SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Butte County has been added to California counties approved for assistance to individuals and households as part of the major disaster declaration approved Aug. 22 by President Trump.

The addition makes Butte County the ninth county to receive federal approval for individual assistance: Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties were approved previously.

FEMA’s individual assistance program provides grants to help eligible survivors with financial assistance that may include rent, home repair, home replacement and other disaster-related needs such as childcare, medical and dental expenses.

Apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency 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) between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Pacific.

U.S. Small Business Administration assistance

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has established a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to help homeowners and renters. Customer service representatives are available to assist business owners and individuals to 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

8 am to 8 pm EDT

FOCWAssistance@sba.gov

800-659-2955

These services are only available for the California disaster declaration as a result of the wildfires that began Aug. 14, 2020, and not for COVID-19-related assistance.

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RALEIGH, N.C. ­– On Sept. 14, 2018, Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina and dumped as much as 30 inches of rain in some places. Catastrophic flooding caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure in a large portion of the state.

In the two years since the devastating storm, more than $2 billion in federal and state assistance has gone to survivors and communities to help North Carolina’s recovery move forward. Funding includes FEMA grants, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payments and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

“I am proud that North Carolina was the first state in the country to have our action plan approved to access additional federal funds following Florence and am committed to rebuilding smarter and stronger to ensure that our communities are as resilient as our people,” Gov. Roy Cooper said.

Recovery efforts as of Sept. 10, 2020:

• FEMA grants, low-interest SBA disaster loans and NFIP flood insurance payments for Hurricane Florence survivors total:
  • $407.8 million in loans approved by SBA for homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the hurricane.
  • $632.7 million paid by the NFIP to flood insurance policyholders across the state.
  • $133.9 million in FEMA grants paid to survivors in 34 affected counties for home repairs, temporary housing and replacing essential household items.
• FEMA provided housing, without cost, to 656 households approved to live temporarily in travel trailers or manufactured housing units in the 13 hardest-hit counties—Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Duplin, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender and Robeson. By June 2020, all 656 households had moved into longer-term housing.
• FEMA provided $628.9 million to reimburse state and local governments and certain private nonprofits in 51 affected counties for eligible activities and disaster-related costs. An additional $197.1 million has been provided by the state.
• FEMA obligated $21.6 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to encourage the state and local governments to fund projects that help communities eliminate or reduce disaster-related damage.

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Bobcat Fire burning in Los Angeles County.

On Sept. 13, 2020, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Bobcat Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 28,000 homes in and around the communities of Arcadia, Altadena, Azusa, Duarte, Flint Ridge, Monrovia, Pasadena and Sierra Madre. The fire also threatened high-voltage power transmission lines, federal and state communications infrastructure on Mt. Wilson and Mt. Disappointment, and the Angeles National Forest.

The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Sept. 13, 2020, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.

For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9 or view more news releases at fema.gov/fema-regions/region-ix.

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the SQF Complex burning in Tulare County.

On Sept. 13, 2020, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the SQF Complex. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 1,900 homes in the communities of Sequoia Crest, Camp Nelson, Springville and Ponderosa. The fire also threatened a power plant, an above-ground power distribution center, commercial timber resources, the Mountain Home State Demonstration Forest, and timber and grazing lands for the Tule Indian Reservation.

The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Sept. 13, 2020, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.

For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9 or view more news releases at fema.gov/fema-regions/region-ix.

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and federal partners are working together to respond to the devastating wildfires that continue to affect tens of thousands of people. As firefighters continue to work tirelessly in extreme conditions and emergency responders remain focused on saving lives, FEMA and OEM are staging resources and coordinating additional support for evacuees and affected communities.

“Many Oregonians are suffering right now, whether displaced themselves or worried about loved ones, friends, neighbors, homes, and communities,” said Governor Kate Brown. “We’re working collaboratively to throw everything we can at this crisis, bringing together local, state, and federal capacity.  We are doing everything we can to ensure that our heroic firefighters working around the clock to save lives and homes have the tools, resources, and support they need.”

