You are here
DHS News and Updates
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of North Carolina to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Eta from Nov. 12- 15, 2020.
The President's action makes federal funding available to the state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Tropical Storm Eta in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Beaufort, Burke, Caldwell, Davidson, Davie, Duplin, Edgecombe, Hertford, Iredell, Robeson, Rowan, Sampson, Stokes, Wilkes, Wilson and Yadkin counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Myra M. Shird has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.
mayshaunt.gary Thu, 03/04/2021 - 19:40Oregon Wildfires: Federal Dollars, State Collaboration Help Affected Communities on the Road to Recovery
Dollars Help Communities Recover
As of March 2, FEMA has approved more than $34.8 million in individual assistance for homeowners and renters affected by Oregon wildfires. These federal dollars provide support to survivors in eight counties approved for FEMA Individual Assistance: Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has provided more than $59 million in low-interest disaster loans to 542 businesses, homeowners and renters.
3,091 Oregon residents have been approved for housing assistance grants totaling nearly $27.9 million. Of those, 538 homeowners received the maximum grant for housing assistance ($35,500).
In addition, more than $6.9 million in other needs assistance has been approved to help homeowners with personal property and transportation losses, funeral expenses and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.
Additionally, FEMA’s Direct Temporary Housing Mission is providing temporary housing solutions for qualified survivors in the communities of Jackson, Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Marion Counties,
Currently, these temporary housing units, either RVs or Manufacturing Housing Units (MHUs) are being placed on pads leased in several Jackson County commercial sites. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also constructing sites for FEMA in Jackson, Lincoln, Marion and Linn Counties.
To date, 265 survivor families are approved to receive FEMA Direct Temporary Housing in the five eligible counties and more than 100 survivors and their families are currently licensed into FEMA-provided temporary housing.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which helps state, local, tribal, territorial governments and certain types of private nonprofit organizations respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies has obligated more than $159 million for repairs under the PA program. This funding helps cover costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures and restoring public infrastructure.
Interagency Recovery Coordination
The State of Oregon’s Disaster Recovery Plan establishes seven Recovery Support Functions (RSF) to coordinate areas of assistance, each led by a designated state agency and supported by multiple state and federal partners. Oregon Emergency Management is leading this Integrated Strategic Recovery Team of state and federal agencies supporting local wildfire recovery.
More than 24 state and 10 federal partners are unifying efforts to aid local jurisdictions in recovery capacity and planning to leverage state, federal and donor resources to fund community rebuild planning and disaster recovery projects. Community Planning and Capacity Building staff are integrating with counties and communities to provide targeted assistance.
In addition, the philanthropic and nonprofit community is an integral part of the community rebuild process, with resources and technical assistance available to support local recovery projects and help build capacity. Connections have been made with more than 10 foundations, identifying critical recovery priorities and funding opportunities, and linking the funders to those in need of resources.
Oregon Recovery Highlights
- FEMA completed damage inspections of 6,993 homes.
- The Disaster Legal Services Program was made available to answer legal questions from wildfire survivors. Survivors can still take advantage of this service online oregondisasterlegalservices.org, or call 800-452-7636 or 503-684-3763, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- The Oregon Debris Management Task Force has continued to provide no-cost wildfire ash and debris cleanup for all homes and businesses in the eight counties affected by the disastrous September wildfires, including mobile home parks, second homes, businesses, and other structures.
- The State of Oregon has received a federal grant for more than $6.3 million to provide Disaster Case Management services to Oregon citizens affected by the wildfires. This grant empowers the state to launch a Disaster Case Management Program, supplying funding and technical assistance to ensure a whole community approach to providing or connecting disaster survivors to local services.
- In close coordination with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, FEMA has provided more than $3.8 million through the Crisis Counselling Immediate Services and Regular Services Programs to assist individuals and communities in recovering from the psychological effects of disasters through community-based outreach and educational services. The Safe+Strong Helpline is available for children and adults who are struggling with stress, anxiety or other disaster-related depression-like symptoms. The website offers free and confidential resources to help wildfire survivors on the journey to recovery. For help, call 800-923-4357 or visit https://www.safestrongoregon.org/wildfire.
- All FEMA disaster messaging has been provided in seven languages identified as prevalent in Oregon: Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Somali, and Russian, in addition to English and American Sign Language. Bilingual speakers have been available for public meetings.
- The toll-free disaster assistance helpline, 800-621-3362 is also supported by specialists in those seven languages and additional languages, and live translation services are available to all applicants who call FEMA.
###
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Those who use a Relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their assigned number for that service. They should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish)
Disaster survivors affected by the Oregon wildfires and straight-line winds can also get personalized mitigation advice to repair and rebuild safer and stronger from a FEMA Mitigation Specialist. For information on how to rebuild safer and stronger or to inquire as to your new flood risk following a fire near you, email FEMA-R10-MIT@fema.dhs.gov, a FEMA Hazard Mitigation specialist will respond survivor inquiries. When rebuilding check with your local building official and floodplain administrator for guidance.
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.
jassiel.oliveromelo Thu, 03/04/2021 - 19:00
Improvements to Roads and Bridges in Puerto Rico Are Underway
Coamo and Ponce are among the municipalities with completed projects
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico — The improvements to thousands of road and bridge projects in Puerto Rico will be accomplished with millions in funding allocations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Some of these permanent repairs have already been completed as a result of $729 million earmarked for municipalities. In addition, in the past 60 days, the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP, by its Spanish acronym) was allocated close to $37 million for these purposes.
These obligations provide the basis for road reconstruction works such as asphalting, stabilizing retaining walls and replacing guardrails.
“Having roads in good condition is vital for residents, transportation commerce and the safety of all. The completed projects in our municipalities are important milestones that mark a recovery that is moving forward,” said the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, José Baquero Tirado.
The municipality of Coamo already completed some of the repairs for its roads with the help of over $1.7 million in federal funding. Nearly 25 streets, rural roads, and alleys have been repaired to the benefit of some 3,000 families. The projects include nearly $796,000 for various repairs in Callejón Bravo, Callejón Los Gandules, Urbanización Miraflores and Parque Las Flores, and over $232,300 to repair three streets in Los González Sector. About 60 of the municipality’s projects across different categories are under construction or in the bidding process.
“We have focused on the rural projects, which are the ones that were damaged the most. Residents of Los Gandules received a lot of water, as well as the Callejón Bravo neighborhood, which are subject to mountain water runoff from the surrounding hills. The fourth mile was restored, and this project has already been completed,” said Coamo Mayor Juan García Padilla.
