Changes for Three Disaster Recovery Centers

DENVER – There are changes to the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) schedules in Boulder, Fremont and Morgan counties.

  • Boulder County – The DRC at the Lyons Elementary Gym, 338 High St., in Lyons will close every Sunday, beginning Nov. 10.
  • Morgan County – The DRC at the Fort Morgan Police Station, 901 E. Beaver Ave. will close permanently at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9.
  • Fremont County – The DRC at Garden Park High School, 201 N. 6th St., in Cañon City will close permanently at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9.

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call   800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

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Changes for Three Disaster Recovery Centers

Latest Approved Funding Brings Total for Oklahoma Recovery to More Than $85 Million

OKLAHOMA CITY – An additional $5.8 million has recently been approved in federal funding for recovery in Oklahoma following the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred from May 18 – June 2, 2013. This amount includes three awards: $1.3 million for crisis counseling services; $3.5 million for debris removal; and $1 million for public electric utilities. This funding—along with additional amounts from Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)—brings state and federal assistance approved for Oklahoma to more than $85 million. 

The latest Individual Assistance funding covers eligible crisis counseling services and training. The funding will be awarded to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Initial funding for crisis counseling services was made available on June 11, 2013. Services were available to survivors immediately following the presidential disaster declaration. The latest reward is an extension that will continue to offer support to individuals and families impacted by the spring storms.

There are no cost-share requirements for the latest Individual Assistance amount and FEMA will obligate funding directly to the state.

“We remain dedicated to providing individuals and families with the necessary resources to fully assist them in their recovery,” said State Coordinating Officer and Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management Deputy Director Michelann Ooten.

More than $14.7 million in disaster assistance for housing and disaster-related expenses has been approved for qualified homeowners and renters. This includes more than $10.1 million in rental costs and house repairs, and more than $4.6 million for medical expenses, replacement clothing, vehicle repairs, funeral and burial costs, and other needs generated by the storms.

“We are continuing to assess individual needs to ensure that survivors are fully supported as the recovery process continues. Public Assistance funding is also ongoing as communities continue on the road to full recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman.

More than $26 million has thus far been approved in Public Assistance funding. An additional $3.5 million has been approved for debris removal. The funding covers eligible debris removal costs under a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Pilot Program which is one of the new programs introduced in the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013. The program funds expenses such as debris removal and debris recycling from public property and right-of-ways.

An additional $1 million award has also been provided to Western Farmers Electric Cooperative for repair and replacement of components of their electrical transmission system.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $47 million in low-interest disaster loans for qualified homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations in Oklahoma.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4117 or visit the OEM site at oem.ok.gov.

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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.

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.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

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 nonprofit 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.

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Latest Approved Funding Brings Total for Oklahoma Recovery to More Than $85 Million

FEMA Mitigation Outreach at Ace Hardware in Colorado Springs

DENVER – A FEMA mitigation team will offer building tips at the Ace Hardware Uintah Gardens store in Colorado Springs Friday, Nov. 8, through Tuesday, Nov. 12 including Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11.

Mitigation measures can benefit homeowners, renters and business owners hoping to reduce problems such as mold and mildew. Advice also may be of help protecting electrical systems, furnaces and appliances.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be at this location:

Ace Hardware Uintah Gardens

1830 W. Uintah St.

Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Hours: Friday, Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST

Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., MST

Monday, Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST.

The mitigation team also will have free reference booklets in English and Spanish, including:

  • Preparing Makes Sense, Get Ready Now
  • Protecting Your Home From Flood Damage
  • Help After a Disaster
  • Mold & Mildew: Cleaning Up Your Flood-Damaged Home

More information about strengthening property can found at fema.gov/what-mitigation

Original article – 

FEMA Mitigation Outreach at Ace Hardware in Colorado Springs

November Is Critical Infrastructure Security And Resilience Month

WILLISTON, Vt. – It usually takes a disaster like Tropical Storm Irene – which knocked out roads, electricity, water, and communications – to remind us how important our infrastructure is to our communities and our way of life.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is urging Vermonters to become more aware of critical infrastructure and the need to protect it from disasters or other hazards.

President Barack Obama has declared November Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month, and officials say disasters like Irene and this year’s flooding events demonstrate the importance of expanding and reinforcing critical infrastructure security and resilience.

“The memory of Irene is still strong in Vermont,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry, the head of FEMA’s Vermont operations. “Now is a good time to think about how important our transportation, communication, and utility infrastructure is and what we can do to protect it.”

Critical infrastructure is the systems that form the backbone of America’s national and economic security, including the electric grid, communications structures, transportation systems, and utilities like water and sewer, as well as the cyber-security of these systems.