Although Thursday’s federal Emergency Declaration does not provide direct financial assistance to individuals, resources are available for evacuees and individuals affected by wildfires. Non-congregate (locations where each individual or household has living space that offers some level of privacy, such as hotels, motels, or dormitories) and traditional sheltering (such as American Red Cross shelters) are being provided in Oregon through the American Red Cross and other entities.

FEMA and federal partners continue to provide technical assistance to OEM on several fronts including Urban Search and Rescue (US&R), sheltering, feeding, reunification, housing, and mental health support. Two large US&R teams are also deployed to the state, with K9 search capabilities.  

Federal resources and support are provided under the authority of a federal Emergency Declaration. In addition, federal funding is provided through Fire Management Assistant Grants (FMAGs) to assist with fire suppression in Oregon. FEMA Regional Administrator Michael O’Hare has approved a total of 16 FMAGs for Oregon this fire season, 14 of them this week.

OEM and FEMA urge the public to update information on their status on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website, seek shelter and stay informed. An Oregon Wildfire Resource Website has been created to help Oregonians stay informed at wildfire.oregon.gov. For temporary sheltering needs, Oregon wildfire survivors can find locations available at www.RedCross.org/shelter.

Public safety is the number one priority. Residents are asked to heed all orders from local officials.

At this time, the best way to support the communities is to provide financial donations to relief organizations actively responding to these disasters. For verified disaster relief organizations, please refer to Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ORVOAD) at www.orvoad.org.

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FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

BATON ROUGE, La. – Homeowners and renters in Caddo, La Salle and St. Landry Parishes may now apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from Hurricane Laura.

To be eligible for federal disaster aid, storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred as a result of Hurricane Laura from Aug. 22 to Aug. 27.

Eighteen parishes were previously included in the federal declaration to help homeowners and renters. They are Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, Union, Vermilion, Vernon and Winn parishes.

Survivors should file a claim with their insurance company at the same time as they apply to FEMA. Save yourself time, if you have insurance, you must file a claim.

If you have phone or Internet access, you may register by:

• Going online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Downloading the FEMA app

• Calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Do not wait to begin your cleanup and repairs. Take photos of all damage and save all receipts.

Remember, FEMA assistance alone cannot make survivors whole. FEMA’s disaster assistance programs are designed to help with grants for basic repairs to make survivors’ homes safe, sanitary and functional and to provide a temporary place to live while survivors develop their recovery plans.

FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, disaster survivors without insurance or who are underinsured may still receive help after insurance claims have been settled.

Low-interest disaster loans of up to $200,000 are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration to homeowners for their primary residence. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses and private nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Applicants may apply online at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.  Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339.

SBA has established a Virtual Business Recovery Center and a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to provide assistance to business owners and to help homeowners and renters. Email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov or call 800-659-2955. Lines are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT.

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.

BATON ROUGE, La.  – Hurricane Laura survivors in Jefferson Davis Parish have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 to visit the drive-thru disaster recovery center at Lacassine High School.

Any survivor who registered with FEMA and wants to have documents scanned and entered into their case file can visit the center at Lacassine High School, 409 Algonia Ave., before it closes at 5 p.m. on Sept. 15.

FEMA has several other drive-thru Disaster Recovery Centers open for Hurricane Laura survivors to drop off documents and check the status of their applications. To find the most convenient location, look online at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app or go to egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.

Without visiting a center, you can upload documents and check the status of your application online at disasterassistance.gov.

You can find answers to your questions by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

U.S. Small Business Administration Hurricane Laura Disaster Loans

For businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations: up to $2 million for property damage. For small businesses, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations: up to $2 million for disaster working capital needs even if they had no property damage. There is a $2 million maximum business loan for any combination of property damage and working capital needs.

For homeowners: up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. For homeowners and renters: up to $40,000 to replace personal property, including vehicles.

