March 18-22 is Flood Safety Awareness Week. Do You Know Your Flood Hazards?

DENTON, Texas –   The Region 6 office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is joining its federal, state and local partners in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas to commemorate Flood Safety Awareness Week from March 18-22, 2013.  

The week-long campaign provides an opportunity for emergency management experts to work together in sharing information about the dangers related to flooding, how to prepare for flood events and ways to prevent future damage from floods.

“Flooding is the nation’s number one natural disaster and it can happen in any of our regional states,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson.  “We encourage homeowners, renters and business owners to find out if their home or business is at risk for flood and then take steps to address that risk.”

Before a Flood

  • Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
  • Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
  • Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

During a Flood

  • Listen to local officials and monitor your local radio or television for information.
  • Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If it does, move immediately to higher ground.  
  • Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly.
  • Do not drive into flooded areas. Turn Around; Don’t Drown. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

After a Flood

  • Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
  • Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened.
  • Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

Find more information on flooding, flood hazards, and flood insurance at www.floodsmart.gov, http://www.ready.gov/floods and www.nws.noaa.gov/floodsafety/.

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

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March 18-22 is Flood Safety Awareness Week. Do You Know Your Flood Hazards?

Two weeks remain to register with FEMA

NEW YORK – Survivors of Hurricane Sandy have two weeks to register for possible disaster assistance and to return applications for low-interest disaster loans to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The deadline for both is March 29.

FEMA urges everyone who sustained losses from Hurricane Sandy to register, including those who have insurance. Insurance may not cover all losses.

The 13 designated counties are: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

FEMA disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

There are several ways to register:

  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app.
  • By phone, 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  • The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors who receive a low-interest disaster loan application from SBA after registering with FEMA should complete and return the application even if they do not plan to accept a loan. By completing the application, applicants may become eligible for additional grants from FEMA. By not completing and returning the applications, survivors could potentially be leaving recovery assistance money on the table.

A simple and fast way to complete a disaster loan application is online, using the SBA’s electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. Applicants can receive an update on the status of their application by calling 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

SBA customer service representatives are available to issue or accept low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions at all New York State/FEMA disaster recovery centers and SBA business recovery centers and disaster loan outreach centers. To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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Two weeks remain to register with FEMA

Disaster Recovery Center In Lamar Park To Close Friday

PURVIS, Miss. – The Disaster Recovery Center in Lamar Park at 226 Pinewood Dr. will close Friday, March 15, at 6 p.m., according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

One other DRC in Mississippi will remain open at the Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12th Avenue in Hattiesburg. People who are unable to visit the Lamar Park facility before it closes can talk to disaster specialists at the Ben McNair center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday until further notice.

At the DRC, applicants and others with questions about disaster recovery can meet face-to-face with state and federal specialists who can provide information and answer questions about storm-related assistance. Also on hand at the DRC are representatives from the US Small Business Administration who can help survivors understand and complete applications for low-interest disaster loans.

For those unable to visit the centers, help is readily available by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. C-Spire Wireless customers can reach FEMA by calling #362. Disaster survivors can register for assistance at these numbers or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. With an internet-capable smartphone or other PDA, the address is m.fema.gov.

The SBA toll-free number is 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339. SBA help also is available by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or on the web at www.sba.gov.

MEMA and FEMA urge people affected by the recent storms and flooding to register with FEMA before visiting the center.

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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Disaster Recovery Center In Lamar Park To Close Friday

The Sovereign Navajo Nation and FEMA Sign Formal Disaster Aid Agreement

The Sovereign Navajo Nation and FEMA Sign Formal Disaster Aid Agreement

Mentmore, NM – The signing of a precedent setting formal agreement to implement federal disaster assistance directly with the Sovereign Navajo Nation will take place on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at the Navajo Division of Transportation complex.  The ceremony, conducted with representatives of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and tribal leadership, reflects the working partnership developed to assist the Navajo Nation with their recovery from severe freeze that occurred December 15, 2012 to January 21, 2013. 

This is the first FEMA-Tribal agreement implemented west of the Mississippi since the amendment of the Stafford Act that provides federally recognized tribal governments to make a request directly to the President for a major disaster declaration without going through a state government.

