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Broward County Survivors Should Keep in Touch with FEMA
LAKE MARY, Fla. – As of July 26, 2023, $34.1 million has been approved for Individual Assistance, $171.5 million approved in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and $26.4 million approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
If you applied for FEMA assistance after the Broward County severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, continue to ensure FEMA has your current contact information. Remember, you have 60 days from the date of your FEMA eligibility letter to file an appeal.
Applicants should immediately update FEMA concerning changes in insurance, current housing situation, phone number, mailing address or payment preference. Missing or incorrect information could delay the financial assistance you may be eligible to receive. When contacting FEMA, refer to the nine-digit number assigned to you when you applied.
To update your information, visit DisasterAssistance.gov and click the green icon titled “Check Status,” and follow the prompts to create an account or access your account. You can also call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET, seven days a week.
For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Broward County severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4709. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
bree-constance… Thu, 07/27/2023 - 21:10RISEUP Program Wraps Up, 537 Metal Roofs Repaired for Typhoon Mawar Survivors
The Roofing Installation Support Emergency Utilization Program (RISEUP), a collaborative initiative aimed at assisting Guam residents affected by Typhoon Mawar, has successfully completed its mission. As of July 27, RISEUP has repaired 537 metal roofs for survivors.
Ms. Fely Baza, the last homeowner to have her roof repaired through RISEUP, said, "I’m very grateful for the assistance. Finally, my grandchildren can return to a safe home.”
On May 24, Typhoon Mawar unleashed its destructive force upon Guam, causing widespread damage to homes throughout the island. In response to the urgent need for roof repairs following the storm, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with the Office of the Governor, Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense, FEMA, and the Mayor's Council of Guam, launched the RISEUP program on June 9th to temporarily repair the metal roofs damaged during the typhoon.
RISEUP is a critical step in restoring a sense of security and normalcy to people affected by the typhoon. Alongside RISEUP, other initiatives like the AmeriCorps Chainsaw Debris program and Army Corps of Engineers Debris Removal are working to support survivors.
The mayor’s offices have been working tirelessly to help people apply for the program and coordinate with various agencies to make sure the program runs smoothly.
Only metal roofs were eligible for the RISEUP program. If you had damage to a different type of roof, such as concrete, slate, tile, or asphalt, or if you didn't qualify for the program due to severe damage, please get in touch with your insurance provider and apply for federal disaster assistance before the deadline of July 28, 2023, at 11:59 pm Chamorro Time.
The Disaster Recovery Center at Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School will permanently close at 5 p.m. July 27, Chamorro Time. The DRC at Guam Community College will remain open to assist survivors.
For information on Guam’s disaster recovery, visit our website.
Last Day To Apply For FEMA Assistance
If you have suffered damage or losses due to Typhoon Mawar, you may be eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance. The last day to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is July 27, Eastern Standard Time. Because of the time difference between the Eastern Standard Time and the Chamorro Time, the deadline to register for FEMA assistance has been adjusted to 11:59 p.m. July 28, Chamorro Time.
FEMA assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for:
- Temporary housing for those displaced from their disaster-damaged primary homes.
- Essential repairs to owner-occupied primary homes including structural components such as foundation, exterior walls and roof, and interior areas such as ceiling and floors.
- Replacement of personal property including specialized tools for employment, household items, appliances, disability equipment (i.e., wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.) and vehicle repair or replacement.
- Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance, including medical, dental, moving and child-care expenses and funeral and transportation expenses.
Typhoon Mawar survivors should register for assistance even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.
If you haven’t applied for federal disaster assistance yet, please register before the deadline by visiting disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app, calling 800-621-3362 (The Helpline is available 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week at no cost for Guam residents), or stopping by a Disaster Recovery Center at Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School or Guam Community College. Hours of operation at DRCs: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
The DRC at Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School will permanently close at 5 p.m. July 27, Chamorro Time. The DRC at Guam Community College will remain open to assist survivors.
Disaster Recovery Centers are barrier-free and provide equal access to all visitors. If you use American Sign Language or assistive technology, and if you need accommodations to communicate, please notify FEMA staff at the center immediately.
For information on Guam’s disaster recovery, visit our website.
felicia.jordan Thu, 07/27/2023 - 14:01Filling Late Application for FEMA Assistance
For homeowners and renters who sustained damage from Typhoon Mawar, the last day to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is July 27, Eastern Standard Time. Because of the time difference between the Eastern Standard Time and the Chamorro Time, the deadline to register for FEMA assistance has been adjusted to 11:59 p.m. July 28, Chamorro Time. In rare cases, though, you may be eligible to submit a late application to FEMA.