Likewise, the municipality of Ponce has completed construction work on 15 municipal roads through obligations of over $513,000. Among them, Sector El Collado, which is home to approximately 60 families.
Among the 78 municipalities, Utuado is the municipality with the highest number of projects approved for permanent repairs to road infrastructure, with 256 projects approved for $53.6
million. The allocations include funds to repair Highway #140 to Jayuya and another road that leads to the Caonillas Lake. These roads provide access to seven neighborhoods that are home to nearly 7,000 families from the towns that were most damaged during Hurricane María: Bo. Tenuan I, II and III, Don Alonso, Caonillas, Mameyes, Limón, Paso Palmas, Las Palmas and Barrio Jaucas. Also, these roads provide access to schools, water distribution systems, Caonillas Lake, Cañón Blanco and a health center.
To date, the Agency has approved nearly $967 million for more than 2,100 road and bridge repair projects across the island that sustained damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
For her part, the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, Eileen M. Vélez Vega, said that these funds are very important to address the needs of Puerto Rico's state roads. “Road safety is our priority and we will work as a team with federal agencies and mayors for the benefit of drivers who use our roads.”
Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), stated that “we are in direct communication with mayors and agency officials such as DTOP to ensure that permanent works projects are expedited. Meanwhile, we are moving forward with changes in COR3 processes to continue offering the required assistance without so much bureaucracy related to the reconstruction of the Island, but always fulfilling federal requirements.”
[VIDEO] To learn more about the reconstruction efforts on the roads in Coamo, click here.
For more information on Puerto Rico’s recovery from Hurricane María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow us on our social networks at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.
frances.acevedo-pico Thu, 03/04/2021 - 11:36FEMA Supports Vaccine Distribution: COVID-19 Response Update
WASHINGTON -- FEMA continues working to ensure anyone who wants a vaccine can get one, offering live on-demand American Sign Language interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing community at all federally supported community vaccination centers. The service is available every day of the week during each center’s hours of operation.
FEMA is working to speed up vaccinations by supporting states as they open community vaccination centers across the country. Additional FEMA supported pilot community vaccination centers are opening today in:
- Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Tampa, Florida.
- Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Yonkers, New York.
Additional centers will open next week in Chicago and Greensboro, North Carolina.
FEMA continues providing critical support with personnel, supplies and funding, establishing or expanding more than 450 community vaccination centers nationwide. Additionally, 55 mobile vaccination centers are also serving communities across the nation.
In addition to Pfizer and Moderna, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is being delivered to three federal pilot community vaccination centers in California, Florida and Texas this week.
FEMA has now provided more than $4.02 billion for expenses related to COVID-19 vaccination at 100% federal cost share. These funds cover critical supplies, staffing, training and transportation needs that support increased vaccination efforts.
Even as FEMA remains focused on supporting vaccination distribution efforts, the agency continues supporting multiple disasters, including the disaster declarations for Texas and Oklahoma winter storms. FEMA has awarded more than $46.6 million dollars to Texan survivors and over $192,000 to Oklahoman survivors. This assistance can help with temporary housing and home repairs as well as other resources to help eligible individuals and business owners start the recovery process.
FEMA and Other Federal Agencies Are Supporting Vaccination CentersFEMA has now deployed 1,992 staff across the nation to support the vaccination mission. On Feb. 5, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas activated the DHS Surge Capacity Force (SCF) for vaccination support operations. The SCF is composed of federal employees from other federal agencies to augment FEMA’s workforce. As of March 2, 108 SCF members are deployed to support vaccination efforts.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is supporting future planning for community vaccination centers using their subject matter experts, alongside FEMA and state assessments teams, assessing potential new center locations and providing contracting capability to establish new centers.
The U.S. National Guard Bureau is providing 1,652 vaccinators to 697 vaccination centers.
Additionally, 1,323 interagency vaccinators and 1,316 clinical staff have deployed to support states, tribes and territories. More than 500 additional vaccinators and clinical staff are awaiting assignment.
Department of Defense Vaccine Support teams are in California, New Jersey, New York and Texas. Additional teams are scheduled to arrive in Florida, Pennsylvania and the U.S. Virgin Islands this week.
Ensuring Equitable Vaccine AccessFEMA established a Civil Rights Advisory Group to proactively consider and promptly resolve civil rights concerns and help ensure equity in the allocation of scarce resources, including future vaccine allocation. FEMA published “Ensuring Equitable Vaccine Access” to define FEMA’s commitment to equity and describe the Civil Rights Advisory Group.
FEMA developed a Civil Rights Checklist to assist state, tribal and territorial partners in understanding and fulfilling their obligations to provide access to vaccine-related programs, activities and services in a nondiscriminatory manner. The agency is also coordinating translation and interpretation services.
The U.S. Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) partnered with the CDC to launch the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program. The program is being rolled out incrementally at select HRSA-funded health centers that specialize in caring for hard-to-reach and disproportionately affected populations.
Initial health centers chosen for this program include those that serve a large volume of at least one of the following populations:
- Individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Public housing residents.
- Migratory and seasonal agricultural workers.
- Patients with limited English proficiency.
HRSA will regularly update the list of health centers participating in the program and additional health centers invited to participate.
Additional Vaccination ProgramsIn addition to community vaccination centers, federally allocated vaccines continue to be administered across the country via:
- The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, which is a partnership between the federal government, states and territories, and national and independent pharmacy networks across the United States.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers such as community health centers.
- Federal entities, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service.
Find vaccine updates in your community and more information from your local health department to confirm if you can get a vaccine. You can find a list of places where adults can get a vaccine. Visit FEMA.Gov for detailed information on FEMA’s vaccination support efforts.
The Ad Council partnered with COVID Collaborative’s scientific advisory group and the CDC on a campaign “It’s Up to You” to build public confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines. Community based organizations and other trusted messengers are sharing GetVaccineAnswers.org and DeTiDepende.org to help people feel confident and prepared to get vaccinated once a vaccine is available to them. A free public health toolkit is available online.
The CDC Vaccine Task Force and Data Analysis & Visualization Task Force launched the CDC COVID Data Tracker Vaccinations Trends page. This page includes vaccination trends over time in the United States and for the Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.
