You are here
Feed aggregator
Building Stronger is Worth the Effort
Adjuntas, Puerto Rico – Domingo Reyes Piazza is an example of someone who learned from experience the benefits of building back resilient. After Hurricane Maria damaged his sheet metal rooftop, he decided to make a few improvements. Years later, when Hurricane Fiona battered parts of Puerto Rico’s south and central mountain region, his repairs stood up to the test.
With the help of FEMA, an engineer, an architect and the advice of Hazard Mitigation Specialists (HM CEO), Reyes made several repairs taking into account FEMA-approved mitigation measures and current building codes.
To mitigate against future risk, he purchased a thicker gauge metal sheet and secured each one with additional and stronger PVC tubes. He also surrounded the entire roof with a metal guard that prevented the wind from squeezing between the galvanized metal sheet panels and the wooden roof, thus preventing the two from prying apart. “Now the winds bounce off the roof ledge and can’t separate the sheet metal from the wooden roof underneath,” he assured.
Before settling in Puerto Rico, Reyes lived in Rockland County, New York, where he met his wife, Roxana, and worked for over two decades in the manufacturing industry. After more than 40 years in the U.S. mainland, they decided to retire in Puerto Rico. The couple settled into a beautiful wooden chalet surrounded by lush vegetation in Barrio Los Lirios, a quiet neighborhood in the municipality of Adjuntas.
"This house has all the construction specifications required for a wooden home, well-secured with anchors, all the way throughout the house,” said Reyes, who was born and raised in this area. He said that during Hurricane María, “nothing happened to this home, except for the metal sheet panels, which María rolled up entirely.” However, with the added mitigation the outcome after Hurricane Fiona was different: “With Fiona, it passed the test. It wasn’t like Maria, but it was pretty strong, and we were both right here, relaxed.
Stories like these are common after an event. Many people opt to just repair to pre-disaster conditions and end up with the same problem if a similar disaster strikes again. That’s why FEMA goes to great lengths to educate people on the benefits of hazard mitigation, or simply put, building back safer, stronger and smarter.
Shortly after Hurricane Fiona, when the first Disaster Recovery Centers opened their doors, FEMA’s HM Specialists began reaching out to the public, through speaker’s bureau events, at DRCs and by visiting hardware and chain stores where survivors could have been purchasing building materials to repair their hurricane-damaged homes.
Community Education and Outreach teams visited between five and eight stores per week, helping nearly 400 people per day. More than 32,000 people who visited Home Depot, National Lumber, Ace and Walmart stores in Puerto Rico were able to talk to FEMA specialists about mitigation techniques.
As a result, between September 2022 and February 2023, over 103,500 survivors received practical advice on how to reduce risk in future disasters.
# # #
yuisa.rios Thu, 02/23/2023 - 12:42FEMA Offers Free Rebuilding Tips at Marvin’s in Selma
PRATTVILLE, Ala.– Repairing or rebuilding your home? Disaster survivors who are working on their homes after the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes can visit Marvin’s hardware store in Selma to speak with FEMA mitigation specialists about their damage and discuss how to best repair their homes.
Mitigation advisors will give tips about rebuilding and protecting homes from future disaster-related damage. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors. FEMA mitigation specialists will be available between Feb. 23 and Feb. 28 at:
Marvin’s hardware store
1500 Alabama Hwy. 14 E
Selma, AL 36703
Hours:
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24
8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 25
1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 16
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 27
7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28
Specialists are also available on the Mitigation Helpline, 833-336-2477 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Central Time. You may leave a voicemail at any time. Or you may email FEMA-R4-HMHELP@FEMA.DHS.GOV.
For 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, 02/22/2023 - 16:54Baraga County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
There will be a Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Baraga County, Michigan, on March 9, 2023, from 6 – 8 p.m. ET. The open house will give residents a chance to review preliminary versions of the recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1%-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the county and offer information that public officials may use to guide development in the floodplain.
Experts at the open house will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process. Residents can meet with experts one-on-one to view their own addresses on the new maps. They’ll learn about their specific risk and ways to help prevent flood loss.
Once effective, the maps will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Baraga County – Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: March 9, 2023, 6 – 8 p.m. ET
WHERE: L’Anse High School Cafetorium, 201 North 4th Street, L’Anse, MI 49946
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail 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 more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
nicole.wilson Wed, 02/22/2023 - 15:58Menominee County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – There will be a Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Menominee County, Michigan, on March 8, 2023, from 6 – 8 p.m. CT. The open house will give residents a chance to review preliminary versions of the recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1%-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the county and offer information that public officials may use to guide development in the floodplain.
Experts at the open house will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process. Residents can meet with experts one-on-one to view their own addresses on the new maps. They’ll learn about their specific risk and ways to help prevent flood loss.
