Disaster Recovery Centers Closed on Memorial Day

JACKSON, Miss. – The six disaster recovery centers open in Mississippi to provide information for survivors of the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding will be closed on Memorial Day, May 26. They will reopen on their regular schedule at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Regular hours of operation are 8 a.m. to   6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.

Survivors will still be able to receive information about their case on Memorial Day by calling the FEMA helpline for assistance at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Anyone can go to any location, which are:

 

Jones County:

1425 Ellisville Blvd., Laurel, Miss.

 

Lee County:

320 Court St., Tupelo, Miss.

 

Lowndes County (two locations):

222 Lawrence Dr. and 381 Stadium Rd., Columbus, Miss.

 

Wayne County:

810 Chickasawhay St., Waynesboro, Miss.

 

Winston County:

826 S. Church Ave., Louisville, Miss.

 

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. If possible, survivors should register for FEMA assistance before visiting a disaster recovery center.

At a center they can check on the status of their application and learn about recovery services available from other agencies, including the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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.

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. 

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.

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 loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Disaster Recovery Centers Closed on Memorial Day

Three-Step Process to FEMA Disaster Assistance

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Florida survivors who sustained property damage or loss from the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding should apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency — even if you have insurance or believe you won’t qualify for assistance.

Survivors in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance that may include money to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs or other serious disaster-related expenses.

Also, homeowners, renters and business owners may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help recover from losses not covered by insurance, grants or other sources.

Here are three simple steps to follow when applying for federal disaster assistance.

Step One: Registration

Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. In addition, you can register by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual specialists are available.

  • If you have insurance, contact your agent before registering with FEMA.
  • When calling FEMA, it is helpful to have the following information handy.
    • Social Security number.
    • Address of the damaged primary residence or apartment.
    • Description of damage.
    • Information about insurance coverage.
    • A current contact telephone number.
    • An address where you can receive mail.
    • Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.
  • Fill out and return your SBA low-interest disaster loan application, if you receive one. Returning the application does not obligate you to accept an SBA loan, but it is a necessary step to being considered for other forms of disaster assistance.

When applying for assistance, you will receive a nine-digit registration number that can be used for reference when corresponding with FEMA.

Step Two: Inspections

After you register, a FEMA-contracted inspector will call you to set up an appointment to assess your damaged property. Inspectors will never ask for bank account information, and there is no cost for the inspection.

When FEMA inspectors arrive at a home, they will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it.

Make sure your home or mailbox number is easily visible from the road. As part of the inspection process, you must provide proof of ownership or occupancy.

  • Homeowners may show a tax bill, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property’s address.
  • Renters may show a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was their primary residence at the time of the disaster.
  • Homeowners and renters must also present a valid driver’s license or other photo ID.

Step Three: Follow Up With FEMA

After registering for assistance, you will receive a letter regarding your application status. Some applicants may receive an SMS/text message.

If you receive a FEMA letter stating you are ineligible, it will include an explanation of what steps need to be taken next. You should not be discouraged if you receive a letter indicating ineligibility – FEMA may simply need additional information or documentation.

It is important to read and follow up with any correspondence from FEMA. You may have to log into your account on DisasterAssistance.gov or call the helpline at 800-621-3362 to keep the application process moving. You are also urged to keep your contact information updated with a current address and phone number to ensure FEMA can reach you with new information or questions.

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Three-Step Process to FEMA Disaster Assistance

Disaster Recovery Center Now Open for Survivors in Okaloosa and Walton Counties

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Additional disaster recovery centers are now open in Okaloosa and Walton counties to assist Florida Panhandle survivors affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

The disaster recovery centers will be open until 5 p.m. today, Saturday, May 17, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 18.