Additionally, the CDC Vaccine Task Force is rolling out vaccine confidence consultations for interested jurisdictions. To request this service, interested jurisdictions can send an email to confidenceconsults@cdc.gov. CDC also has online tips for building vaccine confidence,
zella.campbell Wed, 03/03/2021 - 21:45Good Karma in Delaware
“Dover International Speedway is pleased to have hosted this vaccination event,” said Mike Tatoian, Speedway president and CEO. “We know how much COVID-19 has impacted this community, and the nation as a whole, and it is crucial that we all do our part to boost our public health numbers.” We thank all of the personnel who managed and executed the drive-thru lines carefully, efficiently and in a very friendly manner throughout this process. The collaboration and coordination that took place between the various agencies is a model that should be emulated throughout our country – it was simply impressive!”
The location officially opened on Sunday, February 21, 2021, as the first federally run vaccination site in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 3. In partnership with the state of Delaware, residents in need of second dosages of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID vaccine enjoyed the luxury of a drive-thru site.
Make no mistake, the selection of DIS for this unprecedented mission had everything to do with need, speed, efficiency, and proximity. Centrally located, travel to the site could be completed in just over an hour from the furthest state locations. Yet, its these very attributes that made working this mission personally satisfying for both FEMA personnel deployed to support and welcoming for those in need of the vaccine.
Catharine Fan, a retired (28 years) Police Sergeant with the Philadelphia Police Department and relative newcomer to FEMA, works daily as the Disaster Operations Team Lead, with Hazard Mitigation for Region 3. Fan deployed to Delaware to support the COVID-19 vaccination mission, serving as the Assistant Screener Task Force Leader- responsible for the accuracy of registration documents. Fan, who is Chinese American; was able to assist when a Chinese couple expressed a need for language help in line for vaccination.
“It was very comforting to this couple that we spoke the same language,” Fan said. “She expressed to me her gratitude for not only seeing a friendly face, but an appreciation for someone who understands the culture. They wanted to take me out to lunch,” said Fan with a smile. Fan agrees, in their culture; helping this elderly couple was her duty. A duty not just to herself, but one that honors her own family. “It was simply good karma,” Fan said.
To date, the Delaware Department of Education has worked to help vaccinate more than 4,000 K-12 personnel and roughly 700 childcare providers.
“We are extremely grateful for this partnership with FEMA, Delaware Emergency Management (DEMA), Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and Dover International Speedway enabling us to provide second doses to thousands of Delawareans and first doses to childcare providers,” said Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “I want to thank the commitment and professionalism all of those who have spent countless hours supporting Delaware this past week, in making the experience for our residents so positive. Even as more people are vaccinated in the coming months, we urge residents not to let your guards down. Keep masking up, staying distant, washing your hands, and getting tested on a regular basis.”
“FEMA is very proud of what we’ve accomplished here in Dover,” said Tim Pheil, Region 3 Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer. With over 200 personnel deployed to support this mission, we were able to vaccinate 15,840 individuals. This number is a positive step toward ending this pandemic and a direct reflection of the collaboration needed to achieve it.
"Multiple sectors worked together to create a well-executed event", said Delaware Emergency Management Agency Director A.J. Schall. "We extend our thanks to all the partners that assisted with this week-long event; a small step closer to beating COVID-19."
Janice Barlow, Acting Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3 stated, “It is the strong partnerships with our State counterparts and other federal partners, that elevated the success of the COVID-19 vaccination site in Delaware. Although FEMA trains and prepares daily for catastrophic events, manmade and natural disasters; we understand nothing takes the place of meaningful partnerships. I’m grateful for the AmeriCorps volunteers who graciously gave of their time, our other federal partners, our state partners, and the community. Without their help, we could not have done this. Together, we will continue to overcome this pandemic, while working toward building a better future.
###
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3
gabriel.lugo Wed, 03/03/2021 - 20:27Hurricane Laura Recovery Efforts After Six Months
BATON ROUGE, La. – Six months ago, communities across 21 parishes in Louisiana experienced the devastating effects of Hurricane Laura. Neighborhoods were shattered, homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, and lives were upended.
Day after day Louisianans continue to recover. FEMA and its partner federal agencies are still in Louisiana and will remain in the state to provide all the assistance that individuals, state and local governments are eligible to receive.
Here for the long-term, FEMA’s Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) team has ramped up its engagement with local, state and federal partners to help facilitate a whole community recovery. IRC has mobilized more than $1.25 million to its partner federal agencies to provide technical assistance and subject matter experts. They are working with state agencies and local communities to identify strategies, resources and timelines with the goal of helping communities recover and become more resilient.
To see some advances toward recovery that have already been made, check out the video: Hurricane Laura 6 Month Comparison - YouTube.
Hurricane Laura: By the Numbers
As of Feb 28, FEMA has assisted more than 230,000 families and hundreds of businesses in the form of Individual Assistance grants, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and National Flood Insurance (NFIP) disbursements.
Individual Assistance
More than 226,860 households have registered with FEMA.
FEMA has put more than $226 million in the hands of 75,628 individual survivors and families, including
- More than $159 million in Housing Assistance; and
- More than $67 million in Other Needs Assistance.
Small Business Administration
The SBA has approved more than 10,300 low-interest disaster loans totaling $592 million, including:
- 9,926 home loans for more than $547 million; and
- 413 busines loans for more than $44 million.
Hazard Mitigation/National Flood Insurance Program
- Mitigation specialists have spoken with more than 3,500 survivors about repairing/rebuilding safer and stronger. More than 670 individuals have attended mitigation webinars on rebuilding topics.
- More than 4,200 individuals have visited the Mitigation web page: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/lamit.
- Flood insurance specialists have contacted over 3,000 insurance agents and over 600 real estate professionals in the Hurricane Laura-impacted area with flood-insurance and flood-risk information, claims and marketing support.
- NFIP has closed 87% of the 1,227 claims submitted and paid more than $45 million.
- More than 12,900 structures were inspected to see if they were substantially damaged. Substantial damage applies to a structure in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or a 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain for which the total cost of restoring a structure to its pre-damaged condition is 50 percent or more of the structure’s market value before the disaster occurred, regardless of the cause of damage.
Public Assistance
- The FEMA Public Assistance Program that assists state and local governments and certain types of private nonprofits had 428 applicants as of Feb. 25 and has obligated more than $108 million. The projected amount for recovery projects is $1.2 billion.
- Over 22 million cubic yards of debris have been removed. That is nearly the equivalent of filling the Superdome twice.