FEMA may consider a late application if extraordinary circumstances kept you from applying before the deadline of July 28, Chamorro time, and you send the following documents:
- A signed letter of explanation; AND
- Supporting documentation that clearly confirms why you were unable to apply during the application period. These include:
- Record of hospitalization, illness, disability of the applicant or an immediate family member
- Death of an immediate family member
- Proof of personal or business travel that kept the applicant out of the area for the full application period OR
- Evidence of unique disaster specific circumstances
LATE APPLICATION PROCESS
You have 60 days from July 28, Chamorro time, which was the FEMA application deadline, to complete a late application. There are several ways you can submit a late application for FEMA disaster assistance:
- Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Download and use the FEMA mobile app to apply.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to apply.
MAIL, FAX OR UPLOAD YOUR LATE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
You must submit valid documents within 60 days from the date the late application was completed. Be sure to sign and date your documents. Include your nine-digit FEMA application number and the disaster number (DR-4715-GU) on all supporting documents.
Mail to: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
Fax: 800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA
Upload documents: An easy way to provide any additional information needed is to set up an online account and upload documents online. To set up or upload documents, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Check Your Application and Log In” and follow the directions. Be sure to sign and date your appeal. Include your nine-digit FEMA application number, the disaster number (DR-4715-GU) and documents to support your appeal.
felicia.jordan Thu, 07/27/2023 - 03:41Residential Debris Removal Program Set to Begin
Over the coming weeks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will be working to collect Typhoon Mawar related residential debris from roadsides throughout the island. This is a free program available for all residential properties including apartments, condominiums.
The speed and success of the mission will depend on residents properly sorting the debris prior to contractors arriving. All storm debris must be sorted by residents into the following four categories and brought to the right of way (ROW) within 10-feet of the roadside:
- vegetative debris;
- large appliances;
- construction and demolition debris; and metal
Debris should not block the roadway, fire hydrants, powerlines, utilities or transformer boxes. In addition, debris should not be blocked by parked cars, abandoned cars, or by other means.
Although this program is beginning this week in certain parts of the island, exact dates for each village will be communicated on a local level and debris should not be placed in the ROW until the community is notified.
This week USACE teams have begun the critical first phase of sorting debris for residential properties in Dededo and Yigo in the north and Merizo, Piti, Santa Rita, and Umatac in the south. This process will continue for days and weeks to come as more debris is placed in the ROW.
The next phase, pick-up, is set to begin this Friday July 28, in Santa Rita. Umatac pick-up is set to begin July 31, with Dededo and Yigo beginning in early August. It is important to sort and place debris in the ROW prior to the pick-up date listed for your village to avoid missing the crews that will be working their way through the community.
Is all storm debris eligible for pickup?
Not all storm or household debris will be picked up. Certain types of debris like daily household trash, tires, vehicles, boats, porcelain (toilets, tubs) electronics, and household hazardous waste (oil, batteries, pesticides, paint, cleaning supplies) are not eligible for removal. Hazardous waste materials can be taken to the Harmon transfer station for disposal at no cost.
USACE came to my home, but they only collected one category of debris, why?
To make the process quick and efficient there will be separate trucks for each category of eligible debris (vegetative debris, large appliances, construction and demolition debris and metal). These trucks may arrive at different times in the clean-up process.
How do I contact USACE to pick up my debris?
There is no need to contact USACE, your mayor or any other organization for this service. Begin by sorting your debris. Then, set the debris in the ROW beside the edge of the road once notified that pick-up will begin in your area. Debris teams will conduct sorting and pickup community-by-community throughout the island.
When will USACE be in my area picking up debris?
The Joint Information Center will communicate the whereabouts of debris teams regularly through traditional media and social media.
For information on Guam’s disaster recovery, visit our website.
felicia.jordan Thu, 07/27/2023 - 01:48FEMA Approves an Additional $3 Million for North Dakota’s COVID-19 Response
DENVER – FEMA has approved an additional $3 million in Public Assistance funding for the COVID-19 response in North Dakota. The assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued April 1, 2020. FEMA has now approved more than $190 million in Public Assistance grant funds to North Dakota for their pandemic response.
The North Dakota Department of Health will receive $3,086,353.80 in FEMA funding to reimburse the department for the purchase of COVID-19 test kits used for a statewide antigen testing program. These costs were incurred from March 1, 2023, to May 4, 2023.
This project was federally funded at 90 percent of the eligible cost.
COVID-19 was an unprecedented pandemic in recent history and FEMA took extraordinary steps to evaluate and adjust the Public Assistance application and funding process that helped states, local governments and tribal nations respond and recover. FEMA works with our partners before, during and after disasters.
