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Seven Municipalities Added to Virginia Disaster Declaration

RICHMOND, Va. –– Federal disaster assistance is being made available to seven additional Virginia municipalities that suffered damages during the derecho and severe storms of late June 2012.

Public Assistance – which is aid to state and local governments, schools, and certain private nonprofits — is now available in Franklin, Montgomery, Smyth and Stafford counties and the cities of Buena Vista, Falls Church and Harrisonburg.

The municipalities were added to the disaster declaration following new damage assessments requested by the state, and conducted last week by local officials, representatives of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and FEMA.

The additions bring the total public assistance designations to 51 counties and 18 cities.

Public Assistance grants cover 75 percent of approved eligible costs. Grants will help pay for the emergency protective measures taken during the storm, debris removal from public roads, and permanent repairs to public infrastructure, highways, bridges, utilities, schools, museums, parks, and other taxpayer-funded facilities. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

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.

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Seven Municipalities Added to Virginia Disaster Declaration

National Flood Insurance Program Probation for West Pittston, PA

PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEMA has issued a letter to West Pittston that establishes a new deadline of December 1, 2012, for the community to correct the floodplain management violations and program deficiencies. FEMA listened to the concerns from stakeholders about the deadline established for the NFIP probation action and has approved a two month extension for West Pittston Borough, PA.

The deficiencies cited in the probation letter include failure to manage floodplain development in accordance with the Borough’s floodplain program, and lack of adequate record keeping. Direct violations of the community’s flood damage prevention ordinance include lack of enforcement on substantially flood damaged structures.

Property owners will still be able to purchase and renew flood insurance coverage during the probationary period, but a $50 surcharge will be added to any policy sold or renewed in the community for the next year beginning on December 1, 2012. There are currently 358 flood insurance policies in the Borough.

If the Borough fails to make progress during the first six months of the NFIP probation, or by June 1, 2013, the Borough could be suspended from the program. The result of suspension is the loss of federally backed flood insurance in the community, meaning that residents will not be able to purchase or renew their flood insurance policies after the suspension occurs. Additionally, if a flood disaster occurs in a suspended community, most types of federal disaster assistance for structures within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), including federal assistance to individuals and households is not available. Furthermore, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 prohibits federal agencies from making grants, loans, or guarantees for the acquisition or construction of structures located in a SFHA.

FEMA remains committed to work with the officials of West Pittston to help the Borough achieve a good standing in the NFIP.

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 athttp://www.fema.gov/medialibraryandwww.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/femaregion3.

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National Flood Insurance Program Probation for West Pittston, PA

Two Weeks Remain for Debby Survivors to Register for Assistance

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Tropical Storm Debby survivors have two weeks remaining to register for federal disaster assistance.

Applications must be received by Tuesday, Sept. 4, to be considered for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

All survivors who had storm-related damage to their home, vehicle, personal property, business or its inventory between June 23 and July 26 should register for assistance.

Federal disaster assistance helps eligible applicants with temporary housing, uninsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other disaster-related expenses and serious needs.

Anyone who has not registered with FEMA for disaster aid, has questions about their application or needs more information about recovery programs should call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at

800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf or hard of hearing can call (TTY) 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in many languages. Online registration is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through a smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Survivors must register with FEMA to be considered for federal disaster assistance even if they have contacted the state, their local emergency management agency, the American Red Cross or other charitable organizations.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Survivors and businesses may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) or online at www.SBA.gov. They may also apply for disaster loans at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applications are due Sept. 4.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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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Two Weeks Remain for Debby Survivors to Register for Assistance

FEMA Mitigation Specialists to Answer Questions at Suwannee Valley Flood Jam

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce and the Lake City/Columbia County Chamber of Commerce are teaming up this week to provide information and advice on cleaning up and rebuilding homes after Tropical Storm Debby.