Direct Temporary Housing:
- At its peak, the Louisiana non-congregate shelter program for Hurricane Laura sheltered 21,510 evacuees in 8,115 hotel rooms. As of Feb. 28, there are 393 individuals in 215 rooms seeking permanent housing arrangements.
- On Oct. 15, the first household qualified for direct housing assistance was licensed in. To date, FEMA has provided accommodations to 1,187 Hurricane Laura households, with Transportable Temporary Housing Units (TTHUs) and other facilities directly leased by FEMA.
- Originally 8,962 households were screened for Direct Housing assistance for Hurricane Laura. This included 4,541 homeowners and 4,421 renters. Many have since found permanent or longer-term housing on their own. FEMA is currently preparing to house approximately 3,000 Laura households in direct temporary housing solutions. Over one-third of the projected households have already been licensed into temporary housing solutions.
- FEMA projects that most private and commercial site installation of TTHUs will be completed in April followed by installations in group sites constructed by FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These are projected to open in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes later in the summer and fall months. FEMA is also continuously working with property managers to identify additional ready-to-occupy units for direct lease to house some families.
FEMA Mission Assignment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
The USACE installed 12,977 temporary roofs on homes in southwest Louisiana as part of its Blue Roof program, funded by FEMA.
FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs)
In coordination with nonprofits and volunteer agencies, FEMA VALs have secured more than $350,000 in housing assistance and other needs assistance through appeals and working with individuals to help them provide required documentation.
FEMA Employees Deployed
At the peak of the disaster, 1,463 FEMA specialists worked to assist the state to respond. More than 725 FEMA members continue to support Louisiana’s Hurricane Laura recovery.
For the latest information on Hurricane Laura, visit fema.gov/disaster/4559. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.
stuart.lewis Wed, 03/03/2021 - 19:10Less than One Week Left to Apply for FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council
ATLANTA – Less than one week remains for teens to apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council. All applications and supporting materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST, on March 7.
Students in 8th through 11th grade may apply online at community.fema.gov/applytoYPC. To apply, youth must submit a completed written or video application, two letters of recommendation, academic records, and a list of extracurricular activities. Students who apply for the national Youth Preparedness Council also will be considered for Region IV’s Youth Preparedness Council.
The Council provides an opportunity for young leaders to share their perspectives, feedback and opinions on disaster preparedness with FEMA emergency managers and grow their leadership skills. Teens are encouraged to share their academic achievements, future goals, ways they have positively influenced their communities, and any leadership experiences. Council members are selected based on their passion for preparedness and helping others, community involvement, and their aptitude for working both in a team and as a leader. New council members will be announced in May.
Formed in 2012, the Youth Preparedness Council brings together young leaders who support disaster preparedness and make a difference in their communities. During their two-year term, members will complete both local and national-level projects and share their ideas on disaster preparedness with FEMA leadership and national organizations.
To learn more about the Youth Preparedness Council and the application process, visit ready.gov/kids/youth-preparedness-council.
neily.chapman Wed, 03/03/2021 - 14:52FEMA Awards More Than $1.5 million for COVID-19 Non-Congregate Sheltering in Vermont
REGION 1 - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $1,565,869 to the Vermont Agency of Administration for costs incurred for Non-Congregate Sheltering in locations throughout the state. These locations include Holiday Inn in South Burlington, Econo Lodge in Montpelier and Motel 6 in Brattleboro.
Non-congregate sheltering is a widely used practice for housing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is necessary to keep people/family separated from one another, especially in indoor environments, and is primarily used for promoting physical distancing and reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
The grant awarded to Vermont Agency of Administration is paid through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program, which is paid at 100 percent to eligible state and local governments, tribal nations and certain non-profit entities to assist with approved costs associated with responding to and recovering from disasters.
“We are pleased to provide this grant to the Vermont Agency of Administration to help them manage the financial demands that they are experiencing as a result of COVID-19,” said Paul Ford, Acting Regional Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer who oversees FEMA’s operations in New England. “FEMA’s Public Assistance program is essential to keeping communities safe while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout New England”, Ford concluded.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance Program can be found at
https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.
###
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters
adrien.urbani Tue, 03/02/2021 - 20:34FEMA Supports Vaccine Distribution: COVID-19 Response Update
WASHINGTON -- FEMA continues its push to speed up vaccinations across the country, supporting states as they open additional community vaccination centers this week. In addition to Pfizer and Moderna, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be delivered to three federal pilot community vaccination centers in California, Florida and Texas, helping to bring this unprecedented pandemic to an end.
FEMA continues increasing vaccine allocations to states, tribes and territories, ensuring everyone who wants a vaccine can get one. Using data from CDC’s social vulnerability index, the agency is partnering with state leaders to identify community vaccination centers where they will be able to do the most good for the most vulnerable populations.
Today, a community vaccination center -- with the capacity to vaccinate up to 6,000 people per day -- will open in Philadelphia. FEMA is working with state governments to open additional sites this week in:
- Duval, Hillsborough, Miami and Orange counties in Florida.
- Albany, Erie, Monroe and Westchester counties in New York.
Two additional centers will open next week: one in Chicago and one in Greensboro, North Carolina. In the last two weeks, FEMA has helped open pilot centers in major metropolitan areas in California, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.
FEMA has now provided more than $4.02 billion for expenses related to COVID-19 vaccination at 100% federal cost share, establishing or expanding more than 450 vaccination centers nationwide. Additionally, 47 mobile vaccination centers continue serving communities across the nation.
Even as FEMA remains focused on supporting vaccination distribution efforts, the agency continues supporting multiple disasters, including the disaster declarations for Texas and Oklahoma winter storms. To date, FEMA has awarded more than $41.6 million dollars to eligible Texan survivors and over $158,300 to eligible Oklahoman survivors. This assistance can help with temporary housing and home repairs as well as other resources to help eligible individuals and business owners start the recovery process.
FEMA and Other Federal Agencies are Supporting Vaccination CentersFEMA has deployed 1,948 staff across the nation to support the vaccination mission. On Feb. 5, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas activated the DHS Surge Capacity Force for vaccination support operations. The surge force is composed of federal employees from other federal agencies to augment FEMA’s workforce.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is supporting future planning for community vaccination centers using their subject matter experts, alongside FEMA and state assessments teams, assessing potential new site locations and providing contracting capability to establish new centers. The U.S. National Guard Bureau is providing 1,198 vaccinators to 409 vaccination centers.