Businesses and residents can apply online at www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. For questions and assistance completing an application, call 800-659-2955 or email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.   

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.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Brattain Fire burning in Lake County, Oregon. 

FEMA Region 10 Administrator Mike O’Hare determined that the fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster, and on Saturday he approved the state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). 

The Brattain Fire started on Monday, burning over 13,900 acres of federal and private land. At the time of the request, the fire threatened about 114 homes in and around the community of Paisley. The fire also threatened the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Highway 31, a rural airport, and industrial timber in the area. 

As of now, the approved FMAG total for Oregon in 2020 is 16. 

FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies. 

In addition to reimbursement funding for fighting the fire, $629,681 in mitigation assistance will be available to Oregon. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area. 

FEMA encourages HMGP Post-Fire funds be used for the mitigation of wildfire and related hazards, such as flood or erosion. However, HMGP is available for risk reduction of any hazard. 

BATON ROUGE, La. – As Hurricane Laura survivors begin to reenter their homes, FEMA stresses the importance of following guidance from your local officials.

Prepare Before You Go

Local officials stress the need to be prepared. Many areas still do not have electricity.

Those who return should bring plenty of supplies. Consider all your potential needs for food, water, medication, pets, mosquito repellent, batteries, portable cellphone chargers and other important items.

Utility work and debris removal is ongoing in affected communities. The state advises survivors to limit or avoid travel where crews are working.

Structural Safety

Walk carefully around the outside of your home and property and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.

Enter your home carefully and check for damage.  Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors. If your home looks like it may collapse, leave immediately.

Do not enter if you smell gas or floodwater remains around the building.

For more information on what to look for when reentering your home, go online to ready.gov/returning-home.

Register for Federal Assistance

You may not be able stay in your home because of the damage. FEMA may be able to provide grants to repair your home to make it safe, sanitary and functional as well as temporary expenses to rent an apartment, home or travel trailer.

Hurricane Laura survivors may apply for FEMA help online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by downloading the FEMA app or by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585.

For a list of Hurricane Laura resources, go online to gov.louisiana.gov/page/hurricane-laura-resources.

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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.– A FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center to serve wildfire survivors in Sonoma County opened  Friday, September 11, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. It is located at the Sonoma County Office of Education, 5340 Skylane Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. The Mobile Registration Intake Center will operate seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until further notice.

Visitors can register for FEMA assistance, check the status of their FEMA applications, find information about programs and agencies that can help speed their recovery, and receive answers to questions, review information within their letter from FEMA or finding out whether they can still receive assistance if they have insurance.

The Mobile Registration Intake Center is part of  FEMA’s ongoing response and recovery mission to support wildfire survivors impacted by the August 2020 fire siege across California.

Survivors can register with FEMA in one of three ways: 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) between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. The helpline staff can also answer questions about applications already submitted.

For businesses, homeowners and renters who may be interested in disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, The SBA has established a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center. Customer service representatives are available to assist business owners, homeowners and renters to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application.

The virtual business  recovery center and virtual disaster loan outreach center are open from 7:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and may be reached by calling (916) 735-1500 or by email to FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.

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BOTHELL, Wash. – FEMA is on the ground in Oregon to support the state’s response to devastating wildfires, and to deliver federal assistance made available under the Emergency Declaration approved on Thursday by President Trump.

FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont, the FEMA Region 10 Incident Management Assistance Team, and a FEMA Integration Team are working side by side with the Oregon Office of Emergency Management to determine needs and help coordinate the federal response. In addition, FEMA’s Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) in Bothell, Wash., is activated and mobilizing resources to Oregon to support state, local, and tribal partners.

Initial staging areas are in place for commodities to reduce the time it takes deliver supplies where they are needed. An Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) technical assistance expert is helping to determine state needs, and has four US&R teams in transit; three with K9 capabilities and one US&R Incident Support Team. FEMA’s Mobile Emergency Response Support vehicles are in place to provide communications support and power generation for responders. Eight tractor-trailer trucks of meals, water, cots, and blankets arrived at the federal staging area on Sept.11, and seven additional tractor-trailer trucks with commodities are expected to arrive Sept.12.

