Hurricane Survivors Should Be on Alert for Disaster Fraud, Scams

BATON ROUGE, La. — After a disaster, some people may try to take advantage of survivors by posing as official disaster aid workers trying to help survivors complete their applications.

In these COVID pandemic times, scam attempts can be made over the phone, by mail or email, text or in person. Louisiana survivors of Hurricane Laura should be aware of fraud and scams and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals.

Federal and state workers never ask for or accept money and always carry identification badges. There is no fee required to apply for or to get federal disaster assistance.

During each disaster it’s important to stay tuned to local media and trusted local and federal social media for current updates about ongoing recovery efforts.

If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, check with FEMA or local law enforcement to ensure your identity is protected.

Those who question the validity of a contract or suspect fraud are encouraged to call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. Complaints also may be made by contacting local law enforcement.

FEMA recommends you monitor your credit report for account changes you do not recognize. If you discover someone is using your information, you will need to take additional steps, including filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission through its website IdentityTheft.gov.

christopher.teed Mon, 10/05/2020 - 13:16

FEMA Mobile Registration Centers Open in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa Counties

PENSACOLA, Fla. — FEMA will open mobile registration centers for Hurricane Sally survivors in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties Saturday, Oct. 3. 

 

The centers, called Mobile Registration Intake Centers (MRICs), are staffed with FEMA personnel who can assist with registration and answer questions about disaster-assistance programs. Center locations:

 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Southwest Branch Library

12248 Gulf Beach Hwy

Pensacola, FL 32507

Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Brownsville Community Center

3200 W. DeSoto St.

Pensacola, FL 32505

Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Escambia County Extension Service

3740 Stefani Rd.

Cantonment, FL 32533

Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

Emerald Coast Healthcare Coalition

755 Lovejoy Rd.

Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Pensacola State College

South Santa Rosa Center

4075 Gulf Breeze Pkwy

Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

The centers operate under COVID-19 protocols to ensure visitors and FEMA personnel are safe. Distancing and face coverings are required. Individuals who come to the centers check in at a registration table, give their name and phone number, and then wait in their cars until they receive a text message to come to the FEMA staff at the MRIC. This process reduces the number of people standing in lines to mitigate against COVID.

 

It is not necessary to visit a center to register with FEMA. Disaster survivors with uninsured losses can also apply by:

• Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov;
• Downloading the FEMA App; or by
• Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local 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 following information is necessary when you register:

• Address of the damaged dwelling where the damage occurred (pre-disaster address)
• Current mailing address
• Current telephone number
• Insurance information
• Total household annual income
• Routing and account number for checking or savings account (this allows FEMA to directly transfer disaster assistance funds into a bank account)
• A description of disaster-caused damage and losses

mayshaunt.gary Mon, 10/05/2020 - 11:04

Rebuild and Repair - Safe and Stronger

Baton Rouge, La. - Disaster survivors affected by the severe winds and floods from Hurricane Laura, can talk to a FEMA Mitigation Specialist. These specialists are available to provide rebuilding tips, questions about home repair, the importance of flood insurance, making disaster plans, and building supply.

Survivors can contact a Specialist at 866-579-0820

Monday through Saturday, 8 am through 6 pm, Central Daylight Time (CDT)

Or via email at FEMA-MitOutreach-4559@fema.dhs.gov

To access the free resource guide “Repairing and Rebuilding After a Hurricane Mitigation Publications for Your Review and Use” click on this link:  https://fema.connectsolutions.com/lauramit for helpful advice as you repair and rebuild to make your home more resilient.

Follow FEMA online at https://twitter.com/FEMARegion6,  www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.twitter.com/FEMAespanol, www.facebook.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMAespanol and www.youtube.com/fema

christopher.teed Sat, 10/03/2020 - 17:04

Calcasieu Parish Disaster Recovery Centers Moving in Lake Charles and Sulphur

BATON ROUGE, La. -  The Drive-thru Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Parish School Board in Lake Charles will close Oct. 3 at 5 p.m., but a new Drive-thru DRC will open on Oct. 4 at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

The Drive-thru Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Sulphur Regional Library will close Oct. 3 at 5 p.m., but a new Drive-thru DRC will open on Oct. 4 at 400 Picard Rd, the Frasch Park in Sulphur.

