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DHS News and Updates
FEMA Awards $78 million to Iowa for COVID-19 Response
KANSAS CITY, MO – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated $78 million to the State of Iowa to help reimburse eligible expenses for emergency protective measures that the state has incurred as a result of its response to COVID-19.
FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Battle Florida’s Five Mile Swamp Fire
ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to Florida to fight the Five Mile Swamp fire in Santa Rosa County.
This authorization makes FEMA grant funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling the fires. Eligible costs can include labor, equipment and supplies used for fighting the fire and costs for emergency work such as evacuations and sheltering, police barricading and traffic control.
Fact Sheet: How to Appeal FEMA’s Decision on Eligibility
Applicants for FEMA assistance are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Not everyone who applies will necessarily qualify for aid and amounts vary based on individual and/or household needs.
The amount and type of housing assistance you receive might be different from assistance your neighbor receives, even though the damage appears to be similar. For example, one homeowner might have more extensive insurance coverage than the homeowner next door, which could result in a different amount of FEMA assistance received.
Photos of Whole-of-America COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON -- The whole-of-America response to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic continued today, as National Guardsmen performed support duties in Delaware and Oklahoma, while active-duty soldiers returned from duty in the New York area.
FEMA continues to expedite movement of commercially pre-sourced and procured critical supplies from the global market to medical distributors in various locations across the U.S. through Project Airbridge.
FEMA Obligates Nearly $89 Million to Rebuild the Island’s Hospitals
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – To date, FEMA has obligated nearly $89 million to repair and rebuild hospitals and health centers across the island. Over half of these funds are for permanent work for 258 facilities that will benefit the communities and residents they serve.
Five Schools Announced as Winners in Rocky Mountain Environmental Challenge
Schools presented innovative ideas that address natural hazard risks in Colorado
DENVER – Today, Earth Force and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the winners of the 2020 Rocky Mountain Environmental Challenge (RMEC). Winners include teams from schools in Fort Collins, Estes Park and Milliken, Colorado.
Use Disaster Assistance Grants Wisely
CANTON, Miss. – If you are a disaster survivor in Mississippi’s Covington, Jefferson Davis or Jones Counties, you may have recently received an assistance grant from FEMA for damages to your residence or possessions.
It’s important to remember the funds FEMA has provided you may only be used for specific disasterrelated expenses.
What to Expect After You Register
Some Survivors May Be Contacted for Remote Home Inspections
COLUMBIA, S.C. - If you were affected by the April 12-13 severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds in Aiken, Colleton, Hampton, Marlboro, Oconee, Orangeburg and Pickens counties, you may be eligible for FEMA help.
Assistance provided by FEMA for homeowners and renters can include grants for rent and repairs to make their primary home habitable. It can also help other serious disaster-related needs like replacing essential household items, medical and dental expenses and funeral and burial costs.
Citizenship Requirements: Survivors Registering for Federal Assistance
NASHVILLE – FEMA is committed to helping all eligible disaster survivors recover from the April 12-13 Tennessee severe storms and tornadoes, including U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals and qualified aliens.
Photos of Whole-of-America COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON -- The whole-of-America response to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic continued today, as National Guardsmen provide much-needed support from Ohio to New Mexico.
Meanwhile, FEMA’s Region 3 office is coordinating medical supplies distribution from a Republic of Turkey donation.
FEMA continues to expedite movement of commercially pre-sourced and procured critical supplies from the global market to medical distributors in various locations across the U.S. through Project Airbridge.
Federal Support to Expand National Testing Capabilities
Testing is critical to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and mitigate its threat to public health. President Trump has led a historic effort to revolutionize testing in the United States to confront this challenge.
State, FEMA Continue Working on Tennessee Disaster Recovery
NASHVILLE – The deadline for individuals and households in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties to apply for FEMA disaster assistance has passed, but work continues on Tennessee’s recovery from the March 3 tornadoes.
Survivors in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties who registered with FEMA can check the status of their applications, ask questions and get information in several ways:
FEMA Issues Public Notice
SALEM, Ore. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is required by law to provide public notice of its intent to provide federal assistance and grant opportunities via the Public Assistance (PA), Individual Assistance (IA), or Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) programs.
A public notice for the current disaster recovery mission is attached and posted on the following two websites:
• The Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) site: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/Pages/default.aspx
In Case You Missed it: FEMA Encourages Hurricane Preparedness Now in COVID-19 Environment
WASHINGTON – FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor emphasized the importance of hurricane preparedness during an exclusive interview with AXIOS May 2 and The Weather Channel today, as the nation continues its unprecedented COVID-19 response.
FEMA Approves Historic Amount of 552 Project Obligations
This is a record number of obligations during a single month since the onset of the disaster, which includes 458 permanent work projects for municipalities
FEMA Awards Federal Funding for Mental Health Services to Tennessee during Coronavirus Pandemic
ATLANTA – Federal funding is now available for the state of Tennessee to provide crisis counseling services to its residents coping with stress and anxiety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 30, the presidential disaster declaration for Tennessee was amended to include the Crisis Counseling program. The program assists individuals and communities in recovering from the psychological effects of disasters through community-based outreach and educational services.
FEMA Awards Federal Funding for Mental Health Services to South Carolina during Coronavirus Pandemic
ATLANTA – Federal funding is now available for the state of South Carolina to provide crisis counseling services to its residents coping with stress and anxiety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 30, the presidential disaster declaration for South Carolina was amended to include the Crisis Counseling program. The program assists individuals and communities in recovering from the psychological effects of disasters through community-based outreach and educational services.
FEMA Awards Federal Funding for Mental Health Services to Mississippi during Coronavirus Pandemic
ATLANTA – Federal funding is now available for the state of Mississippi to provide crisis counseling services to its residents coping with stress and anxiety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 30, the presidential disaster declaration for Mississippi was amended to include the Crisis Counseling program. The program assists individuals and communities in recovering from the psychological effects of disasters through community-based outreach and educational services.
FEMA Awards Federal Funding for Mental Health Services to North Carolina during Coronavirus Pandemic
ATLANTA – Federal funding is now available for the state of North Carolina to provide crisis counseling services to its residents coping with stress and anxiety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 30, the presidential disaster declaration for North Carolina was amended to include the Crisis Counseling program. The program assists individuals and communities in recovering from the psychological effects of disasters through community-based outreach and educational services.
FEMA Awards Federal Funding for Mental Health Services to Georgia during Coronavirus Pandemic
ATLANTA – Federal funding is now available for the state of Georgia to provide crisis counseling services to its residents coping with stress and anxiety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 30, the presidential disaster declaration for Georgia was amended to include the Crisis Counseling program. The program assists individuals and communities in recovering from the psychological effects of disasters through community-based outreach and educational services.