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Flood or Wind Damage? Get Permits Before Rebuilding

AURORA, Ill. – Before beginning new construction or repairs of property damaged during the recent spring severe weather, residents are urged to consult with local building officials to obtain the necessary permits.

“Obtaining building permits is especially important for those with homes or businesses located within a FEMA-mapped floodplain,” said State Coordinating Officer Jonathon Monken, the Illinois official in charge of disaster recovery. “Residents rebuilding after the recent severe weather need to know that building permits are based on local codes and ordinances that are enforced locally, not by FEMA.”

Permits assure residents and communities that all proposed work complies with current codes, standards, flood ordinances and recommended construction techniques. Permits that include an elevation certificate can provide a permanent record of compliance with elevation, and/or retrofitting requirements, which is useful information for flood insurance ratings, and when selling your home.

Often, local permit offices can provide suggestions or literature on how to protect your home or business from future disaster-related damage.

Floodplain development permits are required and repair projects must meet community building codes and flood-damage prevention ordinances. Repairs begun without proper permits may be subject to stop-work orders, fines or penalties.

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to register for disaster assistance. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

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

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Flood or Wind Damage? Get Permits Before Rebuilding

Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $82 Million

AURORA, Ill. – Federal assistance in Illinois has reached more than $82.4 million, distributed among more than 30,200 individuals and households, since a major disaster was declared in the state May 10.

The latest summary of federal assistance to individuals and households that suffered losses due to the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 includes:

More than $82.4 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households;
Of that amount, more than $72 million approved for housing assistance, including temporary rental assistance, home repair costs and assistance toward replacing destroyed homes;
More than $10 million approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and damaged personal possessions;
More than 42,000 home inspections completed to confirm disaster damage;
More than $7.7 million in loans to homeowners, renters or business owners has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration; and
More than 2,300 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operated jointly by FEMA and the state of Illinois.

Eleven counties in Illinois were included in the initial declaration, but on May 22, an additional
14 counties were added for individual assistance. On May 31, another eight counties were added.

Residents of 33 counties in the major disaster declaration can now register for federal assistance. The counties include Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Clark, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Pike, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago and Woodford.

Public Assistance also has been approved for 24 Illinois counties. This program includes funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures and infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges. This assistance is on a cost-sharing basis with FEMA paying 75 percent with the remainder the responsibility of the state and local governments.

Hazard Mitigation teams are located at six home improvement stores throughout the area providing information on how to repair or rebuild stronger and safer to help avoid damage from future storms.

Survivors may be eligible for additional services including federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for those who worked or were scheduled to begin work in one of the 33 counties declared for Individual Assistance. The assistance extends to self-employed individuals, farm workers and others who have lost income as a result of the storm and flooding from April 16 to May 5. DUA applications are available at Illinois Department of Employment Security offices. For office locations, call 800-244-5631 or go online to www.ides.illinois.gov/myoffice.

Legal aid is another service available to survivors who have legal issues related to the disaster. The Young Lawyers Division of the Illinois American Bar Association provides this free service for low-income individuals and families. Attorneys can advise on a variety of issues, including securing FEMA and other government services; life, medical and property insurance claims; and replacing wills and other important documents. Call 855-875-3362 for more information.

For those feeling symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression the “TalkWithUs” helpline can provide information for adults and children in distress related to this disaster. Help is available in English and Spanish. The helpline number is 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. The service is available
24 hours a day. TTY is 800-846-8517.

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information, visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

SBA low-interest disaster loans may be available for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations of all sizes to repair or replace real estate, contents and/or personal property damaged in the severe storms and flooding. Information and assistance from SBA is available at
800-659-2955, (TTY) 800-877-8339 or online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $82 Million

FEMA Urges East Coast Residents to Be Prepared for Localized Flooding and Listen to Local Officials

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its regional offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, continues to closely monitor Tropical Storm Andrea and the potential for flooding in coastal and inland areas along the path of the storm.