The Emergency Declaration is in addition to funding provided through Fire Management Assistant Grants (FMAGs) to assist with fire suppression in Oregon. So far in 2020, FEMA has approved 15 FMAGs for fires in Oregon—most of which were approved this week. President Trump’s Emergency Declaration authorizes FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the historic wildfires on the local population; to provide assistance for emergency measures needed to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety; and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. It does not provide direct financial assistance to individuals.

An Oregon Wildfire Resource Website has been created to help Oregonians stay informed at wildfire.oregon.gov. For temporary sheltering needs, Oregon wildfire survivors can find locations available at www.RedCross.org/shelter.

FEMA’s number one priority is public safety. Residents are asked to heed all orders from local officials. If you want to help, visit oregonrecovers.communityos.org.

Sacramento, Calif.-- FEMA has designated Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties as eligible to receive federal assistance from the agency’s Public Assistance Program.

On August 22, 2020, President Donald J. Trump granted a Major Disaster Declaration for California making FEMA assistance available to help people and communities recovering from wildfires that occurred August 14, 2020, and continuing. That disaster declaration was amended to add the three counties for assistance with emergency protective measures. The president’s August 22 major disaster declaration included the following eight counties for individual assistance as well as public assistance for emergency protective measures: Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo.

Subsequently on September 5, the declaration was amended to designate Lake, Monterey, Napa, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Sonoma counties for Public Assistance with eligible debris removal projects.

The three counties added today bring to 11 the total number of California counties designated for public assistance as part of the major disaster declaration.

Eligible applicants for FEMA Public Assistance funds include state, county and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, and some private non-profits such as educational and medical facilities. Typically, FEMA provides 75 percent of the cost of eligible projects.

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

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WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Nevada for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Nevada to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak to implement a system to make this funding available to Nevada residents.

On Aug. 8, 2020, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the state of Nevada agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.

FEMA looks forward to working with the governors of additional states who agree to administer a lost wages program to bring financial relief to unemployed Americans.

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – Residents of four Puerto Rico municipalities can apply for federal disaster assistance for damage from Tropical Storm Isaias, which struck the western side of the island July 29-31.

At the request of the Government of Puerto Rico, FEMA extended eligibility for Individual Assistance to residents of the municipalities of Aguada, Hormigueros, Mayagüez and Rincón under the presidential disaster declaration of Sept. 9.

Tropical Storm Isaias (pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs) brought strong winds and heavy rain that caused landslides, localized flooding and scattered power outages.

If you suffered damage from the storm and you are a resident of one of the four municipalities, you can apply now for help. Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs for the primary residence, and uninsured and underinsured personal property losses. It may also include medical and dental expenses caused by the disaster along with other serious disaster-related expenses.

But keep in mind that you must apply with FEMA to be considered for FEMA disaster assistance. The deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 9.

There are several ways to apply:

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Press 2 for a Spanish-speaking operator. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
• Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Download FEMA’s mobile app. Select Disaster Resources and click on DisasterAssistance.gov. If you have an Apple device: Text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA). For those with an Android device: Text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA). For more information go to: www.fema.gov/mobile-app.

Survivors should let FEMA know if they have a request for a reasonable accommodation. FEMA can provide sign language interpreters and information in alternate formats such as Braille, large-print and electronic versions.

For more information on Puerto Rico’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4560

and Facebook: www.facebook.com/femapuertorico.

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. 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) or 711 for Video Relay Service. Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish.) TTY call 800-462-7585.

BOTHELL, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Chehalem Mountain Bald Peak Fire burning in Washington and Yamhill counties in Oregon. 

FEMA Region 10 Administrator Mike O’Hare determined that the fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster, and on Thursday he approved the state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). 

