One Month Left to Apply for FEMA Assistance

North Carolinians with disaster-related damage or loss from Tropical Storm Helene have one month to apply for federal assistance. The application deadline is Jan. 7, 2025. 

This applies to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina and residents of the following counties: 
Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey.

Homeowners and renters in these areas may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for displacement, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses. 

Disaster survivors who have not yet applied for FEMA assistance should apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, which is the quickest way to apply. Survivors can also apply using the FEMA App on mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is open every day, and help is available in most languages. Those who use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, should give the FEMA representative their number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.  

Survivors can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to apply for assistance in-person. To find additional information on DRCs, visit, FEMA.gov/DRC.

Applicants will be contacted by an inspector within 10 days after applying and will be sent a decision letter within 10 days after the inspector’s call. Applicants have 60 days from the date of their decision letter to appeal if denied.

kwei.nwaogu Fri, 12/06/2024 - 16:58

FEMA, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Partner to Increase Post-Disaster Housing Capabilities

WASHINGTON -- FEMA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) held a summit on Nov. 19 and 20, 2024 to launch their second cohort of the Pre-Disaster Housing Initiative, which helps states develop plans to boost their post-disaster housing capabilities. During an eight-month period, both agencies will provide technical assistance and guidance to Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri state officials and emergency managers to minimize potential housing shortfalls in communities when disasters strike. 

These states were chosen to provide a wide cross section of perspectives on the challenges of planning and executing post-disaster housing missions. Considerations included geographic diversity, frequency of major disaster declarations and the types of disasters they are most likely to face. Each state will set their priorities and expected outcomes and engage with their local and community partners to develop a disaster housing strategy that can be executed when needed. 

“This initiative is designed to strengthen relationships between emergency management and housing agencies both within a state and between the states in the cohort,” said FEMA’s Assistant Administrator for Recovery, Colt Hagmaier. “This partnership remains a priority for both FEMA and HUD and we are thrilled to see the exponential impacts of this initiative throughout the nation.”

“Finding and ensuring safe housing for people after a disaster is one of the most critical steps towards recovery,” said FEMA’s Director of Interagency Coordination Division, Grace Lee. “This joint initiative will focus on what states can do ahead of time to make sure their communities have the housing options they need to recover effectively. Disasters are not one size fits all, and together with HUD, we will continue to help prepare and support communities before disasters strike.”

FEMA and HUD’s efforts will help build local capacity and ensure states adopt a proactive approach to housing recovery. The initiative was created to address potential housing issues when disasters were not actively affecting the states to help ensure individuals, families and communities can recover effectively. This type of planning also helps disaster-stricken states move from short-term sheltering programs to more sustainable housing solutions.

“HUD and FEMA are not just waiting until after a disaster occurs to bring assistance to our state and local partners. Partnerships like these are essential in mitigating housing recovery challenges before disasters strike,” said HUD Agency Head, the Honorable Adrianne Todman. “But when disasters do strike, we have an obligation to help communities rebuild. That’s why I am calling on Congress to move swiftly to approve the President’s $12 billion request for HUD’s Disaster Recover Funding, so we can help Americans rebuild their homes, now.”

In 2023, FEMA and HUD concluded efforts for the first cohort of the joint housing initiative for Louisiana, Montana, New Jersey and Washington. This inaugural initiative focused on the importance of identifying and addressing housing recovery challenges in a non-disaster environment, the benefit of information sharing among states and the value in tailoring federal support and resources to the unique needs and challenges of each state.  

To learn more about the 2023 Pre-Disaster Housing Initiative, visit Planning Guides.

amy.ashbridge Fri, 12/06/2024 - 16:01

FEMA Mitigation Experts Offer Rebuilding Advice in Hernando County

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As Floridians rebuild, survivors of Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby can get free advice on how to rebuild stronger and safer against storms. FEMA mitigation specialists will be available to answer questions and offer free home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. This information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Mitigation is an effort to reduce the loss of life and property damage by lessening the impact of a disaster through construction and remodeling best practices. 

Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will be on hand to help survivors apply for assistance. An insurance specialist will also be present to answer National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) questions.

FEMA specialists will be available at the following location: 

The Home Depot
4765 Commercial Way
Spring Hill, FL 34606

• 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday, Dec. 9 – 13
• 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 14

Homeowners and renters impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance before the Jan. 7 deadline.

How to Apply 

The quickest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube.

For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Office of Civil Rights if they feel that they have a complaint of discrimination. FEMA’s Office of Civil

Rights can be contacted at FEMA-OCR@fema.dhs.gov or toll-free at 833-285-7448.

sixto.valentin… Fri, 12/06/2024 - 15:55

Appealing FEMA’s Decision on Your Application

If you received a letter from FEMA saying that the information you provided is incomplete, you are ineligible for disaster assistance, or you disagree with the amount of FEMA assistance determined, you have the right to appeal the decision within 60 days of the date on the letter. 

