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DHS News and Updates
FEMA Opens a Documentation Drop-off Center
LANSING, Mich. – FEMA has set up a Documentation Drop-off Center for survivors of the May 16-22 flooding and storms to submit any required supporting documents for their disaster assistance application.
Survivors who have been asked by FEMA to provide additional documentation should read their FEMA letter carefully and make sure they have everything they need when they arrive at the drop-off center. Applicants do not have to visit a center to submit documents to FEMA—they can mail, fax or submit them online as well. Information on these options can be found in their FEMA letter.
If you don’t understand the letter you received from FEMA, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET and ask for assistance.
The FEMA Documentation Drop-off Center is located at:
825 E. Main Street
Midland, MI 48640
The center opens at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 with additional days and hours listed below.
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
2 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Wednesday and Saturday
The drop-off center will be open for a limited period of time and is staffed with FEMA personnel who can scan documents and quickly answer questions about disaster assistance programs.
All applicants and FEMA personnel will follow currently effective state and local requirements for COVID-19 safety measures. Applicants must wear face masks and will remain in their cars as they hand their documents to FEMA personnel, who will be wearing face masks (or other appropriate face covering) and protective equipment as well. FEMA staff will take the documents, scan them and return them to the applicants.
Applicants may register in the following ways:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Download the FEMA Mobile App for smartphones.
- Call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
If an individual cannot register online or by phone, registration at the Documentation Drop-off Center will be available.
Documents also may be submitted in any of the following ways:
- Mail to: FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville MD 20782-7055.
- Or fax to: 800-827-8112.
- Or submit them via a FEMA online account. To set up an online account, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Check Status” and follow the directions.
The deadline for individuals to apply for disaster assistance is Sept. 8, 2020.
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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.
troy.christensen Mon, 08/03/2020 - 09:36President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Disaster Declaration for North Carolina
WASHINGTON – FEMA announced federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of North Carolina to supplement state and tribal response efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Isaias from July 31, 2020 and continuing.
Federal funding is available to the state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Public Assistance, Category B), limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care, including evacuation and shelter support. This assistance is available for Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell and Washington counties.
Public Assistance, Category B, funding is also available to state, eligible tribal and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance. This assistance is available for Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Bladen, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Cumberland, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Graham, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Person, Polk, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, Yadkin and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Elizabeth Turner has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of the damage assessments.
luther.wills-dudich Sun, 08/02/2020 - 16:22ICYMI: FEMA Administrator Urges Floridians, Southeastern Residents to Prepare for Isaias
WASHINGTON - Earlier today, FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor spoke to The Weather Channel about preparedness actions ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Gaynor urged residents along the storm’s path to take preparedness actions outlined by their local officials.
“There’s time now to still prepare," he said. “… Let’s say you have to evacuate and go to a shelter or someplace that’s not your home. How do you assemble enough COVID-19 hygiene supplies to make sure you and your family are safe? Masks, hand sanitizer, all those things you probably don’t think about these days, but you’re going to need if you have to leave the safety of your home to go to a shelter or to a congregate or non-congregate shelter… Do one or two things to improve your preparedness and the safety of your family," Gaynor said. "Do it today. There's still time.”
Gaynor said the agency has worked for months to prepare for this hurricane season during the pandemic. He said FEMA has a decreased footprint in the National Response Coordination Center, in addition to using virtual options as much as possible.
“Let’s not put our disaster survivors in greater risk by having to go face to face where we don’t have to,” he said. “So, virtual damage assessments, over the phone, streaming video, all those kind of things. We want to make life a little bit easier for our emergency workers, and obviously we want to make life safer for those disaster survivors who just had a disaster run through their neighborhood, and they have to respond or deal with COVID-19," said Gaynor. "All those things are considerations. Again, it makes it a bit more complicated, but not impossible. We’ve done planning for months now to make sure that we adapt as we go, adapt as we learn.”
