Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation for Cameron County

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation briefings for designated counties in Pennsylvania began this week, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

A briefing for Cameron County officials will be held on Friday, Jan. 25 in Emporium.

DATE:

Friday, Jan. 25

TIME:

10 a.m.

LOCATION:

Cameron County Courthouse

20 E. Fifth St.

Emporium, PA 15834 

All seven categories of Public Assistance (A-G) are now available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for eligible expenditures. Projects may include emergency work, debris removal and repair or replacement of damaged roads, bridges and other elements of the infrastructure. Public Assistance funding also covers partial or complete repair of schools and other critical functions such as public water tanks or sewer systems. Projects will be approved only if they are necessary as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy during the time period from Oct. 26 to Nov. 8, 2012.  

In cases where small improvements may reduce the risk of future disaster damage, FEMA may pay for cost-effective mitigation measures. For example, FEMA may cover the cost of such projects as increasing the size of a culvert if the increase could prevent future flooding. Otherwise, FEMA generally pays only to bring facilities back to pre-disaster condition.

Category A: Debris Removal

Removal of obtrusive items on public property, including trees, woody debris, sand, mud, silt, gravel, building components, wreckage, vehicles and personal property to eliminate an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety. An example of an eligible project is the removal of debris from a street or highway to allow the safe passage of emergency vehicles. An example of an ineligible project is the pre-disaster sediment from engineered channels.

Category B: Emergency Protective Measures

Emergency Protective Measures are actions taken by applicants before, during and after a disaster to save lives, protect public health and safety, and prevent damage to improved public and private property. Emergency communications, emergency access and emergency public transportation costs may also be eligible. These can include such projects as search and rescue, sandbagging and removal of health and safety hazards.

Category C: Roads and Bridges

Roads (paved, gravel, and dirt) are eligible for permanent repair or replacement, unless they are Federal-aid roads. Eligible work includes repair to surfaces, bases, shoulders, ditches, culverts, low water crossings and other features, such as guardrails. Damage to the road must be disaster-related to be eligible for repair. Eligible work includes repairs to such elements as piers and approaches.

Category D: Water Control Facilities

Water control facilities include such elements as dams and reservoirs, levees and engineered drainage channels. Restoration of the carrying capacity of engineered channels and debris basins may be eligible, but maintenance records or surveys must be produced to show the pre-disaster capacity of these facilities.

Category E: Buildings and Equipment

Buildings, including contents such as furnishings and interior systems such as electrical work, are eligible for repair or replacement. FEMA may also pay for the replacement of library books and publications. Removal of mud, silt, or other accumulated debris is eligible, along with any cleaning and painting necessary to restore the building.

If an insurance policy applies to a facility, FEMA will deduct from eligible costs the amount of insurance proceeds, actual or anticipated, before providing funds for restoration of the facility.

Category F: Utilities

Typical utilities include 

•             Water treatment plants and delivery systems

•             Power generation and distribution facilities, including generators, substations and power lines

•             Sewage collection systems and treatment plants

•             Telecommunications

Category G: Parks, Recreational Facilities and Other Items                                                       

Repair and restoration of parks, playgrounds, pools, cemeteries and beaches are eligible. This category also is used for any work or facility that cannot be characterized adequately by Categories A-F. Other types of facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities, that are located in parks and recreational areas are also eligible and are subject to the eligibility criteria for Categories C, D, E and F.

Natural features are not eligible facilities unless they are improved and maintained. This restriction applies to features located in parks and recreational areas. Specific criteria apply to beaches and to trees and ground cover.

Repair and restoration of parks, playgrounds, pools, cemeteries and beaches are eligible. This category also is used for any work or facility that cannot be characterized adequately by Categories A-F. Other types of facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities, that are located in parks and recreational areas are also eligible and are subject to the eligibility criteria for Categories C, D, E and F.

Natural features are not eligible facilities unless they are improved and maintained. This restriction applies to features located in parks and recreational areas. Specific criteria apply to beaches and to trees and ground cover.

