COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, Nov. 1) – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), offering information on disaster assistance to survivors of the storms and floods of Hurricane Matthew, will open in Georgetown County Nov. 1.  The center will be located at the Beck Recreation Center, 2030 Church St., Georgetown, SC 29440. It will operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.  It is closed on Sunday.

The DRC is staffed by state and federal disaster recovery specialists, and representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration, various state agencies and voluntary organizations.  It is a one-stop shop for survivors seeking information on programs available to them or needing one-on-one help with disaster recovery issues.

DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities. The centers have tools to amplify sound, magnifiers and materials in alternative formats along with video remote interpretation. Sign language interpreters are available upon request at the center.

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting a DRC by calling 800 621-3362 (voice, 711, video services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY).  Or they can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Registering with FEMA is the first step toward qualifying for disaster assistance which may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacements and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Other DRCs operating in the state are:

Beaufort County

Burton Wells Recreation Center 1 Middleton Recreation Drive Beaufort, S.C. 29906

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Closed Thursday through Sunday.

Dorchester County

Miles Road Baptist Church Community Life Center 816 Miles Road

Summerville, SC 29485

  1. a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Florence County

Ragsdale Old Warehouse 245 S. Church St.

Lake City, SC 29560

  1. a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Horry County

South Strand Recreation Center 6950 Scipio Lane

Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Marion County

Mullins City Hall 151 NE Front Street Mullins, SC 29574

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Saffold Building

6876 Highway 908 Gresham, SC 29546

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Orangeburg County

Orangeburg County Government Building 8423 Old State Road

Holly Hill, SC 29059

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

YMCA

2550 St. Matthew Road Orangeburg, SC 29118

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Williamsburg County

Williamsburg Recreation Center 2084 Thurgood Marshall Highway Kingstree, SC 29556

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

FEMA mitigation specialists are available at DRCs to provide literature to survivors on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to make homes more flood resistant.

For more specific NFIP questions, survivors can call the NFIP Support Call Center by dialing 1-800- 621-FEMA (3362) and pressing 2.  For mold and mildew information, visit your local health department.

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).

You can  receive weather alerts, safety tips and learn about disaster resources by downloading the free FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices. Visit fema.gov/mobile-app for more information.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA 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 non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at  www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

Original article:

Georgetown County gets first Disaster Recovery Center

WASHINGTON –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Minnesota to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of September 21-24, 2016. 

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms and flooding in Blue Earth, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, and Waseca counties.

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

David G. Samaniego has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Samaniego said additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. 

FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Link to article – 

President Declares Major Disaster for Minnesota

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Monday, Oct. 31) – South Carolina residents who are not U.S. citizens may be eligible for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to recover from Hurricane Matthew storm and flood damage.

The aid is available to citizens, non-citizen nationals, and qualified aliens. Qualified aliens include those with legal permanent residence (Green Card holders). Their status will not be jeopardized by requesting disaster assistance.

A non-citizen parent or guardian who isn’t eligible may register for assistance on behalf of a U.S. born child under age 18, including a new-born, who is a citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien. No information will be gathered on the parent or guardian’s status.

When registering for disaster assistance, FEMA requires applicants to certify whether they are citizens, non-citizen nationals or qualified aliens.

The status of a qualified alien includes:

  • Legal permanent residents (those with Green Cards);
  • Those with refugee or asylum status;
  • Those whose deportation has been withheld;
  • Those on parole into the U.S. for at least one year for humanitarian purposes;
  • Those with conditional entry;
  • Those who are Cuban-Haitian entrants; and
  • Those with petitions for relief based on battery or extreme cruelty by a family member.

FEMA conducts random audits of applications to verify U.S. citizenship and qualified alien documentation issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. However, assistance can be given as long as someone in the household is entitled to it, and no information will be gathered regarding the status of others in the household.

Undocumented immigrants from a household with no one eligible for cash assistance from FEMA may still be eligible for programs run by state, local or voluntary agencies.

Assistance for eligible individuals and small businesses includes funds for temporary housing and necessary home repairs, individual and household grants, disaster unemployment assistance, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration and other programs.

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).

You can  receive weather alerts, safety tips and learn about disaster resources by downloading the free FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices. Visit fema.gov/mobile-app for more information.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA 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 non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at  www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

This article is from – 

Non U.S. Citizens May Be Eligible To Receive Disaster Assistance

RALEIGH, N.C. – A FEMA/NCEM mobile disaster recovery center (DRC) which opened in Dare County on Monday will now remain open until Saturday, Nov. 5.

Recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, North Carolina Emergency Management and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to speak with you face-to-face to answer questions you may have regarding the disaster assistance process, other assistance available and even help you register if you haven’t already. If you have registered, they can provide you with an update of your application status and if needed, discuss the appeal process.

Location:                   Hatteras Village Civic Center

56658 NC 12

Hatteras, NC 27943

Regular hours:          Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The mobile DRC will open in other Dare County locations next week. FEMA and the state also have Disaster Recovery Centers open in other impacted counties. To locate the center nearest to you, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or download the FEMA or ReadyNC mobile apps. If you have access to a computer, you can go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or ncdps.gov.