No appointment is necessary. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

The drive-thru centers are now located at:

Calcasieu Parish

Lake Charles Civic Center

900 N. Lake Shore Dr.

Lake Charles, LA 70601

Frasch Park (near the soft ball field)

400 Picard Road

Sulphur, LA 70663

Residents in designated parishes who suffered losses from the storm can get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process, or check the status of their application by logging into their account or submitting information by:

• Calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585); or
• Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov/.

To receive a link to download the FEMA app, text:

• Apple devices: text APPLE to 43362. 
• Android devices: text ANDROID to 43362.

Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

Additional DRCs are open in Louisiana. Survivors may visit any open center. To locate the closest center, click on egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator or on a smart phone you can text 43362 and type DRC (Your Zip Code), for example: DRC 01234.

For the latest information on Hurricane Laura, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4559 or follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.

 

christopher.teed Sat, 10/03/2020 - 16:54

President Donald J. Trump 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 state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Isaias on Aug. 4, 2020.

Federal funding is available to the state eligible 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 Isaias in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Seamus K. Leary 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.

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 10/02/2020 - 21:06

External Outreach Center to Open in Lane County to Help Wildfire Survivors

SALEM, OR – A FEMA External Outreach Center will open Oct. 3 in Eugene in Lane County to assist Oregon residents affected by recent wildfires and straight-line winds. There is also an External Outreach Center in Medford.

The center will accommodate in-person visits, where residents can get information about their application, ask questions about letters they receive from FEMA and have their documents scanned into their case file. The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

Representatives from FEMA’s Individual Assistance program will be available at the center.

Opening Oct. 3:

FEMA External Outreach Center #2

Lane Events Center 796 W. 13th Ave. Eugene, Oregon 97402

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily

Open now:

FEMA External Outreach Center #1

Central High School 815 South Oakdale Ave. Medford, Oregon 97501

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily

To help alleviate the risk of COVID-19 spread through person-to-person contact, wearing a mask or face covering will be required to gain entry and visitors will receive “no touch” temperature screenings. Hand sanitizer will be available to survivors and staff.

Federal staff will wear masks, face shields and gloves. Workstations will be spaced six feet apart to provide an extra level of protection for survivors and staff.

FEMA will ensure that common areas are cleaned regularly during the day and workstations are sanitized after each visitor.

Survivors can visit either the center in Eugene or Medford for in-person help, however, they do not need to visit an External Outreach Center to apply or update their application. They can apply for assistance or update an application in the following ways:

• Call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) or (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. PDT, seven days a week.
• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Check FEMA’s mobile app.
• If you use a Relay service, such as your videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, please provide your specific number assigned to that service. It is important that FEMA is able to contact you. You should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.
• At any time applicants with disabilities who may require a reasonable accommodation can ask FEMA staff directly or submit their accommodation request via email to FEMA’s Office of Civil Rights at FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov or by calling FEMA’s Civil Rights Resource line at (833) CVL-RGHT (833-285-7448).

###

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-FEMA (3362)  711/VRS - Video Relay Service). Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish). TTY call 800-462-7585.

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.

Savannah.Brehmer Fri, 10/02/2020 - 19:32

Dates and Locations Posted for FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Centers

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Dates and places for FEMA/state Mobile Registration Intake Centers (MRICs) have been scheduled for the next two weeks in Baldwin, Escambia and Mobile counties.

The centers are convenient registration options available to Hurricane Sally survivors, especially those without access to internet service or telephones.

Impacted residents of Baldwin, Escambia and Mobile counties can visit any of these centers on the dates shown:

Hours of operation for all centers are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day (contingent on the weather).

All MRICs are closed on Sundays.

Baldwin County

• FAIRHOPE – Will close Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. at 1100 Fairhope Ave.

• FOLEY -- Opens thru Wednesday, Oct. 7. Closed Sunday, Oct. 4. at the Foley Satellite Courthouse, 201 E. Section Ave.
• ROBERTSDALE -- Opens thru Wednesday, Oct. 7. Closed Sunday, Oct. 4. at the Central Annex, 22251 Palmer St.
• BAY MINETTE – Opens Monday, Oct. 5 thru Wednesday, Oct. 7. at 301 D’Olive St.

Escambia County

• BREWTON – Will close Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. at the Brewton Civic Ctr., 1010-C Douglas Ave.
• ATMORE – Opens Monday, Oct. 5 thru Wednesday, Oct 7. Closed Sunday, Oct. 4. in the parking lot in the Atmore City Hall Complex, 201 E Louisville Ave.