The Commonwealth begins the Public Assistance process by announcing the schedule of briefings through which potential applicants are guided through the application process. During the briefings, specialists will describe the application process. After the general applicant briefing, each applicant will meet one-on-one with an assigned Public Assistance Coordinator (PAC) at a scheduled kick-off meeting. The PAC will contact their assigned applicants within one week after a request for Public Assistance is submitted. Applicants should contact their State Public Assistance Officer to arrange the first meeting if they have not heard from their PAC within two weeks.

Here’s what to expect at a kick-off meeting:

A PAC will provide a detailed list of required records and can recommend ways of organizing them.

Applicants should be prepared to bring documents with them to their kick-off meeting, including a list of damage and a description of intended repair or replacement projects.

Applicants should try to identify circumstances that require special review, such as insurance coverage, environmental resource issues and historic preservation. The earlier these conditions are known, the faster they can be addressed, and they must be addressed before funding can be approved.

After the meeting, applicants will be able to contact their PAC with any questions or requests for assistance.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for Hazard Mitigation measures for all counties within the Commonwealth.

Applicants are responsible for maintaining records of completed work and work to be completed.

For more information about the Public Assistance process, including a list of frequently asked questions, 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.

 

View this article: 

Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation for Cameron County

Register with FEMA even if you registered with other agencies

NEW YORK – Since Hurricane Sandy impacted New York State, voluntary agencies and community- and faith-based groups have been working hand-in-hand with New Yorkers to help meet their needs — and some agencies may have asked survivors to register with them.

But the Federal Emergency Management Agency is reminding survivors to register with FEMA if they are seeking federal disaster grants or loans.

“We often find that people think they are registered with FEMA after they have contacted their county emergency managers, disaster-relief organizations, or local community- or faith-based organizations, but they are not,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “The only way we can get federal assistance to eligible survivors is if they are registered with FEMA.”

This means you should register with FEMA even if you have contacted New York 2-1-1, the American Red Cross or any other agency or local organization. Only a FEMA registration will open the way for possible federal grants and loans.

“Sometimes survivors mistakenly think they are not eligible for federal or state assistance, but when we review their applications we find they are,” Byrne said. “That’s why it’s so important that they register.”

That means register with FEMA, even if:

  • You have insurance. FEMA may be able to provide additional assistance or help with other needs not covered by insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.
    • You used all the rent money that your insurance company provided under Alternative Living Expenses coverage and your home is not ready for occupancy.
    • Your insurance does not include Alternative Living Expenses.
    • Your insurance settlement for Hurricane Sandy has not arrived.
  • Your home is still inaccessible. Register. If a housing inspection is warranted, we’ll assign an inspector as soon as possible.
  • You are a renter. Renters may be eligible for temporary housing or other needs assistance.
  • You think you may not be eligible. Let our specialists work with you to help determine whether FEMA might be able to provide some form of assistance.
  • You only had minor damage. It’s hard to know the full extent of the damage. Go ahead and register.

Survivors have until Jan. 28, 2013 to register for FEMA assistance.

Registration is easy through any of FEMA’s registration portals: Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app. Call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. For those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

A FEMA Language Assistance Line is available for those who need interpretation services in languages other than English or Spanish. Call: 866-333-1796.

Survivors can also visit any one of the Disaster Recovery Centers now open in many of the disaster-designated counties. To find the DRC nearest you, 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 or visit www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Disaster assistance for individuals may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and emergency home repairs to make a home habitable. Survivors could also be eligible for grants for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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.

Originally from:  

Register with FEMA even if you registered with other agencies

Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation for Potter County

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation briefings for designated counties in Pennsylvania began this week, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

A briefing for Potter County officials will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24 in Coudersport.

DATE:

Thursday, Jan. 24

TIME:

6 p.m.