All appeals are reviewed. Decisions may take up to 90 days. Additional information may be requested from you if FEMA does not have enough information to make a decision. You will be notified in writing of the response to your appeal, either by mail or via the DisasterAssistance.gov account you created when you applied with FEMA.

If you have questions regarding your letter or how to file an appeal, you may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

What to Include When You Appeal

 

Your FEMA letter will provide the following: 

• Whether you are approved for assistance.
• How much assistance you will receive.
• How the assistance must be used.
• Additional information on the types of documents or information that will need to be provided if you choose to appeal FEMA’s initial decision.
• How to appeal if you do not agree with FEMA’s decision.

The letter will apply specifically to the decision made on your application. 

Along with the letter, FEMA will also include an optional appeal form that may be used to help provide additional information, if you choose to provide additional information.

For example, if you are unsatisfied with the initial amount of FEMA assistance and want to appeal for additional assistance to help repair your home, you will want to provide FEMA with any receipts, bills or repair estimates from the disaster.

When submitting any documentation or information to FEMA, you must include your nine-digit FEMA application number and disaster number (DR-4843-NM) on every page. 

If you choose to have a third party submit an appeal on your behalf, include a statement signed by you authorizing the third party to appeal the decision on your behalf unless those documents are already on file.

For more information on the FEMA appeals process, including instructions in American Sign Language, visit FEMA Answers: Questions on the Appeals Process. 

How to Submit Your Appeal

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov, log into your account and upload all supporting documents using the Correspondence "Upload Center". 

For in-person assistance with any step of the appeal process, visit the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Roswell Mall next to Bath & Body Works at 4501 N Main St. Roswell, NM 88201 where specialists from FEMA can answer questions, help you submit documents and guide you through the appeals process. 

You can also send a letter to FEMA: 

Appeals Officer 
National Processing Service Center 
P.O. Box 10055 
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Finally, you can fax your letter and supporting documents to 1-800-827-8112 with a cover sheet addressed to: Attention - FEMA Appeals Officer.

angela.ambroise Fri, 12/06/2024 - 14:11

FEMA-Funded Temporary School Receives National Award for Construction Management Achievement

YouTube Video Here: Temporary King Kamehameha III Elementary School Installation is Complete - YouTube

LAHAINA, Maui– Every school day, on a hillside overlooking the West Maui coastline, King Kamehameha III Elementary welcomes hundreds of children to its campus.

It’s a temporary replacement for their former waterfront school, which served Lahaina’s children for more than a century until wildfires destroyed the school and much of the historic town. Remarkably, the temporary school was built in a matter of months.

The major federal disaster declaration on Aug. 10, 2023, enabled the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to develop a temporary school.

USACE hired local workers and sub-contracted with Pono Aina Management, a native Hawaiian organization, and soon the new school began to take shape. Construction of the $78.8 million project, which can accommodate up to 600 students, began in November 2023 and was completed in 95 days. 

The results garnered national praise. The Construction Management Association of America recently named the temporary school the 2024 Project of the Year, an award celebrating the skill, collaboration and impact of its construction management.

“Some of you may think that 95 days is a long time, but I have news for you. In the construction industry it’s merely a blip,” said Col. Eric Swenson, who was the USACE recovery field officer at the time of the school’s dedication ceremony on March 25. “We got this work done quickly because the hands behind the tools were invested in the community and committed to delivering for their families, their neighbors, their neighborhood and their community. For most, this was personal and something for which failure was simply not an option.”

The school first opened to students April 1, 2024.  After summer vacation, it opened Aug. 7 for the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.

The temporary school spreads across a 10.2-acre campus and is composed of336 modular units assembled into 38 buildings, including 30 air-conditioned classrooms, restrooms, a dining room, community space, administrative offices and learning resources areas. 

The Hawaiʻi Department of Education furnished and installed telecommunication equipment before opening the school for the fourth school quarter of the year.

FEMA Regional Administrator Robert J. Fenton said that FEMA worked closely with USACE to fund the temporary replacement of the King Kamehameha III Elementary School.

“They did a tremendous job of accomplishing that in 95 days and being able to reopen the school on the first of April,” Fenton said. “This is one of several projects demonstrating our commitment to the community."

In a tribute to the school’s history, distinctive features of the old school were saved and installed at the new site -- its gate, for instance, and also a bust of Kamehameha III, the Hawaiian king for whom the school is named. 

The bust of Kamehameha III had special meaning for the community. Families had raised funds to purchase it for the school’s centennial celebration in 2013. 

The students have two new playgrounds created with equipment donated by Berliner, a German company, and Playworld, a Pennsylvania-based company. Additional playground funding was donated by Maui United Way and the Public Schools Hawaiʻi Foundation. Others have donated school uniforms or supplies. 