If possible, register with FEMA before visiting a disaster recovery center.

If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service (VRS). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
  • Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation such as American Sign Language interpreting, Braille large print, etc. while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the FEMA Helpline for support. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in many languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4285 and readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @ncemergency.

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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 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

Original article: 

FEMA/NCEM Extend Mobile Disaster Recovery Center in Dare County until Saturday Nov. 5

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Saturday, Oct. 29) — Following initial application review by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), South Carolina survivors who have applied for disaster assistance will receive a “letter of eligibility.” Applicants may be told they are eligible for disaster assistance or that they have been determined ineligible.

If you are eligible, the letter explains the amount of your grant and how it is to be used. If the letter says you are ineligible, the grant amount reads “0”, but in many cases that is not the last word.

FEMA officials in South Carolina report that the most common reasons for denial of assistance in Hurricane Matthew are:

  • Insufficient storm-related damage to affect the habitability of the damaged home. FEMA will provide assistance to assure your home is habitable – that it is safe, functional and sanitary.
  • Survivors have chosen to remain in their damaged homes while repairs are being made. In these cases they may be eligible to receive assistance for repairs, but are ineligible for housing assistance.
  • Duplication of applications. Two people (husband and wife, for example) have applied for assistance for the same damaged home. Only one application per household is allowed.

A letter may indicate your application is missing information such as verification of occupancy or proof that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the Hurricane Matthew storms and flooding that began Oct. 4, 2016.

If you are instructed, you can simply submit missing documentation to FEMA online, by mail or fax, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). You can find the location of the nearest DRC by visiting  DisasterAssistance.gov .

Applicants who do not receive a letter or who have questions about their determination of denial should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for an explanation, or visit their FEMA account at DisasterAssistance.gov.

A copy of “Help After a Disaster” will be included with your letter of determination. The booklet explains additional assistance that may be available to survivors and answers questions about filing an appeal.

Any applicant that has been denied assistance may file an appeal. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a DRC for more information about the appeal process. You can submit your appeal and the required documentation online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

In South Carolina, the “One SC Fund” supports and directs funds to nonprofit organizations providing disaster relief & recovery assistance. For more information, visit  yourfoundation.org/community-impact/one-sc-fund-sc-flood-relief/. Survivors in the state who need food, clothing, and shelter are urged to call 2-1-1, and for storm clean up to call 800-451- 1954.

For more information, visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at  scemd.org/recovery-section/ia .

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 or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

You can  receive weather alerts, safety tips and learn about disaster resources by downloading the free FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices. Visit  fema.gov/mobile-app  for more information.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at  https://twitter.com/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA 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 non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

Visit link:

FEMA’s letter of eligibility: Read it very carefully

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Thursday, Oct. 27) – In the three weeks since Hurricane Matthew struck South Carolina spawning damaging storms and floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $21.8 million in disaster assistance grants, loans and flood insurance payments.

As of the close of business Oct. 26, FEMA had approved $15.2 million through its Individuals and Households Program, and nearly $5 million in National Flood Insurance Program payments.

Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved 42 low-interest disaster loans for

$1,670,500.

Survivors have until Dec. 13, 2016 to complete the FEMA application process. The State of South Carolina and FEMA encourage anyone with housing needs caused by the devastating storms and floods of Hurricane Matthew to register for disaster assistance.

  • Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call toll-free 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines are open daily until further notice.
  • Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for help. Eight DRCs are operating in Orangeburg (2), Marion (2), Williamsburg, Dorchester, Horry and Florence counties. Representatives from FEMA, SBA and various state agencies are on hand to answer questions.

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).

You can  receive weather alerts, safety tips and learn about disaster resources by downloading the free FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices. Visit fema.gov/mobile-app for more information.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA 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 non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at  www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

Read the article: 

By the Numbers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Thursday, Oct. 27) – The latest Disaster Recovery Center in South Carolina formally opens Friday, Oct. 28 in Horry County to provide assistance to survivors of the devastation from Hurricane Matthew.

The new center is located at the South Strand Recreation Center, 9650 Scipio Lane, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, and closed on Sunday. It is the eighth center to open in the state.

Representatives from various South Carolina state agencies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community staff the center, giving survivors a chance to discover what assistance programs are available to them, and to get their questions answered.

All Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible and equipped to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids.