LOCATION:

Gunzburger Building

1 N. Main St.

(Water St. entrance)

Coudersport, PA 16915

All seven categories of Public Assistance (A-G) are now available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for eligible expenditures. Projects may include emergency work, debris removal and repair or replacement of damaged roads, bridges and other elements of the infrastructure. Public Assistance funding also covers partial or complete repair of schools and other critical functions such as public water tanks or sewer systems. Projects will be approved only if they are necessary as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy during the time period from Oct. 26 to Nov. 8, 2012.  

In cases where small improvements may reduce the risk of future disaster damage, FEMA may pay for cost-effective mitigation measures. For example, FEMA may cover the cost of such projects as increasing the size of a culvert if the increase could prevent future flooding. Otherwise, FEMA generally pays only to bring facilities back to pre-disaster condition.

Public Assistance categories  

Category A: Debris Removal

Removal of obtrusive items on public property, including trees, woody debris, sand, mud, silt, gravel, building components, wreckage, vehicles and personal property to eliminate an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety. An example of an eligible project is the removal of debris from a street or highway to allow the safe passage of emergency vehicles. An example of an ineligible project is the pre-disaster sediment from engineered channels.

Category B: Emergency Protective Measures

Emergency Protective Measures are actions taken by applicants before, during and after a disaster to save lives, protect public health and safety, and prevent damage to improved public and private property. Emergency communications, emergency access and emergency public transportation costs may also be eligible. These can include such projects as search and rescue, sandbagging and removal of health and safety hazards.

Category C: Roads and Bridges

Roads (paved, gravel, and dirt) are eligible for permanent repair or replacement, unless they are Federal-aid roads. Eligible work includes repair to surfaces, bases, shoulders, ditches, culverts, low water crossings and other features, such as guardrails. Damage to the road must be disaster-related to be eligible for repair. Eligible work includes repairs to such elements as piers and approaches.

Category D: Water Control Facilities

Water control facilities include such elements as dams and reservoirs, levees and engineered drainage channels. Restoration of the carrying capacity of engineered channels and debris basins may be eligible, but maintenance records or surveys must be produced to show the pre-disaster capacity of these facilities.

Category E: Buildings and Equipment

Buildings, including contents such as furnishings and interior systems such as electrical work, are eligible for repair or replacement. FEMA may also pay for the replacement of library books and publications. Removal of mud, silt, or other accumulated debris is eligible, along with any cleaning and painting necessary to restore the building.

If an insurance policy applies to a facility, FEMA will deduct from eligible costs the amount of insurance proceeds, actual or anticipated, before providing funds for restoration of the facility.

Category F: Utilities

Typical Utilities include:

Water treatment plants and delivery systems

•             Power generation and distribution facilities, including generators, substations and power lines

•             Sewage collection systems and treatment plants

•             Telecommunications

Category G: Parks, Recreational Facilities and Other Items                                                       

Repair and restoration of parks, playgrounds, pools, cemeteries and beaches are eligible. This category also is used for any work or facility that cannot be characterized adequately by Categories A-F. Other types of facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities, that are located in parks and recreational areas are also eligible and are subject to the eligibility criteria for Categories C, D, E and F.

Natural features are not eligible facilities unless they are improved and maintained. This restriction applies to features located in parks and recreational areas. Specific criteria apply to beaches and to trees and ground cover.

Repair and restoration of parks, playgrounds, pools, cemeteries and beaches are eligible. This category also is used for any work or facility that cannot be characterized adequately by Categories A-F. Other types of facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities, that are located in parks and recreational areas are also eligible and are subject to the eligibility criteria for Categories C, D, E and F.

Natural features are not eligible facilities unless they are improved and maintained. This restriction applies to features located in parks and recreational areas. Specific criteria apply to beaches and to trees and ground cover.

A detailed description of all seven Public Assistance categories is available online at www.FEMA.gov.

The Commonwealth begins the Public Assistance process by announcing the schedule of briefings through which potential applicants are guided through the application process. During the briefings, specialists will describe the application process. After the general applicant briefing, each applicant will meet one-on-one with an assigned Public Assistance Coordinator (PAC) at a scheduled kick-off meeting. The PAC will contact their assigned applicants within one week after a request for Public Assistance is submitted. Applicants should contact their State Public Assistance Officer to arrange the first meeting if they have not heard from their PAC within two weeks.