Once effective, the maps will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Menominee County – Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: March 8, 2023, 6 – 8 p.m. CT
WHERE: Menominee County Annex, S904 US Highway 41, Stephenson, MI 49887
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
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 more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
nicole.wilson Wed, 02/22/2023 - 15:47Effingham Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – There will be a Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Effingham County, Illinois, on March 9, 2023, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. CT. The open house will give residents a chance to review preliminary versions of the recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1%-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the county and offer information that public officials may use to guide development in the floodplain.
Experts at the open house will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process. Residents can meet with experts one-on-one to view their own addresses on the new maps. They’ll learn about their specific risk and ways to help prevent flood loss.
Once effective, the maps will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Effingham County – Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: March 9, 2023, 5:30–7:30 p.m. CT
WHERE: Effingham City Council Chambers at City Hall
201 East Jefferson Avenue, Effingham, IL 62401
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail 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 more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
nicole.wilson Wed, 02/22/2023 - 15:00FEMA Seeks Leaders in U.S. Virgin Islands for Youth Preparedness Council
ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands – FEMA is looking for students in grades 8 to 11 in the U.S. Virgin Islands who are passionate about disaster preparedness and making a positive impact for their community’s resilience to join the Youth Preparedness Council.
FEMA created the Youth Preparedness Council in 2012 to bring together young leaders from across the country who are interested in disaster preparedness and community service. The council demonstrates FEMA’s commitment to involve America’s youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides young people an opportunity to present their perspectives, feedback, and opinions to FEMA staff.
“Young leaders are needed to deliver messages of empowerment and creativity with emergency management in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Mark A. Walters, Coordinator for FEMA’s U.S. Virgin Islands Caribbean Area Office. “Fresh perspectives from young voices will strengthen the territory’s culture of resilience as we continue to focus on creative solutions to prepare and respond to hurricanes and other hazards in the Virgin Islands.”
During their one-year term, council members meet with FEMA staff throughout their term to develop strategies, initiatives, and project proposals. Council members will also participate in a summit held in Washington, D.C., in July with FEMA leaders and other preparedness professionals to network and learn more about the emergency management field.
The online application closes March 6, 2023, 11:59 p.m. PT. New council members will be announced in June.
To learn more about the council and application requirements, visit ready.gov/kids/youth-preparedness-council and visit https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/apply-to-ypc?language=en_US to apply. FEMA will also host a webinar for potential applicants on Feb. 28, 2023.
gina.callaghan Wed, 02/22/2023 - 14:44Disaster Recovery Centers to Close but FEMA Help Still Available
ATLANTA – Disaster Recovery Centers in Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton and Troup counties will close Saturday, Feb. 25, but that does not mean that FEMA is leaving the state.
The recovery center in Spalding County will remain open to help survivors of the Jan. 12 severe storms and tornadoes. The center’s location:
- Spalding County Senior Center, 885 Memorial Dr., Griffin, GA 30223
- Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday
Disaster Recovery Centers in the other six counties will wrap up operations Feb. 25. You may visit any recovery center to get help. To find one near you, go to https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.
FEMA is continuing its work with the state and other partners to help Georgia residents recover from the storms. FEMA specialists are still available to help update information in your accounts and direct you to federal, state and community programs and assistance.
As of Feb. 20, more than 1,750 people have visited the Disaster Recovery Centers. They have received information or referrals to programs offered by FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal, state and local agencies and organizations.
Even with the scheduled closings, help from FEMA is just a phone call away. Survivors can get answers from specialists at the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. 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.
It is 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 check.
The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Monday, March 20. Here are the ways to apply:
- Visit 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.
- For an accessible video on how to apply, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI&list=PL720Kw_OojlKOhtKG7HM_0n_kEawus6FC&index=6
For the latest information on 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, 02/22/2023 - 14:09FEMA Offers Free Rebuilding Tips at Ace Hardware in Hartselle
PRATTVILLE, Ala.– Repairing or rebuilding your home? Disaster survivors who are working on their homes after the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes can visit Ace Hardware/Corum’s Building Center in Hartselle to speak with FEMA mitigation specialists about their damage and discuss how to best repair their homes.
Mitigation advisors will give tips about rebuilding and protecting homes from future disaster-related damage. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors. FEMA mitigation specialists will be available between Feb. 23 and Feb. 28 at:
Ace Hardware/Corum’s Building Center
408 US Hwy. 31 NW
Hartselle, AL 35640
Hours:
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24
7:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 25
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 27
7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28
Specialists are also available on the Mitigation Helpline, 833-336-2477 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Central Time. You may leave a voicemail at any time. Or you may email FEMA-R4-HMHELP@FEMA.DHS.GOV.
