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Ahead of Tropical Storm Arthur, FEMA Urges Residents to Take Steps to Prepare, Listen to Local Officials

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its National Watch Center in Washington and its regional office in Atlanta, and in coordination with the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center, is monitoring the conditions of Tropical Storm Arthur off the east coast of Florida. FEMA remains in close contact with state emergency management partners in potentially affected states.

According to the National Weather Service, a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the east coast of Florida from Fort Pierce to Flagler Beach. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 24 hours. Tropical Storm Arthur is expected to move northwest today and then north on Wednesday. Arthur is expected to become a hurricane by Thursday near the coast of the Carolinas. Visit Hurricanes.gov and Weather.gov for the latest storm track and local forecasts.

FEMA urges residents and visitors in potentially affected areas to closely monitor the storm and take steps now to be prepared in advance of severe weather and most importantly, follow the direction of state, tribal and local officials.

FEMA has deployed liaisons to the emergency operations centers in North Carolina and South Carolina along with an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to North Carolina to coordinate with local officials, should support be requested, or needed. FEMA’s regional office in Atlanta is in contact with its emergency management partners in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. FEMA’s National Watch Center is at an Enhanced Watch.

As the first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Storm Arthur serves as a reminder for residents in areas prone to tropical storms and hurricanes to refresh their emergency kits and review family plans. If you do not have an emergency kit or family plan, or to learn about steps you can take now to prepare your family for severe weather, visit ready.gov.

At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States, that are available to state and local partners if needed and requested.

Tropical Storm Safety Tips:

Residents and visitors in potentially affected areas should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have a plan for their pets. Individuals should visit ready.gov or listo.gov to learn these and other preparedness tips for tropical storms.

Know your evacuation zone and be sure to follow the direction of state and local officials if an evacuation is ordered for your area.

Storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. It poses a significant threat for drowning and can occur before, during, or after the center of a storm passes through an area. Storm surge can sometimes cut off evacuation routes, so do not delay leaving if an evacuation is ordered for your area.

Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous and almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas, at bridges and at highway dips. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

If you encounter flood waters, remember – turn around, don’t drown.

Tropical Storms have the potential for tornado formation. If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately in the center of a small interior room (closet, interior hallway) on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.

Get to know the terms that are used to identify severe weather and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued.

For a tropical storm:

A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 39 MPH or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 39 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less.

For coastal flooding:

A Coastal Flood Watch is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is possible.

A Coastal Flood Warning is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is issued when minor or nuisance coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.

More safety tips on hurricanes and tropical storms can be found at ready.gov/hurricanes.

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Ahead of Tropical Storm Arthur, FEMA Urges Residents to Take Steps to Prepare, Listen to Local Officials

Two Months After Alabama Storms, Disaster Recovery Efforts Continue

Two Months After Alabama Storms, Disaster Recovery Efforts Continue

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – As America celebrates the anniversary of its birth, many Alabama residents are still picking up the pieces of their lives, homes and businesses from spring storms.

This year’s holiday marks the two-month anniversary of the devastating severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that raked the state from April 28 through May 5.

Disaster recovery efforts continue as the focus changes from cleanup to rebuilding. State and federal disaster assistance now exceeds $32 million for households, individuals and businesses of the nine counties affected. Of that total, nearly $13 million have gone to survivors in the form of U.S. Small Business Administration loans and another $19 million in other FEMA grants.

Counties eligible for disaster assistance include: Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

With the application deadline now extended through Tuesday, July 15, state and federal officials expect to see the number of applications for assistance continue to increase.

At peak operations, in mid-May, more than 415 state and federal employees from across the country were working to meet the needs of disaster survivors who have registered for FEMA assistance. As of July 2, more than 18,000 residents have applied.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams visited more than 8,000 Alabama homes to provide information on registering for federal aid, guide people in the registration process and follow-up on pre- or post-disaster needs.

To date, nearly 15,000 homes impacted by the disaster have been inspected for damages with a two day turnaround from the time of application to inspection.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is only one part of a large team that continues to bring resources to assist communities. This team includes coordinated efforts between federal, state, local, nonprofit, private sector and faith-based organizations.

Some partners opened shelters and provided food while others offered low-interest disaster assistance loans for rebuilding.

Serve Alabama, a state agency set up by Gov. Robert Bentley that works to increase volunteerism in the state, has coordinated the work of volunteer agencies after this disaster. As of mid-May the agency recorded that 3,048 volunteers from numerous organizations throughout the country had donated nearly 22,000 hours to help survivors clean up debris, repair and rebuild their homes following the spring storms.

“It takes many agencies, government and private, as well as many individuals to help a community and its residents recover,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albie Lewis. “And Alabama will recover and become safer and stronger for the long run.”