During the COVID-19 pandemic response, FEMA simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to better address the magnitude of the event, and by doing this, state and local governments received their eligible funding reimbursements more quickly. These reimbursements played a critical role as state, tribal and local officials worked to assist their communities during their COVID-19 response. For more information about the Public Assistance program, visit: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/program-overview.
FEMA Funeral Assistance for COVID-19 is still available until September 2025. Find out more information about this program at: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/historic/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance or by calling 1-844-684-6333.
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FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
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jamie.casterton Wed, 07/26/2023 - 21:02Two Days Left To Apply For FEMA Assistance
If you have suffered any damage or losses due to Typhoon Mawar, you may be eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance. Please note that you only have two days remaining to register for FEMA assistance, as the deadline of July 27, Eastern Standard Time, is rapidly approaching. Because of the time difference between the Eastern Standard Time and the Chamorro Time Zone, the deadline to register for FEMA assistance has been adjusted to 11:59 p.m. July 28, Chamorro Time.
FEMA assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for:
- Temporary housing for those displaced from their disaster-damaged primary homes.
- Essential repairs to owner-occupied primary homes including structural components such as foundation, exterior walls and roof, and interior areas such as ceiling and floors.
- Replacement of personal property including specialized tools for employment, household items, appliances, disability equipment (i.e., wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.) and vehicle repair or replacement.
- Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance, including medical, dental, moving and child-care expenses and funeral and transportation expenses.
Typhoon Mawar survivors should register for assistance even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.
If you haven’t applied for federal disaster assistance yet, please register before the deadline by visiting disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app, calling 800-621-3362 (The Helpline is available 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week at no cost for Guam residents), or stopping by a Disaster Recovery Center at Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School or Guam Community College. Hours of operation at DRCs: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
The DRC at Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School will permanently close at 5 p.m. July 27, Chamorro Time. The DRC at Guam Community College will remain open to assist survivors.
Disaster Recovery Centers are barrier-free and provide equal access to all visitors. If you use American Sign Language or assistive technology, and if you need accommodations to communicate, please notify FEMA staff at the center immediately.
felicia.jordan Wed, 07/26/2023 - 04:14
FEMA Celebrates Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary with Accessibility Advancements
WASHINGTON -- As the nation celebrates the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), FEMA commemorates its ongoing efforts to advance accessibility in the agency’s mission to help people before, during and after disasters.
The ADA guides FEMA’s commitment to improving services and programs to be equitably available to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
“FEMA’s people-first approach is about ensuring our programs are accessible to all disaster survivors,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “From ensuring survivors in wheelchairs can access our disaster recovery centers, to updating our websites to support screen readers, to offering sign language interpretation, our commitment to meaningful and full access to our programs is driven by our core values of compassion, fairness, integrity and respect.”
When the act passed in 1990, it provided civil rights legislation that protects people with disabilities from discrimination by federal agencies and federally funded programs. The law ensures that FEMA and our partners have a strong foundation to work together so that disaster survivors with disabilities have equitable access to services and programs, while preserving their independence.
To support the disability community, FEMA made equity in emergency management one of the top goals in its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. In support of this plan the agency has:
- Improved the survivor registration intake process nationwide, expanding disability-related questions, making it easier for people with disabilities impacted by disasters to get the assistance they need.
- Continued updating the FEMA App, available in English and Spanish, so that it is now more accessible to people with disabilities. The app is screen reader compatible on iOS (11.0 and later) and Android (5.0) devices. The user interface has also been redesigned to fit a wider variety of screen sizes, making it easier for users to interact with it on their preferred device.
- Worked extensively with state, local, tribal and territorial officials, and nongovernmental and private sector partners and stakeholders to facilitate ADA compliance. This includes removing physical, communication and programmatic barriers that people with disabilities could face.
- Designed programs, services, policies and procedures to include the needs of people with disabilities before disasters happen, rather than solely reacting to barriers that are identified during response and recovery.
Nationwide, disability stakeholders are part of the agency’s whole-community approach and work with FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination (ODIC) teams to create a path to independence for people with disabilities impacted by disasters.
“The ADA drives the future of community resiliency, enablement and universal access for all members of a community,” said FEMA Disability Coordinator and ODIC Director Sherman Gillums, Jr. “Founded on the principles of the ADA, we bring effective communication, expanded structural access and equitable opportunities for all to function as members of society. These are the conditions required prior to disaster that will shorten the disaster cycle for all survivors.”
To learn more about FEMA’s support to people with disabilities, go to Office of Disability Integration and Coordination | FEMA.gov.
Visit the FEMA Blog to read more on how the agency honors the ADA before, during and after disasters.
luther.wills-dudich Tue, 07/25/2023 - 19:09Washington County, Arkansas, Flood Maps Become Final
DENTON, Texas – New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on Jan. 25, 2024, for Washington County, Arkansas. During the next six months, a FEMA compliance specialist will work with the community to update each floodplain ordinance and adopt these new flood maps.