“This is a whole community effort to do what’s best to create a successful student,” said Principal Ian Haskins. “We are doing everything we can to create successful students.”

The school is expected to continue operating for three to five years until a new permanent school is built. As of Dec. 3, 2024, it had 362 students enrolled.

For now, the temporary school has become more than a center for education. It serves as a symbol of resilience – and what can be achieved when community and government work together.

shannon.carley Fri, 12/06/2024 - 01:22

FEMA Extends Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program

HICKORY, N.C. – At the request of the state of North Carolina, FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program has been extended to Jan. 11, 2025, for Helene survivors who continue to need temporary shelter.

This allows households additional time to identify other housing solution or make repairs to their home. This will continue providing free hotel and motel rooms to more than 4,900 families who are already checked into area hotels.

"North Carolina is thankful for FEMA's continued partnership as we work together to ensure that all Helene survivors have safe shelter as they begin the recovery process,” said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray. “The approval of our extension request of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program through the holiday season is another step to helping North Carolinians recover from this disaster." 

The program has been extended through the night of Jan. 10, 2025, for North Carolina Helene survivors who continue to need temporary shelter. They will check out of lodging Jan. 11, 2025.

To date, more than 10,000 households have taken temporary shelter in Transitional Sheltering Assistance participating hotels; approximately half have found suitable, longer-term housing and moved on with their recovery. 

FEMA will notify households approximately seven days before their checkout dates with the method of communication they selected when originally applying for assistance. A message is also sent to their participants’ disaster assistance accounts if they have set them up on DisasterAssistance.gov.

For more information, survivors should contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

zella.campbell Thu, 12/05/2024 - 22:40

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Carter and Cocke Counties

Two Disaster Recovery Centers will open in Newport and Elizabethton to help Tennesseans affected by Tropical Storm Helene apply for FEMA assistance and get information and advice about community, state and federal resources.

The Cocke County center will open at noon ET on Thursday, Dec. 5:

Old Walmart Building
593 B W. Broadway
Newport, TN 37821
Opening Day Hours: noon to 7 p.m. ET 
Regular Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday to Saturday; closed Sunday

The Carter County center will open at 10 a.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 6:

Carter County Public Library
201 N. Sycamore St.
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Opening Day Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
Regular Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday to Saturday; closed SundayDisaster Recovery CentersCountyAddressRegular Days of Operation (Eastern Time)Carter

Carter County Public Library

201 N. Sycamore St.

Elizabethton, TN 37643

Opening Day:  10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Friday Dec. 6

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday

Closed: Sunday

Cocke

Old Walmart Building

593 B W. Broadway

Newport, TN 37821

Opening Day: noon to 7 p.m. Thursday Dec. 5

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday

Closed: Sunday

 

Greene

Greene County Courthouse/Annex

204 N. Cutler St.

Greeneville, TN 37745

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday

Closed: Sunday

Johnson

Tennessee National Guard Armory

1923 S. Shady St.

Mountain City, TN 37683

Regular hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday

Closed: Sunday

Unicoi

 

National Guard Armory/Unicoi Emergency Operations Center

615 South Main Ave.

Erwin, TN 37650

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday

Closed: Sunday

Washington

Cherry Grove Baptist Church

104 Cherry Grove Rd.

Jonesborough, TN 37659

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday

Closed: Sunday

kwei.nwaogu Thu, 12/05/2024 - 21:20

FEMA Needs Your Current Contact Information

After you apply for federal disaster assistance for Tropical Storm Helene, it is important that FEMA is able to contact you. Make sure that FEMA has your current contact information and be aware that phone calls from FEMA may come from unidentified numbers. 

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

FEMA may need to call survivors in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties to continue processing your application for assistance. FEMA may also contact you to get more information for your application.

You can update your contact information in several ways: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, you can give FEMA your number for that service. Specialists speak many languages. 

You may also visit any Disaster Recovery Center for updates about your FEMA application or answers to questions. Find a center here: fema.gov./drc.

FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. Their services are free. Do not believe anyone who promises a disaster grant if you pay them first.

kwei.nwaogu Thu, 12/05/2024 - 21:13

Following Major Hurricanes, Biden-Harris Administration Provides $200 Million in Additional Funding to Strengthen Communities Against Floods

WASHINGTON – Today, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced additional funding through President Joseph R. Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for a program making communities more resilient to flooding.

FEMA is making available an additional $200 million in funding through Flood Mitigation Assistance’s FY 2024 Swift Current opportunity for states recently affected by flooding events. The agency previously announced $300 million in May, the third round of annual funding. 

Today’s announcement brings the new amount available for this funding cycle to $500 million. Sixteen states and one territory have been set-aside funding for most of the amount announced in May. These funding set-asides can be viewed on FEMA.gov.