Mobile County

• MOBILE – Will close Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. at the Bishop State Comm. College, 351 N. Broad St.
• BAYOU LABATRE – Opens Monday, Oct. 5 thru Wednesday, Oct. 7. at 12745 Pagett Switch Rd.
• THEODORE – Opens Thursday, Oct. 8 thru Oct. Saturday, 10 at 5808 Hwy. 90.
• PRITCHARD – Opens Monday, Oct. 12 thru Wednesday, Oct. 14. at 316 Pritchard Ave.
• GRAND BAY – Opens Thursday, Oct. 15 thru Saturday, Oct. 17. at 11610 US Hwy. 90.

The MRICs are part of FEMA’s and the State of Alabama’s ongoing response and recovery mission supporting hurricane survivors. MRICs are operated by FEMA and AEMA personnel and serve as a point of registration and information for eligible individuals and families. The centers are just one of a number of ways survivors can apply for federal disaster assistance. MRICs operate under protocols to protect the health and safety of registrants. Individuals are highly encouraged to wear masks or face coverings when visiting a center.

Survivors may also register for federal disaster assistance:

• Online at www.disasterassistance.gov;
• By downloading the FEMA app to a smartphone or tablet, or

• By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Helpline operators are also available to answer questions about applications already submitted.

Information that may be useful to have when you register includes:

• Address of the damaged primary dwelling where the damage occurred
• Current mailing address
• Current telephone number
• Insurance information and description of disaster-caused damage and loss
• Total household annual income
• Names and birth dates of family members who live in the household
• Name and Social Security number of co-applicant (if applicable)
• Routing and account number for checking or savings account so FEMA may directly transfer disaster assistance funds   For the latest information on Hurricane Sally, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4563

felicia.jordan Fri, 10/02/2020 - 18:52

Flood insurance reminder for recipients of 2017 federal disaster assistance

DENTON, Texas – Late spring 2017 brought severe storms, winds and flooding for many northern and central Arkansas counties. Part of the eligibility of receiving federal financial assistance after a flood is that a homeowner or renter who lives in a high-risk flood area must obtain and maintain flood insurance, or not receive federal disaster assistance for home repairs and personal property replacement during another flood event. Call an insurance agent today to make sure you are covered by a flood insurance policy.

If a property affected by a flood event that has the obtain and maintain requirement is sold, the new owners are required to have flood insurance for the property as well. To learn more about the obtain and maintain flood insurance requirement, click here.  

The 2017 event resulted in a major disaster declaration with FEMA Individual Assistance in the following counties: Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Faulkner, Fulton, Jackson, Lawrence, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Washington, White, Woodruff and Yell. The average FEMA disaster assistance was $4,339. For those who had flood insurance, the average claim payment was $49,398. For these same counties, there are currently just under 6,000 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies. This is down almost six percent over the last year and nearly 22 percent over the past five years. Only one inch of water can cause $25,000 in damage to a home.

Additionally, FEMA purchased three-year flood insurance policies for 20 disaster survivors who met eligibility criteria. These policies expired on Aug. 14, 2020, and households were notified that they also have the obtain and maintain flood insurance requirement to be eligible for future disaster assistance in a flood event.

It is important to remember that anyone who has the obtain and maintain flood insurance requirement, including those who had a Group Flood Insurance Policy (GFIP), the homeowner or renter must purchase a standard flood insurance policy. After purchasing a standard flood insurance policy, a 30-day waiting period starts before coverage becomes effective.

Flood Insurance Can Be Key to Recovery Flood insurance policies are crucial to recovering quickly following a flood event as homeowners, and renters’ policies do not typically cover flood damage.

Additionally, flood insurance will pay claims regardless of whether there is a major disaster declaration. Flood insurance claims can be paid for such events as flash flooding, storm sewer backup, river overflow, storm surge, mudslides or tropical systems.

Since its inception in 1968, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has paid more than $69 billion in flood claims to help survivors rebuild their lives following flood events.

• To find an insurance carrier or agent, visit FloodSmart.gov, or call FEMA NFIP Direct toll-free, (800) 638-6620, option 2.
• For more information about NFIP and or insurance, call the National Flood Insurance General Call Center at 800-427-4661.
• If you have questions about your Group Flood Insurance Policy, call the National Flood Insurance Direct Call Center at 800-638-6620.