Gaynor also spoke to Neil Cavuto of Fox News where he stressed how the hurricane forecasts can change, so families need to take preparedness actions now.
“First, heed your local, county and state emergency managers. They know best,” he said. “… Generally, I will say don’t bet your life on what the forecast, track and intensity will do. Today is the day to make those final preparations, so you’re ready, no matter what happens. If I could ask everyone out there in Florida, especially those along the track of the storm, take preparedness actions today. Make yourself, your family and business safer today, so you won’t regret it tomorrow.”
luther.wills-dudich Sat, 08/01/2020 - 18:27
President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Disaster Declaration for Florida
WASHINGTON – FEMA announced federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Florida to supplement the state’s response efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Isaias from July 31, 2020 and continuing.
Federal funding is available to the state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care, including evacuation and shelter support, at 75 percent federal funding. This assistance is available for Brevard, Broward, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie and Volusia counties.
Terry L. Quarles has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of the damage assessments.
luther.wills-dudich Sat, 08/01/2020 - 12:36Guánica, Ponce Disaster Recovery Centers Open for One More Week
PONCE, Puerto Rico – Disaster Recovery Centers at Guánica and Ponce are open for one final week to serve residents affected by the Puerto Rico earthquakes.
Tropical Storm Isaias skirted the island, bringing strong winds, rain, flooding and scattered power outages that suspended operations for two days at the recovery centers. The centers are scheduled to close at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7.
Residents have just a week to meet face-to-face with FEMA specialists who can help update their applications for disaster assistance and answer their questions.
The Guánica center is located at Club Puertorriqueño de Ensenada, Calle 2. The Ponce center is at Complejo Polideportivo Los Caobos (Cancha de Baloncesto) on Avenida Los Caobos. Both centers offer in-person and drive-thru service from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug.7, and are operating under COVID-19 safety protocols. Masks or face coverings are required for entry and service.
Residents may visit either recovery center. In-person service is by appointment only. No appointment is needed for the drive-thru, where documents are scanned into case files and returned to the applicants.
To make an appointment, call the FEMA Helpline: 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.
For more information on Puerto Rico’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4473 and Facebook: www.facebook.com/femapuertorico.
zella.campbell Fri, 07/31/2020 - 17:46
FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Fight Washington’s Anglin Fire
BOTHELL, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Anglin Fire burning in Okanogan County, approximately fifteen miles east of the city of Tonasket.
FEMA Region 10 Administrator Mike O’Hare determined that the fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. He approved the state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 11:15 p.m. PDT on Monday.
The fire started on Monday and had burned in excess of 400 acres of federal, state, and private land at the time of the state’s request. The fire was zero percent contained and was threatening approximately 200 homes in and around the town of Tonasket. Evacuations orders were issued for approximately 450 people.
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, $605,909 in mitigation assistance will be available to Washington. 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.
Savannah.Brehmer Fri, 07/31/2020 - 16:36Understanding Your FEMA Letter: What to Do Next
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan residents who applied for assistance from FEMA after sustaining damage in the May 16-22 severe storms and flooding may have received a letter from FEMA saying they are ineligible for housing assistance.
Read the letter carefully to understand the reason for your determination. It will explain the application status and what you can do to respond. Here are some of the more common reasons for potential ineligibility:
No inspection.
- When you registered, you reported the disaster has not made your home unsafe to live in.
- FEMA will send you a No Inspection letter advising you are not eligible for assistance because the damage was minor, and you were able to live in the home.
- If your situation changes and the damage is worse than originally reported—or you discover your private well is unusable due to the disaster—you may call the FEMA helpline and an inspection may be issued.
Insured.
- FEMA determined insurance covered your essential needs. Federal assistance cannot duplicate insurance payments, but FEMA may be able to help when homeowners or flood insurance did not. You may submit your insurance settlement records to FEMA for review.
The following reasons for ineligibility require an applicant to submit an appeal in writing to be reconsidered for federal assistance. The appeal must include a letter along with additional information or documentation.
No proof of occupancy.