The additional funding reflects FEMA’s commitment to addressing the urgent needs of disaster survivors in the areas hardest hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton such as Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. This funding ensures these places can recover faster.

“This year’s hurricane season stresses the need for communities to be more resilient against the devastating effects of flooding,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “This additional funding ensures communities have quicker access to resources to implement long-term, proven solutions to reduce losses and eliminate the damage-and-repair cycle following events like Helene and Milton.”

States may receive set-asides in Swift Current funding for every flood-related presidential disaster declaration. This means states may receive multiple set-asides.

Swift Current aims to speed up the award of Flood Mitigation Assistance funding to states, territories, the District of Columbia and federally recognized tribal governments to reduce the damage-repair cycle of repetitively or substantially flood-damaged properties. Rather than through annual Flood Mitigation Assistance grant cycle, Swift Current provides resiliency dollars after a major disaster declaration following a flood-related disaster event to reduce risk against future flood damage.

This opportunity complements other resilience funding available after a presidential disaster declaration, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The grant program is available to develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in ways that reduce future disaster losses in communities.

Examples of projects eligible for this funding include property acquisition and demolition, elevation and relocation. To be eligible, buildings must be insured through the National Flood Insurance Program and have a history of repetitive or substantial damage from flooding.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $3.5 billion in Flood Mitigation Assistance grants, including those for Swift Current funding opportunities, over five years through fiscal year 2026. 

FEMA will work with states, territories, the District of Columbia and federally recognized Tribal Nations to explore their participation during this cycle. Potential applicants who have questions may contact their FEMA regional office. 

The application window opened on June 1, 2024, and the last eligible disaster declaration date is May 31, 2025. The updated funding opportunity is available on Grants.gov.

All applications must be submitted in FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application deadline date will be provided to the applicant. Applications received by FEMA after the deadline will not be considered for funding.  For more information, interested National Flood Insurance Program policyholders should contact their state or territory hazard mitigation officer. 

amy.ashbridge Thu, 12/05/2024 - 21:13

Disaster Recovery Centers in Va. will Permanently Close on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.

BRISTOL, Va.— Southwest Virginia Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will permanently close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. 

If you have questions about your application for FEMA disaster assistance, you can still receive help. 

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Phone lines operate seven days a week.  If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. 
• Go to DisasterAssistance.govto check the status of your application online or use FEMA’s mobile app.

Applying for assistance is an ongoing process that begins when you submit your application. FEMA may try to get in touch with you from an unknown number. You could receive a letter from FEMA letting you know that your application has missing or incomplete information. 

If you have any questions about your application or a FEMA determination letter you received, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you can appeal within 60 days of the date on your FEMA letter. 

 

FEMA has set up a rumor response webpage to clarify our role in the Helene response. Visit Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response | FEMA.gov. 

For more information on Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit vaemergency.gov,  the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Facebook page , fema.gov/disaster/4831 and facebook.com/FEMA.  

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.

To apply for FEMA assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, or download and apply on the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they have a complaint of discrimination.  FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted at FEMA-OCR-ECRD@fema.dhs.gov or toll-free at 833-285-7448. 

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by the federal government, federal contractors, and by recipients of federal financial assistance. Any recipient or sub-recipient of federal funds is required to make their programs accessible to individuals with disabilities. Its protections apply to all programs and businesses receiving any federal funds. This applies to all elements of physical/architectural, programmatic and communication accessibility in all services and activities conducted by or funded by FEMA. FEMA intends to comply with the Rehabilitation Act in all federally conducted and assisted programs in alignment with the principals of whole community inclusion and universal accessibility.

amanda.hancher Thu, 12/05/2024 - 18:35

FEMA Encourages Tennesseans to Get Ready for Winter

As temperatures drop and winter approaches, FEMA suggests making sure your heating system, water heater, furnace and other electrical appliances in your home are in good working condition if you were impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. 

If floodwaters reached your home heating systems, be sure to have experienced repair personnel check that they are in good working order. If you are a homeowner and the storm caused damage to your essential appliances, you may be able to receive funds from FEMA to get them repaired or replaced. FEMA home repair assistance is available to make essential living areas safe, sanitary and functional.

FEMA assistance is limited to owner-occupied primary homes for uninsured or underinsured disaster-damaged items. Households with damage to living spaces in a basement – including owner-occupied garden units – may also be eligible for FEMA assistance to help cover those losses. 

First, you must apply for FEMA disaster assistance. When filling out the application, make sure to report any disaster-caused damage to the furnace, water heater and other essential electrical appliances.

After applying, a FEMA housing inspector will contact you to schedule an appointment to verify your reported damage. FEMA inspectors do not decide if you will receive funds. After the inspection is complete, FEMA specialists review your application, the inspection report and any submitted documentation to make an eligibility decision. FEMA will then send you a decision letter by email or U.S. Postal Service mail.

