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A New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in El Paso County

DENVER – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Colorado Springs will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., MDT, for five days beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5, and closing Saturday, Nov. 9.

Colorado residents who suffered losses and damages as a result of the severe storms and flooding can get face-to-face disaster information at this DRC:

EL PASO COUNTY

Security Fire Department

400 Security Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80911

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

Representatives from FEMA and the SBA are among the agencies represented at each DRC to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.

Survivors with disaster losses will save time by registering with FEMA before going to a DRC.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MDT, 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.

For individuals who have hearing and visual disabilities or are deaf, DRCs can provide accommodations such as:

• Captioned telephones, which transcribe spoken words into text
• The booklet “Help After a Disaster” in large print and Braille
• American Sign Language interpreters available upon request
• Magnifiers and assistive listening devices
• 711-Relay or Video Relay Services

For more information on the Colorado disaster operation, visit fema.gov/disaster/4145.

Source –

A New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in El Paso County

DENVER – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Colorado Springs will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., MDT, for five days beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5, and closing Saturday, Nov. 9.

Colorado residents who suffered losses and damages as a result of the severe storms and flooding can get face-to-face disaster information at this DRC:

EL PASO COUNTY

Security Fire Department

400 Security Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80911

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

Representatives from FEMA and the SBA are among the agencies represented at each DRC to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.

Survivors with disaster losses will save time by registering with FEMA before going to a DRC.

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

For individuals who have hearing and visual disabilities or are deaf, DRCs can provide accommodations such as:

For more information on the Colorado disaster operation, visit fema.gov/disaster/4145.

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A New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in El Paso County

FEMA Announces Opening of Application Period for Assistance to Firefighters Grants

FEMA Announces Opening of Application Period for Assistance to Firefighters Grants

DENTON, Texas — Beginning Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, the application period for Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 will be open, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced. These types of grants can cover the costs of crucial items for firefighters and paramedics such as firefighting equipment, rescue equipment and communications equipment.

“The AFG grants are critical to the efforts to protect life and property in communities,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “They allow firefighters and paramedics to properly do their jobs.”

The AFG application period begins on Monday at 7 a.m. and closes on Dec. 6, 2013, at 4 p.m. The following resources are available to help guide you through the process:

FY 2013 Application Assistance Tools
• FY 2013 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Available Now Program Guidance;
• FY 2013 AFG Self Evaluation Operations and Safety;
• FY 2013 AFG Get Ready Guide Application Narrative;
• FY 2013 AFG Self Evaluation Vehicle Acquisition;
• FY 2013 AFG Regional Workshop Presentation; and
• FY 2013 AFG Get Ready Guide Application Information.

Questions can be directed to the AFG Grants Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960 or firegrants@fema.dhs.gov Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The Help Desk will be open on Friday, Dec. 6 until 4 p.m.

Additional information regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be found at http://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program.

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

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FEMA Announces Opening of Application Period for Assistance to Firefighters Grants

Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico and FEMA Region 6 to Sign Disaster Assistance Agreement

ANTA FE– The formal signing of an agreement between the Santa Clara Pueblo and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will mark a first for both the Pueblo and FEMA Region 6.

The Santa Clara Pueblo is the first federally recognized tribe in Region 6, which includes New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas, to go directly through Region 6 to request and receive a federal declaration following the amendment of the Stafford Act earlier this year. The amendment gives tribal governments the option of requesting a major disaster declaration without going through a state government.

It’s beneficial to all parties when we can achieve government-to-government working relationships like this,” said Lt. Governor John Shije. “The tribe is very much in need of this assistance. We are grateful for the support of the President and our partners at FEMA Region 6.”

The Pueblo recently received not one, but two federal declarations. President Obama approved declarations on Sept. 27 for flooding in mid-July and on Oct. 24 for flooding in mid-September.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental funding to state, tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to help them recover from disasters. It reimburses eligible applicants for extraordinary costs incurred while responding to a disaster and costs related to restore damaged infrastructure. FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funds to supplement those of eligible applicants to undertake projects that build resilience and eliminate or reduce damage in future hazardous events.

FEMA’s Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) program integrates the protection and enhancement of environmental, historic, and cultural resources into FEMA’s mission, programs and activities; ensures that FEMA’s activities and programs related to disaster response and recovery, hazard mitigation, and emergency preparedness comply with federal environmental and historic preservation laws and executive orders; and provides environmental and historic preservation technical assistance to FEMA staff, local, State and Federal partners, and grantees and subgrantees.