- You were unable to demonstrate you occupied the home at the time of the disaster. When FEMA is unable to verify this information, you may provide FEMA with 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 still safe, sanitary and functional.
- If you disagree with the home inspector’s decision, you can appeal. Get third-party documentation in writing (bid for repairs, condemnation notice, etc.) that states 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. However, you have since found further damage to your home and must move.
- Since your housing needs have since changed, contact FEMA to update your housing status and explain why you had (or will have) to relocate. If it’s within 30 days from the date of the decision letter, you can call the FEMA helpline and update your status. Any request made more than 30 days after the date of the decision letter must be made in writing.
To appeal a FEMA decision:
Send a letter with any additional documentation to FEMA asking for reconsideration. This must be done within 60 days of the date of your ineligibility 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.
- Online via a FEMA online account: to set up an online account, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Check Status” and follow the directions.
There may be other reasons why FEMA determined you were ineligible. However, you may still 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 you have questions about the letter you received, get in touch with FEMA by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
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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 Fri, 07/31/2020 - 16:12Federal Assistance Totals More than $25 Million in Michigan
“FEMA and our federal partners are working closely with the state of Michigan to provide help to disaster survivors as quickly as possible,” said Waddy Gonzalez, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for the Michigan disaster recovery operation. “Federal assistance is just one part of the whole community effort to support Mid-Michigan’s recovery from the disaster earlier this year.”
To date, FEMA has provided the following assistance:
County Approved Registrations Approved Funding
Arenac 43 $229,059
Gladwin 196 $2,367,421
Iosco 11 $68,401
Midland 878 $10,910,352
Saginaw 138 $811,617
TOTAL 1,266 $14,386,850
SBA approved 141 loans to individuals and businesses for a total of $10,943,100.
In addition, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has paid out more than $22.2 million in claims to policyholders—averaging $56,312 per claim, with 460 claims filed to-date.
To register for federal disaster assistance, individuals, including those who use 711 relay or VRS, are encouraged to call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET seven days a week until further notice. Another option is to register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA App. The registration deadline is September 8, 2020.
Homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes can also apply for SBA low-interest disaster loans to help cover immediate, repair, rebuilding and replacement costs.
To apply, complete an online application at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ or call SBA at 800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339). For more information, visit sba.gov/.
SBA has three dedicated phone lines to assist Michigan residents impacted by the May 16-22 flooding. To reach an SBA Customer Service Representative directly call 571-422-8013 or 571-422-6016 or 571-422-0331. Email questions to FOCE-Help@sba.gov.
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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 Fri, 07/31/2020 - 16:06Calaveras County Receives $2.8 Million to Ensure Safe Water After a Wildfire
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted $2.1 million to the Calaveras County Water District. A new project will replace five wooden water tanks with four ignition-resistant steel tanks to ensure more than 3,500 residents do not lose access to safe drinking water after a wildfire.
Calaveras County’s redwood water tanks, serving the communities along Ebbetts Pass Highway, west of Arnold, CA, were nearly consumed by wildfires in 1992, 2001, and 2015. To ensure future protection, the scope of the project includes both the installation of four steel tanks and the expansion of the area’s defensible space by removing hazardous fuels like dead trees, saplings, and other vegetation around the installation site to significantly diminish the community’s wildfire threat to its potable water facilities.
Communities that lose access to local water tanks can suffer service disruptions for months while permanent tanks and piping are installed, requiring local government to purchase, transport, and connect emergency water.
The $2.8 million project includes a $2.1 million grant from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), with the remaining $700,000 from non-federal sources.
FEMA’s HMGP helps states, territories, federally-recognized tribes, local communities, and certain private, non-profit organizations become more resilient to potential infrastructure damage and reduce future disaster costs. In the past 31 years, FEMA has invested nearly $1.4 billion to reduce disaster risk in California.