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Tuesday, Jan. 7. Here’s how:

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov; use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, you can give FEMA your number for that service. Specialists speak many languages. For an accessible video on how to apply, go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube. 

You may also visit any Disaster Recovery Center for updates about your FEMA application or answers to questions. Find a center here: fema.gov./drc.

kwei.nwaogu Thu, 12/05/2024 - 05:09

Residents Affected by Juneau Mendenhall Glacier Flooding Can Apply for an SBA Loan

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – FEMA is partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to meet the needs of residents who were affected by the Juneau Mendenhall Glacier Flooding. The SBA is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for businesses and residents impacted by the disaster. In previously declared major disasters, 80% of SBA loans were approved for homeowners and renters. If you are in the City and Borough of Juneau and were impacted, you are eligible to apply.

The SBA is the largest source of funds to help homeowners and renters pay for disaster losses not covered by insurance or other programs. The program may cover deductibles and increased cost of compliance such as building code requirements. Survivors should not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application.

No interest accrues until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. No payment is due until 12 months from the first loan disbursement.

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

Applicants may apply online and can find additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster.

The deadline to apply for assistance for property damage is December 16, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is July 16, 2025. If your application is approved, you are not obligated to accept an SBA loan.

SBA representatives are also available to provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). The DRC at Mendenhall Valley Public Library operates from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday. 
The center is accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.

Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications.

mary.j.edmon Wed, 12/04/2024 - 22:48

FEMA Allocations Promote Arts and Culture

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico ― The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated nearly $400,000 to boost projects that promote Puerto Rican culture and the arts in the towns of Guayama, Barranquitas and Dorado.

The Barranquitas School of Fine Arts; as well as the Artisan House and the Marco Juan Alegría Museum and School of Art, both in Dorado, received funds from the agency and the works have already been completed.

“The preservation of our culture and heritage is fundamental to keeping the identity of our communities alive. These museums, restored with FEMA’s support, celebrate our rich history and represent the agency’s continued commitment to the recovery and enhancement of Puerto Rico,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero.

In Barranquitas, the municipality’s School of Fine Arts received over $209,000 for its reconstruction. This school is located downtown and provides learning during an extended hours schedule. It offers art classes and courses for a strings program, a piano program and for the municipal youth pre-band program.

The pre-band began as an initiative to create the Barranquitas municipal band, in which young people and adults participated. The project was later redirected to the musical education of children and young people, explained music professor Angel “Güiso” Berríos Ortiz. Today the municipality has a musical band and a pre-band made up of children, with the intention that they will continue in the program as their development progresses. 

“Because, as they grow, the children may leave, and we have to go back, to sow the seeds,” said the teacher.

Some of the students have gone on to pursue music careers, Berríos Ortiz added. “We have one who is doing his teaching practice. He started with us and graduated from the Music Conservatory.” Perhaps the most recognized is virtuoso multi-instrumentalist Daniel Díaz, creator of the tripandero concept: a hybrid instrument that allows him to play three plena drums simultaneously with his hands while playing other instruments with his feet.

Part of the work for the school included replacing walls, panels, lighting fixtures and remediating mold problems in the infrastructure. Nearly $21,000 within the allocation were earmarked for mitigation measures to address water infiltration during future atmospheric events.

Furthermore, FEMA allocated over $160,000 to rehabilitate centers dedicated to the preservation and teaching of arts and culture in the municipality of Dorado. These funds include over $103,000 to rehabilitate the Marco Juan Alegría Museum and School of Fine Arts; and over $57,000 to repair damage to the Artisan House. 

The Museum and School of Fine Arts was built in 1913 and was the former residence of painter Marco Juan Alegría. The facility helps to honor the works of the painter and art teacher in his former residence. It also features an exhibit hall with memorabilia from past decades.

Both the Marco Juan Alegría Museum and the Artisan House received funds for mitigation works, mainly to reinforce the roofs. In the case of the Artisan House, it benefited from an improved roof waterproofing system and an anchoring system was installed to protect the building’s air conditioner. 

FEMA has approved over $34.2 billion for over 11,000 projects that address the reconstruction of Puerto Rico following 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.

# # #

 

manuel.deleon Wed, 12/04/2024 - 15:02

FEMA Offers Equal Access to Assistance for All South Carolina Disaster Survivors

COLUMBIA, S.C. – FEMA is committed to providing equal access to federal assistance for South Carolinians who were affected by Hurricane Helene. If you have accessibility needs, let FEMA know about your individual needs when you apply for disaster assistance.

If you or anyone in your household has a disability or language need and a need to interact with FEMA or disability-related losses due to the storm, it is important to answer “yes” to the appropriate questions when completing the application for FEMA disaster assistance. You will be asked to identify what you need to help you throughout your recovery process. 