To find out if you have a flood insurance requirement, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711/VRS - Video Relay Service) (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

 

Carmen.Castro Fri, 10/02/2020 - 16:20

FEMA Awards Nearly $20.3 million in COVID-19 funding for Missouri

KANSAS CITY, MO – Two Missouri entities have been awarded nearly $20.3 million in grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help reimburse eligible expenses associated with their respective COVID-19 response efforts.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is receiving more than $19.1 million and Washington University in St. Louis is receiving more than $1.1 million to help pay for eligible emergency protective measures taken over the last several months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The grants are from FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program (PA) and are available because of a major disaster declaration approved for the state of Missouri by President Trump on March 26, 2020.

The Public Assistance Program provides grants at a 75/25-percent cost share 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. The federal government pays 75 percent of the approved costs; the remaining 25 percent is paid by the grant recipient.

DHSS’ federal grant provides $19,136,982 to help reimburse the costs of providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, goggles and gowns for essential workers statewide, and ventilators for patients statewide. The eligible expenses for this project were incurred from January 20 through August 12 and total $25,515,975, of which FEMA is paying 75 percent.

Washington University’s grant provides $1,142,425 in federal funding to help reimburse the costs of providing PPE such as gloves, masks, gowns, and hand sanitizer for front-line staff; purchasing medical supplies such as thermometers, cannulas, tape and test kits; paying for disinfection services and supplies, and buying components and supplies to manufacture ventilators and face shields. The eligible expenses for this project were incurred from January 20 through June 6 and total $1,523,234, of which FEMA is paying 75 percent.

Both entities may receive additional FEMA funding under the COVID-19 disaster declaration as more eligible expenses are submitted for review and reimbursement.

In total, more than $471.4 million in FEMA funding has been awarded to the state of Missouri from March 1 through September 30 to help support response efforts associated with COVID-19. This funding includes reimbursement of certain emergency protective measures such as PPE, supplies and testing; money for crisis counseling programs; lost wages payments that extend unemployment benefits for eligible individuals, and costs for the deployment of National Guard members who have been supporting the state’s COVID-19 efforts in a variety of ways since April.

Throughout FEMA Region VII, which encompasses the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, more than $1.2 billion in FEMA funding has been obligated since mid-March for the pandemic response.

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 10/02/2020 - 16:13

FEMA Awards Nearly $7.9 million to the University of Iowa for COVID-19 Response

KANSAS CITY, MO – The University of Iowa has been awarded two grants totaling nearly $7.9 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help reimburse some of the University’s expenses associated with its COVID-19 response efforts.  

The grants, awarded on behalf of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, are from FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program (PA) and help pay for eligible emergency protective measures undertaken in March and April 2020.  The funding is authorized under a major disaster declaration approved March 24 for the state of Iowa by President Trump.  

The Public Assistance Program provides grants at a 75/25-percent cost share 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. The federal government pays 75 percent of the approved costs; the remaining 25 percent is paid by the grant recipient.

The first grant provides $6,429,132 in federal funding to help pay for purchases of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medical materials and supplies, and cleaning materials to help prevent COVID-19 spread and treat the disease. The purchases include such items as isolation gowns, masks, face shields, goggles, hand sanitizer, disinfection equipment, COVID-19 testing materials, ventilators, thermometers, and respirators. The eligible expenses for this project total $8,572,176 of which FEMA is paying 75 percent.

The second grant provides $1,463,983 in federal funding, also to help pay for purchases of PPE, medical materials and supplies. Total eligible funding for this grant is $1,951,978, of which FEMA is paying 75 percent.

These grants, paid on behalf of two different departments within the UI Hospitals and Clinics system, mark the first awards of more than $1 million each for the University of Iowa that are associated with the coronavirus pandemic.  The University may receive additional FEMA funding under the COVID-19 disaster declaration as more eligible expenses are submitted for review and reimbursement.

In total, more than $393.8 million in FEMA funding has been awarded to the state of Iowa from March 1 through September 30 to help support response efforts associated with COVID-19. This funding includes reimbursement of certain emergency protective measures such as PPE, supplies and testing; money for crisis counseling programs; lost wages payments that extend unemployment benefits for eligible individuals, and costs for the deployment of National Guard members who have been supporting the state’s COVID-19 efforts in a variety of ways since April.