As Tropical Storm Andrea continues to churn over the East Coast, FEMA urges citizens to closely monitor the storm and take steps to be as prepared as possible, in advance of severe weather, and most importantly follow the directions of state, local and tribal officials. This storm is projected to bring significant rainfall and the risk for flash flooding in many areas. If you encounter flood waters, remember – turn around, don’t drown.

FEMA remains in close contact with emergency managers in affected and potentially affected areas along the East Coast to ensure they have the resources they need for Andrea and for the 2013 hurricane season. FEMA’s National Watch Center in Washington, D.C. remains at an enhanced watch. An incident management assistance team (IMAT) and liaison are en route to the Virginia emergency operations center to assist in coordination efforts, and at the request of the state of Florida the IMAT and liaison deployed earlier in the week to Florida to support coordination are standing down.

“As the storm continues northeastward along the East Coast, we urge those in potentially affected areas to continue to monitor storm conditions and follow the instructions of state, tribal and local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Stay away from flood waters; never drive through flooded roadways.”

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. The depth of water is not always obvious. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. Never cross any barriers that are put in place by local emergency officials.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service, as of 11 a.m., Tropical Storm Andrea is located 50 miles southwest of Fayetteville, North Carolina with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. The center of Andrea made landfall on the coast of the Big Bend area last evening, and will continue to move along the East Coast through Saturday. As much as 6 inches of rain will be expected in some areas.

Tropical storm warnings remain in effect from north of the South Santee River, South Carolina to Cape Charles Light, Virginia, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, North Carolina, and for the lower Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort, Virginia. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. Tornados are possible over eastern portions of North Carolina and Virginia today.

Although there have been no requests for federal Stafford Act assistance, FEMA continues to stand ready to assist states and tribes, as needed and requested.

As the first named storm of the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Tropical Storm Andrea should serve as another reminder that if you live in a flood-prone or coastal state, now is the time to be prepared, including determining if you live in an evacuation zone.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are now being sent directly to many cell phones on participating wireless carriers’ networks. WEAs sent by public safety officials such as the National Weather Service are designed to get your attention and to provide brief, critical instructions to warn about imminent threats like severe weather. Take the alert seriously and follow instructions. Tune to local media for emergency details in your town. More information is available on WEA at www.fema.gov/wireless-emergency-alerts.

As always, residents should listen to the instructions of state, tribal and local officials, and evacuate if told to do so. For more information on tropical storms and severe weather, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov.

Information can also be found on your smartphone at m.fema.gov.

FEMA Urges East Coast Residents to Be Prepared for Localized Flooding and Listen to Local Officials

FEMA Working With Plant Explosion Survivors to Identify Unmet Needs

AUSTIN, Texas – An initiative launched by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with the state of Texas is aimed at finding additional disaster assistance for West, Texas residents affected by the April 17 explosion.

Under the initiative, all 764 applicants who have registered with FEMA will be receiving follow-up phone calls from FEMA outreach liaisons. The 100 percent review is designed to identify any unmet needs and work with survivors to provide any additional assistance they may be eligible to receive.

FEMA’s Outreach specialists are helping applicants with the appeal process, explaining letters they may have received from FEMA, assisting applicants with gathering insurance documentation needed for their claims and providing referrals to local voluntary agencies, long term recovery resources within the community, other state agencies and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans.

So far, outreach specialists have reached more than 567 applicants and will continue to call each survivor until all applicants have been contacted.

“The recovery process is stressful for those who suffered great losses, and we want to make sure all survivors get the maximum assistance they are eligible to receive,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “Our proactive approach will continue until every registered applicant in McLennan County has been contacted.”

