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Proposed Flood Maps for Golden Valley County Reflect Changes to Local Flood Risk, Insurance Rates - 90-Day Period for Filing Appeals and Comments Begins September 3, 2020
DENVER - Flood insurance rate map changes for the Musselshell River through Golden Valley County are nearing completion. The new maps will provide more accurate flood risk information that can help local officials and residents make informed decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance.
The mapping project was initiated several years ago by counties along the Musselshell River and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). It is part of a nationwide effort led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce those risks.
“Some sections of the Musselshell River have old floodplain maps that were produced over 30 years ago, while some sections had no maps at all to identify flood risk areas” explained Tiffany Lyden, DNRC Floodplain Outreach Specialist. ”Updating and developing new, accurate floodplain maps is a key step in providing accurate information to help keep families, homes, businesses, and infrastructure safe from future flood events.”
New flood insurance rate maps for the Musselshell River through Musselshell, Rosebud, and Petroleum Counties have been in effect since November 2019. Before new flood insurance rate maps can become effective in Golden Valley County, there is a 90-day Appeal Period during which local residents and business owners can provide additional data for consideration before the maps are final. This appeal period for Golden Valley County starts on September 3, 2020 and ends December 2, 2020.
Golden Valley County officials encourage residents and business owners to review the proposed flood insurance rate maps to learn about local flood risks, potential future flood insurance requirements, and any concerns or questions about the information provided. The proposed maps can be viewed online at www.floodplain.mt.gov/musselshell and at the county and town offices.
If you have technical and scientific information, such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data, you may be able to appeal the flood risk information on the proposed maps during the 90-day Appeal Period. For further details on this process, visit www.floodplain.mt.gov/musselshell or contact Page Dringman, Golden Valley County Floodplain Administrator at 406-932-5470 or Tiffany Lyden, DNRC Floodplain Outreach Specialist at 406-444-0599.
Brian.Hvinden Wed, 08/26/2020 - 15:31FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Griffin Fire
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Arizona in combating the Griffin Fire burning in Gila County.
On Aug. 25, 2020, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Griffin Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 250 homes in and around Globe, AZ, with mandatory evacuations in place for 100 people. The fire also threatened Globe State Prison, Gila County Fairgrounds, Globe Airport, Apache Gold Casino, a middle school, railways, water production facilities for the towns of Globe and Miami, and a watershed.
The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Aug. 25, 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.
robert.barker Wed, 08/26/2020 - 10:19FEMA Invests $2.6 Million to Strengthen Puerto Rico’s Agriculture Industry
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico's agricultural industry is preparing to receive over $2.6 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience of Puerto Rico, or COR3. This investment will lead to the recovery of this sector, which suffered multi-million-dollar losses due to the impact of Hurricane María.
This infusion of funds will provide an economic boost to the industry after the loss of 40 percent of the country's agricultural infrastructure.
“Agriculture has a strong connection with the culture on the Island and with the people who for generations have worked the land with their own hands. There is a lot of history in these crops and we will continue to do our part to strengthen this sector that is worthy of admiration,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Alex Amparo.
Among the obligations is $1.4 million to repair the facilities of the Coffee Trade Program for the Administration for the Development of Agricultural Businesses of the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, located at the Yahuecas neighborhood in Adjuntas. This is the only place on the Island where local and imported coffee is stored for processing and it also employs 13 people. According to agronomist Jorge Quiles Maldonado, director of the program, its economic impact is incalculable, since it encompasses multiple industries that revolve around the product, its packaging, distribution and sale. Also, the facilities have a laboratory where farmers can measure the quality of their coffee.
Another obligation of around $582,000 for the Department of Agriculture is destined for repairs to the Mercadeo Warehouse and Limestone Quarry located in the Hato Viejo neighborhood in Ciales. There, lime is processed to correct the acidity levels in very acidic soils in order to improve crop yields, a key process for coffee, citrus, plantain and banana plantations in the mountainous area.
For his part, the Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, agronomist Carlos A. Flores Ortega said he was pleased with the approval of these federal funds. “Today, we can take a step forward in the recovery of the agricultural sector. These allocations represent an aid to infrastructure improvements and, without a doubt, to improve services in favor of our thousands of farmers,” added Flores Ortega.
Similarly, $108,000 were obligated for the Corporación de Conservación Etnoecológica Criolla, Inc., an ethnoecological conservation corporation, in Caguas, to replace equipment in its museum such as tools and vehicles. This nonprofit manages the facilities of the municipality’s Botanical and Cultural Garden, promotes eco-tourism projects and oversees research and development of agricultural technology to be transferred to community agro-ecological businesses.