“In this day and age, protecting critical infrastructure means more than safeguarding electric substations or bridges,” said Ross Nagy, Deputy Director of the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “It also means ensuring that the control systems for these facilities are safe from cyber-attack or human error that could disrupt crucial networks.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security – FEMA’s parent agency – urges all Americans to do their part in ensuring critical infrastructure security and resilience by doing the following:

  • Learn about steps you can take to enhance security and resilience in your businesses and communities and how to handle certain events.
  • Make a plan with your families to keep your loved ones safe.
  • If you run a business, make a plan to keep your employees and community safe and enhance your ability to recover operations quickly. If you are an employee, ask your management whether there are plans in place and get a copy.
  • Report suspicious activity.

To learn more visit: http://www.dhs.gov/critical-infrastructure

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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.

Link – 

November Is Critical Infrastructure Security And Resilience Month

Jerome Hatfield Appointed as FEMA Region II Administrator

New York – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the appointment of Jerome Hatfield by President Barack Obama to serve as the Regional Administrator for FEMA Region II.

“We’re proud to welcome such a dedicated first responder and emergency manager to the FEMA team,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Jerome will be working in his own backyard – a region where he has served disaster survivors for nearly three decades. As Regional Administrator, Jerome will continue to be their champion as he supports the region’s resiliency and response to disasters.”

Click here for an official photograph of Regional Administrator Hatfield

Hatfield is a 27 year veteran of the New Jersey State Police where as a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded more than 800 enlisted, professional and administrative staff, and as the Deputy Superintendent of Homeland Security oversaw more than 80 state and federal grant programs.

Hatfield has served as a member of the National Advisory Council to FEMA, and is Vice-Chairman to the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) which is responsible for conducting nationwide assessments of federal, state, territorial and local emergency management and homeland security programs.  Additionally, he has led EMAP liaisons to Kenya in support of international assessments conducted in conjunction with the Department of Defense (U.S. African Command) and the Center for Disease and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine (CDHAM).

In September 2005, Hatfield was deployed to the State of Louisiana with more than 600 of New Jersey’s first responders in support of Hurricane Katrina response efforts.  He was designated incident commander during Operation LEAD (Louisiana Emergency Assistance Deployment).

Hatfield holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and is a graduate of the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, Naval Post Graduate School, Executive Leader’s Program.  LTC Hatfield is a Certified Public Manager (CPM), awarded by Farleigh Dickinson University.  He is married with two children.

As Regional Administrator for FEMA Region II, Hatfield will oversee FEMA’s operations in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and work closely with state, territorial and local emergency managers in their on-going efforts to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate disasters.

 

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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Jerome Hatfield Appointed as FEMA Region II Administrator

Replacing Your Important Papers

DENVER – Not only were Colorado homes damaged by the recent severe storms, flooding, landslides or mudslides, but many survivors also lost valuable personal documents.  The documents include everything from Social Security cards to driver licenses to credit cards. 

The following is a partial list of ways to get duplicates of destroyed or missing documents:

Birth and Death Certificates – Birth and death certificates can be replaced by visiting your county vital records office or on line http://go.usa.gov/DFbw

Marriage Certificates – The online link for replacement of marriage certificates is http://go.usa.gov/DFbw

Marriage Dissolutions (divorces) – The online link for divorce decree replacements is http://go.usa.gov/DFbw

Adoption Decrees – The Colorado District Courts link for adoption records – if the adoption was finalized in Colorado – is http://go.usa.gov/DFbw

Immigration Documents – Contact your county office or the site below for citizenship, immigration, permanent resident card (green card), employment authorization, re-entry permit and more. uscis.gov

Driver Licenses – Visit any Colorado driver license office with acceptable identification and proof of address. Fee required.

Vehicle Registration, License Tab or Title – Contact your county motor vehicle office. You will need proof of insurance and Colorado vehicle emissions. Fees administered by county.  http://tinyurl.com/m2hchyh

Passport – Complete form DS-64 from http://tinyurl.com/ld6z28k

Military Records – Request Standard Form 180 (SF-180) from any office of the Veterans Administration, American Legion, VFW or Red Cross, or download from http://tinyurl.com/lnu2pmt

Mortgage Papers – Contact your lending institution

Property Deeds – Contact the recorder’s office in the county where the property is located

Insurance Policies – Contact the insurance company for replacement papers

Social Security Card – Go to a Social Security Administration office. You also can request a copy of your Social Security statement online www.ssa.gov

Transcript of Your Tax Return – Call nearest Treasury Department office, IRS office or 800-829-3646; request form 4506. To find your local IRS office, go to http://tinyurl.com/mvk5dvu

Savings Bonds/Notes – Complete Form PDF 1048 (Claim for Lost, Stolen or Destroyed U.S. Savings Bonds); available by calling 304-480-6112 or at www.treasurydirect.gov/forms/sav1048.pdf

Credit Cards – American Express, 800-528-4800; Discover, 800-347-2683; MasterCard, 800-622-7747; Visa, 800-847-2911

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Replacing Your Important Papers

Any Colorado Resident with an NFIP Policy has 60 Days to File a Claim

DENVER – FEMA has an important message concerning who may file a federal flood insurance claim.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy holders in any Colorado county are eligible to file a flood claim. Policy holders do not have to live in a disaster-designated county.