Residents are encouraged to examine the maps to determine if they are in a low-to-moderate or high-risk flood zone. The current and future Flood Insurance Rate Map can be viewed on FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer at https://msc.fema.gov/fmcv.
By understanding flood risks, individuals can decide which insurance option is best for their situation. Community leaders can use these maps to make informed decisions about building standards and development that will make the community more resilient and lessen the impacts of a flooding event.
Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their home, personal property and business. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for those in communities who participate in the NFIP. Residents with federally backed mortgages must have flood insurance if their structures are in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) to review the new flood maps and learn more about your risk of flooding. A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify your community FPA and answer questions about the maps as well. Contact them by phone or online chat.
- To use the live chat service, visit floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
- To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 877-FEMA MAP (877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.
There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting floodsmart.gov.
alexa.brown Tue, 07/25/2023 - 13:42Three Days Left To Apply For FEMA Assistance
If you have suffered any damage or losses due to Typhoon Mawar, you may be eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance. Please note that you only have three days remaining to register for FEMA assistance, as the deadline of July 27, Eastern Standard Time, is rapidly approaching. Because of the time difference between the Eastern Standard Time and the Chamorro Time, the deadline to register for FEMA assistance has been adjusted to 11:59 p.m. July 28, Chamorro Time.
FEMA assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for:
- Temporary housing for those displaced from their disaster-damaged primary homes.
- Essential repairs to owner-occupied primary homes including structural components such as foundation, exterior walls and roof, and interior areas such as ceiling and floors.
- Replacement of personal property including specialized tools for employment, household items, appliances, disability equipment (i.e., wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.) and vehicle repair or replacement.
- Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance, including medical, dental, moving and child-care expenses and funeral and transportation expenses.
Typhoon Mawar survivors should register for assistance even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.
If you haven’t applied for federal disaster assistance yet, please register before the deadline by visiting disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app, calling 800-621-3362 (The Helpline is available 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week at no cost for Guam residents), or stopping by a Disaster Recovery Center at Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School or Guam Community College. Hours of operation at DRCs: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
The DRC at Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School will permanently close at 5 p.m. July 27, Chamorro Time. The DRC at Guam Community College will remain open to assist survivors.
Disaster Recovery Centers are barrier-free and provide equal access to all visitors. If you use American Sign Language or assistive technology, and if you need accommodations to communicate, please notify FEMA staff at the center immediately.
felicia.jordan Tue, 07/25/2023 - 02:55Disaster Recovery Center at Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School to Close July 27
The Disaster Recovery Center located at Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School will close permanently at 5 p.m. July 27, as the school will be making necessary arrangements for the upcoming school year.
The remaining Disaster Recovery Center located at Guam Community College will still be open during their regular hours—even after the registration period for FEMA assistance ends on July 28— to assist survivors with pending applications and appeals.
Center
Location
Address
Hours
DRC 1
1 Sesame St., Building E,
Mangilao, GU 96913
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday,
9 a.m. -2 p.m., Saturday
Closed, Sunday
DRC 2
Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School520 Harmon Loop Road,
Dededo, GU 96929
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday,
9 a.m. -2 p.m., Saturday
Closed, Sunday
Permanently Closes at 5 p.m., July 27
At a Disaster Recovery Center, you can learn more about FEMA and other federal disaster assistance programs, understand any letters you get from FEMA, get answers to your questions about application, or get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistances.
Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center is not your only option to apply for FEMA assistance. Guam residents whose homes were damaged by the Typhoon Mawar can apply for FEMA assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process by going online to disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA Mobile App or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. (The Helpline is available 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week at no cost for Guam residents). Help is available in many languages.
Disaster Recovery Centers are barrier-free and provide equal access to all visitors. If you use American Sign Language or assistive technology, and if you need accommodations to communicate, please notify FEMA staff at the center immediately.
To view an accessible video about how to apply, please visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
For information on Guam’s disaster recovery, visit our website.
felicia.jordan Mon, 07/24/2023 - 23:18FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Golden Fire in Oregon
BOTHELL, Wash. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Golden Fire burning in Klamath County, Oregon.
The state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at 4:34 p.m. PT. He determined that the Golden Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the first FMAG declared in 2023 to help fight Oregon wildfires.
At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Bly Mountain, Beatty, Bonanza, and Dairy. The fire also threatened Highway 140 and Bonneville Power Administration transmission lines. The State additionally reported the fire had damaged fiber optic communication lines in the area.
FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair, and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials, and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.
In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $918,774 will be available to Oregon through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area.
