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission has brought together diverse voices to address problems and find solutions to these challenges. This report represents the next step in the Commission’s critical work and explores how aviation resources can be best brought to bear on the nation’s wildfire crisis.” Findings and recommendations outlined in the report include:

• the need for the development of new or updated aviation resource benchmarks and national procurement models and the need for greater coordination with partners in these efforts,
• improvements to appropriations, contracting, staffing and interoperability to improve the use and availability of existing resources,
• improvements and limitations to the military surplus process and equipment, and
• additional considerations, including aviation resource use in beneficial fire and the emerging importance of Uncrewed Aerial Systems.

In developing these recommendations, the Commission sought to address several key themes: the need to develop an overarching, forward-looking aviation strategy that drives procurement, rather than letting aviation approaches become constrained by current practices; the need to invest in both technology and people to build an aviation fleet that meets long-term demand; and the need to take an inclusive approach to the range of functions aerial resources can serve as well as the range of entities that must be included in development of a national aviation strategy.

In addition to establishing the Commission, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides historic funding for a suite of programs aimed at reducing wildfire risks, detecting wildfires, instituting firefighter workforce reforms and building more resilient infrastructure.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also supports landmark pay increases for federal wildland firefighters, which aim to bring federal firefighter pay in alignment with their state and local counterparts, while aiding in recruitment and retention of a more permanent and stable wildland firefighting force across the federal government.

These investments support the implementation of the Department of the Interior’s “Five-Year Monitoring, Maintenance, and Treatment Plan,” which provides a roadmap for addressing wildfire risk on Department of the Interior-managed and Tribal lands. They also support the USDA Forest Service’s “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis” strategy, which aims to treat 20 million acres of national forests and grasslands and 30 million acres of state, local, Tribal and private lands over the next 10 years to reduce wildfire risk where it matters most. These plans help facilitate the collaborative work between the two Departments.

The Commission’s work builds on existing interagency federal efforts, such as the Wildland Fire Leadership Council and the White House Wildfire Resilience Interagency Working Group, and will continue to pursue an all-of-government approach to wildfire risk reduction and resilience.

For more information visit the commission website or email wildlandfirecommission@usda.gov.

luther.wills-dudich Tue, 02/14/2023 - 15:55