Department of Defense Vaccine Support teams are in California, New Jersey, New York and Texas. More teams are scheduled to arrive in Florida, Pennsylvania and the U.S. Virgin Islands this week.
Additionally, 1,151 interagency vaccinators and 1,272 clinical staff have deployed to support states, tribes and territories. More than 700 additional vaccinators and clinical staff are awaiting assignment.
Enduring Equitable Vaccine AccessFEMA is committed to the equitable distribution of vaccines and has civil rights advisors and disability integration specialists in each of FEMA's regions to advise state, local, tribal and territorial governments and other partners. Additional disability integration advisors and civil rights advisors are deploying to support these efforts.
FEMA established a Civil Rights Advisory Group to proactively consider and promptly resolve civil rights concerns and help ensure equity in the allocation of scarce resources, including future vaccine allocation. FEMA published “Ensuring Equitable Vaccine Access” to define FEMA’s commitment to equity and describe the Civil Rights Advisory Group.
FEMA also developed a Civil Rights Checklist to assist state, tribal and territorial partners in understanding and fulfilling their obligations to provide access to vaccine-related programs, activities and services in a nondiscriminatory manner. The agency is also coordinating translation and interpretation services.
Additional Vaccination ProgramsFEMA continues taking steps to build the infrastructure so it can adapt when vaccine supply is more readily available.
In addition to community vaccination centers, federally allocated vaccines continue to be administered across the country via:
- The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, which is a partnership between the federal government, states and territories, and national and independent pharmacy networks across the United States.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers such as community health centers.
- Federal entities, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service.
Find vaccine updates in your community and more information from your local health department to confirm if you can get a vaccine. You can find a list of places where adults can get a vaccine and visit FEMA.gov for detailed information on FEMA’s vaccination support efforts.
The Ad Council partnered with COVID Collaborative’s scientific advisory group and the CDC on a campaign “It’s Up to You” to build public confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines. Community based organizations and other trusted messengers are sharing GetVaccineAnswers.org and DeTiDepende.org to help people feel confident and prepared to get vaccinated once a vaccine is available to them. A free public health toolkit is available online.
The CDC Vaccine Task Force and Data Analysis & Visualization Task Force launched the CDC COVID Data Tracker Vaccinations Trends page. This page includes the overall trends of vaccinations over time in the United States and for the Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.
Additionally, the CDC Vaccine Task Force is rolling out vaccine confidence consultations for interested jurisdictions. To request this service, interested jurisdictions can send an email to confidenceconsults@cdc.gov. CDC also has online tips for building vaccine confidence.
mayshaunt.gary Tue, 03/02/2021 - 20:09First-in-the-Nation Joint Community Vaccination Centers on Target After Two Weeks
OAKLAND, Calif. — Two weeks into a groundbreaking, first-in-the-nation initiative, more than 168,000 Californians have received their first shot of the two-shot series, at Community Vaccination Centers (CVC) and their Mobile Vaccination Clinics (MVC), which are hosted by community and faith-based organizations to microtarget the hardest hit and hardest-to-reach communities. These CVCs opened in Oakland and Los Angeles with the help of local, state and federal government partners, in addition to faith-based organizations, nonprofits and the private sector.
The goal of establishing these CVCs is an ongoing effort to expand the rate of vaccinations in an efficient, effective and equitable manner. This joint partnership also has an explicit focus on making sure that communities with a high risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection are not left behind and have access to these lifesaving vaccines.
“These joint state-federal sites demonstrate how we can provide more opportunities for vaccination to the hardest hit communities and ensure everyone who wants a vaccine can get one. We will continue to prioritize vaccinations at these sites to make sure that communities with a high risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection are not left behind,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Vaccines administered at CVCs are provided by the federal government directly and combined with what California receives to distribute throughout the state. Standard vaccine delivery for state allocations has increased every week.
The federal government is covering all state, local, tribal and territorial costs through FEMA’s Public Assistance program to pay for critical supplies, staffing, training and transportation expenses supporting increased vaccination efforts.
“Because of the Coordinated efforts among government and non-profit partners, tens of thousands of individuals are better protected against COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine at community vaccination centers,” said Tammy Littrell, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator. “As we continue to work together and members of the public register for appointments and follow local guidelines, several hundred thousand more individuals will safely receive vaccinations.”
Both CVCs offer drive-thru, walk-up and mobile vaccination options to address the diverse needs in the community. The walk-up (or pedestrian site) option works especially well for those who use public transit or bicycles. The line moves quickly, and typically you can get a shot and leave within minutes.
Those interested in getting a vaccination at one of these sites must make an appointment via myturn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255. Appointments are required and follow the California Vaccination Guidelines.
The CVC response in California employs a Whole-of-Government approach, involving more than 1,600 individuals, including California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services staff, private sector and federal agency vaccinators, California Air National Guard troops, FEMA staff, plus local, state and federal public health and emergency personnel, among others. Hundreds of Californians have already been hired locally to participate in the effort, with more coming on board weekly.
###
FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during and after disasters.
ricardo.zuniga Tue, 03/02/2021 - 19:19FEMA Approves Nearly $72 Million for New Hampshire COVID-19 Costs
REGION I –New Hampshire will receive $71,894,605 from FEMA to reimburse costs incurred by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to source, purchase, store and distribute Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for entities throughout the state in the wake of COVID-19.
The state expense ensured PPE resources were received in a timely manner to complete life safety operations jurisdiction wide. The equipment went to hospitals, healthcare workers and first responders, defined as emergency public safety, fire, law enforcement, emergency response, emergency medical, and related personnel that may interact with individuals infected with, or suspected to be infected with COVID-19. PPE sourced included N95 and other filtering respirators, surgical masks, gloves, protective eyewear, face shields, and protective clothing such as surgical gowns.
During the incident period of January 20, 2020 through December 31, 2020, COVID-19 created an immediate threat to the health and safety of the general public requiring emergency response and protective measures. In response, DHHS, under the direction of the state, acted to source and distribute PPE for entities throughout New Hampshire.
Funding to support these life safety actions is awarded through FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant program which reimburses states, municipalities and communities for actions taken in the immediate response and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized tribal governments, U.S. territories, local governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. Grant applications are submitted from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments.
“The support of FEMA financially is just one of the many ways we work together with New Hampshire while responding to the COVID pandemic,” said Acting Region 1 Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Paul Ford, who oversees FEMA’s operations throughout New England.
FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the state of New Hampshire.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.
###
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters
adrien.urbani Tue, 03/02/2021 - 18:11State, FEMA Continue Work on Mississippi Zeta Recovery
Federal funding totals $42.3 million
BILOXI, Miss. – The deadline for individuals and households to apply for FEMA disaster assistance has passed, but work on Mississippi’s recovery from Hurricane Zeta continues. More than 3,900 individuals and households have received disaster assistance from FEMA.
Survivors in George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties who applied with FEMA can check the status of their applications, ask questions and get information in several ways:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Use the FEMA App for smartphones
- Call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central time. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.
Survivors who were unable to apply before the deadline and who can provide justification for late registration may contact FEMA and request consideration for disaster assistance.
As of March, $42.3 million in federal grants, loans and flood insurance payments have been approved for homeowners, renters and businesses in the five counties. This includes:
- $13.9 million in FEMA grants for 3,941 individuals and households.
- $17.9 million in disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for 648 businesses, homeowners and renters.
- 821 National Flood Insurance Program claims filed; $10.5 million paid to policyholders.
FEMA continues to coordinate with the State of Mississippi on reimbursement for emergency services, debris removal and repair or replacement of damaged public infrastructure, and for funding to mitigate against losses from future storms.
For more information about Hurricane Zeta recovery in Mississippi, visit the FEMA disaster webpage at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4576 or the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency webpage at https://www.msema.org/zeta/.
felicia.jordan Tue, 03/02/2021 - 16:35Lincoln City: FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Site Opens
SALEM, Ore – FEMA has begun moving Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs) onto a newly constructed site in Lincoln City that will provide temporary housing to qualified Lincoln County wildfire survivors and their families.
In addition to Lincoln County, FEMA’s Direct Housing mission is providing temporary housing for qualified disaster survivors in Jackson, Lane, Linn and Marion Counties in sites like the one in Lincoln County. Housing units are chosen by FEMA based on the survivor family composition and needs, as well as to ensure that requirements for access or functional needs are met.
To date, 106 survivors and their families have been licensed-in to temporary housing units from FEMA. These units are placed in established RV parks or in FEMA constructed group sites.
Currently, 264 qualified families are scheduled to receive FEMA Direct Temporary Housing in the five counties. The current number of qualified families fluctuates as survivors have located alternate temporary or permanent housing on their own.
###
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Those who use a Relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their assigned number for that service. They should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish)
Disaster survivors affected by the Oregon wildfires and straight-line winds can also get personalized mitigation advice to repair and rebuild safer and stronger from a FEMA Mitigation Specialist. For information on how to rebuild safer and stronger or to inquire as to your new flood risk following a fire near you, email FEMA-R10-MIT@fema.dhs.gov, a FEMA Hazard Mitigation specialist will respond survivor inquiries. When rebuilding check with your local building official and floodplain administrator for guidance.
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.
jassiel.oliveromelo Tue, 03/02/2021 - 01:25Public Invited to Appeal or Comment on Flood Maps in Craighead County, Arkansas
DENTON, Texas – New preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in Craighead County, Arkansas. Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the 90-day appeal and comment period.
The new flood hazard information from FEMA has been generated in coordination with local community, state and FEMA officials. Significant community review has already taken place.
The 90-day appeal period began on Feb. 26, 2021. Residents and business owners are also encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements.
Appeals/comments may be submitted through May 27, 2021, for:
- Cities of Bay, Bono, Brookland, Caraway, Cash, Jonesboro, Lake City, Monette; Town of Egypt, and the unincorporated areas of Craighead County.
Residents may submit an appeal if they consider modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.
- An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim.
- Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.
- If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment.
The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.
To review the preliminary maps or submit appeals and comments, visit your local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can identify your community FPA. Specialists are available by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
The preliminary maps may also be viewed online:
- The Flood Map Change Viewer at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
- FEMA Map Service Center at http://msc.fema.gov/portal
For more information about the flood maps:
- Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
- Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. 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 https://www.floodsmart.gov.
Carmen.Castro Mon, 03/01/2021 - 21:51FEMA Supports Community Vaccination Centers
WASHINGTON -- FEMA continues working with state, tribal and territorial authorities to open additional vaccination centers this week. The centers are scheduled to open in Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Tampa, Florida; Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Yonkers, New York; Philadelphia; and Waldorf, Maryland. Two additional centers will open next week, one in Greensboro, North Carolina and another in Chicago.
Additionally, there are 37 mobile vaccination centers serving communities across the nation. Last month, community vaccination centers opened in New York, Texas and California.
FEMA has now provided more than $3.97 billion for expenses related to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s COVID-19 vaccination plan at 100% federal cost share. FEMA continues working to speed up vaccinations by supporting states as they open community vaccine centers across the country and as vaccine allocations to states, tribes and territories continue to increase. Starting this week, the weekly vaccine supply to states will increase to 14.5 million doses.
FEMA is committed to the equitable distribution of vaccines. We use data from CDC’s social vulnerability index, and work with our state partners to locate community vaccination centers where they will be able to do the most good for the most vulnerable populations and ensure everyone who wants a vaccine gets one.
To confirm if you can get a vaccine, find updates in your community and more information from your local health department. You can also find a list of places where adults can get a vaccine. Community based organizations and other trusted messengers are sharing GetVaccineAnswers.org and DeTiDepende.org to help people feel confident and prepared to get vaccinated once a vaccine is available to them.
Even as FEMA is focused on supporting vaccination distribution efforts, the agency continues supporting multiple disasters, including the disaster declarations for winter storms in Texas and Oklahoma. To date, FEMA has awarded $35.8 million to eligible Texas survivors and $123,800 to eligible Oklahoma survivors. This assistance can help with temporary housing and home repairs and other resources to help eligible individuals and business owners start the recovery process.
FEMA and Other Federal Agencies Are Supporting Vaccination CentersFEMA has now deployed 1,938 staff across the nation to support the vaccination mission. On Feb. 5, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas activated the DHS Surge Capacity Force for vaccination support operations. The surge force is composed of federal employees from other federal agencies to augment FEMA’s workforce. Two surge members are in Dover, Delaware and 43 are in New Jersey to support vaccination efforts. Forty additional surge members are en route to Illinois and other areas of the country.