The other centers are:

Dorchester County

Miles Road Baptist Church 819 Miles Road Summerville, SC 29485

a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Florence County

Ragsdale Old Warehouse 245 S. Church St. Lake City, SC 29560

a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Marion County

Mullins City Hall 111 NE Front Street Mullins, SC 29574

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Saffold Building 6882 Highway 908 Gresham, SC 29546

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Orangeburg County

Orangeburg County Building 8423 Old State Road

Holly Hill, SC 29059

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

YMCA

2550 St. Matthew Road Orangeburg, SC 29118

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Williamsburg County

Williamsburg Recreation Center 2084 Thurgood Marshall Highway Kingstree, SC 29556

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Disaster survivors who have questions may call the FEMA Helpline. Survivors can apply online at  DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

If possible, register for FEMA assistance by phone or online before visiting a center. Going to a DRC is not a requirement of registration, but specialists there can provide guidance regarding disaster recovery and rental resources, explain written correspondence received from FEMA, inform survivors of the status of their application, make referrals to other organizations and answer questions.

When registering, applicants will be asked to provide:

  • Social Security number;
  • Address of the damaged primary residence;
  • Description of the damage;
  • Information about insurance coverage;
  • A current contact telephone number;
  • An address where they can receive mail;
  • Bank account and routing numbers for those preferring direct deposit of funds.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Also, low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for Businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofits, homeowners and renters.

Low-interest disaster loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available to businesses and private-nonprofits to assist with working capital needs as a direct result of the disaster.

Survivors – in all 23 qualifying counties – should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled. South Carolina counties designated for individual assistance are: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg counties. All designated counties also are now eligible to receive grants for debris removal and assistance for certain emergency protective measures.

In South Carolina, the “One SC Fund” supports and directs funds to nonprofit organizations providing disaster relief & recovery assistance. yourfoundation.org/community-impact/one-sc-fund-sc-flood-  relief/. Survivors in the state who need food, clothing, and shelter to call 2-1-1, and for storm clean up to call 1-800-451-1954.

For more information, visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at  scemd.org/recovery-section/ia

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).

More here: 

Horry County Gets Disaster Recovery Center

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Residents with disabilities or access and functional needs affected by the recent hurricanes in Florida can find many resources to assist in applying for federal disaster assistance.

Every resident in a declared disaster area receives the same services and assistance. This is a FEMA commitment.

FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) is available in nine counties affected by Hurricane Matthew: Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, Volusia and Indian River Counties. Residents in eight counties affected by Hurricane Hermine are also eligible to apply: Leon, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties.

Survivors can register the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • Download the FEMA mobile app.

  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711/VRS-Video Relay Service) (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available (for Spanish, press 2).

FEMA’s disaster recovery centers are locations where survivors can meet face-to-face with various agencies and service providers. The centers are equipped with accessibility kits that offer accommodations to meet the needs of the entire community, including people with disabilities and other access and functional needs.

In addition to accommodating survivors with disabilities, FEMA also reaches out to people with limited English proficiency by providing multilingual operators, making printed literature available in multiple languages and having translators available in the field. Information on the registration process is also available in American Sign Language at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Register with FEMA as soon as possible and, if asked, complete and return a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application. There is no charge to apply for the loan and no obligation to accept it if approved. Homeowners can receive loans of up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residences. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property including vehicles.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339), email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, fema.gov/disaster/4283, twitter.com/femaregion4, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers. For imagery, video, graphics and releases, see fema.gov/Hurricane-Matthew.

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Services Available for Matthew, Hermine Survivors with Disabilities, Access Needs

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $378,725 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Genesee County, Michigan, for the purchase and installation of 24 warning sirens.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of loss of life and property,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “Timely and effective warning sirens will allow people to make informed decisions and take action to protect themselves and their families.”

“The award of federal hazard mitigation funds is instrumental in ensuring the residents of Genesee County will remain safe during an emergency,” said Capt. Chris A Kelenske of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD).  “This mitigation project is a positive example of local, state and federal agencies working together to prepare for and respond to all hazards.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $512,100 eligible project cost.  The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $133,375, will be provided by Genesee County.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
 

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

Source – 

FEMA Awards $378,725 Grant to Genesee County to Support Emergency Services

BATON ROUGE, La. –Livingston Parish school campuses have reopened for students and teachers with the help of a $17.5 million FEMA grant.

The grant paid for work to eliminate health and safety hazards so thousands of Livingston Parish students could return to school. Damage from August’s floods forced parish schools to close for a month. Work included removing wet floors, walls and contents and other mold elimination measures like drying and cleaning.                                                                                                      

Students returned to the following 11 refurbished Livingston Parish school campuses: Doyle Elementary, Holden School, Springfield Elementary, Denham Springs Junior High, Freshwater Elementary, Northside Elementary, Lewis Vincent Elementary, Seventh Ward Elementary, Walker Freshman High, Westside Junior High and Live Oak High.

The funding also assisted the following five campuses where more recovery work remains before they reopen: Denham Springs Elementary, Denham Springs Freshman High, Denham Springs High, Southside Elementary and Southside Junior High.

The $17.5 million came from FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program. The program helps to repair or replace critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, public buildings and schools. PA also helps certain private nonprofit organizations.

FEMA typically reimburses 75 percent of eligible PA expenses. However, FEMA will reimburse applicants 90 percent of eligible PA expenses given the magnitude of the August floods.

See more here: 

Livingston Parish Schools Clean Up and Reopen with Federal Help

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