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Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
mary.j.edmon Mon, 07/24/2023 - 22:06FEMA Seeks New Members for Two National Advisory Council Subcommittees
WASHINGTON -- FEMA is seeking qualified individuals to lend their expertise and serve on one of two new subcommittees through its National Advisory Council.
The council advises the FEMA Administrator on all matters related to emergency management. Two new subcommittees, one an advisory panel and one a work group, will review the preliminary damage assessment process and assess current policies for animal welfare in disasters.
These two new subcommittees are being formed in response to the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023” and the “Planning for Animal Wellness Act" (PAW Act). Individuals appointed to the subcommittees bring their experience and diversity of views to provide the FEMA Administrator with consensus recommendations. They will have the opportunity to be a part of, and help shape, the future of FEMA.
Preliminary Damage Assessment Subcommittee
This advisory panel subcommittee will assist the agency in improving critical components of the preliminary damage assessment process, which helps determine the magnitude of damage and impact of disasters nationwide. The subcommittee will have at least two representatives from the national emergency management organizations and at least one representative from each of the 10 FEMA regions employed by state, local, territorial or tribal authorities.
Other members will be selected as the Administrator deems appropriate.
Planning for Animal Welfare Subcommittee
This work group subcommittee will review best practices and federal guidance on congregate and non-congregate sheltering and evacuation planning relating to animal needs. This will include addressing the needs of household pets, service and assistance animals and captive animals in emergency and disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The subcommittee will determine whether the existing best practices and federal guidance put forth by FEMA are sufficient and, if not, determine to publish new guidance.
The agency is accepting applications for at least 13 members from state, local, tribal and territorial governments, academia, veterinary experts and nonprofit organizations.
How to apply
If you are interested in submitting an application package to serve on the:
- Preliminary Damage Assessment Subcommittee, follow these instructions. Federal Register :: National Advisory Council.
- Planning for Animal Welfare Subcommittee, follow these instructions. Federal Register :: National Advisory Council.
Applications for both subcommittees are due no later than 11:59 p.m. ET Aug. 10, 2023. Terms for all selectees begin in fall 2023 and will continue for as long as the committee work extends.
Selected subcommittee members do not serve as members of FEMA’s National Advisory Council; however, they will submit formal recommendations to the council for deliberation and final adjudication. Meetings are virtual except for the possible in-person presentation of recommendations to the council.
luther.wills-dudich Mon, 07/24/2023 - 21:07Commonwealth and FEMA Flood Recovery On Course One Year Later
FRANKFORT, Ky. - More than $281 million in federal funding has been pumped into eastern Kentucky over the past year to support individuals, families, communities and businesses as the region recovers from the disastrous flood of July 2022. FEMA, its federal partners and the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) continue to collaborate on a 13-county recovery mission. One year later, several dynamics are providing solutions where challenges first existed.
Partnerships Elevated Available Recovery Assistance for Eastern Kentucky Flood SurvivorsAll response and recovery missions require partnerships. FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Dr. Myra M. Shird and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear wanted to help flood survivors find housing solutions. They also wanted to provide an option for people to move out of high-risk flood zones to start their recovery on higher ground. An example of what evolved is underway in the city of Whitesburg; the initiative is called the “Cottages at Thompson Branch”.
Commitment Means Reaching EveryoneFEMA Individual Assistance (IA) provides grants to help flood survivors get back on their feet after a disaster. Over the past year, IA has provided nearly $108 million to eastern Kentucky flood survivors. Right after last year’s flooding, special teams comprised of FEMA, the Commonwealth and local representatives went on foot into areas where bridges and roads had been washed out to reach people who had no access. FEMA was able to increase the amount of assistance to eastern Kentucky flood survivors by more than $1.2 million because of that concentrated outreach.
Another strategy FEMA used in eastern Kentucky was sending Disaster Survivor Assistance teams to homes where survivors had not answered phone calls or provided all of the information needed to process their applications. This was an equity push to ensure all survivors, regardless of their circumstances, receive whatever assistance they were eligible for.
Breaking the Cycle of Repetitive Disaster DamageOne of FEMA’s priorities is to help communities build back better. This is much different from providing funding to rebuild. One example of this is FEMA’s Acquisition Program. Gov. Beshear requested an expedited acquisitions mission. In order to roll this out quickly, FEMA placed acquisition specialists in all of the Disaster Recovery Centers to speak one-on-one with interested survivors. More than 500 property owners showed interest in the program.
Property Acquisitions, funded through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, are completely voluntary and administered by the Commonwealth. Homeowners decide if they want their property to be considered for the program. To date, FEMA has approved 241 properties, totaling more than $40.9 million, to begin the acquisition process.