Here’s what to expect at a kick-off meeting:

A PAC will provide a detailed list of required records and can recommend ways of organizing them.

Applicants should be prepared to bring documents with them to their kick-off meeting, including a list of damage and a description of intended repair or replacement projects.

Applicants should try to identify circumstances that require special review, such as insurance coverage, environmental resource issues and historic preservation. The earlier these conditions are known, the faster they can be addressed, and they must be addressed before funding can be approved.

After the meeting, applicants will be able to contact their PAC with any questions or requests for assistance.

Applicants are responsible for maintaining records of completed work and work to be completed.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for Hazard Mitigation measures for all counties within the Commonwealth.

For a list of frequently asked questions about the Public Assistance process see 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.

# # #

Link: 

Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation for Potter County

FEMA Obligates Nearly $3.3 Million to Louisiana Department of Public Safety for Hurricane Isaac Emergency Measures

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Public Safety will receive a nearly $3.3 million federal grant to reimburse the costs it incurred to provide measures to save lives and property before, during and after Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Thursday.

“When disasters strike, the men and women of the Department of Public Safety are on the front lines to help protect Louisiana and its residents,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This grant helps reimburse the department for its efforts to protect the health, safety and property of Louisianians during Hurricane Isaac.”

Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, Hurricane Isaac produced high winds, rain and flooding throughout the state. The department and its divisions provided emergency protective measures necessary to eliminate and reduce immediate threats to life, public health and safety, and public and private property. The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $3,277,030, helps reimburse the department for the costs of equipment, personnel and supplies used during the Hurricane Isaac response and recovery effort.

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the $189 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. FEMA is also on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

Source article:  

FEMA Obligates Nearly $3.3 Million to Louisiana Department of Public Safety for Hurricane Isaac Emergency Measures

Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Briefing Scheduled for Somerset County

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Public Assistance briefing is scheduled for Somerset County, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Somerset County, 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24 

Somerset County Department of Emergency Services

100 E. Union St.

Somerset, PA 15501

At the briefing, officials from state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations will receive information about applying for federal assistance to recover from Hurricane Sandy during the period from October 26 to November 8, 2012.  

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.

Federal funding is also available through the PA program on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures in all counties of the Commonwealth.

Frequently asked questions about the Public Assistance process are included online at www.FEMA.gov.

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.

# # #

Taken from – 

Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Briefing Scheduled for Somerset County

SBA Disaster Loan Important for Homeowners and Renters

NEW YORK – Of the more than 161,000 low-interest U. S. Small Business Administration disaster loan applications sent to New York’s Hurricane Sandy survivors, fewer than 34,000 have been completed and returned.

SBA loans represent a major source of federal funding for disaster home repair and reconstruction. Applicants are urged to complete and return their applications as soon as possible.

Most SBA disaster loans go to individuals and families, and interest rates may be as low as 1.688 percent with terms up to 30 years.

The deadline for New York’s Hurricane Sandy survivors to apply for both FEMA assistance and an SBA loan is Jan. 28, 2013.

Some of the top reasons for submitting an SBA application by the deadline include:

  • Your homeowner insurance settlement falls short. You may find out that you were under-insured for the amount of work it will take to repair or replace your damaged home. An SBA low-interest loan can cover the uninsured costs. By submitting the loan application, you may have loan money available when it is needed most. SBA can approve a loan for the repair or replacement of your home up to $200,000. Once your insurance settles, you may apply those funds to your disaster loan. However, the opportunity for an SBA disaster loan may be lost if you wait past the application deadline.
  • SBA can work with an applicant to shape a loan that fits your personal budget. If you already have a mortgage on the damaged property, SBA specialists can work with you to come up with an affordable low-interest loan package. In some cases, SBA can refinance all or part of an existing mortgage when the applicant has sustained significant damage to their house.
  • SBA can help renters replace their essential items. Renters, as well as homeowners, may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
  • By submitting your SBA loan application, you keep the full range of disaster assistance available as an option. If SBA does not approve a loan for you – or approves a small loan that doesn’t cover all of your needs – you may be referred to other programs that can provide grants to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle or cover storage expenses, among other serious disaster-related needs. But if you do not submit the loan application you received from SBA, the assistance process may stop.