“Our team of FEMA public assistance, EHP and mitigation specialists is actively engaged with our Santa Clara Pueblo partners,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Nancy Casper. “Our collaborative goal is to document all eligible costs and damages and to make funds available to assist with repairs and improvements as quickly as possible.”

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.

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Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico and FEMA Region 6 to Sign Disaster Assistance Agreement

Deadline For Requests For Public Assistance Is Approaching

SANTA FE – State agencies, tribal and local governments, certain private nonprofit organizations and community ditch associations in counties hit hard by the July 23 through 28 storms and flooding
must turn in their Requests for Public Assistance (RPA) during the Public Assistance Applicants briefings conducted by the State of New Mexico. These briefings will take place no later than November 16.

Filing such a request with the state is the first step in the process of applying for federal reimbursements under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program.

The grants are obligated to the state to reimburse eligible applicants for expenses incurred while taking emergency measures to protect lives and property; cleaning up downed trees, power poles and other debris; and repairing public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and public utilities. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant pay the remaining 25 percent.

The counties and pueblos covered by the existing declaration are: Bernalillo, Colfax, Luna, Sandoval, and Socorro counties and the Cochiti, Kewa (Santa Domingo), San Felipe, and Sandia Pueblos.

Public entities in these counties and pueblos which haven’t reported damages from the July 23-28 storms are urged to report them to their local emergency managers.

“We urge all eligible applicants to attend these briefings and make their requests for assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Nancy Casper. “The Requests for Public Assistance start the process of getting their eligible costs reimbursed, which helps get communities back on track.”

Although the program is oriented to public entities, private nonprofit organizations may apply directly to FEMA via the RPA for uninsured costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures. Additionally, nonprofits may qualify for FEMA assistance to make infrastructure repairs if they provide critical services, such as fire and emergency rescue; medical treatment; power, water and sewer resources; and communications systems.

Officials in these counties and pueblos who have questions about the Public Assistance Applicants briefings should contact Brian Williams at 505-476-9601.

Details of the PA program are on FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.
More information on New Mexico disaster recovery is available online at www.nmdhsem.org/

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is the state’s homeland security and emergency management agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to New Mexico by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.

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.

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Deadline For Requests For Public Assistance Is Approaching

Urban Search and RescueTeams Remove Coloradoans From Dangerous Situations After Flooding

DENVER – When Colorado towns were cut off, streets flooded and people stranded, members of five task forces of FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) arrived to help. Task force members from Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada and Utah searched house-to-house and helped flood survivors evacuate.

Members of the Nebraska Task Force created different ways to reach survivors and their homes. Making their way through flood waters, rescuers used poles to navigate the debris under water.

“In a normal river, it’s known what your hazards are,” said Lloyd Mueller of the Lincoln Fire and Rescue division of Nebraska Task Force One. “Here in urban flooding, it’s not known. Everything has changed. The landscape has changed, and the river has shifted course.”

Each US&R Task Force is comprised of 70 members and four canines. Team members include physicians, first responders, hazardous material specialists and structural engineers. The team is set up with equipment and vehicles so it can be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of operations.

When disaster strikes a community, within six hours, FEMA deploys the three closest task forces. The 28 national task forces support state and local emergency responders during disasters such as the Colorado flooding or catastrophic structure collapses such as the Murrah Federal Building, World Trade Center or Pentagon. When not on an assignment, many task force members serve in their local communities as first responders, firefighters or paramedics.

“This program is incredibly unique. You can see some of the incidents we’ve had over the last 15 years where the local government and state government get overwhelmed,” said Niko King, US&R Incident Support Team information officer. “To have these teams here within hours of when a community is impacted has been incredibly invaluable.”

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Urban Search and RescueTeams Remove Coloradoans From Dangerous Situations After Flooding

Federal Disaster Aid for Individuals and Businesses Tops $100 Million

DENVER – Federal disaster assistance for Colorado flood survivors recovering from the September storms has topped $100 million.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $49.4 million in housing assistance and grants for other essential disaster-related needs, including medical, dental and funeral expenses and lost or damaged personal possessions.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $50.7 million in federal disaster loans to Colorado homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations that sustained damage from the severe storms and flooding.

FEMA grants to homeowners and renters may include emergency rental assistance and necessary repairs to owner-occupied homes.

Homeowners, renters and business owners should not wait to settle with their insurance companies before applying to SBA for a low-interest disaster loan. Colorado flood survivors should return their completed applications, even if they have not settled with their insurance company.

Individuals and business owners who sustained property damage are encouraged to first register with FEMA prior to the Nov. 14 deadline.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MDT, 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.