Beginning Monday, May 19, the centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays. The centers are located at:

 

Okaloosa County

Senior Centerview Parks and Recreation

205 Stillwell Blvd.

Crestview, FL 32536

 

Walton County

Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach

3524 U.S. 98

Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

 

Specialists from the State Emergency Response Team, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be on hand to answer questions. Survivors will be able to:

  • Discuss their individual disaster-related needs.
  • Submit any additional documentation needed, such as occupancy or ownership verification documents and letters from insurance companies.
  • Find out the status of an application.
  • Obtain information about different types of state and federal assistance.
  • Get help from SBA specialists in completing low-interest disaster loan applications for homeowners, renters and business owners.
  • Receive referrals to the American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations to help with immediate disaster-related needs.

Before going to a center, if possible, survivors should register with FEMA. Apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Disaster assistance may include money to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs. Low-interest SBA loans may also be available for losses not covered by insurance or other sources.

For more information on Florida disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4177. Visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

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Disaster Recovery Center Now Open for Survivors in Okaloosa and Walton Counties

DR-4177-FL, Florida Disaster Assistance Reaches Nearly $28 Million in Two Weeks

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Just two weeks since the May 6 major disaster declaration for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in the Florida Panhandle, nearly $28 million in disaster assistance has been approved to help survivors and their communities recover.

The following is a summary of ongoing recovery efforts by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to date:

  • Four designated counties – Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton – are eligible for disaster assistance.
  • Nearly $28 million in total federal disaster assistance has been approved by FEMA and SBA.
  • More than $20.7 million has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and essential home repair costs.
  • Nearly $3.4 million has been approved to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
  • Nearly $3.9 million has been approved for low-interest disaster loans by SBA for qualified homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofits.
  • More than 9,500 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.
  • Five disaster recovery centers are open in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.
  • More than 2,000 visits have been made to disaster recovery centers to get information and apply for disaster assistance.

Survivors in the designated counties can register 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 can call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time and assistance is available in multiple languages.

To apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan, survivors can find the electronic loan application on SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Questions can be answered by calling the SBA disaster customer service center at 800-659-2955 or (TTY) 800-877-8339.

For more information on Florida disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4177. Visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

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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.

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). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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 loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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DR-4177-FL, Florida Disaster Assistance Reaches Nearly $28 Million in Two Weeks

Beware Those Uninvited Guests at Picnics and Beach Excursions: Thunder and Lightning Can Be Dangerous

LINCROFT, N.J. – Beach, softball and picnic season offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun.

Most of us look forward to these sunny day celebrations all year, but unfortunately Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate.

Most of us have had the experience of being outdoors when we feel the first few drops of rain on our shoulders, hear rumbles of thunder in the sky or spot a flash of lightning in the distance.

Many of us heard as children that it’s possible to gauge how far away thunder and lightning storm is by counting the seconds between the sound of thunder and the appearance of lightning in the sky.

Scientists say that there is truth to that assumption. While the speed of sound changes depending on the temperature and the amount of humidity in the air, it can reasonably be estimated to travel at approximately 1,200 feet per second or approximately one mile in five seconds.

Counting the seconds after you see the first lightning bolt in the sky, you can estimate how far away it is by using this rough measure. If 10 seconds pass before you heard thunder, then the source of the lightning is approximately 2 miles away.

Safety experts advise abiding by the 30/30 lightning rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you can’t count to 30 before hearing thunder, and stay indoors for 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.

Remember, lightning is both unpredictable and dangerous. Between 1950 and 2012, more than 4,000 Americans were killed by lightning.

The top three states for lightning fatalities are Florida, with 468 deaths between 1959 and 2012; Texas, with 215 deaths between 1959 and 2012, and North Carolina, with 194 fatal strikes

While lightning may be less frequent in other states, it is no less deadly when it strikes. From 1959-2012, 74 New Jerseyans were killed by lightning.

The riskiest time of day for lightning strikes is during summer afternoons and evenings.

If you are caught outside during a sudden thunder and lightning event, get inside a building or take shelter in a hard-top (not a convertible) automobile. 

Keep in mind that, contrary to common folklore, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no protection from lightning. It is the steel frame of an automobile that provides some protection, not its rubber tires. Although you may still be at risk of injury inside an automobile, you are safer there than you would be out in the open.