Throughout FEMA Region VII, which encompasses the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, more than $1.2 billion in FEMA funding has been obligated since mid-March for the pandemic response.

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 10/02/2020 - 15:46

President Donald J. Trump Amends Florida Major Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON – FEMA announced that additional federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Florida as a result of Hurricane Sally on Sept. 14, and continuing.

The additional assistance authorizes federal funding to affected individuals in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). 

On Sept. 23, the President authorized Public Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities such as roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities and parks in Escambia County.

Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties were authorized for Public Assistance Category B, emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance. On Sept. 30, Santa Rosa County was authorized for all categories of Public Assistance.

 

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 10/02/2020 - 15:38

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Delaware

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Delaware to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Isaias from Aug. 4-7.

Federal funding is available to the state, 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 Tropical Storm Isaias in Kent County.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Timothy S. Pheil 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.

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 10/02/2020 - 14:45

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Dakota

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of North Dakota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding from June 29 to July 1.

Federal funding is available to the state, eligible local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms and flooding in Benson, Grand Forks, McKenzie, Mountrail, Nelson and Wells counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

James R. Stephenson has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

luther.wills-dudich Fri, 10/02/2020 - 13:37

FEMA Urges You to Spend Disaster Funds Wisely

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – More than $17 million in federal assistance has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help Alabama residents recover from the effects of Hurricane Sally. Assistance is tax-free and grants do not have to be repaid. However, FEMA urges you to use the funds quickly, wisely and only for disaster-related expenses.

FEMA will send you a letter listing approved uses if you were awarded a grant, including:

• home repairs (e.g., structure, water, septic and sewage systems)
• rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily
• repair or replacement of a damaged primary vehicle
• uninsured out-of-pocket medical expenses for an injury caused by the disaster
• repair or replacement of occupational specialized tools
• necessary educational materials (e.g., computers, schoolbooks, supplies)
• moving and storage expenses related to the disaster
• other disaster-related expenses 

You may spend your FEMA grant in any way that helps you achieve the goal of permanent, safe, sanitary and functional housing. Remember to keep your receipts for verification of how you spent the disaster funds.

• Rental assistance grants provide for temporary housing when a disaster leaves your home uninhabitable or inaccessible.                                                                                    
• As a homeowner or renter, you can choose to rent an apartment, house, mobile home or some other temporary rental unit.
• If you intend to seek continued rental assistance, you will need receipts to show you used the grant for rent.

Disaster grants are not for regular living expenses, such as utilities, food, medical or dental bills not related to the disaster, travel, entertainment or any discretionary expense not related to the disaster.

It is important to remember that federal law prohibits duplicating federal grants from other sources. FEMA also encourages you to keep your receipts for three years to show how you spent funds.

When you get a letter from FEMA, read it carefully. If you have any questions, call the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362. TTY users can call 800-462-7585 6 a.m. to midnight central time, seven days a week.

For the latest information on Hurricane Sally, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4563

felicia.jordan Fri, 10/02/2020 - 12:52

Santa Rosa County Eligible for Additional FEMA Public Assistance

PENSACOLA – Santa Rosa County is now eligible for additional FEMA Public Assistance grants for recovery from Hurricane Sally.

On Sept. 30, 2020, the major disaster declaration was amended to include reimbursement for all categories of Public Assistance, including debris removal and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities such as roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities and parks. Previously, the county had been approved for emergency protective measures.

Escambia County previously was approved for all categories of Public Assistance. Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Walton and Washington counties were approved for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance.

mayshaunt.gary Fri, 10/02/2020 - 11:13

Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center Publishes Hurricane María Recovery Report

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – The Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center, or HSOAC, published more than 20 reports on Hurricane María recovery topics. This analysis was coordinated with FEMA and contains an assessment of all Puerto Rico sectors, including how physical infrastructure, natural infrastructure and human systems were affected by the storm.

A federally funded research and development center operated by the RAND Corporation on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, HSOAC gathered teams of experts who engaged with other partners to assess hurricane damage and pre-existing needs, develop and cost potential recovery actions and identify alternative recovery strategies. These recovery goals were aligned with those of the Government of Puerto Rico and its disaster recovery plan.