With debris removal nearing completion, FEMA has turned its attention to advising home and business owners of methods to repair and rebuild that can help reduce damages during future storms.

FEMA’s mitigation outreach at Lowe’s and Home Depot home improvement stores throughout the month of June helped to answer questions and give advice to 1,500 shoppers. One of the most frequently asked questions was how to prevent future damage.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program is in the process of reviewing grant applications for publicly owned facilities and storm-damaged infrastructure in the 21 counties. More than 105 Kick Off meetings with cities, communities and state applicants have been held to assess the needs, discuss disaster related damage and develop a plan of action for the facilities.

Grant money is flowing to state, county and local governments through PA reimbursement programs. Obligated funding includes nearly $500,000 for debris removal and nearly $342,000 to cover expenses related to storm response. Another nearly $285,000 has been obligated for reimbursement of infrastructure repair work.

An estimated $30 million in repairs and rebuilding infrastructure is anticipated for Alabama.

These grants provide at least 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency measures and permanent restoration. The state and local government evenly split the remaining 25 percent.

“We are proud to partner with FEMA and pleased by its rapid response and assistance following this disaster,” said Alabama’s State Coordinating Officer, Jeff Byard. “Much work remains, but thanks to all of our partners, we have come a long way.”

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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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.ema.alabama.gov/. For the joint Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/AlabamaEMA. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/AlabamaEMA or www.twitter.com/femaregion4

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Two Months After Alabama Storms, Disaster Recovery Efforts Continue

Don’t Delay, Register Today

Don’t Delay, Register Today

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Governor Robert Bentley requested and FEMA approved on Friday, June 27, to extend the deadline to apply for disaster assistance in the nine counties affected by the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding. The new deadline is Tuesday, July 15.

Counties approved for FEMA assistance through the Individuals and Households Program include Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

If you, a family member or a neighbor haven’t registered yet, this extension is for you. But don’t delay registration any longer. There are four ways to register:

Online at: www.disasterassistance.gov ;
Web-enabled phones at m.fema.gov;
Calling 800-621-3362 TTY 800-462-7585;
If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362.

FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s deadline to apply for disaster recovery loans also has been extended to July 15.

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are located at:

Elberta Town Hall, 10352 Main Street, Elberta, AL 36540;
Fairhope Civic Center (Delchamps Room), 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532;
Old Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Center, 4851 Museum Drive, Mobile, AL 36608.

Homeowners, renters and businesses can apply for an SBA disaster loan at the centers, which are open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through July 15. The centers will be closed Friday, July 4. FEMA representatives are located at these centers to answer questions.

Survivors also can go online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; or by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339. For information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

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Don’t Delay, Register Today

Disaster Assistance Helpline Available After Close of Registration

JACKSON, Miss. – The deadline to register for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance in Mississippi has closed; however, applicants who have registered may still call the FEMA helpline to check on the status of their application, appeal a decision, update contact information, or ask questions about the process. Call 800-621-3362. Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Applicants who registered but who discover that their insurance has not covered all losses have up to a year to submit additional documentation to FEMA. FEMA help may be available for essential items such as septic tanks, which many homeowner insurance policies don’t cover.

Applicants receiving temporary rental assistance will need to update their permanent housing plan and may need to document the need for continuing rental assistance. FEMA expects all families who receive temporary rental assistance to return to their damaged home when it is repaired or to locate and occupy affordable housing without FEMA rental assistance when possible to do so.

Survivors should not hesitate to contact the FEMA Help Line 800-621-3362 (TTY 462-7585) with any questions or concerns regarding disaster assistance from FEMA. Questions about the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans should be directed to SBA at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). 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.

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Disaster Assistance Helpline Available After Close of Registration

FEMA Rebuilding Specialists to Provide Advice in Brandon and Vicksburg

JACKSON, Miss. –Rebuilding or repairing property damaged from the recent severe storms? Residents in the Brandon and Vicksburg areas can get advice on building safer and smarter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Mitigation specialists from FEMA will be at Home Depot in Brandon and Vicksburg to offer information on rebuilding after a disaster. The advisors can answer questions about protecting homes from future disaster-related damage and offer tips to build hazard-resistant homes.

FEMA officials estimate that every dollar spent on mitigation saves almost four dollars if another disaster hits.