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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 Fri, 07/31/2020 - 14:46West Pittston, Pa., Saves Residents Money on Flood Insurance Premiums
PHILADELPHIA – Residents of West Pittston, Pa., now have even lower flood insurance premiums available as a result of the community’s initiatives to implement better floodplain management measures encouraged by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) created the voluntary Community Rating System (CRS) program to recognize local efforts to reduce flood risk and to reward communities, their residents and businesses by saving them money on flood insurance premiums. The Borough of West Pittston entered the Community Rating System as a Class 7 community effective May 1, 2020.
“West Pittston’s leadership, hard work, and accomplishments in floodplain management are to be celebrated because of the additional protection the borough’s actions provide to its citizens and properties,” FEMA Region 3 Deputy Division Director for Mitigation Nicole Lick said. “In addition to insurance cost savings, CRS communities take steps targeted to minimize overall flood risk and build community resilience. We would like to thank the borough for taking actions to protect lives and property from future flood risk.”
NFIP policies written in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) of West Pittston may now receive a 15 percent premium discount resulting in an average annual savings of about $592 for each policy. In addition, policies written outside the FEMA-mapped floodplain may receive a 5 percent annual premium discount. Overall, a Class 7 rating results in a total savings of $34,437 annually for the citizens here.
Under the CRS, local officials are asked to meet three goals: (1) reduce flood losses, (2) facilitate accurate insurance rating and (3) promote the awareness of flood insurance. Communities which apply to participate in the CRS are required to provide information demonstrating their floodplain management program exceeds the minimum compliance requirements of the NFIP. The program includes 10 different class rating levels based on the number and type of activities initiated by participating communities. For each class advancement, NFIP policy holders may receive an additional 5 percent reduction in their flood insurance premiums up to a 45 percent reduction for a Class 1 community.
“In addition to insurance cost savings, CRS communities take pre-disaster mitigation steps to minimize overall flood risk and build community resilience,” said MaryAnn Tierney, FEMA Region 3 regional administrator. “We would like to thank the Borough of West Pittston for taking actions to protect lives and property from flood risk.”
To learn more about the Community Rating System, visit www.FEMA.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-community-rating-system. For information about flood insurance, property owners should contact their insurance agent, visit www.FEMA.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, or call the NFIP's toll-free information line at 1-800-427-4661.
If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at (215) 931-5597 or at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov
zella.campbell Fri, 07/31/2020 - 09:57President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Disaster Declaration for the United States Virgin Islands
WASHINGTON – FEMA announced federal disaster assistance has been made available to the United States Virgin Islands to supplement the territory’s response efforts in the areas affected by Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine from July 27, 2020, and continuing.
Federal funding is available to the territory, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, at 75 percent federal funding. This assistance is available for the islands of St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas and Water Island.
William L. Vogel has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of the damage assessments.
luther.wills-dudich Thu, 07/30/2020 - 10:46President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Disaster Declaration for Puerto Rico
WASHINGTON – FEMA announced federal disaster assistance has been made available to the commonwealth of Puerto Rico to supplement the commonwealth’s response efforts in the areas affected by potential Tropical Cyclone Nine from July 27, 2020 and continuing.
Federal funding is available to the commonwealth, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, at 75 percent federal funding. This assistance is available for all 78 municipalities in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Alexis Amparo has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of the damage assessments.
luther.wills-dudich Thu, 07/30/2020 - 10:40FEMA Announces Redesign of FEMA.gov Website
WASHINGTON – Continuing its goal to reduce the complexity of FEMA and speed information and assistance to individuals and communities impacted by disasters, today the agency launched the redesigned FEMA.gov website.
The site has experienced rapid growth with more than 80 million page visits in the past two years, making it one of the agency’s most important communication tools and the foundation of its online presence. The redesign focused on improving the user experience with a more intuitive navigation menu to help visitors discover information more easily and a geo-filtering option to quickly sort the most relevant updates for their location.
The redesigned site incorporates elements designed to set a new bar for simplicity and consistency across government services:
- User focus. FEMA.gov menus now organize content by key audiences and their information needs. Site visitors can better identify where to find the information they are looking for, rather than having to understand the agency’s internal organizational charts to find needed information.