The municipality of Maricao will also carry out repairs to its warehouse located in the Indiera Baja neighborhood, with an obligation of nearly $61,000. Part of these funds will be used to reinforce the roof, windows and doors to withstand winds of up to 170 miles per hour. This warehouse provides assistance to farmers in Maricao and neighboring farms that harvest coffee, plantains, bananas and oranges, among other crops, and also develops various programs of its Department of Agriculture.
On the other hand, $55,000 was granted to La Enseñat Farm, in the Bucarabones neighborhood of Las Marías for repairs to the roof of its storage area. This farm has an extensive plantation of about 500,000 small coffee bushes and roughly 30,000 small citrus trees. This farm employs about 25 people and operates under a private investment and collaborative agreement with the Department of Agriculture, who owns the land. All crops that are produced are sold locally.
“Puerto Rico's recovery has a significant impact across all sectors. All areas have a fundamental role to play in building resilience for the future. Our efforts to secure obligations are ongoing so that subrecipient projects are completed and developed in ways that all residents deserve,” said the Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resilience (COR3), Ottmar Chavez.
To date, FEMA has obligated over $7.2 billion for costs related to hurricanes Irma and Maria, including projects to help rebuild infrastructure throughout Puerto Rico. Roughly 1,200 local staff are leading the efforts and play a key role in moving recovery forward. Despite unprecedented challenges, our resolve remains undeterred as we continue this banner year of recovery. The Agency is part of the transformation and the revival of the island, a process that is becoming more evident every day and that will benefit the island's residents and its future generations.
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 on Twitter @COR3pr.
frances.acevedo-pico Wed, 08/26/2020 - 07:32FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for Arkansas
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Arkansas for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Arkansas to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to implement a system to make this funding available to Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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.
zella.campbell Tue, 08/25/2020 - 20:47President Donald J. Trump Amends Emergency Declarations for Louisiana and Texas
WASHINGTON -- Today, President Donald J. Trump amended the emergency declarations for Louisiana and Texas. The President’s action expands the declarations to cover emergency protective response actions that state, local and tribal officials take in the areas affected by Hurricanes Laura and Marco beginning Aug. 22, 2020 and continuing.
In Louisiana, Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes, are eligible for reimbursement for eligible emergency protective measures (Category B). These parishes were previously limited to direct federal assistance, and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support.
In Texas, Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Willacy counties are also now eligible for reimbursement for eligible emergency protective measures (Category B). These counties were previously limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support.
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.
zella.campbell Tue, 08/25/2020 - 20:38FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for Maine
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Maine for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Maine to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Maine Gov. Janet Mills to implement a system to make this funding available to Maine residents.
On Aug. 8, 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 Maine 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.
zella.campbell Tue, 08/25/2020 - 20:16Federal Aid for Utah Quake Hits $1 Million As FEMA Deadline Nears - Two Weeks Left to Register
SALT LAKE CITY – The deadline for Utah residents to register for federal disaster assistance for damage caused by the earthquake and aftershocks between March 18 and April 17 is Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
Since the July 8 disaster declaration, more than $1 million in federal disaster assistance has been provided to eligible applicants in Salt Lake and Davis counties, including more than $350,000 in FEMA grant funding.
In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved disaster loans totaling more than $730,000 for businesses and residents. These low-interest loans may be used to repair or replace damaged and destroyed businesses and homes, personal property items and automobiles. Additional SBA applications are in the review process.
Utahans with disaster-related damage in designated counties can still register with FEMA until the deadline by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages.
If you require a reasonable accommodation or an alternative format of available information such as American Sign Language format, or audio format, please submit your request to: Region8AccommodationRequest@fema.dhs.gov.
Residents who need legal assistance for earthquake-related issues but cannot afford an attorney can call the Disaster Legal Services hotline toll-free at 800-662-4245. The line is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attorneys are not FEMA employees. Their services are confidential, and they do not share information with FEMA.
For more information on Utah’s recovery from the Magna Quake, visit, www.fema.gov/disaster/4548, or https://earthquakes.utah.gov/magna-quake/.
Brian.Hvinden Tue, 08/25/2020 - 16:28Three years later, Hurricane Harvey communities better prepared
AUSTIN, Texas – On the night of Aug. 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey roared into Texas as a Category 4 hurricane leaving a path of devastation in its wake. Three years later, work to repair Harvey’s damage remains, but with great determination and perseverance, Texas communities have made strong progress in their recovery.
Harvey is the second-costliest U.S. natural disaster — only Hurricane Katrina that struck the Gulf Coast in 2005 caused more damage. Although the damage estimates are high, federal, state and local funds along with nonprofit assistance, volunteer hours and donations have helped Texans continue their recovery.