Since the fertilizer plant explosion, the state of Texas, FEMA and the SBA have approved more than $6.5 million in federal disaster assistance grants and low-interest disaster loans for eligible individuals and families in McLennan County. The grants are for temporary housing, home repair and reconstruction, and for other needs, including personal property replacement or disaster-related medical and dental expenses. This total also includes more than $5.86 million in low-interest disaster loans approved from the SBA. These federal disaster loans help pay for residential and business property losses as well as disaster working capital needs for eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

West survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA if they have not already done so. Residents can register now at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The registration deadline for FEMA assistance is June 18.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance will continue to be available beyond June 18. The filing deadline to return SBA applications for property damage is July 1, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 3, 2014.

For more information about low-interest disaster loans, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877 8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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FEMA Working With Plant Explosion Survivors to Identify Unmet Needs

Public Assistance Added to Illinois Disaster Declaration

AURORA, Ill. – The state of Illinois was notified Thursday afternoon that 24 counties are eligible for Public Assistance as part of the federal disaster declaration for severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding during the period of April 16 to May 5, 2013.

FEMA approved Governor Pat Quinn’s request to make public assistance available in the following Illinois counties: Adams, Bureau, Clark, Crawford, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McHenry, Mercer, Ogle, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Warren and Woodford.

This announcement means that the cities, counties, and certain private nonprofit organizations can be reimbursed for eligible costs incurred after severe storms and flooding that occurred April 16 to May 5. Categories of eligible work that may be funded by FEMA are debris removal, emergency protective measures, repair or replacement of roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, and parks and recreational facilities.

Public assistance is a cost-sharing program with FEMA paying 75 percent. The remainder is the responsibility of the state and local governments.

The May 10 major disaster declaration already includes the Individual Assistance program – financial assistance for homeowners and renters – in 33 Illinois counties, including: Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Clark, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Pike, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago and Woodford.

Federal Hazard Mitigation funding for the entire state was included in the original disaster declaration on May 10.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Public Assistance Added to Illinois Disaster Declaration

Schedule Changes for Illinois/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

AURORA, Ill. – The eight Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) operated by the state of Illinois and FEMA have changed their schedule of operations.

They will now be open from Monday through Saturday, rather than seven days a week. The DRCs will be closed Sundays. Hours of operation remain 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The DRC locations are as follows:

Chicago

North Park Village

5801 N. Pulaski, Bldg. C

Chicago, IL 60646

Chicago

Royal Savings Bank

9226 S. Commercial Ave.

Chicago, IL 60617

Cook County

Forest View Fire Department

7010 W. 46th

Forest View, IL 60402

Cook County

1486 Miner St. (Next to

Des Plaines Theater)

Des Plaines, IL 60016

DuPage County

Lisle Police Department

5040 Lincoln Ave.

Lisle, IL 60532

Peoria County

Chillicothe Fire Department (Fire Hall)

217 W. Chestnut St.

Chillicothe, IL 61523

Rock Island County

Rock Island County Emergency Management Office

6120 78th Ave.

Milan, IL 61264

Woodford County

Woodford County Emergency

Management Office

301 S. Main

Roanoke, IL 61561

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362.

DRCs also offer an additional service for those who may have questions or need help in applying for disaster aid. Information about other disaster programs is also available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local agencies, and voluntary organizations. Residents should apply with FEMA even if they already provided damage information to local officials, other agencies or organizations.

Hazard Mitigation staff, located at the DRCs, can provide information on repairing or rebuilding homes to minimize damage from future storms and flooding events.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Schedule Changes for Illinois/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

FEMA Corps Graduates First AmeriCorps Members

WASHINGTON – After completing 10 months of service to disaster survivors around the country, the nation’s first class of FEMA Corps members will be honored at graduation ceremonies in Vicksburg, Miss., and Vinton, Iowa this month.

FEMA Corps is an innovative partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to enhance the nation’s disaster response and recovery capacity while expanding career opportunities for young people.

Established as a new unit within the existing AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), FEMA Corps engages young adults ages 18 to 24 to provide 10 months of full-time service on disaster response and recovery projects. More than 300 members of the inaugural FEMA Corps class will graduate at ceremonies in Vicksburg on June 6 and Vinton on June 13.

