A Disaster Recovery Center in NY relocates and another ceases operation

NEW YORK – A Disaster Recovery Center is moving to a new location. Another center is ending service.

The center at the Lindenhurst Memorial Library, 1 Lee Avenue in Lindenhurst, NY, 11757, will end service at that location at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, and will reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 at the Copiague Memorial Public Library, 50 Deauville Blvd., Copiague, NY, 11726.

The center’s hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The recovery center at the storefront at 1001 Beach 20th St., Far Rockaway, Queens, NY, 11691, will end service at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013.

The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York recovery centers. Traffic at the two centers has slowed, indicating the information needs of survivors in those areas have mostly been met. So far, there have been more than 14,000 visits to the two centers.

Survivors who need help may still visit any of the other centers that remain open throughout New York, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

To find the nearest center, the following options are available:

  • Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address.

Individuals also can find a recovery center – and register for FEMA help – online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app.

Survivors who have questions or want to register with FEMA can also call 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice.

Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until Feb. 27, 2013, to register for federal disaster assistance, which can include money for rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

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.

This article – 

A Disaster Recovery Center in NY relocates and another ceases operation

FEMA Welcomes Haltom City, Texas to the Community Rating System

DENTON, Texas – Residents and business owners in Haltom City, Texas can now enjoy a reduction in flood insurance premiums because of the city’s active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). In addition to lower premiums, the CRS program helps to reduce the threat of damage due to flooding.

“The flood insurance program rewards communities for implementing programs and policies that protect their residents from flooding,” said Tony Robinson, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) R6 regional administrator. “By joining this program, Haltom City’s higher regulatory standards, public education outreach, and other initiatives, have earned the city lower premiums as a CRS Class 7 Community.”

Haltom City flood insurance policyholders who reside in Special Flood Hazard Areas will receive a 15 percent reduction on flood insurance premiums and policyholders located outside Special Flood Hazard Areas will enjoy a 5 percent discount. The reduction in flood insurance premiums represents an annual savings in premium costs for Haltom City’s policy holders and will take effect at the time a new policy is written or an effective policy is renewed.

The city’s flood plain management staff has worked hard to insure that Haltom City’s participation in the program pays off. In addition to the reduction in insurance premiums, local officials are more knowledgeable about floodplain management and its residents are more knowledgeable about mitigation and flood insurance.

The program helps to make Haltom City a safer place to live, reduces the economic impact of flood hazards and saves citizens money on flood policy premiums.

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program for NFIP- participating communities. The intended goals of the program are to reduce flood losses; facilitate accurate insurance ratings; and to promote the awareness of flood insurance. For more information on the NFIP’s CRS program, go to http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm.

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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.

 

Original source: 

FEMA Welcomes Haltom City, Texas to the Community Rating System

Deer Park, Texas Celebrates a Safer Community

DENTON, Texas – Residents, business and residential renters, and business owners in Deer Park, Texas can now enjoy a 5 to 10 percent reduction in flood insurance premiums because of the city’s active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).

This means those policyholders who reside in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) will receive a 10 percent reduction on flood insurance premiums, and policyholders located outside the SFHA will enjoy a 5 percent discount.

In addition to lower premiums, the rating program helps to reduce the threat of damage from flooding, according to officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “The flood insurance program rewards communities for implementing programs and policies that protect their residents from flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Deer Park’s higher regulatory standards, public education outreach, property acquisition programs and open space preservation initiatives, among other activities, have earned the parish lower premiums as a CRS Class 8 Community.”

The reduction in flood insurance premiums represents an annual savings in premium costs for Deer Park policy holders and will take effect at the time a new policy is written or an effective policy is renewed. Those individuals and business owners with a Preferred Risk Policy will not receive premium rate credits under the CRS because it already has a lower premium than other policies.

Since joining CRS in 2000, the city’s participation in the program has been beneficial in many respects. In addition to the reduction in insurance premiums, local officials are more knowledgeable about floodplain management and residents are more knowledgeable about mitigation and flood insurance.    The CRS program has helped make Deer Park a safer place to live, reduced the economic impact of flood hazards and saved their citizens money on flood policy premiums.

CRS is a voluntary program for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)-participating communities. The intended goals of the CRS are to reduce flood losses; facilitate accurate insurance ratings; and to promote the awareness of flood insurance.  For more information on the NFIP’s CRS program, visit www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm.

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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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Deer Park, Texas Celebrates a Safer Community

Sandy survivors with home accessibility needs should contact FEMA

NEW YORK – Survivors with home accessibility needs because of Hurricane Sandy, especially older adults and people with disabilities, are encouraged to stay in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA may be able to assist if elevators or electricity are not working properly, even if the structure did not sustain damage.

Residents living in buildings with non-working elevators or inaccessible common areas may be eligible for temporary rental assistance or other disaster-related assistance from FEMA. Those experiencing accessibility issues while waiting for an insurance settlement also may be eligible for assistance.

Buildings with unsafe conditions such as electrical problems in common areas, non-working elevators and hard-to-access entrances may present difficulties to residents, especially those with disabilities or health concerns that make it difficult to use the stairs.

FEMA specialists are canvassing neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Sandy to ensure survivors with physical or mobility needs have equal access and receive equal benefits from FEMA programs. They will work on a case-by-case basis to assist survivors with access and functional needs to ensure they receive the assistance for which they are eligible.

While FEMA will continue outreach efforts, survivors are urged to call the FEMA helpline 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or TTY 800-462-7585. Call centers are available 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. EST, seven days a week.