If the homeowner accepts the offer, the property can never be built on again; the deed is given to local government and the property becomes greenspace. This breaks the cycle of repairing repetitive disaster damage. But more importantly, it provides an opportunity for those living in high-risk flood zones to start a life on higher ground in a more safe, secure location.
Here is a breakdown of funding provided by FEMA programs and low-interest disaster loans approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP Disbursed):- FEMA Individuals and Households Program has disbursed nearly $108 million to help survivors with their recovery. This includes:
- Housing Assistance: More than $94.2 million
- Housing Repairs: 5,900 Households
- Rental Assistance: 5,289 Households
- Home Replacement: 182 Households (This is the maximum amount of assistance FEMA can provide under the Individuals and Households Program as stated in the Stafford Act.)
- Other Needs Assistance: More than $13.7 million paid to 4,980 Households
- Housing Assistance: More than $94.2 million
- Total number of households in FEMA temporary lodging: 129
- Households currently staying in FEMA direct temporary housing: 92
- Households who have left FEMA temporary housing to move to permanent housing: 37
- To date, the SBA has provided more than $58.8 million in low-interest disaster loans to eastern Kentucky homeowners, renters and businesses.
This includes:
- 730 low-interest disaster loans approved for individuals totaling more than $53 million
- 50 low-interest disaster loans approved for businesses totaling more than $5.7 million
- FEMA provides Public Assistance (PA) funding to the Commonwealth, which in turn reimburses local governments, counties and certain nonprofits to repair damaged infrastructure and cover other recovery expenses. At this time, 408 projects are obligated under PA totaling more than $49.4 million for eastern Kentucky; the amount continues to increase as additional projects are obligated. Here is a breakdown of projects by category and the amount FEMA has committed to pay:
- Debris Removal – 28 ($1,115,878)
- Protective Measures – 72 ($28,898,776)
- Roads & Bridges – 204 ($14,814,782)
- Public Buildings – 22 ($499,035)
- Public Utilities – 50 ($2,895,013)
- Parks & Recreation – 18 ($1,149,007)
- Administrative Cost – 14 ($102,951)
- The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has closed more than 400 claims and paid policyholders more than $24 million with an average payment of $58,830.
- The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is managed by FEMA.
FEMA’s Property Acquisitions program is completely voluntary and administered by the Commonwealth. Homeowners decide if they want their property to be considered for the program. Applications are submitted through the county, which reviews and sends their selections to the state. As of July 14, FEMA has approved 241 properties totaling more than $40.9 million to begin the acquisition process.
FEMA Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC)FCO Dr. Shird began working on FEMA’s recovery mission while the response operation was still underway. She wanted a seamless transition. That allowed FEMA’s Interagency Recovery Coordination group (IRC) to go to work sooner than what’s taken place in previous disasters. The IRC, true to its name, collaborates with federal partners, nonprofits, state agencies and others. One of its missions is to work with the local philanthropic community to bring investors and funding agents together to participate in a group known as the Funders Roundtable. This group searches for gap funding to help survivors.
It also links state, local, territory, tribal, nonprofit, private sector, federal partners and stakeholders to communities when a need goes beyond FEMA. For example, when Appalshop in Whitesburg was in urgent need of volunteers to help salvage and clean thousands of waterlogged quarter-inch film reels before mold could take hold, the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) & Foundation for the Advancement of Conservation stepped in to carefully remove sludge from the delicate film strips.
The Appalachian Dulcimer Museum and the historical musical instruments inside are another example of the IRC at work. Floodwaters engulfed everything at the museum, the building and all the instruments inside. Some of those instruments have now been recovered and an effort is underway to showcase them in a future exhibit. The Department of Interior’s Natural and Cultural Resources group is offering support for that and much more. While it can’t provide funding, the Natural and Cultural Resources group can identify potential grants, including those for disaster recovery funding, and provide technical assistance to write the grant applications.
The group is also supporting Letcher County as it works to transition from a former coal mining community to a tourist town.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance- FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams visited more than 24,000 homes and individuals to offer guidance on the recovery process, assist with applications for federal assistance, and to help those who already applied to complete and submit required paperwork.
- When the DRCs closed, the Commonwealth transitioned many into Multi-Agency Resource Centers because Gov. Beshear wanted survivors to continue receiving face-to-face assistance.
The Commonwealth oversees debris removal missions; however, FEMA does cover some costs. To date, FEMA has obligated more than $1.1 million to support the Commonwealth in clearing storm debris from eastern Kentucky. The debris mission has been massive.
- Contractors for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) have removed 409,000 tons of storm debris from roadsides and waterways, clearing 606 miles of creeks and streams in the process.
- In addition, KYTC contractors have removed 5,530 tons of debris that could not be moved to the roadside from private property. This work took place in Breathitt, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties for property owners who requested it through their counties.