The Chehalem Mountain Bald Peak Fire started on Tuesday, burning 1,500 acres of federal, state, private, and tribal land. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 250 homes in and around the community of Buckheaven, as well as threatening two major access roads and Walker Reservoir in the area. Level Three evacuations were issued for approximately 450 people.  

As of now, the approved FMAG total for Oregon is 15. 

FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies. 

In addition to reimbursement funding for fighting the fire, $629,681 in mitigation assistance will be available to Oregon. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area. 

FEMA encourages HMGP Post-Fire funds be used for the mitigation of wildfire and related hazards, such as flood or erosion. However, HMGP is available for risk reduction of any hazard. 

ORLANDO, Fla. – Three years after Hurricane Irma made landfall, Florida communities are rebuilding with the support of $5.8 billion in federal grants, loans and flood insurance payments.

“Our federal partners have been critical to Florida’s recovery from hurricanes,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Rebuilding after Hurricane Irma would not have been nearly as successful without support from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the National Flood Insurance Program. I look forward to our continued partnership as we remain committed to rebuilding resilient communities for all Floridians.”

As of Sept. 4, 2020, individuals and households received $1.02 billion in grants from FEMA. The U.S. Small Business Administration provided $1.4 billion in low-interest loans to businesses, homeowners and renters. The National Flood Insurance Program paid $979 million in claims to policyholders.

“When I came to the division, cities and counties were struggling without the critical reimbursements they needed to recover from Hurricane Irma,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz. “Since January 2019, we have paid out the most hurricane recovery funding in 20 months in the division’s history, including nearly $1.5 billion for Hurricane Irma recovery and $257 million for citrus growers impacted by this storm. On the three-year anniversary of this devastating storm, we remain committed to working with FEMA to make sure Florida recovers stronger than ever before.”

Rebuilding public facilities and infrastructure is a long-term effort. To date, FEMA’s Public Assistance Program has awarded $2.06 billion in grants to the State of Florida to reimburse local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations for debris removal, emergency response and permanent repairs.

For instance, Palm Beach County received a grant for $20 million to combat erosion and help restore Juno Beach, which was damaged in the storm. The project involved placing 1.5 million cubic yards of sand on the 2.45-mile beach, helping to mitigate damage from future storms.

The City of Miami received a grant for $17.5 million to restore Dinner Key Marina, which has 582 boat slips and moorings for 225 vessels. Rebuilding this structure include replacing piers, decks, mooring facilities, sea walls, the electrical and fire protection systems and other components.

Seawalls in the City of Punta Gorda were damaged or destroyed as a result of waves and storm surge. The city received a grant of $25 million to replace 10,116 panels along 60,689 feet of seawall.

“We are committed to supporting the State of Florida as it recovers from Hurricane Irma,” said James Coleman, manager of the FEMA recovery operation for Florida.

In rebuilding, many projects include mitigation to reduce damage from future disasters. FEMA has provided $91.8 million for these efforts. In addition, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has awarded $208 million to the state for other projects designed to reduce damage from future storms, including hardening the Wiregrass Sports Complex in Pasco County, South Broward Hospital in Broward County and Memorial Hospital Flagler in Miami-Dade County.

FEMA also supplemented the State of Florida with the following grant programs: $10.3 million for Disaster Unemployment Assistance; $21.7 million for Disaster Case Management; $421,569 for the Crisis Counseling Immediate Services Program and $1 million for the Crisis Counseling Regular Services Program.

WASHINGTON — FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Oregon to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts to the emergency conditions in the area affected by wildfires beginning on Sept. 8, 2020, and continuing. 

The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.  

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. This assistance is for Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Tillamook, and Washington counties.

Dolph A. Diemont has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area.  

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved the United States Virgin Islands for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow the U.S. Virgin Islands to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. to implement a system to make this funding available to U.S. Virgin Islands residents.

On Aug. 8, 2020, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the U.S. Virgin Islands agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.