- Getting local. A new geo-filter search function allows people to enter a state or zip code and see active disaster declarations, alerts, press releases, and other information specific to their location.
- Modern web design. The new FEMA.gov makes use of the U.S. Web Design System, which helps the federal government design and build better online experiences for the American public. The launch of the new site is a key step towards creating a unified, accessible and consistent experience for customers across all digital platforms and media.
- Compliance. The redesign will bring the site in compliance with federally mandated requirements, to include those required by the 21st Century IDEA Act, Section 508 and Plain Language legislation to make FEMA’s resources accessible to everyone. Every person– from disaster survivors to our employees, and everyone in between – will have equal access to resource and information.
Users are encouraged to provide comments and feedback via the contact page at the new FEMA.gov.
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FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters.
luther.wills-dudich Thu, 07/30/2020 - 10:01Wells May be Eligible for FEMA Assistance
MIDLAND, Mich. –– Michigan residents who lost access to water through their private wells due to the May disaster could be considered for financial assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.
Even if your primary residence itself was not damaged, you may still be eligible for disaster assistance if your private well is dry, damaged or collapsed.
The cost of drilling a new well may be considered for federal funding if the private well is the sole source of water for the primary residence and is unusable, even if it is not damaged.
Steps to take to be considered for assistance with your private well:- If you have not yet registered with FEMA you should call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462- 7585). The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET seven days a week until further notice. Or register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA App. During the registration process, make sure to report any impacts to your well as a result of the disaster.
- If you have registered for FEMA assistance and have not had a home inspection you should let the FEMA inspector know if you have a private well. If you have already had an inspection and the well wasn’t reported, you may send FEMA a dated and signed letter, along with a contractor’s estimate, indicating you are appealing for the well.
- You should provide to FEMA a verifiable estimate/receipt indicating the well was physically damaged, collapsed, and/or is no longer producing potable water as a direct result of the disaster. You will need to include a dated and signed written letter, along with the contractor’s estimate, indicating they are appealing for the well.
- If the submitted estimates/receipts do not specifically include this information, FEMA will call the contractor to confirm the information.
- Note: Upon appeal, FEMA may pay the actual cost for drilling (not to exceed 400 linear feet, on the first appeal) when a verified contractor’s estimate is on file. If the contractor reaches 400 linear feet and needs to continue to drill further, FEMA will accept a verbal confirmation from the contractor, and process an additional appeal award at actual cost.
You may always contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) if you have any questions about your disaster assistance options.
zella.campbell Mon, 07/27/2020 - 22:47City of New Bern to Receive More Than $1.9 Million for Electrical Repairs
RALEIGH, N.C. – The State of North Carolina and FEMA have approved more than $1.9 million to reimburse the City of New Bern for repair costs following Hurricane Florence.
Funds cover repairs to the city’s electrical distribution system damaged during Hurricane Florence. Repairs included replacing storm-damaged conductors, transformers and utility poles.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants for state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to reimburse the cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent repair work.
The City of New Bern has been approved for more than $47.7 million for Hurricane Florence-related expenses.
Public Assistance is a cost-sharing program. FEMA reimburses applicants at least 75 percent of eligible costs and the remaining 25 percent is covered by the state. The federal share is paid directly to the state to disburse to agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations that incurred costs.
FEMA’s total share for this project is more than $1.4 million and the state’s share is more than $489,000.
zella.campbell Mon, 07/27/2020 - 22:41FEMA Updates Flood Maps in Stanislaus County, CA
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is updating Stanislaus County, CA flood maps in 2020. New maps identify the current flood hazards and provide data to guide building officials, contractors, and homeowners make effective mitigation decisions, thereby contributing to safer and more resilient communities.
Before the new Stanislaus County Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) become effective, there is a 90-day appeal period from July 30 to October 28, 2020. During that time, residents with technical and scientific information, such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data, can appeal the flood risk information on the preliminary maps.