FEMA published a Community Vaccination Centers Playbook that establishes guidance for providing federal support to state, tribal and territorial community vaccination centers. Playbook information includes interagency coordination, resource support, facility setup and other requirements for consideration.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is supporting future planning for community vaccination centers using their subject matter experts, alongside FEMA and state assessments teams, assessing potential new center locations and providing contracting capability to establish new centers.
The U.S. National Guard Bureau is providing 1,198 vaccinators to 409 vaccination centers. Additionally, 2,332 interagency vaccinators have deployed to 11 states, two tribes and one territory. The U.S. Coast Guard deployed 34 members to Hawaii, New Jersey and Oklahoma to support vaccination services. Department of Defense Vaccine Support teams are in California, New Jersey, New York and Texas. Additional teams are scheduled to arrive in Florida, Pennsylvania and the U.S. Virgin Islands next week.
Ensuring Equitable Vaccine AccessFEMA has civil rights advisors and disability integration specialists in each of FEMA’s regions to advise state, local, tribal and territorial governments and other partners. Additional disability integration advisors and civil rights advisors are deploying to support these efforts.
FEMA established a Civil Rights Advisory Group to proactively consider and promptly resolve civil rights concerns and help ensure equity in the allocation of scarce resources, including future vaccine allocation. FEMA published “Ensuring Equitable Vaccine Access” to define FEMA’s commitment to equity and describe the Civil Rights Advisory Group.
FEMA developed a Civil Rights Checklist to assist state, tribal and territorial partners in understanding and fulfilling their obligations to provide access to vaccine-related programs, activities and services in a nondiscriminatory manner. The agency is also coordinating translation and interpretation services.
Community Vaccination Center Pilot PartnershipsFEMA, in coordination with CDC and other federal partners, has developed tailorable packages to support establishment of community vaccination centers in partnership with states, local, tribal and territorial governments.
The centers FEMA is piloting in locations such as California, New York and Texas are selected based on data analysis, including the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index and other Census data as well as input from our state and local partners. Input also includes localized considerations such as the existing deployment of resources and feedback from state public health experts.
Additional Vaccination ProgramsStandard vaccine delivery for state allocations has increased week-over-week. As the federal government works to increase the supply of vaccine to jurisdictions, FEMA is taking steps to build the infrastructure so it can adapt when vaccine supply is more readily available.
In addition to community vaccination centers, federally allocated vaccines continue to be administered across the country via:
- The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, which is a partnership between the federal government, states and territories, and national and independent pharmacy networks across the United States.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers such as community health centers.
- Federal entities, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service.
The CDC Vaccine Task Force and Data Analysis & Visualization Task Force launched the CDC COVID Data Tracker Vaccinations Trends page. This page includes the overall trends of vaccinations over time in the United States and for the Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.
Additionally, the CDC Vaccine Task Force is rolling out vaccine confidence consultations for interested jurisdictions. To request this service, interested jurisdictions can send an email to confidenceconsults@cdc.gov. CDC also has online tips for building vaccine confidence.
mayshaunt.gary Mon, 03/01/2021 - 20:32FEMA Awards $39 Million to Idaho for Community Vaccination Centers
BOTHELL, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $39 million in federal funding to the Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) to support as many as five COVID-19 vaccination centers throughout the state.
FEMA has obligated an initial $39,164,468 to IOEM at 100 percent federal cost share through the Public Assistance program. IOEM will disperse these funds to eligible applicants to cover the costs of emergency activities to support Idaho’s vaccination effort ― including labor, contract services, security, refrigeration, supplies, equipment, administration, and facilities.
"These expedited funds will help our state and federal partners accelerate the important work of ensuring that everyone in Idaho who wants a vaccine can get one,” said FEMA Region 10 Acting Administrator Vincent J. Maykovich.
IOEM estimates the FEMA-supported vaccination centers may administer more than one million vaccines during an operational period of 90 days.
FEMA has streamlined the Public Assistance Grant Program application and reimbursement process for the COVID-19 response in order to get funds to applicants faster. Expedited reimbursements help state, local, and tribal officials respond quickly to address immediate threats to life, public health, and safety.
###
Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit this vaccine support page for more information.
hannah.weinstein Mon, 03/01/2021 - 19:20One More Day to Apply for FEMA Assistance in Mississippi
BILOXI, Miss. –If you have uninsured losses from Hurricane Zeta, you have until midnight Monday, March 1 to apply with FEMA for disaster financial assistance.
Survivors in George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties can apply with FEMA in several ways:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Use the FEMA App for smartphones
- Call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. Telephone lines are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.
The filing deadline to return U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) applications for physical property damage is also March 1. The deadline to return SBA economic injury applications is Oct. 1. For an American Sign Language video on how to apply with FEMA, go online to https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qAU8-g75Q18.
For more information about Hurricane Zeta recovery in Mississippi, visit the FEMA disaster webpage at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4576 or the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency webpage at https://www.msema.org/zeta/.
felicia.jordan Mon, 03/01/2021 - 18:54Happy to Be Home
BATON ROUGE, La. – Sandra’s voice smiles as she says she is “so comfortable now” living in a FEMA temporary housing unit on her own property in a remote area of Calcasieu Parish. Her trailer sits on a concrete slab that used to hold her carport. Next to it are the remnants of her old home, destroyed by the two hurricanes. She says, “FEMA saved my life” by helping her return to her own yard. Being forced to live with friends and relatives had left her depressed. Now she feels settled and moving forward with her life.
Sandra is also grateful for the many Samaritan’s Purse volunteers who helped remove a tangled mass of broken and toppled trees. Being at home and being safe are the most important things in her life after her ordeal.
Although some 80 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, first Hurricane Laura and then Hurricane Delta struck this little northeast Calcasieu Parish town of DeQuincy with all their fury. Heavily forested, DeQuincy was founded as a railroad settlement to serve the timber industry, which has long been a vital part of the local economy. Now the twisted and uprooted trees have become part of the problem since they need to be cleared as rebuilding slowly begins.
As scores of trees came down, Sandra’s roof was smashed and in poured the driving rain. Everything inside her house was destroyed - her curio cabinets holding her most precious belongings, her clothing, appliances and ultimately the house itself. Today the building lists to one side, its empty interior covered with mold. She hopes to have it “pushed over flat” in the spring.
Sandra describes having to evacuate when the storm was coming. She joined her daughter in a motel to wait it out. Afterward, she returned to find her house demolished. She stayed with a son, then with friends, then with her brother, never knowing where she would end up. Disabled with impaired vision from birth, she relied on others for transportation and now for housing.