FEMA FCO Dr. Myra M. Shird did an interview to discuss last year’s flooding in eastern Kentucky and reflected on the images she’ll always remember, FEMA’s partnership with the Commonwealth, communities and local leadership. Plus, the recovery mission one year later. You can access the video at: DVIDS - Video - FCO Myra Shird Interview EKY Floods (dvidshub.net).
luther.wills-dudich Mon, 07/24/2023 - 20:57FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Newell Road Fire in Washington
BOTHELL, Wash. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Newell Road Fire burning in Klickitat County, Washington.
The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at 12:14 a.m. PT. He determined that the Newell Road Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the fourth FMAG declared in 2023 to help fight Washington wildfires.
At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Roosevelt and Bickleton. The fire also threatened Klickitat County Public Utility District, Bonneville Power Administration Powerlines, Republic Solid Waste Landfill, and wind and solar farms in the area.
FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair, and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials, and supplies. This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.
In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another $1,225,032 will be available to Washington through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area.
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Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
mary.j.edmon Mon, 07/24/2023 - 19:11Renters Can Apply for FEMA Assistance
WILLISTON, Vt.– Renters in Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties whose homes and property were damaged by the July severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides can apply for FEMA disaster assistance.
FEMA Individual Assistance is available to renters, including students, as well as homeowners. Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental grant is for a one-month or two-month period and can be reviewed for further assistance.
Renters may also qualify for a grant under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for uninsured essential personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses. These may include:
- Replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks, or school supplies.
- Replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment required by the self-employed.
- If your primary vehicle was damaged by the storms and is no longer operable (and the vehicle complies with state registration and insurance requirements) FEMA may be able to help. Not all damage is covered, so check with FEMA to see if your vehicle is eligible.
- Uninsured or out-of-pocket medical, dental, childcare, moving and storage expenses.
You can apply to FEMA for federal assistance by visiting a local Disaster Recovery Center.
You don’t need to visit a recovery center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, go online at DisasterAssistance.gov call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time seven days a week, or use the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as videorelay (VRS), captionedtelephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. Assistance is available in most languages.
If you live in an undesignated county and have damage you can call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 to apply and if a designation for your county occurs, your application will begin to process.
The recovery centers are accessible to people with disabilities and access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology equipment. Survivors who need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter may call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish).
Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be at the centers to explain how to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofits, and provide information about rebuilding to make homes more disaster-resistant.
Renters may also be able to borrow up to $40,000 from SBA to replace damaged or destroyed personal property such as clothing, furniture, appliances or cars. It is recommended they apply for FEMA assistance before applying to SBA, but not required.
For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4720. Follow the FEMA Region 1 account at Twitter twitter.com/FEMARegion1 or the Facebook page at facebook.com/FEMA.
For updates on the Vermont response and recovery, follow the Vermont Emergency Management Agency twitter.com/vemvt on Twitter and Facebook facebook.com/vermontemergencymanagement.
FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of to race, color, 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 are the victim of discrimination. FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted toll-free at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available.
thomas.wise Mon, 07/24/2023 - 18:59President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for New York
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of New York to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding from July 9-10, 2023.
Public assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Lai Sun Yee has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.
luther.wills-dudich Mon, 07/24/2023 - 14:38Damaged Well, Furnace or Septic System? FEMA Can Help
WILLISTON, Vt. – If you lost access to water because a private well or septic system was damaged, or if your HVAC System or furnace was damaged by the recent flooding in Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance.
For private wells, HVAC Systems, furnaces and septic systems, FEMA may reimburse you for the cost of a professional, licensed technician to visit your home and prepare an estimate for necessary repairs or replacement of your disaster-damaged systems.
FEMA may also pay for the actual repair or replacement cost of your septic system or private well, which are not insurable items.
If you applied for FEMA assistance you will be contacted for a home inspection, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 if you have not been contacted and it has been more than 7-10 days. At the time of your inspection, let the FEMA inspector know you have a private well and/or septic system that may have been damaged. If the damage is determined to have been caused by the floods, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance.
If you already had an inspection and damage to the well or septic system wasn’t reported, call the FEMA Helpline to update them on your damages. Please keep your contractor’s statement, estimates and receipts. You may refer to the FEMA decision letter you received for more information or appeals guidance if a decision has already been made.
To register for FEMA assistance, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.
If you live in an undesignated county and have damage, you can call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 to apply and if a designation for your county occurs, your application will begin to process.
FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, 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 are the victim of discrimination. FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted toll-free at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available.
thomas.wise Mon, 07/24/2023 - 11:41FEMA Allocates Funds for the Preservation of Manatees
San Juan, Puerto Rico – In Puerto Rico, accidents with manatees are mostly caused by collisions with jet skis or motor and propeller boats, according to the director of the Manatee Conservation Center, Antonio Mignucci.