Texans to date have been provided with $14.5 billion in federal funds including grants, loans and flood insurance payments to assist in repair and replacement of their homes and their belongings. FEMA Public Assistance has awarded, and the Texas Division of Emergency Management has disbursed, more than
$2.1 billion in grants for debris removal, measures taken to prepare for Harvey and permanent repair or replacement of public infrastructure. And, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has funded $246 million for projects to limit damages caused by future disasters.
Although great strides have been made in the Harvey recovery, much work remains. Many permanent infrastructure projects are completed or starting to come together. Rural communities have seen bridges repaired or replaced, government buildings are back in use and made safer through mitigation efforts and children are returning to their school buildings and most residents returned to a repaired home or a completely different one.
Three years after Harvey’s, Texans find themselves in the midst of another hurricane season. This should serve as a great reminder to buy or renew a policy with the National Flood Insurance Program. After the storm, about 92,000 Texans received flood insurance payouts for an estimated $9 billion. Many Texans without flood insurance, however, had to rebuild their lives with personal savings and whatever federal assistance they were eligible to receive.
There is not a better time to plan for the unexpected than now. For more information on preparing for a disaster, visit ready.gov.
For additional information on Hurricane Harvey and Texas recovery, visit the Hurricane Harvey disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4332, Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMAharvey, the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or the Texas Division of Emergency
Carmen.Castro Tue, 08/25/2020 - 15:23Two Weeks Remain to Apply for Federal Assistance
The deadline to register with FEMA and apply to the SBA is Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020.
To register with FEMA:
- Call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.
- Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA App.
The SBA helps businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.
To apply for a low-interest disaster loan, complete an online application at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. SBA has three dedicated phone lines to assist Michigan residents impacted by the May flooding. To reach an SBA Customer Service Representative directly call 800-659-2955. Email questions to FOCE-Help@sba.gov. For more information, visit sba.gov/.
After registering, FEMA staff may contact you for various reasons, including to discuss your case or request additional information. It’s important to answer those phone calls to make sure your application process continues. If you are in any doubt when receiving a call from someone stating they work for FEMA, do not give out any information, but call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET to verify the call is legitimate.
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. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs.
If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
English: www.fema.gov/disaster/4547
troy.christensen Tue, 08/25/2020 - 09:19FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for Connecticut
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Connecticut for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Connecticut to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont to implement a system to make this funding available to Connecticut residents.
On Aug. 8, 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 Connecticut 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.
zella.campbell Mon, 08/24/2020 - 20:22Applying For FEMA Disaster Assistance
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – If you were impacted by the on-going wildfires in Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo counties, you may be eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Grants may help eligible survivors with financial assistance that include rent, home repair, home replacement and other disaster-related needs such as childcare, medical and dental expenses.
Before you apply, contact your insurance company and file a claim for the disaster-caused damage. Take photographs or video of the damage and keep all receipts related to home repair.
If you have uninsured or underinsured losses, contact FEMA online at disasterassistance.gov, download the FEMA app and register on your smartphone or tablet, or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).
Be prepared with the following information:
- Social Security Number
- Insurance policy information
- Address of the damaged primary dwelling
- A description of disaster-caused damage and losses
- Current mailing address
- Current telephone number
- Total household annual income
- Routing and account number of your checking or savings account (for direct transfer to your bank account)
After registering, create an account to check the status of your application, view messages from FEMA, update your personal information, and upload important documents.
If you are unable to upload your documents, mail them to FEMA at P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD, 20782-8055 or fax them to 800-827-8112.
If you have any questions, you please contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). For TTY call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), please call 800-621-3362.
INSPECTIONS
During COVID-19, inspections will be conducted by phone. Remote inspections are comparable to traditional, in-person inspections and can expedite recovery assistance, based on eligibility. For security purposes, the inspector will verify your identity by asking a series of qualifying questions and then provide you with the first four digits of your application to complete the verification.
If you reported that you cannot safely live in your home, a FEMA inspector will contact you by phone and ask about the type and extent of damage sustained. Survivors with minimal damage who can live in their homes will not automatically be scheduled for a home inspection when applying to FEMA, but they still may request an inspection.
Remote inspections have no impact on the types of Other Needs Assistance available that do not require an inspection, including grants for childcare, transportation, medical, dental, funeral expenses, moving and storage assistance.
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
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 – Fridays | 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | FOCWAssistance@sba.gov | (916) 735-1500
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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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).
FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during, and after disasters.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.