It was a great joy to get a call from FEMA to tell her she had been approved for Direct Housing. It was even better when an evaluation of her property revealed a temporary housing unit could be placed on her own site.
In contrast with Sandra’s situation, she reports that DeQuincy still looks like the hurricane just hit. Many people are still living in rented properties or hotels or motels, their homes still in their post-storms state while they wait for insurance settlements. Her community lost a local grocery store, leaving just one place to buy food. And that often has empty shelves since everyone shops there and provisions are low. Other businesses have not reopened. Another problem is a lack of contractors and building supplies.
Sandra was happy to share her experiences with FEMA as we near the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Laura. While she is settled for the moment, she talks about life in her single-bedroom unit and her hopes for the future.
The unit makes her feel comfortable and she would like to put personal decorating touches in it after she checks with FEMA. As part of her plans for the future, Sandra is hoping to buy the unit and make it her permanent home. She wants to put up a shed outside to hold the washer and dryer. That will give her more space for what she dearly loves: sleepovers with her grandkids. Sandra hopes to have all this in place within the usual 18-month FEMA limit for occupying the unit.
The visit with Sandra drove home the realities of recovery at the six-month level. She says, “I just want to thank FEMA.”
The system of individual assistance for people is working. Case by case, people are being helped to find safe housing. But there is a long way to go before most of the more than 200,000 residents of Louisiana affected by the hurricanes get used to a comfortable “new normal.” Finding sites for housing units and then putting in the infrastructure to support hundreds of spots will be a lengthy task.
A video link to Sandra’s story can be found at https://youtu.be/Czw39Z723dE .
For the latest information on Hurricane Laura, visit fema.gov/disaster/4559. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.
stuart.lewis Mon, 03/01/2021 - 17:08FEMA Awards City of Cocoa $2.31 Million to Improve Drainage System
ORLANDO, Fla. – FEMA has approved a grant of $2,319,585 to help the City of Cocoa improve drainage of Fiske Boulevard and the Broadmoor Acres Subdivision during a storm.
Responding to a proposal by the city after Hurricane Irma in 2017, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds the installation of 12,625 linear feet of roadside swales to improve drainage and street runoff. This project adds 5,520 cubic feet of water storage and 2,617 linear feet of drainpipe along Fiske Boulevard, reducing flooding and property damage to Broadmoor Acres.
The grant is funded by the HMGP, an important source of federal disaster assistance. Funding from the program may become available following the president’s declaration of a major disaster, with a goal of strengthening communities by improving buildings, facilities and infrastructure that people use every day. A 2018 report by the National Institute of Building Sciences found that one dollar spent on hazard mitigation will save more than six dollars of recovery and rebuilding costs.
Generally, the HMGP may provide a state, tribe or territory with additional grants up to 15 percent of the total disaster grants awarded by FEMA for a federally declared disaster. States such as Florida that meet advanced mitigation planning criteria may qualify for a higher percentage.
Florida has a FEMA-approved Enhanced Mitigation Plan, making the state eligible for HMGP funding not to exceed 20 percent of the estimated total amount of grant money spent by FEMA in the Hurricane Irma disaster. From this amount, the HMGP reimburses the state up to 75 percent of eligible costs for hazard mitigation projects. The remaining amount comes from other sources such as state and local assets and a combination of cash and in-kind sources.
###
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
barbara.murien… Mon, 03/01/2021 - 13:59Don’t Get Scammed: Protect Yourself from Contractor Fraud
DENTON, Texas – State and federal recovery officials urge disaster survivors in the 16 designated counties to register for disaster assistance as soon as possible. If you have insurance and are applying for assistance for damages your home sustained following the winter storms, you must also file a claim with your insurance company.
The quickest and easiest way to apply is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. If it is not possible to register online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
Oklahomans are also asked to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud.
Disasters often bring communities together but con artists, identity thieves and other criminals may target survivors. The most common types of post-disaster fraud include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building contractors, bogus pleas for disaster donations, fake offers of municipal or federal aid and charging for free services.
Scam attempts can be made over the phone, by mail or email, through the internet, or in person. It is important to remain alert, ask questions and always ask for identification when someone claims to represent FEMA or another government agency. Con artists are creative and resourceful. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it should be questioned.
Here are some tips to protect yourself:
- Don’t wire money or pay with reloadable debit cards or gift cards. There is no legitimate reason to request those forms of payment.
- Don’t offer personal financial information over the phone. Know who you are dealing with and always ask for identification.
- If your project involves roof repair, make sure that the contractor is registered with the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (www.ok.gov/cib/ or 405-521-6550).
- Get the agreement in writing. Read the contract carefully, and if you don’t understand every word, take it to an expert. Never sign a contract with blank spaces to be filled in.
- Make sure the contract details all work to be performed, the costs, a projected completion date and how to negotiate changes and settle disputes.
- Do your research. Scam artists will usually come to you to offer their services — either at your door, on the phone or through email — so be especially wary of solicitors.
- Get estimates from multiple contractors and your insurance company. Reject any offer that seems too good to be true.
- Ask for references from past customers.
- Use the Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org, and internet search engines. Fraudulent firms change names frequently, so search the web for their address and phone number, and include terms like “review,” “scam” and “complaint.”
- FEMA does not certify contractors.
- Verify insurance. Contractors should have disability and workers' compensation insurance. If they don’t, you may be liable for accidents on your property.
- Make sure contractors have the proper licensing and are bonded.
- Ensure the contractors obtain the necessary permits to do the job.
- Demand satisfaction. Don’t sign completion papers or make final payment until the work is done correctly.
- Take a picture of your contractor, their vehicle and license plate.
- Take a picture of your contractor’s business card and driver’s license.
- Report your concerns. Potential fraud should be reported to your local law enforcement agency. You can also contact the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General by calling 833-681-1895 or by downloading a consumer complaint form. You also can call the free FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 available 24-hours a day.
As a reminder, Oklahoma homeowners and renters in the 16 counties designated for
individual assistance who sustained damage may now apply for disaster assistance with
FEMA. The counties are: Canadian, Carter, Cherokee, Comanche, Cotton, Hughes, Jefferson, Le Flore, McIntosh, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Pittsburg, Stephens, Tulsa, and Wagoner.
The easiest way to apply is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. There is no wait to register online and it is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If it is not possible to register online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to businesses, homeowners and renters. Call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339) or visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
Carmen.Castro Sat, 02/27/2021 - 00:31