For 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, 02/22/2023 - 13:48Clay County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – There will be a Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Clay County, Illinois, on March 8, 2023, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. CT. The open house will give residents a chance to review preliminary versions of the recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1%-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the county and offer information that public officials may use to guide development in the floodplain.
Experts at the open house will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process. Residents can meet with experts one-on-one to view their own addresses on the new maps. They’ll learn about their specific risk and ways to help prevent flood loss.
Once effective, the maps will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Clay County – Flood Map Information Open House
WHEN: March 8, 2023, 5:30–7:30 p.m. CT
WHERE: Flora Fire Department, 300 West 2nd St, Flora, IL 62839
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail 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 more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Wed, 02/22/2023 - 01:49FEMA Assistance to Hurricane Ian Survivors Surpasses $1 Billion, Biden-Harris Administration Provides Over $5.5 Billion in Total Federal Support to Florida
WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided more than $1 billion for 380,000 Florida survivors of Hurricane Ian, as part of the $5.5 billion in federal support the Biden-Harris administration has provided to help families and communities in Florida jumpstart their recovery.
The FEMA Individual Assistance funds, which go directly to applicants, are for rent, basic home repair and other disaster-related expenses. In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $1.68 billion in low-interest disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.29 billion in claims. FEMA’s Public Assistance program has obligated $552 million to the state to reimburse debris removal and emergency response costs.
In continuing support to Floridians, FEMA is undertaking an extensive housing effort that includes funds for rent, home repairs, hotel stays, apartment leases, travel trailers and manufactured housing units.
More than 70,000 Florida households have been approved for $647 million in financial assistance for rent or basic home repairs, and more than 4,500 households have stayed in hotels temporarily under FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. Additionally, FEMA is placing eligible applicants in 313 apartment homes, under its Direct Lease program, and is also working to lease apartments, repair them and place hurricane survivors in them under its Multi-Family Lease and Repair program.
In addition to financial assistance for housing, 366 families have moved into travel trailers, manufactured housing units and apartments in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Sarasota and Volusia counties. More temporary housing is being prepared for occupancy.
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.
luther.wills-dudich Tue, 02/21/2023 - 17:17FEMA Awards Almost $4.5 Million to Massachusetts for COVID-19 Testing Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $4.5 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse it for the cost of providing testing for daycare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $4,480,000 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Massachusetts Department of Early Childhood Education and Care for contracting to provide testing services for early education and care (EEC) affiliated providers, staff, children, and families between March 2021 and June 2022.
The contractor operated mobile specimen collection sites, provided all equipment necessary for site operations, confirmed eligibility for testing, and handled collection and transport of all specimens.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Massachusetts Department of Early Childhood Education and Care 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 - 16:37FEMA Awards Rhode Island Almost $1.3 Million for COVID Testing Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $1.3 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse the state for the costs of providing public testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $1,279,780 FEMA Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services for the cost of contracting for staff to support the state’s testing initiative between May 2020 and December 2020.
During that time period, Rhode Island developed community-based testing sites and collaborated with laboratory partners to conduct COVID-19 tests, and formed a group to support the state’s testing efforts by evaluating the constantly evolving supply chain, conducting logistical assessments of new sites, and implementing low-barrier points of engagement with COVID-19 testing for the public.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Rhode Island with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic fight is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.
This grant brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to more than $612 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
adrien.urbani Tue, 02/21/2023 - 16:35FEMA Awards Central Vermont Medical Center Over $4.4 Million For COVID Staffing Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $4.4 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse Central Vermont Medical Center for the costs of hiring temporary nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $4,445,084 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the 122-bed hospital in Berlin – affiliated with the University of Vermont Health Network – for the cost of hiring temporary registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and respiratory therapists to care for COVID-19 patients between July 2020 and June 2022.
In addition to providing high-acuity direct patient care, the nurses and therapists closely worked with pulmonologists to provide comprehensive respiratory care and ongoing training associated with developing and practicing approved workflows to prevent transmission of the disease.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Central Vermont 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 our success as a nation.”
adrien.urbani Tue, 02/21/2023 - 16:32FEMA Awards City of Providence Almost $4 Million for COVID School Cleaning Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $4 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse the City of Providence for the costs of cleaning and disinfecting the city’s public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $3,957,996 FEMA Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Providence Public School District for the cost of contracting for cleaning and disinfecting public school facilities between July 2021 and June 2022, allowing them to safely re-open and operate.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the City of Providence with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic fight is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.
This grant brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to almost $614 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
adrien.urbani Tue, 02/21/2023 - 16:30FEMA 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 - 16:26President 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 - 16:06President 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 - 14:48Joint 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 - 20:31FEMA 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 - 14:21Pages