If you are in an open area without shelter, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley. Be alert for flash floods.

If you are in a forest when a storm approaches, seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees.

If you feel your hair stand on end, which indicates that lightning is about to strike, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet, put your hands over your ears and put your head between your knees in order to make yourself as small a target as possible. It’s important to minimize your contact with the ground. Do not lie flat on the ground.

Remember:  Your chances of being struck by lightning are about 1 in 600,000 – but it does happen.

Before you make plans for the beach, ball game or picnic, check the weather report  to see whether there is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Severe Thunderstorm Warning for your area.

By taking a few precautions, you can substantially reduce your risk of being injured by lightning and enjoy all that summer has to offer.

For more information about protecting yourself during lightning and thunder storms, go to www.ready.gov.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later
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 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

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Beware Those Uninvited Guests at Picnics and Beach Excursions: Thunder and Lightning Can Be Dangerous

Voluntarios de MEMA y FEMA trabajan juntos para ayudar a los sobrevivientes del desastre en Mississippi a recuperarse

JACKSON, Miss. – Un esfuerzo cooperativo entre la Agencia para el Manejo de Emergencias de Mississippi (MEMA, por sus siglas en inglés), agencias federales incluyendo a FEMA, gobiernos locales y grupos voluntarios está en efecto para ayudar a los sobrevivientes del desastre a recuperarse de las fuertes tormentas, los tornados y las inundaciones que azotaron a Mississippi entre el 28 de abril al 3 de mayo.

La necesidad es grande. Las autoridades han identificado a más de 700 hogares y personas cuyas viviendas fueron demasiado dañadas como para ser habitables. Cerca de 2,000 otras viviendas fueron dañadas más levemente.

Como para rematar el problema, cerca de 800 hogares que se han inscrito con FEMA para recibir asistencia no tienen seguro.

La limpieza de los escombros es el primer paso para la recuperación. Sin seguro de propietarios de viviendas para pagar la cuenta, puede parecer un obstáculo insuperable. Ahí es donde la generosidad de los grupos de voluntarios puede ser crítica. Organizaciones como el Servicio Menonita de Desastres, la Ayuda para Desastres de los Bautistas del Sur, la Bolsa del Samaritano y el Equipo Rubicon han respondido a Mississippi con la experiencia, las herramientas y el equipo para mover los escombros y hacer reparaciones.

MEMA y FEMA están trabajando juntos y con los gobiernos locales, los voluntarios y los sobrevivientes del desastre para mover los escombros al borde de las carreteras donde pueden ser llevados a los rellenos sanitarios adecuados. FEMA cubre el 75 por ciento del costo de transportar los escombros lejos de los bordes de las carreteras y el estado paga el 25 por ciento restante. Si los propietarios de viviendas contratan la remoción de los escombros, éstos deben ser transportados fuera del lugar por el contratista.

La remoción de los escombros de las propiedades privadas en un costo aprobado por los Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa (SBA, por su sigla en inglés) para préstamos por desastre a bajo interés para los propietarios de viviendas, arrendatarios y negocios.

Los sobrevivientes del desastre en los condados de Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne y Winston pueden ser elegibles para el programa de Asistencia individual de FEMA.

Las personas y los hogares en estos condados pueden inscribirse para recibir Asistencia Individual de FEMA en línea en el sitio http://www.disasterassistance.gov/espanol, mediante un teléfono inteligente o una tableta en m.fema.gov/esp, o llamando a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Las personas con sordera, impedimentos auditivos o que tengan una discapacidad del habla y usen el TTY, deben llamar al 800-462-7585. Las líneas están en funcionamiento de 7 a.m. a 10 p.m. (hora del centro) y hay asistencia multilingüe disponible.