Homeowners and contractors can learn more at:

Home Depot

200 Orleans Way

Brandon, Miss. 39042

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tues., July 1—Thurs., July 3 and Sat., July 5

Home Depot

50 Falls Park Ferry Rd.

Vicksburg, Miss. 39180

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tues., July 1—Thurs., July 3 and Sat., July 5

The specialists will not be at the stores on Friday, July 4.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to FEMA.gov/Disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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FEMA Rebuilding Specialists to Provide Advice in Brandon and Vicksburg

FEMA Rebuilding Specialists to Provide Advice in Tupelo-Saltillo Area

JACKSON, Miss. – Rebuilding or repairing property damaged from the recent severe storms? Residents in the Tupelo-Saltillo area can get advice on building safer and smarter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Mitigation specialists from FEMA will be at Home Depot in Saltillo to offer information on rebuilding after a disaster. The advisors can answer questions about protecting homes from future disaster-related damage and offer tips to build hazard-resistant homes.

FEMA officials estimate that every dollar spent on mitigation saves almost four dollars if another disaster hits.

Homeowners and contractors can learn more at:

Home Depot

1074 Cross Creek Dr.

Saltillo, Miss. 38866

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tues., July 1 – Thurs., July 3 and Sat., July 5

The specialists will not be at the store on Friday, July 4.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to FEMA.gov/Disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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FEMA Rebuilding Specialists to Provide Advice in Tupelo-Saltillo Area

FEMA, SBA Deadline is Tomorrow for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

Jackson, Miss. – Tomorrow, June 30, 2014, is the last day for Mississippians to register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Tomorrow is also the deadline to submit an application for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

People who sustained damage in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties as a result of the tornadoes, severe storms and flooding that occurred from April 28 through May 3, 2014, may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Assistance for homeowners and renters may include money to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.

Low-interest disaster loans from SBA may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance. Filling out the SBA loan application is an important step toward recovery. No one has to accept a disaster loan, but completing and returning the application may open the door to other forms of assistance, such as additional FEMA grants. Today, June 30, 2014, is the deadline to submit a completed loan application to SBA.

Survivors can register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Central Time). Multilingual operators are available.

For additional information about SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov/disaster.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency website at msema.org or the Facebook page at facebook.com/msemaorg.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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FEMA, SBA Deadline is Tomorrow for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

FEMA Registration Deadline Monday; Nearly $17.7 Million Approved So Far

JACKSON, Miss. – Monday, June 30, 2014, is the deadline to register for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration. As the deadline approaches, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, FEMA and SBA announce that nearly $17.7 million in federal assistance has been approved for residents in 12 Mississippi counties.

Here is a summary through Thursday, June 26, of all federal assistance to individuals and households in the 12 counties designated for FEMA Individual Assistance. The severe storms, tornadoes and flooding occurred from April 28 through May 3, 2014.

Nearly $17.7 million in total federal disaster assistance has been approved by FEMA and SBA.
Of that, nearly $12.5 million in low-interest disaster loans has been approved by SBA for 197 homeowners, renters and businesses.
Almost $5.2 million in FEMA Individual Assistance grants has been approved to help Mississippi disaster survivors recover, including:
- More than $3.8 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
- Nearly $1.4 million approved to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and household possessions. Included is approval of assistance with funeral expenses for 12 disaster-related deaths.
More than 5,200 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.
- In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration and other partner agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. FEMA refers some survivors to those agencies.
- All businesses that contact FEMA also are referred to the SBA.

More than 2,800 home inspections have been completed.
More than 4,700 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews have visited 12,207 dwellings and assisted 9,298 survivors.
Almost 7,000 people have received advice from mitigation specialists on rebuilding safer and stronger.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Individuals and households in those counties can register for FEMA Individual Assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (central time) and assistance is available in multiple languages.

FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs such as Social Security, SNAP or Medicaid and is not considered taxable income.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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FEMA Registration Deadline Monday; Nearly $17.7 Million Approved So Far

Federal Aid for Alabama Reaches $32 Million; Registration Extension Approved

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Nearly $19 million has been approved through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individuals and Households Program. Another $1.3 million has been provided to state, county and local governments through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $12 million through its low-interest disaster loan program.

In addition, Gov. Robert Bentley has requested and FEMA has approved a two-week extension to the registration period, which now extends to July 15.

The following numbers, compiled June 26, provide a snapshot of the Alabama/FEMA disaster recovery to date:

Funds approved

$15.4 million for Housing Assistance grants to help with recovery rental expenses and home repair costs.
$3.5 million for Other Needs Assistance to cover essential disaster-related needs, such as medical expenses and lost personal possessions.
$12.6 million approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest loans to eligible homeowners, renters or business owners.
$1.3 million for Public Assistance programs including debris removal, storm response and infrastructure repair and replacement.