Questions will also help identify other services for which you may be eligible to receive reimbursement. 

Examples of the type of questions you can expect include:

• Do you have a disability or language need that requires an accommodation to interact with FEMA staff and/or access FEMA programs?
• Do you or anyone in your household have a disability that affects your ability to perform activities of daily living or requires an assistive device?
• Did you have any disability-related assistive devices or medically required equipment/supplies/support services damaged, destroyed, lost, or disrupted because of the disaster?

A disaster can take away the key components that enable people with disabilities and people with other access and functional needs to live independently or to communicate with others. These may include a wheelchair, scooter, walker, CPAP machine, hearing aids, eyeglasses or screen reader. You may be eligible to receive FEMA funds to replace these items.

1. How To Apply
2. If you have not applied for FEMA assistance yet, there is still time to submit your application. Homeowners and renters in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation who were affected by Hurricane Helene are eligible to apply for FEMA assistance. 
3. You can apply in several ways: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, in person at any Disaster Recovery Center, on your phone using the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
4. For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link.

FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

martyce.allenjr Wed, 12/04/2024 - 13:41

Read Your FEMA Decision Letter Very Carefully

New Mexicans who applied for federal disaster assistance from FEMA following the Oct. 19-20 storm and flooding in Chaves County will receive a decision letter from FEMA by mail or email.  

The decision letter will explain your application status and how to respond. It is important to read the letter very carefully. The letter will include the amount of any assistance FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds.

If you disagree with the initial decision or the amount of assistance approved, you can appeal FEMA’s decision. FEMA may request additional documentation to support your assistance and continue processing your registration. Examples of additional 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 your primary residence at the time of the disaster 

If you have questions about the letter, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) to find out what information FEMA needs. FEMA assistance is not the same as insurance. FEMA assistance only provides funds for temporary lodging, basic home repairs or other disaster-related expenses. 

Appealing FEMA’s Decision 

The decision letter from FEMA will provide information on the types of documents or information that FEMA needs. It will also include an optional appeal form that you can use. Your appeal must be submitted within 60 days of the date of your decision letter.

You can submit your appeal and supporting documentation:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov, where you can create an account and upload documents.
• In-person at a Disaster Recovery Center in the Roswell Mall in Roswell. 
• By mail:
  FEMA Individuals & Households Program
  National Processing Service Center
  P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
• By fax:
  (800) 827-8112
  Attention: FEMA - Individuals & Households Program

For an American Sign Language video about the FEMA decision letter visit, FEMA Accessible: Understanding Your Letter - YouTube.

angela.ambroise Wed, 12/04/2024 - 13:07

Disaster Recovery Centers in Cocke, Hamblen Counties Closing Permanently Dec. 4

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Cocke and Hamblen counties will end operations at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 4. For those who were affected by Tropical Storm Helene, help is still available by phone, online or in-person at any other Disaster Recovery Center.

The centers that plan to close are located at:

• Cocke County: Cocke County Recreation Department, 466 Learning Road/Learning Way, Newport, TN 37821 (A new location will be announced later.)
• Hamblen County: Utility Commission Conference and Training Center, 441 Main Street, Morristown, TN 37814

Even after the recovery centers close, help from FEMA is just a phone call away. Survivors can get answers from trained specialists at the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time and specialists speak many languages.

Those who need continuing rental assistance can also reach out to FEMA Helpline specialists. It is also important to stay in touch with FEMA if you change your address or phone number, even if only temporarily. Missing or wrong information could delay your assistance.

You can also update FEMA about changes to your personal information by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. You may click on the green ‘Check Status’ button to create an online account. Use the same email you provided when you applied for assistance. If you applied online or used the FEMA app, you already have a disaster assistance account.

If you haven’t yet applied for FEMA disaster assistance, you have until Tuesday, Jan. 7, to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline. You may also apply at any Disaster Recovery Center. 

To watch an accessible video on how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance (youtube.com).

Below is a list of the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers that remain open in Eastern Tennessee:

Hours and Locations

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday to Saturday; closed Sunday

• Carter County: Betsytowne Shopping Center, 1745 Highway 19 E., Elizabethton, TN 37643
• Greene County: Greene County Courthouse/Annex 204 N. Cutler St., Greeneville, TN 37745
• Johnson County: Tennessee National Guard Armory, 1923 S. Shady St., Mountain City, TN 37683
• Unicoi County: National Guard Armory/Unicoi Emergency Operations Center, 615 South Main Ave., Erwin, TN 37650
• Washington County: Cherry Grove Baptist Church, 104 Cherry Grove Rd., Jonesborough, TN  37659

kwei.nwaogu Wed, 12/04/2024 - 02:46

Family Takes a Step Toward Wildfire Recovery

LAHAINA – Ane and Lafaele Folaumoeloa are ready to take the next step in a journey to recovery that began after the Lahaina wildfires destroyed their home and all their possessions.