It takes less than 30 minutes to fill out an application. A simple, fast, and very available way to complete the application is online, using the SBA’s electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. Plus, you can receive an update on the status of your application by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).

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. To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).

To find the nearest disaster recovery center, check out the disaster recovery center 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).

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

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.

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.

Link:  

SBA Disaster Loan Important for Homeowners and Renters

Deadline Extended a Third Time for Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have an additional 30 days to file claims for their flood-related losses. This means most policyholders have until Feb. 21 to complete their proof of loss.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) usually requires claims to be reported within 60 days from the date of loss. Three extensions have been granted, however, because access to NFIP-insured homes and other buildings was delayed due to infrastructure damage and high floodwaters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the program.

With the latest 30-day extension on flood insurance claims, Louisianians have 180 days from the date of their insured loss to submit a claim, known as proof of loss. Hurricane Isaac first made landfall in Louisiana on Aug. 28, 2012, with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring within several days before and after it hit. For this reason the date of loss varies for property owners.

“Many Isaac survivors continue to gather information that will help adjusters determine their flood insurance loss,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “However, we urge folks who haven’t yet filed their proof of loss to do so as soon as possible.”

Failure to submit the proof of loss could cause policyholders to miss out on benefits from their flood insurance policy, NFIP specialists said.

Since Isaac made landfall, the NFIP has paid out more than $416 million on 13,159 claims in Louisiana.

Policyholders with questions about flood insurance or concerns about their claims may contact their local insurance agent, call FEMA program experts at 1-866-331-1679 or 1-866-330-7286, or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

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.

View article:

Deadline Extended a Third Time for Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims in Louisiana

Federal, State and Local Partners Team Up to Identify Texas Coastal Flood Risks: Storm surge study provides update on flood risks in Galveston and…

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is updating flood maps in Galveston and Matagorda, Texas counties following the release of a new, comprehensive storm surge study that gives updated information on coastal flood risks.

As FEMA works to update the new flood maps, the agency is working closely with its federal, state and local partners to help these coastal communities better understand the current flood risk so that action can be taken to reduce that risk.

Meetings with local officials have already taken place and open houses for the general public are currently being scheduled.  The local workshops provided an opportunity for local officials to review the storm surge study methods and get an update on the project’s progress.  The open houses will help to educate the public about the current flood risk in the area. Public meetings will be posted on www.txchart.com.

The Texas-based coastal flood mapping effort is part of FEMA’s comprehensive approach to integrating flood hazard identification and analysis with risk communications for affected coastal counties. In addition to the Galveston and Matagorda counties, the effort also includes Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Harris, Jackson, Jefferson, Kleberg, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Willacy.

Once a flood risk is identified, the next step is to consider the purchase of a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  The NFIP is currently undergoing a thorough modernization. 

Meanwhile, contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to gather information about insurance.  Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

Media note:  If media would like to join an online, informational briefing beginning at 11.a.m. (CST) on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, please call us at 940-898-5454 for details.

###

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.

See more here:  

Federal, State and Local Partners Team Up to Identify Texas Coastal Flood Risks: Storm surge study provides update on flood risks in Galveston and…

Who Qualifies for FEMA Disaster Assistance?

NEW YORK – To qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a survivor of Hurricane Sandy must meet certain conditions.

First, the individual or household losses must have occurred in an area covered by the presidential disaster declaration for New York, which includes 13 counties.

  • Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

The survivor must register with FEMA. There are several ways to do this:

  • Via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app.
  • Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  • For 7-1-1Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
  • The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week until further notice.
  • A FEMA Language Assistance Line is available for those who need interpretation services in languages other than English or Spanish. Call: 866-333-1796.