“We are noticing that people have not understood that they [manatees] share the environment with us and that we must give them that space. People with boats must understand that manatees live there and that they can’t move too fast. You must go slow near the coast, in the mangroves, in the estuaries. These are manatee areas and, in those parts, you have to go less than 5 miles per hour,” explained the Director.
As part of the efforts to increase awareness of manatees and their preservation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted funds to the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) to install signs that alert the public when they are near these marine animals.
A total of 170 signs will be placed near boat ramps around the island’s shoreline to alert of the presence of manatees in the area’s waters. The signs display information about manatee biology and behavior; and explain what boaters should anticipate and do when in the vicinity of these herbivorous animals.
“The coasts of the island are for the public’s enjoyment and that goes hand in hand with our responsibility to preserve them and preserve their animals and habitats. Manatees are an endangered species, protected by state and federal laws. Knowing our duties when encountering them is very important, so these signs are necessary to alert visitors and prevent them from taking any action that harms them,” explained Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José Baquero.
Interactions considered as harassment of manatees are prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act and the New Puerto Rico Wildlife Act; failure to comply with these laws can result in fines of up to $100,000 or one year in prison.
The funds allocated by FEMA will serve to install the signs around the north coast, which includes Isabela, Camuy, Barceloneta, Manatí, Vega Baja, Vega Alta, Dorado, Toa Baja, Cataño, San Juan, Carolina to Loíza; the east and southeast coast from Río Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Naguabo, Humacao, Yabucoa to Maunabo; and the south coast from Patillas, Arroyo, Guayama, Salinas to Santa Isabel. The award of over $120,000 for the signs includes mitigation measures to secure and reinforce them.
For its part, the local government also develops initiatives to rescue manatees and address any activity that puts them at risk. The DNER secretary, Anaís Rodríguez Vega, informed that the Department recently completed a study in the areas of greatest manatee conservation to document their behavior in the presence of boats and to install or relocate more floats or markers to warn of their presence; as well as to design other conservation strategies, if necessary.
Other DNER initiatives include training for teachers, law enforcement and emergency management agents; educational roundtables and talks with students; and the distribution of stickers for kayaks in areas where manatee harassment has been reported.
“All of these opportunities to educate and enlist the support of boaters are invaluable, as boat strikes are the number one killer of manatees. Manatees can be considered sentinel species that let us know how our marine ecosystems are doing. The actions we take to preserve them will result in healthy marine ecosystems. Furthermore, they are a conservation icon that helps us raise awareness of how important it is to protect these species to maintain a diverse world,” said Rodríguez Vega.
Meanwhile, Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, executive director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), said: “Recognizing the importance of this reconstruction project, the COR3 team will assist the DNER in the technical procedures required for this work to install these signs in the coastal municipalities to safeguard the life and preservation of manatees, an endangered species.”
Some recommendations from the Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center when running into manatees is that it is important to look at them without touching them; and to avoid interrupting their habitat or altering their natural feeding patterns.
By chasing, touching, feeding and watering a manatee, people alter the mammal’s behavior in its natural environment. If the manatee is frightened, it may move away from its favorite places to feed itself, drink fresh water or rest. The Center also advises against diving or swimming near manatees, as the cubs could die if separated from their mothers.
People who come across an injured manatee should immediately call the DNER Vigilant Corps at 787 724 5700; by only posting the information on social networks, the rescue response could be delayed.
To date, FEMA has awarded over $30.6 billion for over 10,700 Public Assistance projects aimed at rebuilding a more resilient Puerto Rico.
For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339, fema.gov/disaster/4473 and recovery.pr. Follow us on our social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.
frances.acevedo-pico Sun, 07/23/2023 - 19:14
Caledonia, Orange Counties Residents Now Eligible for FEMA Assistance
WILLISTON, Vt. – Federal funding is now available to help individuals in two additional Vermont counties recover from the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides from July 7, 2023 and continuing.
Residents of Caledonia and Orange counties who suffered damage to their homes or personal property may apply for disaster assistance with FEMA. Additional counties may be added at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
These two counties are in addition to the six counties already designated for Individual Assistance: Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor.
Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
To apply for assistance, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.; go online to DisasterAssistance.gov; or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.
For the latest information on Vermont’s recovery, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4720. Follow the FEMA Region 1 account on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion1, the FEMA Facebook page at facebook.com/FEMA, or the Vermont Emergency Management Agency on Twitter at twitter.com/vemt and on Facebook at facebook.com/vermontemergencymanagement.
thomas.wise Sat, 07/22/2023 - 14:31Pages