The couple and their three children – a boy, aged 11, a girl also 11, and their 5-year-old sister – are among the first survivors scheduled to move into FEMA’s Kilohana Group Housing site.

Kilohana will become a temporary haven for up to 167 individuals and families – a Lahaina location where wildfire survivors can plan for the future. 

The family’s new modular unit will come with three bedrooms and basic furnishings. For the first time in more than a year, they will have a kitchen. 

Ane says she’s grateful. The help they received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross, gave the family a temporary refuge in Lahaina, close to their former home. Now, they are ready to move ahead.

Their ordeal began Aug. 8, 2023, the day of the wildfires. Fierce winds left them without power or cell service. The couple and their three children decided to leave their Lahaina rental on Komo Mai Street to do some shopping in Kahului. But on the return drive, a barricade stopped them from entering Lahaina at Hokokio Place. They had to turn back to Kahului.

“We couldn’t see anything,” recalled Lafaele. “The smoke started to come up top of the sky, over the whole of Lahaina.”

By then, thousands of Lahaina residents were evacuating. Traffic was bumper to bumper. When the family reached Kahului, they searched for a hotel room but could not find one. They sheltered at an uncle’s home, thinking they would return to Lahaina the next day. 

But at 3 a.m., Ane said she received a text message from her landlord, a firefighter who had stayed behind. It read: “Don’t go home. There is nothing there. All Lahaina down.”

A few days later, the family moved closer to their previous home. They went to the Papakea Resort in Kaʻanapali, a hotel taking in survivors and later participating in the emergency shelter program managed by the state and the American Red Cross. 

After the Red Cross program ended, FEMA moved the family into a nearby hotel, the Royal Lahaina, as part of its Direct Federal Assistance sheltering program. 

Although they were relieved to have the continued shelter and proximity to the children’s school, the Sacred Heart temporary school, Ane’s children longed for a place where they could ride their bikes again. Their mother looks forward to having a stove so she can prepare the family’s favorite dish, corned beef 
lau lau.

Kilohana is designed to give them space to get back to normal while they find their permanent home.

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

shannon.carley Wed, 12/04/2024 - 01:27

Less than Two Weeks Left to Apply for FEMA Assistance

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Residents who were affected by the August 5-6 flooding that occurred in the City and Borough of Juneau have until Monday, December 16, to apply for FEMA housing and other needs assistance, and FEMA Disaster Unemployment Assistance, administered through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the U.S. Department of Labor.

This deadline is for residents who may need assistance with: 

• Funds for home repairs 
• Temporary rental assistance 
• Damaged vehicles and essential personal property 
• Loss of subsistence items 
• Medical and dental expenses caused by the disaster
• Lost work if self-employed, or otherwise unable to receive regular unemployment assistance.

If you were affected by the flooding, you should apply as soon as possible. FEMA assistance is unable to duplicate benefits offered through insurance, state programs, or other programs. However, if your losses or damage go beyond disaster assistance available from other sources – or include items or categories not covered by other assistance – you may be eligible for additional funds from FEMA. Even if you have already registered for the State of Alaska's disaster assistance program, you must also register with FEMA to determine if you may be eligible to receive additional funds through FEMA, as well as additional funds from the state. 

As of December 3, 2024, the disaster recovery center had 369 visits. FEMA has approved over $2.86 million for 190 households affected by the Mendenhall Glacier Flooding disaster. 

Ways to apply:

• Visit the Disaster Recovery Center, which is also set to close December 16:
  Mendenhall Valley Public Library 
  3025 Dimond Park Loop
  Juneau, AK 99801
  
  Hours:
  10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
  10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday
   
• Call the FEMA Alaska Call Center at 866-342-1699 between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. AKT, Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. AKT, Saturday. 
   
• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
   
• Download the FEMA App.
   
• Self-employed persons and those not qualifying for regular unemployment insurance benefits who were unable to perform services due to the disaster may also apply for DUA benefits by calling 907-269-4700 or visit the Juneau Job Center located at 10002 Glacier Highway, Suite 100, Juneau, AK 99801.

If a reasonable accommodation – such as language translation or interpretation, mobility assistance, or sign language interpretation is needed – email FEMA-language-access-request@fema.dhs.gov. You can also notify FEMA staff through the FEMA Alaska Call Center.

The U.S. Small Business Administration also offers long-term disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, as well as homeowners and renters to pay for repair or replacement costs not fully compensated by insurance or other assistance. For more information, go to: SBA.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

To watch a video about how to apply, featuring American Sign Language, visit FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance (youtube.com).

For the latest information about Alaska’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4836. 