The deadline to register with FEMA is Jan. 28 in New York.

If the applicant has insurance, he or she must file a claim with the insurance company.

For housing assistance

  • The damage to the property is not covered by insurance or the insurance settlement is insufficient to cover the losses.
  • The applicant or someone who lives in the household is a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien.
  • The applicant must have a valid Social Security number.
  • The damaged home is where the applicant usually lives and was living at the time of the disaster.

A survivor may not be eligible for housing assistance if:

  • The home that was damaged is a secondary or vacation residence.
  • Expenses resulted only from leaving the home as a precaution and the applicant was able to return to the home immediately after the incident.
  • The applicant has refused assistance from his or her insurance provider.
  • The only losses are business losses.
  • The damaged home is located in a designated flood hazard area and the applicant’s community is not participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.l
    •  In this case, the flood damage to the home would not be covered, but the applicant may qualify for rental assistance or assistance for items not covered by flood 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.

 

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.

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.

Excerpt from: 

Who Qualifies for FEMA Disaster Assistance?

18 Disaster Recovery Centers Still Providing Service to Hurricane Sandy’s NY Survivors

NEW YORK ­­­­– Staff from the State of New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Small Business Administration remain on hand at 18 Disaster Recovery Centers throughout New York to provide face-to-face assistance to Hurricane Sandy survivors.

The recovery centers, which will remain open until further notice, are one-stop shops for homeowners, renters, business owners and other eligible survivors to get assistance as quickly as possible. Translation services are available for survivors who don’t speak English.

Survivors can learn what help is available, ask questions, and apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA at any center.

Other reasons for survivors to visit a recovery center:

  • If you registered with FEMA and haven’t heard anything
  • If you registered with FEMA and are awaiting an insurance settlement and have questions or aren’t sure what to do next
  • If you received the recertification form for continuing temporary rental assistance and have questions or need help completing it
  • If you need assistance completing other forms such as the SBA loan application

Although it can be a convenient way to obtain one-on-one help, visiting a center is not a requirement for disaster survivors.

To find the nearest recovery 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. Or go to the Disaster Recovery Center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

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. They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362.

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 Jan. 28, 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.

Following is a list of centers by borough and county:

Kings

Holy Family R.C. Church

9719 Flatlands Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11236

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

Gerritsen Beach Volunteer Fire Training building

43 Seba Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11229

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

Social Security building

Gravesend

10 Bouck Court

Brooklyn, NY 11223

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

Jewish Community Center

YM-YWHA

3300 Coney Island Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11235

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

MCU parking lot

1904 Surf Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11224

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

Sheepshead Bay Club

3076 Emmons Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11235.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

Nassau

Recreation Center and Ice Arena

700 Magnolia Blvd.

Long Beach, NY 11561

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

Sacred Heart Parish

RR station parking lot

127 Long Beach Rd.

Island Park, NY 11558

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

Cedar Creek Park

Merrick Rd. East

Seaford, NY 11783

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

Freeport Recreation Center

130 E. Merrick Rd.

Freeport, NY 11520

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

Queens

Sands Point Professional Building

230 Beach 102nd St.

Rockaway Park, NY 11694

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

Fort Tilden Park

415 State Rd.

Breezy Point, NY 11697

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday

 

Community Church of the Nazarene

1414 Central Ave.

Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

American Legion

209 Cross Bay Blvd.

Broad Channel, NY 11693

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

Storefront

1001 Beach 20th St.

Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

Arverne by the Sea

68-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

Arverne, NY 11692

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

Richmond

Kia in Staten Island

1976 Hylan Blvd.

Staten Island, NY 10306

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

Suffolk

Lindenhurst Library

1 Lee Ave.

Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

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.

View original article: 

18 Disaster Recovery Centers Still Providing Service to Hurricane Sandy’s NY Survivors

 Page 282 of 386  « First  ... « 280  281  282  283  284 » ...  Last »