FEMA looks forward to working with the governors of additional territories and states who agree to administer a lost wages program to bring financial relief to unemployed Americans.

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana residents displaced from their homes by Hurricane Laura may find FEMA rental assistance to be an important way to move their recovery forward.

FEMA rental assistance is a temporary grant to survivors to pay for somewhere to live while they work on permanent housing plans such as repairing or rebuilding their home.

Options include renting an apartment, home or travel trailer that can keep survivors near their jobs, schools, homes and places of worship. Survivors can find places by searching online or in their local newspaper.

Funds can be used for security deposits, rent and the cost of essential utilities such as electricity, gas and water. They may not be used for to pay for cable or Internet.

Survivors who live in Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, Union, Vermilion, Vernon or Winn parish, follow these steps if your home is uninhabitable and you need a place to stay:

• Survivors need to file a claim with their insurance company. They should check with their homeowners or renters insurance agent about additional living expenses, or ALE, coverage as part of their policy that may assist in relocating to a temporary residence.
• Survivors should also register for FEMA assistance. If they have insurance, they should submit their settlement documents for review before FEMA can determine their eligibility status. If their policy does not include ALE, or if they exhaust this coverage and their home remains uninhabitable, they may be eligible for rental assistance from FEMA. They may register by either going online to disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or by calling the helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362.
• A FEMA inspector will contact applicants by phone to ask questions about the type and extent of damage. It may be necessary for FEMA to perform a remote inspection if an applicant reported they cannot or may not be able to safely live in their home. It is important for FEMA to be able to contact applicants.  Phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.

Survivors should keep receipts for three years to show how they spent FEMA grants. If grant money is not used as outlined in the letter, survivors may have to repay FEMA and could lose eligibility for further federal assistance to help them with their Hurricane Laura recovery.

Remote Home Inspections and COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, home inspections may be conducted remotely by phone. Remote inspections provide a new way of evaluating damage comparable to traditional, in-person inspections. They expedite the delivery of recovery assistance to survivors based on their eligibility.

Survivors who had minimal damage and can live in their home will not automatically be scheduled for a home inspection after registering with FEMA. Survivors who find significant disaster-caused damage after registering can request an inspection.

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.

BATON ROUGE, La.  –  It usually takes two steps for survivors of Hurricane Laura to access the greatest possible amount of federal help. 

Step one: Use one of several ways to apply for FEMA assistance.

• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Download the FEMA mobile app.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors in the following parishes may be eligible for federal help: Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, Union, Vermilion, Vernon and Winn.

FEMA assistance cannot make survivors whole, but it may help move their recovery forward by providing grants for basic repairs to make homes safe, sanitary and functional. It may also help with a temporary place to stay while you build your own recovery plan.

Step two: Apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a federal low-interest disaster loan. SBA disaster loans are the primary source of federal assistance for repair or replacement costs not covered by insurance or other compensation.

Businesses are also encouraged to apply.

If referred to SBA by FEMA, homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply. If SBA declines the application, homeowners and renters may be eligible for grants from FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program to replace certain household items, repair or replace a damaged vehicle and pay for moving and storage costs.

SBA disaster loans:

• Up to $2 million for property damage loan to businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations
• Up to $2 million for working capital loan to small businesses, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations for disaster caused working capital needs even if they had no property damage
• $2 million maximum business loan for any combination of property damage and working capital needs
• Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence
• Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property, including vehicles

SBA has established a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center that is open daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT. You can contact an SBA customer service representative via email at FOCWAssistance@sba.govor by phone at 800-659-2955. SBA will answer specific questions about how a disaster loan may help each survivor recover from the disaster damage and will provide one-on-one assistance in completing applications for these loans.

• Apply online at www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
• For questions about SBA disaster loans call 800-659-2955 or email the SBA at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.
• To apply by mail completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

These services are only available for the Louisiana disaster declaration as a result of Hurricane Laura that occurred Aug. 22-27, 2020, and not for COVID-19 related assistance.

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.