HSOAC’s findings include reviews and inputs from over 150 commentators from the Government of Puerto Rico and over 100 federal offices and agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior and others.

In February 2018, Congress passed legislation requiring the Government of Puerto Rico to deliver an economic and disaster recovery plan. HSOAC supported the development of this plan and its supplementary reports cover additional analyses that were conducted after the plan was delivered to Congress in August of 2018.

The HSOAC report may serve as a resource for Puerto Rico’s recovery and that of other regions which may be affected by disasters in the future. To see the reports, 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 Fri, 10/02/2020 - 07:14

Read FEMA Determination Letter Carefully; You Have the Right to Appeal

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance as a result of Hurricane Sally will receive a determination letter from FEMA, explaining the eligibility decision and the reason for that decision.

If you are eligible, the letter states the dollar amount of your grant and how the funds should be used. If ineligible, the letter explains why, and tell you how you can appeal that decision.

It is important to read the determination letter carefully to identify the reason for being declared ineligible. Some common reasons include:

• You may be insured and need to provide an insurance settlement or denial to be considered for assistance.
• Additional information may be needed, such as proof of identity, proof of occupancy, annual income, or a childcare assistance letter.
• There may have been multiple registrations using your address.
• Damage to a secondary residence (where you live less than six months of the year) is not eligible for assistance.
• Your home is safe to occupy, and/or personal property had minimum or no damage.
• Missed home inspections and no follow-up communication with FEMA.
• FEMA has been unable to contact you.

Many of these issues can be easily resolved by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY) 800-462-7585. 6 a.m. to midnight central time 7 days a week.

If that does not resolve the problem, everyone has a right of appeal. To do so, you must send a letter to FEMA asking for reconsideration and explaining in detail why the appeal is being filed.

• FEMA will need your full name, address of pre-disaster residence, current phone number and address, and signature. The appeal must be postmarked within 60 days of the date the FEMA denial letter was received.
• Include the statement, “I hereby declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
• Date the appeal letter, include your nine-digit FEMA application number and the disaster code (DR-4563-AL), and upload to disasterassistance.gov, mail or fax it to:

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

Fax: 800-827-8112; Attention: FEMA

An easy way to provide any additional information needed is by setting up an online account and uploading documents there.

To set up a disaster assistance account:

• Go to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
• Select the Create Account button at the bottom of the page and follow instructions.
• A PIN will be sent to the email address on file. Then log into the account.
• You can then upload your important documents in the Upload Center. (This page takes you to the login if you are returning to add more documents: https://go.usa.gov/xUPX5. For the latest information on Hurricane Sally, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4563

felicia.jordan Thu, 10/01/2020 - 15:50

Photo Release: FEMA Administrator Travels Out West for Wildfires, Mitigation Projects, COVID-19 Update

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor is visiting state, local and tribal officials in FEMA Regions 8, 9 and 10 this week for an up-close look at ongoing response activities for wildfires, COVID-19 and completed disaster mitigation projects in their states. The administrator made stops in Colorado and Wyoming earlier this week, before visiting Arizona. He will also visit Oregon later this week.

Two of FEMA’s hazard mitigation grants’ application period opened Sept. 30. The two grant programs total $660 million. The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, will provide funds to states, local communities, tribes and territories for eligible mitigation activates to strengthen our nation’s ability to build a culture of preparedness. These programs allow funding to be used on projects that will reduce future disaster losses.

“As emergency managers, we have experienced firsthand the dramatic increase in the number of disasters and the devastating impact across our nation. Investing in mitigation – through BRIC and Flood Mitigation Assistance, along with emphasizing opportunities in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Public Assistance 406 Mitigation program – is critical to achieving FEMA’s mission,” said FEMA Assistant Administrator for Mitigation Katherine Fox.

Eligible applicants must apply for funding using the new FEMA Grants Outcome (FEMA GO). All applications must be submitted on the new FEMA GO no later than 3 p.m. Eastern Time, Jan. 29, 2021.

FEMA Administrator Views Mitigation Efforts Firsthand in Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 28, 2020) -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (right) met with Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers (left); Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Kevin Klein and Colorado Office of Emergency Management Director Mike Willis to tour and discuss the Camp Creek Drainage Improvement Project. The project is part of a mitigation project that will remove 30 properties out of the 100-year flood plain. 