Para obtener información adicional acerca préstamos por desastre a bajo interés de la SBA, llame al Centro de Servicio al Cliente de Asistencia para Desastres de la SBA al 800-659-2955 o TTY 800-877-8339, por correo electrónico DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov o visitando el sitio sba.gov/disaster. Representantes de servicio al cliente de la SBA están disponibles en TODOS los centros de recuperación por desastre.  Los centros de recuperación por desastre se pueden encontrar en línea en FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

Para más información sobre la recuperación de desastres en Mississippi, vaya al sitio www.fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visite el sitio web de MEMA en msema.org/  o en Facebook, facebook.com/msemaorg.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a todos los ciudadanos y a las agencias de primera respuesta para garantizar que, como país, trabajemos juntos para desarrollar, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad de prepararnos, protegernos y recuperarnos de los peligros, responder ante ellos y mitigarlos.

Los programas de recuperación para desastres están disponibles sin prejuicio en virtud de raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, nivel de competencia en inglés o situación económica. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido víctima de la discriminación, llame sin costo a FEMA al número 800-621-3362. Si usted tiene impedimentos auditivos o del habla y usa un TTY, llame directamente al 800-800-462-7585; si usa el 711 o el Servicio de retransmisión de video (VRS, por sus siglas en inglés), llame al 800-621-3362.

Los programas de asistencia temporal de vivienda de FEMA y los subsidios para gastos de transporte público, gastos médicos y odontológicos, y gastos funerarios y de sepelio no exigen que las personas soliciten un préstamo a SBA. No obstante, las personas que reciban solicitudes de préstamos de SBA deben enviarlas a los funcionarios de préstamos de SBA para poder recibir asistencia que cubra propiedades personales, reparaciones o reemplazo de vehículos, y gastos de mudanzas y almacenamiento.

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Voluntarios de MEMA y FEMA trabajan juntos para ayudar a los sobrevivientes del desastre en Mississippi a recuperarse

Disaster Survivors Urged to Register with FEMA Even if They Have Insurance

JACKSON, Miss. – FEMA does not duplicate benefits that homeowner or renter insurance covers, but it may be able to provide disaster assistance when insurance coverage is not enough to cover the damage. The only way to obtain that potential benefit is to register now for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

The FEMA registration period is open until June 30 for the current disaster declaration covering 12 Mississippi counties for severe storms, tornados and flood damage between April 28 and May 3. Insured FEMA applicants may initially be ineligible for assistance to repair disaster damage if they have not yet submitted insurance settlement documentation to FEMA. But the eligibility can be reconsidered once an applicant has settled their claim with their insurer and documentation has been submitted to FEMA. If insurance is not enough to cover repairs to make the dwelling safe, sanitary and functional, FEMA may be able to provide an Individual Assistance grant to help the household complete those repairs.

FEMA can reconsider an application for up to a year after the disaster period, but only if the applicant has registered by the June 30 deadline. Once registration closes, it is too late to seek FEMA assistance, even if insurance benefits later prove insufficient.

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.

Survivors who register with FEMA and are referred to SBA will be contacted by SBA with options on how to apply for a low-interest loan. After being contacted by SBA, survivors should complete and submit an application even if they do not plan to accept a loan. It is part of the FEMA grant process and can pave the way for additional disaster assistance.

Homeowners and renters who submit an SBA application and are declined a loan may be considered for certain other FEMA grants and programs that could include assistance for disaster-related car repairs, clothing, household items and other expenses.

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. SBA customer service representatives are available at ALL disaster recovery centers. Disaster recovery center locations can be found online at FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

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.

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. 

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.

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 loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Disaster Survivors Urged to Register with FEMA Even if They Have Insurance

FEMA Calls for Focus on Resilience and Risk during May Observance

LINCROFT, N.J. — The New York and New Jersey Sandy Recovery field offices are supporting a national initiative to maximize resilience and minimize risk. FEMA is encouraging those rebuilding from Hurricane Sandy to join the agency in its recognition of the 34th annual Building Safety Month (BSM) to promote the importance of high building standards, protecting the environment and saving energy.