For more SBA disaster assistance information, call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339) or go to www.sba.gov/disaster

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Federal Disaster Aid for Individuals and Businesses Tops $100 Million

Deadline for Filing NFIP Insurance Claim is 60 Days after Flood Damage

DENVER – The deadline for Colorado residents to file an insurance claim with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is 60 days after flood damage to an insured structure. For example, if the flood damage was on Sept. 10, the claim must be filed by Nov. 9. The flood event began in the mountains Sept. 10, and ended Sept. 30, when flood waters flowed out of state.

To date, NFIP has paid out $21.37 million to 1,167 Colorado policy holders affected by the September flooding.

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.

Who is Eligible?

Individuals who live in 246 NFIP-participating communities in Colorado are eligible to purchase flood insurance. This includes not only homeowners, but also business owners, renters and those who own condo units. A single-family residential building can be insured up to $250,000 and its contents up to $100,000.

Renters can cover belongings up to $100,000, and business property owners can insure their buildings up to $500,000 and contents up to another $500,000.

Even after a home, apartment or business has been flooded, owners and renters are still eligible to purchase flood insurance if their communities participate in the NFIP. However, this insurance will be for future rather than past damage.

Misconceptions

A common misconception is that regular homeowner and business insurance policies cover flood damage. They generally do not. Another misconception is that NFIP policies pay retroactively for flood damage. Policies generally do not take effect until 30 days after purchase.

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

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Deadline for Filing NFIP Insurance Claim is 60 Days after Flood Damage

Hurricane Sandy: The New London Harbor Lighthouse Recovers

When Hurricane Sandy slammed into the Connecticut coast last October, the New London Harbor Lighthouse, built in 1801, found itself in a vulnerable spot. Standing at attention where the Thames River meets the eastern edge of the Long Island Sound, there was nothing to protect the lighthouse from Hurricane Sandy’s severe lashing. Members of the New London Maritime Society, the lighthouse’s current stewards, anxiously awaited the passing of the storm to survey the damage.

When the skies cleared and the waves receded the lighthouse itself emerged stoic as ever, but the wreckage at its feet was significant. A masonry walkway that bridged the rocky gap from the Keeper’s house to the lighthouse, and a brick seawall bordering the property were clobbered by waves, which resulted in disastrous structural damage.

Without the funds to repair the estimated $42,255 in damage, the New London Maritime Society applied for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

One year later, with the application approved and $31,691.25 in FEMA funds, Susan Tamulevich, Executive Director at the New London Maritime Society’s Custom House is happy to report that the rebuilding of the walkway is all but finished. She explained that the city of New London gave them granite curbing for the rebuilding of the walkway, which is now very strong, level, and smooth. “It’s so level that someone in a wheelchair can now enter the lighthouse, which wasn’t possible before,” said Susan. She noted that previously there was one steep step and an uneven surface leading to the lighthouse door.

The New London Maritime Society has a $10,533.75 bill left over after the federal share of 75 percent is taken care of, but Susan plans to sell the bricks from the damaged sea wall to raise the money. Work on the sea wall is slated to begin in two weeks.

The lighthouse has weathered many hurricanes in its 212 years, including the hurricane of 1938, which was one of the top ten deadliest hurricanes to make landfall in the U.S. Today the lighthouse still serves as an aid to navigation, as well as a long-loved attraction for school groups, tourists, and local appreciators. Susan was happy to note that the New London Harbor Lighthouse is featured in the U.S. Postal Service’s New England Lighthouses stamp collection this year, prompting many new visitors this past summer.

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Hurricane Sandy: The New London Harbor Lighthouse Recovers

Third Extension Approved for Transitional Sheltering Assistance

DENVER – At the state’s request, FEMA has approved a third extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which pays for eligible flood evacuees to stay in participating hotels and motels.

Individuals and families who are still being assessed regarding their housing needs may continue to be eligible for TSA through Nov. 16 (checkout Nov. 17). The previous checkout date was Nov. 3.

TSA allows eligible individuals and families to stay temporarily in participating hotels, with FEMA and the state picking up the bill for eligible room costs and taxes.

Survivors may no longer have a need for TSA if their home is inspected and is found to be functional, accessible and has power.

An automated phone message notifies applicants if they are eligible for this period of assistance ending Nov. 16.

Individuals and families who are not eligible for the program may be considered for additional FEMA rental assistance.

Applicants may need to provide rental agreement information.

For questions, contact the FEMA helpline by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MDT, 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.

A total of 379 households stayed in hotels and motels last night under TSA.

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Third Extension Approved for Transitional Sheltering Assistance

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