FEMA photo by Minh Phan 

Meeting with Colorado Emergency Managers

GLENWOOD, Colo. (Sept. 28, 2020) -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (top photo, 5th from right; middle, in FEMA jacket) met with state and county emergency managers, viewed the burn scar from the Grizzly Creek wildfire and had a tour of Colorado Department of Transportation's Hanging Lake Tunnel where the state recently put into place flood mitigation measures to protect from potential flood after fire concerns. 

FEMA photos by Jack Corcoran

Meeting with Colorado Emergency Managers

GLENWOOD, Colo. (Sept. 28, 2020) -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (top photo, 5th from right; middle, in FEMA jacket) met with state and county emergency managers, viewed the burn scar from the Grizzly Creek wildfire and had a tour of Colorado Department of Transportation's Hanging Lake Tunnel where the state recently put into place flood mitigation measures to protect from potential flood after fire concerns. 

FEMA photos by Jack Corcoran

Meeting with Colorado Emergency Managers

GLENWOOD, Colo. (Sept. 28, 2020) -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (top photo, 5th from right; middle, in FEMA jacket) met with state and county emergency managers, viewed the burn scar from the Grizzly Creek wildfire and had a tour of Colorado Department of Transportation's Hanging Lake Tunnel where the state recently put into place flood mitigation measures to protect from potential flood after fire concerns. 

FEMA photos by Jack Corcoran

FEMA Administrator Tours Denver COVID-19 Alternate Care Site

DENVER (Sept. 29, 2020) -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (center) tours the COVID-19 Alternate Care Site at the Colorado Convention Center.

FEMA photo by Jack Corcoran

FEMA Administrator Meets with Wyoming Governor, First Lady

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Sept. 29, 2020) -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (far right) met Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and First Lady Jennie Gordon at the Governor’s Mansion. First Lady Gordon talked about the purpose and goals of her Wyoming Hunger Initiative. https://www.nohungerwyo.org/

FEMA photo by Minh Phan

FEMA Administrator Meets with Wyoming Emergency Managers

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Sept. 29, 2020) -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (center) meets with the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security Director Lynn Budd and his staff to discuss how FEMA can support Wyoming’s unique needs and challenges. 

FEMA photo by Minh Phan

FEMA Administrator Tours Colorado’s Task Force 1 Facility

DENVER (Sept. 30, 2020) -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (top photo, center; above photo, left) receives a tour of Urban Search and Rescue Colorado Task Force 1 facilities. The task force has approximately 200 highly trained members, including firefighters, paramedics, physicians, structural engineers, hazardous materials technicians, heavy rigging specialists and canine handlers.

FEMA photos by Minh Phan

FEMA Administrator Tours Colorado’s Task Force 1 Facility

DENVER (Sept. 30, 2020) -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (top photo, center; above photo, left) receives a tour of Urban Search and Rescue Colorado Task Force 1 facilities. The task force has approximately 200 highly trained members, including firefighters, paramedics, physicians, structural engineers, hazardous materials technicians, heavy rigging specialists and canine handlers.

FEMA photos by Minh Phan

FEMA Administrator Tours Colorado’s Task Force 1 Facility

DENVER (Sept. 30, 2020) -- West Metro Fire Rescue Fire Chief Don Lombardi explains the capabilities and equipment that Urban Search and Rescue Colorado Task Force 1 uses to FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (both photos, right) during a tour of their facilities. The task force has approximately 200 highly trained members, that include firefighters, paramedics, physicians, structural engineers, hazardous materials technicians, heavy rigging specialists and canine handlers.

FEMA photos by Minh Phan

FEMA Administrator Tours Colorado’s Task Force 1 Facility

DENVER (Sept. 30, 2020) -- West Metro Fire Rescue Fire Chief Don Lombardi explains the capabilities and equipment that Urban Search and Rescue Colorado Task Force 1 uses to FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor (both photos, right) during a tour of their facilities. The task force has approximately 200 highly trained members, that include firefighters, paramedics, physicians, structural engineers, hazardous materials technicians, heavy rigging specialists and canine handlers.

FEMA photos by Minh Phan

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luther.wills-dudich Thu, 10/01/2020 - 15:10

For wildfire survivors, an SBA disaster loan can be critical to recovery

SACRAMENTO, Calif. –The amount some wildfire survivors receive from insurance, grants and other sources may come up short for repairing or rebuilding their business or home to its pre-disaster condition. A disaster loan may fill this critical gap.