BSM is a public awareness campaign established by the International Code Council (ICC). The global campaign focuses on public outreach and education to increase the overall safety and sustainability of buildings through the adoption of model building codes and promotion of code enforcement—elements for New York and New Jersey to consider as the area rebuilds after the storm.

Those in the affected states—and nationwide—can avail themselves of FEMA’s Building Science Department online and print information about various natural and man-made disasters and how they affect building safety. The agency introduces basic concepts used to design new or retrofitted buildings. Also offered are measures to increase resilience against future disasters while retaining or elevating efficiency—a two-pronged approach in dealing with climate change.

For the fourth consecutive year, President Obama has proclaimed May as National Building Safety Month to underscore the role that safe building codes and standards play in decreasing the effects of disasters and making the nation resilient. Building codes protect citizens from disasters like fires, flooding and weather-related events like Hurricane Sandy and structural collapse.

The overarching theme of BSM is Building Safety: Maximizing resilience, minimizing risks with sub-themes for each of its respective four weeks: fire, weather, yard and outdoor safety, and for the final week of the campaign, Building a brighter, more efficient tomorrow.   

For more information, on FEMA’s Building Science Branch, visit www.fema.gov/building-science. More information on Building Safety Month is at: www.buildingsafetymonth.org and www.iccsafe.org.

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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FEMA Calls for Focus on Resilience and Risk during May Observance

MEMA, FEMA, Volunteers Working Together to Help Disaster Survivors Recover in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. – A cooperative effort involving the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), federal agencies including FEMA, local governments and volunteer groups is underway to help disaster survivors recover from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that swept across Mississippi between April 28 and May 3.

The need is great. Officials have identified more than 700 households and individuals whose dwellings were too heavily damaged to be habitable. Nearly 2,000 other dwellings were less seriously damaged.

Compounding the issue, nearly 800 households who have registered for FEMA assistance are uninsured.

Clearing the debris is the first step toward recovery. Without homeowner insurance to pay the bill, it may seem an insurmountable obstacle. That is where the generosity of volunteer groups can be critical. Organizations such as Mennonite Disaster Service, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Samaritan’s Purse and Team Rubicon have responded to Mississippi with the experience, the tools and the equipment to move debris and make repairs.

MEMA and FEMA are working together and with local governments, the volunteers and disaster survivors to get the debris moved to roadsides where it can be taken to the appropriate landfills. FEMA is covering 75 percent of the cost of hauling debris away from roadsides and the state is paying the remaining 25 percent. If homeowners contract to remove debris, it must be hauled away by the contractor.

Debris removal from private property is an allowable cost in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses.

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.

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. SBA customer service representatives are available at ALL disaster recovery centers. Disaster recovery center locations can be found online at FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

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.

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. 

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.

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 loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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MEMA, FEMA, Volunteers Working Together to Help Disaster Survivors Recover in Mississippi

Last Chance to Visit FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Pulaski County

Little Rock, Ark. – Survivors of the April 27 severe storms, tornadoes and floods in Pulaski County have until 7 pm on Saturday, May 24 to visit the Mobile Disaster Recovery Center at 27025 Kanis Rd. in Little Rock.

State and FEMA personnel closely monitor visitor traffic at all Arkansas disaster recovery centers. Traffic to this center has significantly decreased, indicating the information needs of survivors in the area have been met. 

Survivors can visit the remaining Disaster Recovery Centers at:

  • 600 Highway 365
    Mayflower, AR
  • 1122 Main St.
    Vilonia, AR 72173

Hours for both centers are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday. Both will be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.

Disaster Recovery Centers gather different state and federal agencies and programs under one roof, offering survivors convenient access to guidance from a number of resources. Recovery centers are one-stop shops for eligible tornado survivors to get help as quickly as possible. Representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available at all DRCs to provide information and answer questions about SBA low-interest disaster recovery loans.

Survivors can continue to register and get information about their applications online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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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-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.  For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.

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 http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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 information about SBA programs, applicants can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339).

 

 

See the article here – 

Last Chance to Visit FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Pulaski County

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