“These FEMA Corps members have made a real difference in FEMA’s disaster response and recovery efforts,” said Richard Serino, FEMA Deputy Administrator. “They have brought incredible energy and enthusiasm for community service, directly impacting the lives of disaster survivors and paving a path for future FEMA Corps teams.”

“I am so proud of the work AmeriCorps members have done as part of FEMA Corps and the positive impact they have had for disaster survivors,” said Wendy Spencer, CNCS CEO. “Through their selfless service, they have helped thousands of survivors move forward with their lives and blazed the trail for future FEMA Corps teams to make an even greater impact.”

FEMA Corps teams from the two campuses were integral in the response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Sandy. Teams were on the ground in New York and New Jersey in the first few days following the hurricane and provided direct assistance to disaster survivors by working at Disaster Recovery Centers and going door-to-door in impacted neighborhoods providing disaster information. FEMA Corps also provided assistance in 20 other states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Florida during their 10 month assignment.

The joint partnership between FEMA and CNCS is a five-year program that that will engage thousands of FEMA Corps members in all aspects of emergency management by responding to disasters across the country. Their service has contributed to delivering disaster assistance in a more expedited way by combining their resources and technology to help register disaster survivors in person. Their highly visible FEMA Corps uniforms also have let impacted communities and disaster survivors know that FEMA is present and helping to meet their needs.

As part of their service, FEMA Corps graduates will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to help them pay for college or pursue other learning opportunities in and out of emergency management.

“Being able to serve and to directly help disaster survivors in their greatest time of need has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined when I signed up for the program,” said Margarita Andryushchenko, FEMA Corps Team Leader. “The experiences my team members and I have had over the past 10months will stay with us forever.”

In addition to FEMA Corps campuses in Vicksburg and Vinton, FEMA Corps is also based out of Denver and Sacramento, Calif., and in the fall the campus in Baltimore, Md. will inaugurate its first class. A second class of FEMA Corps members from Vicksburg and Vinton will also begin in the fall.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

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FEMA Corps Graduates First AmeriCorps Members

Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxes

AURORA, Ill. – State and federal disaster assistance is not treated as income and is not taxable. It also does not affect Social Security benefits, nor does it affect a recipient’s eligibility for other federal assistance programs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has so far awarded more than $80.9 million dollars in disaster grants to individuals affected by the Illinois storms of April 16-May 5. Those grants have paid for temporary housing and other needs, such as personal property loss, medical care, and transportation. Here are answers to some typically asked questions:

Question: Will receiving a grant cause my income to increase to the point that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, or food stamps, or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).

Answer: No. Grants for housing and Other Needs Assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for any income-tested benefit programs that receives U.S. government funds.

Question: I took my Social Security benefits early. If I earn more than a certain amount each year, I must repay $1 of my Social Security payment for every $2 I earn. Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security?

Answer: No. FEMA grants for housing and ONA are not counted as income.

Question: I’m over 65, but if I earn more than a certain amount, I must pay tax on my Social Security income. Will a FEMA grant boost my income and require me to pay tax on my Social Security income?

Answer: No. Again, the IRS does not count FEMA grants for housing and ONA as income.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxes

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Ventura County

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Ventura County

Know your risks to make informed decisions

OAKLAND, Calif. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with the Ventura County Watershed Protection District to update flood hazard risk information. FEMA released preliminary flood maps that will help community officials, individuals and business owners identify known flood risks. When finalized, the maps will be used for flood insurance, land use, and development decisions. The revised maps are digital, incorporating the latest technology to identity flood risk based on detailed engineering models, decades of rainfall, storm gauge information, and current topographic data.

The preliminary flood maps propose changes to portions of San Antonio Creek, Reeves Creek, Thacher Creek, and McNell Creek near the city of Ojai and Ventura County. Flood hazard information on the preliminary maps will reflect an overall decrease in special flood hazard areas (SFHA) or high risk areas. Although there is an overall decrease of flood risk, it is important individuals and business owners review the preliminary flood maps to determine risks and make informed decisions.