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers eligible wildfire survivors affordable financial help in the form of low-interest, long-term disaster loans. As of Oct. 1, SBA had made 146 wildfire disaster loans valued at more than $16.1 million: 14 to businesses and 132 to individual survivors of California’s August wildfire siege.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Business owners and residents of the following counties may apply: Butte, Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo. Small businesses in contiguous counties are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans.

Before FEMA can consider giving a survivor grants for the repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles or moving and storage expenses, the applicant must apply to SBA for a loan and be turned down. Applying for an SBA loan is not required for FEMA to determine applicants’ eligibility for disaster-related funeral, medical or dental costs; childcare; or public transportation and other serious disaster-related needs. No one is required to accept a loan.

Survivors can find out more by contacting the SBA’s Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center. Customer service representatives are available to assist individuals and business owners, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application.

Virtual Business Recovery Center and Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Mondays – Sundays

5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT

FOCWAssistance@sba.gov

800-659-2955

The deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 21, 2020.  The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 24, 2021.

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bree-constance… Thu, 10/01/2020 - 14:34

Understanding a FEMA Determination Letter

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  – California residents who applied for assistance from FEMA after sustaining losses from the wildfires starting Aug. 14 may have received a letter saying they are ineligible for housing assistance.

This is called a determination letter. To understand why FEMA determined you to be ineligible, you must read the letter carefully to the end. It may be for a reason you can fix. Here are some of the more common reasons for FEMA’s decision:

No inspection

• When you registered, you reported the disaster did not make your home unsafe to live in. 
• You will receive a “No Inspection” letter advising that FEMA did not inspect it because the damage was minor and you were able to occupy the home.
• If you find that the damage is worse than you originally reported—or you discover your private well or septic system is unusable due to the disaster—you may call the FEMA helpline to report this damage and an inspection may take place.

Insured

• FEMA determined insurance covered your essential needs. Federal assistance cannot duplicate insurance payments, but FEMA may be able to help if your insurance fell short of covering all your eligible losses. You may submit your insurance settlement records to FEMA for further review of your application.

The following reasons for ineligibility require an applicant to submit an appeal in writing to be reconsidered for assistance. The appeal must include a letter along with additional information or documentation. 

No proof of occupancy

• You did not present evidence that you occupied the home at the time of the disaster. To appeal, you may show FEMA that you were living there at the time of the disaster using documents such as utility bills, a bank or credit card statement, phone bill, pay stubs, a driver’s license, state-issued ID card or voter registration card.

Insufficient damage

• An inspector determined the damage caused by the current disaster has not made your home unsafe to live in. Your home is safe, sanitary and functional.
• If you find that your home has sustained damage that caused you to be unable to live in it, you can appeal.  To consider your appeal FEMA needs written third-party documentation of your damage --such as a bid for repairs or a condemnation notice -- that documents your home is uninhabitable.

No initial relocation

• You indicated on your application that you did not want to move while your damaged home was being repaired. This made you ineligible for FEMA temporary rental assistance.
• You may later find further damage to your home that makes it unsafe to occupy so that you must rent another place while your home is being repaired.
• Contact FEMA to update your housing status and explain why you had (or will have) to relocate. You can call the FEMA helpline within 30 days of the date on your letter to give a housing status update and request rental assistance. If your request for rental assistance is made more than 30 days after the letter’s date, you must request it in writing and explain the reason for your appeal.

To appeal a FEMA decision

Send a letter to FEMA with documentation related to your request and ask FEMA to reconsider your application. The deadline for making an appeal is 60 days from the date on your determination letter.

• By mail: FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville MD 20782-7055.
• By fax: 1-800-827-8112.
• By a FEMA online account: to set one up, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Check Status” and follow the directions.

Keep in mind that you may be eligible for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or a grant under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program. If FEMA requests you to complete an SBA disaster loan application, visit https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/  fill it out and submit the application. You do not have to take a loan if offered one.

There may be other reasons why FEMA determined you were ineligible. If you have questions about the letter you received and what your next step may be, get in touch with a FEMA specialist who can help you by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. PDT. If you use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, provide FEMA the specific number assigned to that service when you register.

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bree-constance… Thu, 10/01/2020 - 10:32