“We are thankful that we are taking a step to further strengthen our sovereignty as the Navajo Nation. This agreement recognizes the government to government relationship we have with the federal government. We look forward to working together to help our people,” Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly said.

The Presidential disaster declaration for this severe freeze event made FEMA’s Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs available to the tribe.  “I am pleased to partner with the Navajo leadership in addressing their disaster-related needs,” said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward.  “Our team of public assistance and mitigation specialists will continue to work closely with Tribal members to document all eligible costs and damages and to make funds available to assist with repairs and improvements.” 

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 partially 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.

 

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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.

 

Original article: 

The Sovereign Navajo Nation and FEMA Sign Formal Disaster Aid Agreement

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Vallejo Waterways

Latest study reveals increased flooding risk for some Bay Area Waterways 
 

OAKLAND, Calif. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with the city of Vallejo, Calif. to update flood hazard risk information.  FEMA has released preliminary flood maps that will help community officials, local 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 flood maps are digital, incorporating the latest available technology to identify flood risk based on detailed engineering models, decades of rainfall and storm gauge information, and current topographic data.

Flooding is the most common disaster in the United States, so individuals and business owners near Chabot Lake, Blue Rock Springs Creek, Lake Dalwigk, Lemon Street Canal, Magazine Street Canal, Miller Ditch, and Rindler Creek and tributaries are urged to look at the preliminary flood maps to become familiar with flood risks.  These flood maps can help make informed decisions about flood insurance options and flood protection measures.

If individuals and business owners believe the preliminary flood maps contain errors, they may submit appeals by sharing scientific or technical information through their community officials for FEMA review.  Once all appeals are resolved, FEMA will make any necessary updates and notify community officials of any further changes.  Floodplain administrators in each community have copies of the maps available for public viewing.

For more information about flood insurance, premium estimates or to find a local agent, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

For specific questions about flood maps and FEMA’s flood hazard mapping program, call 877-FEMA-MAP (877-336-6267), email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com or visit http://msc.fema.gov.

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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.

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FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Vallejo Waterways

FEMA, MEMA and FEMA Corps Reach Out to University of Southern Mississippi

PURVIS, Miss. –Students, staff, alumni and fans at the University of Southern Mississippi may have noticed some new faces around campus and sporting events. Folks from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and FEMA Corps were on campus and at athletic events this past month to assist Golden Eagle fans affected by the recent tornadoes and flooding.

A Disaster Information Station set up on campus in the R.C. Cook Student Union served as a hub for busy students and faculty to receive information and ask questions about disaster assistance. More than 50 people visited the station between Feb. 25 and March 1.

To get the word out even more, the MEMA/FEMA community relations teams were at the USM men’s basketball game March 2 when the Golden Eagles defeated East Carolina at the Reed Green Coliseum. They greeted people at the gates, handed out flyers and answered questions as fans filed in for the game.

“Some people would walk by and we’d hand them a card and some would stop to talk,” said MEMA Individual Assistance Director Dan Magee. “A lot of people would walk up and say thank you, we appreciate ya’ll. They were really great and thankful.”

At the USM baseball game Saturday, teams stood outside the gates at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field, greeting fans and making themselves available for questions.

“We were there to provide info if they needed it,” said FEMA Corps member Katy Cobb. “They mostly just kind of gave us a smile and walked into the game.”

Though they weren’t donning black and gold like the fans, they were still there for the same reason: to support the USM community.

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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FEMA, MEMA and FEMA Corps Reach Out to University of Southern Mississippi

FEMA helpline offers many services to Sandy survivors in New York

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors who have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance can take advantage of the many services available through the FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Survivors can check the status of their applications, update contact information, and learn how their insurance affects FEMA assistance.

Survivors also can call the helpline to:

  • Update insurance information
  • Receive information on the home inspection process
  • Add or remove the name of a person designated to speak for the applicant
  • Find out if FEMA needs more information about their claim
  • Update FEMA on the applicant’s housing situation
  • Learn how to appeal a FEMA application decision
  • Get answers to other questions they might have about their application

Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available. Survivors can also visit DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov.