Any Colorado resident covered by NFIP with flood damage should file a claim within 60 days of the date of loss. As an example, if the flood damage was on Sept. 10, the claim must be filed by Nov. 9.

To date, NFIP has paid out $22 million to Colorado policy holders this year.

Floods are the most common and costly natural disasters in the United States.

NFIP policies are sold and serviced through many private insurance companies. The policies cover physical damage to a building or personal property that is directly caused by a flood. For example, damage resulting from a sewer backup is covered if the problem is a direct result of flooding. However, if the backup is caused by something else, the damage is not covered.

Please also refer to floodsmart.gov for more information about flood insurance.

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Any Colorado Resident with an NFIP Policy has 60 Days to File a Claim

Registered with FEMA for Assistance? Be Sure to Stay in Touch

LINCROFT, N.J. — New Jersey residents who registered with FEMA for disaster assistance prior to the registration deadline of May 1 need to keep in touch with FEMA as they recover and rebuild.

Disaster assistance may be available for losses not covered by insurance. Survivors should get in touch with FEMA as soon as they receive their insurance settlement. Be sure to have the registration number FEMA assigned to your application at hand.

Survivors who registered for disaster assistance before the May 1 deadline may check the status of their applications online at www.disasterassistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362, as soon as receive their insurance settlement.

If you received a letter from FEMA saying you were not eligible for assistance, one reason may be that you had not yet received an insurance settlement and it could not be factored into your application.

If you have already filed an appeal of the original FEMA decision, you are entitled to amend your appeal based on the insurance settlement you received.

These are just a few of the reasons for Sandy survivors to stay in touch with FEMA.

Make sure that you provide current contact information to FEMA to ensure timely delivery of important assistance updates.

Applicants who need to update their contact information or who have questions regarding their application can call the toll-free FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages.

New Jersey residents with questions about the National Flood Insurance Program and mitigation techniques have a helpline to call to get the most up-to-date information.

That number is 877-287-9804 for people who need information about flood insurance, flood maps or other mitigation topics and issues. Flood insurance policyholders with questions or concerns about their claims may also speak with NFIP specialists.

The flood insurance-mitigation helpline operates from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Additional information is available at www.floodsmart.gov.

 

Video Timeline of the Sandy Recovery Effort

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.

Link:

Registered with FEMA for Assistance? Be Sure to Stay in Touch

FEMA Registration Deadline Extended for Disaster Survivors in Colorado

DENVER – At the request of the state of Colorado, FEMA has approved an extension for storm and flooding survivors to register for federal disaster assistance.

The new registration deadline is November 30, 2013, which is also the new deadline to complete and return low-interest U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan applications.

Survivors who register may be eligible for federal grants to help cover various disaster-related expenses, including rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

The extension is for all 11 Colorado counties designated for federal Individual Assistance: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, El Paso, Fremont, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan, Morgan and Weld.

People living in these counties who sustained losses due to storms and flooding should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. Applying by the deadline may help survivors avoid a funding shortfall if they later find that they are underinsured or have additional damages.

Under the SBA disaster loan program, homeowners may be eligible for as much as $200,000 in loans to repair or replace their storm-damaged primary residence. Homeowners and renters may be eligible for as much as $40,000 for replacement of personal property. Businesses and private nonprofits may be eligible to borrow as much as $2 million to repair or replace storm-damaged property.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online at: DisasterAssistance.gov. Register by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

 

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FEMA Registration Deadline Extended for Disaster Survivors in Colorado

Road Openings Will Enable Hundreds of New FEMA Inspections

DENVER –Once their flood-impacted homes become accessible by regular (not off-road) vehicle, residents should schedule their FEMA housing inspection.

After access is made, residents should contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to schedule FEMA inspections.

Inspection access means that the FEMA inspector can drive all the way to the home in an ordinary car. That includes being able to drive across any bridges used to reach the dwelling prior to the flood.

A FEMA housing inspection is the next step in determining what assistance can be provided to residents who have been prevented from returning home.

FEMA housing inspectors prominently wear photo identification. Beware of imposters.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online: DisasterAssistance.gov. Register by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

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Road Openings Will Enable Hundreds of New FEMA Inspections

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