Flood hazards are dynamic and change frequently for many reasons, including weather patterns, erosion, and community development. FEMA, Stanislaus County, and the cities of Ceres, Modesto, Newman, and Patterson worked together to collect new or updated flood hazard data to modernize the flood maps and reflect these changes, which may also affect building or insurance requirements.
The local mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce the effects of flooding on new and improved structures. FEMA encourages residents to review the preliminary flood maps to learn about local flood risks, potential future flood insurance requirements, and identify any concerns or questions about the information provided.
Risk of flooding affects almost every corner of the nation. In total, 98% of counties have experienced a flood event, which makes floods the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters.
You can view the preliminary FIRMs at fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
For further details, visit stancounty.com/planning/bp/floodplain-management.shtm or contact Stanislaus County at (209) 498-7898, (209) 525-4130 or (209) 565-6557.
zella.campbell Mon, 07/27/2020 - 22:35Readiness Builds Resilience for People with Disabilities
ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands – All residents should prepare to be self-sufficient in the immediate aftermath of a hurricane and take steps to protect their property. Those with disabilities and others with access and functional needs may have additional considerations.
These may include:
- Create a support network and maintain contact with those who can assist you. Keep a contact list in a watertight container in your emergency kit. Learn more at www.ready.gov/kit.
- Inform your support network where your emergency supplies are kept. You may want to give someone in your support network a key to your home.
- Plan for accessible transportation to evacuate or get to a medical clinic. Work with local services, public transportation or paratransit to identify local or private accessible transportation options.
- If dialysis is part of your health maintenance plan, know where multiple facilities are located.
- Determine how to use medical equipment in the event of a power outage.
- Wear medical alert tags or bracelets.
- If you have a communication disability, make note of the best way to communicate with you in an emergency.
- Plan how to evacuate with assistive devices or how to replace equipment if it is lost or destroyed. Write down model information and note who provided it, such as Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. Add this to your watertight container with your other important documents.
- If you have a service animal, be sure to include food, water, identification tags and supplies. It is also important to have cash in your kit in case you need to purchase supplies.
- A weather radio with text display and a flashing alert along with extra batteries.
- Extra hearing-aid batteries.
- A headlamp to illuminate people with whom you are communicating.
- Pen and paper in case you must communicate with someone who does not know sign language
- Marking emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies on a portable flash drive or make an audio file that is kept in a safe and is accessible.
- Keep a Braille, or deaf-blind communications device in an emergency supply kit.
- If you are using a power wheelchair, have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup. Show your support network how to operate your wheelchair.
- Know the size and weight of your wheelchair and if it is collapsible for transportation.
- Keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker, if you use one.
Now is the time to prepare. Find more information at ready.gov/disability.
zella.campbell Mon, 07/27/2020 - 22:29President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Disaster Declaration for Texas
WASHINGTON – FEMA announced federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Texas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Hanna from July 25, 2020, and continuing.
Federal funding is available to the state, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, at 75 percent federal funding. This assistance is available in Aransas, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Dimmit, Duval, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Harris, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, Matagorda, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Victoria, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, and Zapata counties.
Jerry S. Thomas has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of the damage assessments.
zella.campbell Mon, 07/27/2020 - 22:24President Donald J. Trump Approves Emergency Disaster Declaration for Hawaii
WASHINGTON – FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Hawaii to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Douglas from July 23, 2020 and continuing.
Federal funding is available to the state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support at 75 percent federal funding by the hurricane in Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Honolulu counties.
Dolph A. Diemont has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. Diemont said additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments
zella.campbell Mon, 07/27/2020 - 22:20City of New Bern to Receive More Than $1.9 Million for Electrical Repairs
July 24, 2020
DR-4393-NC NR 220
Media Contact: 919-825-2514
News Release
City of New Bern to Receive More Than $1.9 Million for Electrical Repairs