Individuals and business owners who believe the proposed flood maps contain errors will be able to submit appeals by providing scientific or technical information through their community officials to FEMA. Once all appeals are resolved, FEMA will make any necessary updates to the study and notify community officials. Floodplain administrators in each community have copies of the maps available for public viewing.

Flooding is the most common disaster in the United States. Homeowners, renters and business owners are encouraged to look at the preliminary flood maps to become familiar with flood risks in their community. These flood maps can help individuals and businesses make informed decisions about flood insurance options and flood protection measures. For more information about flood insurance or to find a local agent, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

For questions about flood maps, visit http://msc.fema.gov, call 877-FEMA-MAP (877-336-2627) or email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

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FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Ventura County

FEMA Urges Residents to Take Steps to Prepare for Tropical Storm Andrea and Listen to Local Officials

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its regional offices in Atlanta, Ga. and Philadelphia, Pa. is monitoring the conditions of Tropical Storm Andrea. As Tropical Storm Andrea approaches Florida, FEMA urges citizens to closely monitor the storm and take steps to be as prepared as possible, in advance of severe weather and most importantly, follow the direction of state, tribal and local officials.

FEMA remains in close contact with state, tribal and local officials in Florida and all hurricane prone states to ensure they have the resources they need in preparation for Andrea and for the 2013 hurricane season. FEMA has increased the operational status of the National Watch Center in Washington, D.C. to an enhanced watch and a liaison is on site at the Florida emergency operations center to assist in coordination efforts.

This storm is projected to bring significant rainfall and the risk for flash flooding in many areas. Remember to stay away from flood waters. 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. Remember – turn around, don’t drown.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service, as of 11 a.m., Tropical Storm Andrea is located 110 miles south-southeast of Apalachicola, Fla. with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. On the forecast track, the center of Andrea will reach the coast of the Big Bend area later today and then move northeastward near the East Coast of the United States through Saturday. No significant change of strength is expected before the center reaches the coast later today. Some weakening is forecast tonight and early Friday while the center of Andrea moves over land.

“Now is the time to ensure your family is prepared, monitor storm conditions and follow the instructions of state, tribal and local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “With the increased risk of storm surge and flash flooding, remember to stay out of the water. Turn around, don’t drown.”

Tropical storm warnings are in effect along the west coast of Florida from Boca Grande to Indian Pass, along the East Coast from Flagler Beach, Fla. to Cape Charles Light, Virginia, for Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and the lower Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort, Virginia. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. There is a potential for tornadoes over the Florida Peninsula today.

As the first named storm of the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Tropical Storm Andrea should serve as another reminder that if you live in a coastal state, now is the time to be prepared, including determining if you live in an evacuation zone. As always, residents should listen to the instructions of state, tribal and local officials, and evacuate if told to do so. Visit www.Ready.gov for more information on how you can get your family ready for a hurricane or other emergency.

Here are some things everyone can do to prepare for the 2013 hurricane season:

Know your risk: Understand how hurricanes can affect where you live, work, go to school and play and how the weather could impact you, your family and your community. When you understand your risk, you are more likely to know how to prepare. Check the weather forecast regularly and sign up for local alerts from emergency management officials and obtain a NOAA Weather Radio.

Take action: Pledge to develop an emergency plan and practice how and where you will evacuate if instructed by your emergency management officials. Pledging also provides information on how to strengthen your home and business against hurricanes. You can also download FEMA’s mobile app so you can access important safety tips on what to do before, during and after a hurricane. Understand the National Hurricane Center warning and alerts.

Be an Example: Once you have pledged and taken action, be an example by talking to your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors on what you have done to prepare and to inspire others.

For more information on hurricanes, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov.

Information can also be found on your smartphone at m.fema.gov.

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FEMA Urges Residents to Take Steps to Prepare for Tropical Storm Andrea and Listen to Local Officials

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