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Sandy survivors with home accessibility needs should contact FEMA

Two Weeks Left For Survivors To Register For Disaster Assistance In New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. — Just two weeks remain for Hurricane Sandy survivors in New Jersey to register for potential recovery assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The deadline is Friday, March 1 at 10 p.m. local time by phone and at midnight for those who register online.

March 1 is also the deadline to return applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans, which is the primary source of federal funds for long-term rebuilding. The quickest way to apply for an SBA disaster home or business loan is filling out an online application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

New Jerseyans who applied for federal disaster assistance are urged to stay in touch with FEMA and SBA. Applicants can track their claims and should notify FEMA and SBA of changes to their mailing addresses, phone numbers or email addresses.

To date, more than $358.1 million in grants has been approved for home repairs or replacement, rental assistance and other needs. Another $446.7 million in SBA low-interest disaster loans has been approved for more than 6,400 homes and businesses.

Survivors can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, via web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov until midnight March 1. New Jerseyans can also register by telephone until 10 p.m. March 1 via FEMA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Recovery assistants remain available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

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 to article – 

Two Weeks Left For Survivors To Register For Disaster Assistance In New Jersey

Less than two weeks to register for disaster assistance

NEW YORK – Disaster help begins with registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Feb. 27 deadline is coming up soon.

Less than two weeks remain for Hurricane Sandy survivors to register for help from FEMA. That’s the same deadline for returning the disaster loan application to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Since Sandy made landfall in late October, FEMA and SBA have approved more than $1.8 billion for survivors in New York. FEMA has approved nearly $900 million for individuals and households (at the close of business Feb. 13).

Registering for help is as easy as calling the FEMA helpline, which operates from

7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice. Hurricane Sandy survivors can register by calling 800-621-3362 (7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services are available) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

To register online, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or on smartphone at m.fema.gov.

SBA has approved almost $912 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters and more than $62 million in disaster businesses loans.

More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339). Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

A simple and fast way to complete an SBA application is online. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.

FEMA and SBA representatives are available to answer questions at each Disaster Recovery Center. To find the nearest disaster recovery center, use the locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov.

You may also text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example, if you lived in Staten Island, you would text:  DRC 10301. Or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

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.

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.

Source article: 

Less than two weeks to register for disaster assistance

Philadelphia County Added to Hurricane Sandy Disaster Declaration for Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Philadelphia County has been added to the Public Assistance declaration for Hurricane Sandy recovery in Pennsylvania, according to officials from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This announcement makes categories A-G of the federal Public Assistance program available to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia County.

Through the Public Assistance program, FEMA provides supplemental federal disaster grant assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private nonprofit organizations. The Public Assistance program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process.

Applicants for Public Assistance typically include organizations that provide public service, such as municipalities, townships and school districts. Other applicants might include volunteer fire fighter organizations; sewer authorities; emergency management offices; and regional police departments.

To be eligible for federal Public Assistance, applicants must show that their project is required as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy during the period from October 26 to November 8, 2012.

Public Assistance funding may cover costs incurred to return elements of the infrastructure to as close to their pre-disaster condition as possible.

Expenses may include costs for work such as debris removal and repair or replacement of damaged roads, bridges and other public components.

FEMA Public Assistance specialists work closely with individual applicants to review specifics of each project to determine which expenses may be covered.

FEMA manages the Public Assistance program, approves grants and provides technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants and managing each project funded under the program.

The addition of Philadelphia County brings the total number of counties in Pennsylvania eligible to apply for federal assistance for Hurricane Sandy recovery to 18. The 16 counties in the major disaster declaration signed by President Obama on January 10 include: Bedford, Bucks, Cameron, Dauphin, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Potter, Somerset, Sullivan and Wyoming. Montgomery County was the 17th county added to the disaster declaration on January 17.  

All counties within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Mitigation funding may cover costs of eligible projects to lessen the impact of disasters.

For a list of frequently asked questions about the federal Public Assistance process, see: http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-frequently-asked-questions.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

 

 

Original article:  

Philadelphia County Added to Hurricane Sandy Disaster Declaration for Pennsylvania

New Jersey Disaster Recovery Centers To Close For Presidents Day

TRENTON, N.J. — Disaster recovery centers in New Jersey will close for Presidents Day Monday, Feb. 18. Small Business Administration disaster loan outreach and business recovery centers also will be closed.        

The centers will resume normal hours Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Help and information are always available online or by phone. Survivors can check on the status of their disaster assistance applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, by using a smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 or 711/VRS. They also can call those numbers to inquire about rental recertification.         

Survivors can ask questions about their SBA disaster home or business loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Additional resources are available online at FEMA.gov/SandyNJ and SBA.gov/Sandy.

Survivors who have questions about flood insurance claims and the appeals process can call toll-free 888-379-9531.

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.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance Program provides long term, low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit www.sba.gov. All SBA’s program and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Source – 

New Jersey Disaster Recovery Centers To Close For Presidents Day

Federal Aid Programs for State of Mississippi Disaster Recovery

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Mississippi.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

  • Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable.  Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters.  Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.  (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
  • Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.  (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
  • Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.   (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
  • Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.  (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
  • Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance.  Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses.  Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance.  (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
  • Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster’s adverse economic impact.  This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
  • Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence.  (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
  • Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.

Assistance for the State, Tribal and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
     
  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
  • Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by commonwealth and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice.  Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.
  • Application procedures for local and state governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved mitigation projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

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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Federal Aid Programs for State of Mississippi Disaster Recovery

President Declares Major Disaster In Mississippi

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Mississippi and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on February 10, 2013, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Forrest and Lamar counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged in Forrest and Lamar counties including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Terry L. Quarles has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Quarles said damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.  Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. 

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, 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. 

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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President Declares Major Disaster In Mississippi

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