Survivor Recovery

14,819 damaged homes and property have been inspected (99 percent of requests).
4,592 visits have been made to the 11 Disaster Recovery Centers located in designated counties. (All centers have closed; five have transitioned to Disaster Loan Outreach Centers, operated by the SBA.)
9 counties designated for Individual Assistance.
21 counties designated for Public Assistance.

FEMA works with many volunteer agencies and the private sector to speed the recovery effort. Those affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding need to register with FEMA for disaster assistance.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance status, survivors are urged to apply for help. They can use the following methods:

By phone, call 800-621-3362 (FEMA) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Operators are multilingual. TTY 800-462-7585.
By computer, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov.

County-by-County approved breakdown of Individual Assistance:

County	Approved Registrations	Housing Assistance	Other Needs Assistance
Baldwin	1,917	$7,164,399.24	$1,258,250.56
Blount	24	138,544.00	9,989.77
DeKalb	25	71,001.00	20,674.77
Etowah	56	427,281.66	52,307.04
Jefferson	414	1,062,242.26	188,515.45
Lee	52	262,661.60	54,150.10
Limestone	291	908,563.24	481,081.43
Mobile	3,836	5,098,724.85	1,458,655.89
Tuscaloosa	59	270,328.58	66,951.64
Total:	6,674	$15,403,746.43	$3,590,576.65

Recovery officials urge all Alabama residents who have registered for assistance to stay in close contact with FEMA throughout the recovery process. This is especially true during the first weeks after registering when FEMA housing inspectors must contact applicants to view damages. Those with mobile phones should provide that number to FEMA during the registration.

Affected survivors and business owners in the nine designated counties may apply for assistance from FEMA and/or the SBA. Those counties are: Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers, operated by the SBA to assist survivors with questions about federal loans, are located in Baldwin and Mobile counties. These offices are located at:

Elberta Town Hall, 10352 Main Street, Elberta, AL 36540.
Fairhope Civic Center (Delchamps Room), 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532.
Old Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Center, 4851 Museum Drive, Mobile, AL 36608.

These facilities, which also are staffed with a FEMA specialist, are open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Tuesday, July 15. Outreach centers will be closed Friday, July 4.

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Federal Aid for Alabama Reaches $32 Million; Registration Extension Approved

FEMA Has Provided More Than $1.1 Million to Governments for Alabama Storm Repairs, Response Costs

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The federal government has already put more than $1.1 million in the hands of state, county, and local governments to reimburse them for their costs associated with the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that struck Alabama.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance (PA) program provides states, counties, municipalities, federally-recognized tribes and certain private nonprofit organizations with funding for clean-up, repairing public infrastructure and the cost of responding to declared disasters.

“We are working as hard as we can to get these funds out to the affected communities,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albie Lewis, the head of FEMA’s disaster recovery mission in Alabama. “But we have to follow the process and its safeguards to ensure that the taxpayers’ money is spent properly.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides funding to repair roads and bridges, put water systems and utilities back in order, and pay for the cost of emergency response as well as debris removal in some cases.

Of the funding obligated so far, roughly half of it – $491,982 – has been allocated for debris removal. Another $169,104 will cover expenses related to responding to the storms, and $259,019 has been obligated for reimbursement of infrastructure repair work.

The total PA costs for the state of Alabama are estimated at just under $30 million.

“Obviously, it will take some time to process the paperwork for the more than 300 projects we expect to receive applications for,” Lewis said. “FEMA will be here for the duration and we hope the state, counties and municipalities will be patient as we continue our work.”

FEMA’s PA program typically reimburses 75 percent of the eligible cost of these projects, with the state and local government sharing the remainder.

“Our staff is working as diligently as our partners at FEMA to get these funds out the door to the organizations, counties and towns that need them,” said Alabama’s State Coordinating Officer, Jeff Byard.

The PA funding program process includes the following steps:

Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) are conducted by local, state and federal officials after a disaster has struck.
The governor requests federal assistance.
The president then grants a disaster declaration for counties within the affected state.
The state holds applicant briefings to explain eligibility
The public entity makes a formal request to the state for Public Assistance (RPA).
At the “Kick-off” meeting, FEMA assigns a Public Assistance Coordinator (PAC) to work with the applicant to prepare project worksheets.
FEMA coordinates with the State’s Office of Emergency Management and Regional Planning Commissions to schedule applicant meetings and site visits.
FEMA documents the damage, identifies the scope of work and estimates the costs.
FEMA then reviews the project to ensure it complies with program eligibility guidelines and is cost effective.
If the project is approved, federal funds are obligated to the state which in turn provides funding to the applicant.
There is a closeout process that reviews the entire project to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

You can learn more by visiting: http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit

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FEMA Has Provided More Than $1.1 Million to Governments for Alabama Storm Repairs, Response Costs

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