For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. TTY users may also call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit SBA at SBA.gov/disaster.
robert.barker Mon, 08/24/2020 - 19:00FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Pennsylvania for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Pennsylvania to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to implement a system to make this funding available to Pennsylvania residents.
On Aug. 8, 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 Pennsylvania 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.
zella.campbell Mon, 08/24/2020 - 16:31FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for Washington
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Washington for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Washington to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to implement a system to make this funding available to Washington 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 Washington 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.
zella.campbell Mon, 08/24/2020 - 15:57President Donald J. Trump Approves Texas Emergency Declaration
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Texas to supplement state and local response efforts to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura, beginning Aug. 23, 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), limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. This assistance is for Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Willacy counties in the state of Texas.
Jerry S. Thomas has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area.
zella.campbell Mon, 08/24/2020 - 14:41FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for New Hampshire
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved New Hampshire for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow New Hampshire to provide $300 per week – on top of their regular unemployment benefit – to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with New Hampshire Gov. Christopher T. Sununu to implement a system to make this funding available to New Hampshire residents.
On Aug. 8, 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 New Hampshire 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.
zella.campbell Mon, 08/24/2020 - 14:27Are You Ready for the Next Earthquake?
SALT LAKE CITY – While earthquakes are inevitable, the damage they cause is not. Utah homeowners can take simple actions to reduce property damage and the disruption to their lives caused by earthquakes.
One of the best non-structural measures you can undertake is strapping down your water heater. An earthquake-damaged water heater can cause fires, flooding, and carbon monoxide build-up (from gas-fired heaters) in the home. A protected water heater can be used as an emergency water source in cases where the disaster has knocked out local utilities.
The water heater should be braced to adjacent walls and equipped with flexible water and gas lines. Restraining or bracing water heaters is relatively easy and inexpensive, with strapping kits available at many hardware stores or online.
Another step that homeowners can take is making sure that bookshelves, cabinets, light fixtures, large picture frames and other heavy decorations are properly secured to the wall. This potential earthquake safety risk can be solved at little or no cost.
Before starting major retrofit work, homeowners are strongly advised to contact their local city or county building department to see if special permits are required.
Some modifications around the house might require a licensed contractor, engineer, or architect. You can browse a list of Utah-based companies at https://secure.utah.gov/datarequest/professionals/index.html or check their licenses at https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html.
Looking at the bigger picture, there is no such thing as totally “earthquake proof.” Even buildings designed to the latest building codes can be damaged. Which means that Utah buildings that didn’t get damaged during the Magna Quake and its aftershocks could still be vulnerable to future earthquakes.
Earthquake damage isn’t covered by a standard homeowner’s residential or fire insurance policy. So in addition to strengthening your house and securing non-structural hazards within your home, earthquake insurance should be considered. Contact your insurance agent for a quote.
FEMA and the state of Utah have several publications explaining rebuilding and retrofitting options and other earthquake preparedness actions. To learn about these and for other tips or to ask questions about mitigation, email FEMA-R8-HMhelp@fema.dhs.gov.
Utah residents impacted by the earthquake and aftershocks of March 18 through April 17 who have not registered with FEMA can still apply for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages.
If you require a reasonable accommodation or an alternative format of available information such as American Sign Language format, or audio format, please submit your request to: Region8AccommodationRequest@fema.dhs.gov.
For more information on Utah’s recovery from the Magna Quake, visit, www.fema.gov/disaster/4548, or https://earthquakes.utah.gov/magna-quake/.
Brian.Hvinden Mon, 08/24/2020 - 14:18FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Sheep Fire
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Sheep Fire burning in Lassen County.
On Aug. 22, 2020, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Sheep Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 450 homes in and around the cities of Susanville and Janesville. The fire also threatened two schools, two power generation stations, transmission lines, and a watershed in the area.
The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Aug. 22, 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.
robert.barker Mon, 08/24/2020 - 10:59President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Disaster Declaration for Mississippi
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Mississippi to supplement state, local and tribal response efforts to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura beginning on Aug. 23, 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, limited to reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. This assistance is for the counties of Adams, Amite, Covington, Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, Walthall, Wayne and Wilkinson.
Brett H. Howard has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area.
zella.campbell Mon, 08/24/2020 - 08:38FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for New York
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved New York for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow New York to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to implement a system to make this funding available to New York 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 New York 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.
gloria.huang Sun, 08/23/2020 - 17:07FEMA Announces Lost Wages Grant for Alaska
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Alaska for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Alaska to provide $300 per week -- on top of their regular unemployment benefit -- to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy to implement a system to make this funding available to Alaska 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 Alaska 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.
gloria.huang Sun, 08/23/2020 - 17:00