The deadline to register for possible disaster assistance is March 29, 2013. FEMA offers financial help to eligible survivors of federally-declared disasters to cover uninsured losses and critical expenses that are not covered by other means.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit FEMA.gov/SandyNY, Twitter.com/FEMASandy, Facebook.com/FEMASandy and FEMA.gov/blog.

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FEMA helpline offers many services to Sandy survivors in New York

Deadline is March 25 for Applicants to File Requests for Public Assistance

BATON ROUGE, La. – State agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofits in Louisiana parishes hit hard by the Jan. 8-17 storms and flooding have about two weeks to file their official requests for federal assistance.

The deadline to file a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) is March 25.

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.

Applicants must file RPAs within 30 days of a presidential disaster declaration. President Obama issued Louisiana’s major disaster declaration on Feb. 22 for Acadia, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Evangeline, Franklin, Jefferson Davis, Livingston, Madison, St. Landry, and Vermilion parishes.

“We urge all eligible applicants to make their requests for assistance quickly,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “The sooner they do so, the sooner we can start the process of getting their eligible costs reimbursed, which helps get communities back on track.”

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.

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.

Details of the PA program are on FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.

More information on Louisiana disaster recovery is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. FEMA is also on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Deadline is March 25 for Applicants to File Requests for Public Assistance

Mississippi – One Month After The Storm

PURVIS, Miss. – In the month since thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding caused widespread destruction across the Pine Belt, the federal government has approved more than $3.2 million to help Mississippians respond to and recover from the storms.

On Feb. 13, the president declared a major disaster and ordered federal aid to individuals and households and to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the storms. Counties either initially declared eligible for assistance or added later are Greene, Forrest, Lamar, Jefferson Davis, Marion, Perry and Wayne.

The response to the storm and flooding damage has involved the whole community: federal, state, and local agencies, the private sector, faith-based and voluntary agencies.

The Mississippi disaster at a glance:

(As of close of business March 10)

  • 2,816 people contacted FEMA for help or information.
  • $2.4 million distributed to individuals and households. This includes:
    • $1,754,997 in housing assistance.
    • $623,595 in other needs assistance.
  • 1,706 homes inspected.
  • 1,581 people have visited Disaster Recovery Centers in five different locations. Two centers currently are in operation Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
    • Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12th Ave., Hattiesburg.
    • Lamar Park, 226 Pinewood Drive Hattiesburg.
  • Small Business Administration:
    • 1,390 applications issued to homeowners, businesses, and renters.
    • $747,400 approved.
  • 29 FEMA community relations specialists have met face-to-face with hundreds of storm survivors. Paired with MEMA specialists, teams have delivered vital recovery information door-to-door, to community and faith-based organizations and to people with special needs.
  • 1,081 customers at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Economy Supply and Marvin’s spoke with FEMA mitigation-outreach experts on how best to repair and rebuild safer and stronger.
  • Nine FEMA Corps team members have assisted in all phases of the disaster recovery process.

Assistance to individuals and households is only part of federal disaster-recovery assistance.

Under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, an estimated $6.1 million may be available to reimburse state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations for their response and recovery efforts.

Additional funds for eligible hazard-mitigation measures will be made available to the state of Mississippi to help prevent damage from future 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.

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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Mississippi – One Month After The Storm

Attention Senior Sandy Survivors: Beware Of Scams

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey seniors recovering from Hurricane Sandy are strongly advised to beware of scam artists claiming to represent the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration or the National Flood Insurance Program.

By going door to door to storm-damaged homes or making contact by phone or on the Internet, scam artists may try to obtain personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers or falsely claim that you need to make a payment to a federal agency.

To avoid being a victim of a scam, remember:

  • On any follow-up calls, a FEMA representative will only ask for the last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security number.
  • While a FEMA representative may visit your home in connection with your claim, they will    not ask you to make a payment.
  • If someone comes to your door identifying themselves as a FEMA, SBA or NFIP representative, ask to see their federal identification badge. All authorized FEMA or SBA employees are required to display a laminated photo identification badge at all times.
  • If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, call the FEMA Fraud Hotline at 800-323-8603 or call the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846.

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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Attention Senior Sandy Survivors: Beware Of Scams

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