 

mary.j.edmon Wed, 12/04/2024 - 01:04

Chippewa County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Open House

CHICAGO — FEMA and Chippewa County officials invite residents to join the Open House in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, December 10 from 3:30 – 5:30 PM ET to learn about flood risk and flood insurance after the release of preliminary flood maps.

Homeowners, renters and business owners in Chippewa County are encouraged to attend and meet with experts one-on-one to view their own addresses on the new maps. They’ll learn about the mapping process, their specific flood risk and ways to help prevent flood loss. Residents can view and download preliminary versions of the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) here.

WHAT:           Chippewa County—Flood Map Open House

WHEN:          Tuesday, December 10, 2024, from 3:30 – 5:30 PM ET

WHERE:        Bayliss Public Library, 541 Library Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Once in effect, the maps will inform flood insurance rates and local floodplain management rules adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA urges public officials to use the maps to help plan and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future extreme weather events.

If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an email to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.

For Open House questions, reach out to fema-r5-map@fema.dhs.gov. For media questions, reach out to the FEMA Region 5 News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.

kimberly.keblish Tue, 12/03/2024 - 21:08

FEMA Opens Additional Disaster Recovery Center in Columbia County

ATLANTA – FEMA is opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Columbia County to provide one-on-one help for Georgians affected by Hurricane Helene. 

The center is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, at this location: 

Columbia County

Columbia County Emergency Management Agency

650 Ronald Reagan Drive

Evans, GA 30809

Additional centers are open in the following counties:

Open Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday 1 – 6 p.m.

Appling County

Appling County Agricultural Center
2761 Blackshear Highway

Baxley, GA 31513

Bryan County

Jacob Grant Teen Center

185 Ball Park Road

Richmond Hill, GA 31324 

(Closing permanently on Dec. 4)

Butts County

Butts Park & Recreation Building

(Ernest Biles Youth Center)

576 Ernest Biles Drive 

Jackson, GA 30233 (closing permanently 12/13) 

Chatham County

Savannah Technical College

Student Enrichment Center Building

5717 White Bluff Road 

Savannah, GA 31405

Coffee County

The Atrium 
114 N. Peterson Avenue 

Douglas, GA 31533

Emanuel County

Southeastern Technical College 

Special Programs Building

346 Kite Road, Building 1

Swainsboro, GA 30401

Jefferson County

National Guard Bid-EOC

1841 Hwy. 24 West

Louisville, GA 30434

Laurens County

Old West Laurens Middle School

338 West Laurens School Road 

Dublin, GA 31021

Lincoln County

Lincoln County Recreation Department

Walter T. Norman Gym

1962 Rowland-York Drive

Lincolnton, GA 30817

Lowndes County

City of Valdosta

4434 North Forrest Street Extension

Valdosta, GA 31605

McDuffie County

Thomson Depot            

111 Railroad Street 

Thomson, GA 30824

Richmond County

Hub for Community Innovation

631 Chafee Avenue 

Augusta, GA 30904

Screven County

Screven County Library

106 Community Drive

Sylvania, GA 30467

Tift County

Tift County Swimming Pool

202 Baldwin Drive

Tifton, GA 31794

Toombs County

Georgia Department of Human Services 

162 Oxley Drive

Lyons, GA 30436 

Washington County

Sandersville School Building Authority

514 North Harris Street

Sandersville, GA 31082

Wilkes County

Washington Fire Department (Training Room)

212 E. Court St. 

Washington, GA 30673

 

FEMA Mobile Registration Center location and hours

Berrien County

Carrie Dorsey Perry Memorial Library

315 W. Marion Ave., Nashville, GA 31639

Monday, Dec. 2 -- Wednesday, Dec. 4

8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Burke County

Burke County Public Library

130 GA-24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830

Monday, Nov. 25 – Saturday, Dec. 7

8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Clinch County

Clinch County Elementary School

575 Wood Lake Drive, Homerville, GA 31634

Monday, Nov. 25 – Saturday, Dec. 7

8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dodge County

Public Safety Building

440 Legion Drive, Eastman, GA 31023

Monday, Nov. 25 – Saturday, Dec. 7

8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To find center locations in the state, visit FEMA’s Hurricane Helene Georgia Page, FEMA’s DRC Locator or text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology. 

Homeowners and renters in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Newton, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Stephens, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler and Wilkes counties can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the State of Georgia and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.

If you are in an affected county, you are encouraged to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The quickest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages.

Disaster Assistance Teams are also on the ground in affected counties going door-to-door to help survivors register for assistance.

Survivors can also apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, on the free FEMA App or by calling 1-800-621-3362 any day of the week.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube.

For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/helene/georgia and fema.gov/disaster/4821. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on X, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel. Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on X @FEMA_Deanne.

larissa.hale Tue, 12/03/2024 - 20:01