FEMA mitigation specialists, who can explain disaster-resistant ways to repair and rebuild, will be available to answer questions at the Suwannee Valley Flood Jam on Friday, Aug. 17, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The address is 3076 95^th Drive in Live Oak.

Mitigation specialists offer suggestions on cleaning mold and mildew. They also provide information on flood insurance.

The chambers of commerce are holding a business expo Saturday that will include local businesses, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. They will be available to answer questions on recovery issues.

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FEMA Mitigation Specialists to Answer Questions at Suwannee Valley Flood Jam

FEMA Mitigation Specialists to Answer Questions in Clay County

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a home improvement store are teaming up this week to provide information and advice on cleaning up and rebuilding homes after Tropical Storm Debby.

FEMA mitigation specialists, who can explain disaster-resistant ways to repair and rebuild, will be in Clay County beginning Wednesday, Aug. 15.

The specialists will be available to answer questions at Home Depot from Wednesday, Aug. 15, through Sunday, Aug. 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 20, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The address is 1575 Branan Field Road in Middleburg.

Mitigation specialists offer suggestions on cleaning mold and mildew. They also provide information on flood insurance.

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FEMA Mitigation Specialists to Answer Questions in Clay County

FEMA Mitigation Specialists to Answer Questions in Pasco County

FEMA mitigation specialists, who can explain disaster-resistant ways to repair and rebuild, will be in Pasco County beginning Wednesday, Aug. 15.

The specialists will be available to answer questions at Lowe’s from Wednesday, Aug. 15, through Sunday, Aug. 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 20, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The address is 7921 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills.

Mitigation specialists offer suggestions on cleaning mold and mildew. They also provide information on flood insurance.

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FEMA Mitigation Specialists to Answer Questions in Pasco County

Brooksville, New Port Richey Disaster Recovery Centers Transitioning to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The disaster recovery centers in Brooksville and New Port Richey will transition to disaster loan outreach centers operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration Monday, Aug. 20.

Homeowners, renters and business owners who visit the center can talk with SBA representatives about low-interest disaster loans, get help filling out loan applications and submit completed applications. Federal Emergency Management Agency staff will also be there to answer questions about FEMA registration and disaster assistance.

A disaster recovery center typically meets the more immediate concerns of storm survivors, while a disaster loan outreach center focuses on funds needed for long-term rebuilding and recovery.

Disaster recovery center hours will remain 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Saturday, Aug. 18. They will be closed this Sunday.

The disaster recovery centers will transition to disaster loan outreach centers Monday, Aug. 20, and remain at the Hernando County Mining Association/Enrichment Center, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd. in Brooksville and Trouble Creek Square, 4444 Grand Blvd. in New Port Richey. The hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday until further notice.

Completing and submitting SBA disaster loan applications is important because it may pave the way for additional FEMA assistance. There are valid reasons for applying, even if you think you won’t need or won’t qualify for a loan.

SBA can offer temporary loans to help cover immediate expenses until an insurance claim is settled.
SBA can offer loans with terms of up to 30 years and interest rates as low as 1.9 percent to homeowners and renters.
SBA disaster loans can be used by a homeowner to repair or replace their primary residence.
Homeowners and renters can replace damaged household contents and vehicles with SBA disaster loans.
Business owners can apply to SBA for disaster loans for physical damages and/or economic losses.

Survivors and businesses may apply online at SBA’s secure website https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; or obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY) or online at www.sba.gov.

Help is always available by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from

7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in most languages. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585.

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Brooksville, New Port Richey Disaster Recovery Centers Transitioning to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers

FEMA Awards More than $5.4 Million to New Mexico for Debris and Sediment Removal

DENTON, Texas – More than $5.4 million has been awarded to the state of New Mexico by the Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA) for debris and sediment removal from a number of retention ponds in the aftermath of severe storms and torrential rains in late

August 2011.

More than $4.1 million of the funding will cover costs related to the removal and disposal of silt and debris from 11 secondary retention structures

for the Santa Clara Pueblo. Nearly $1.3 million of the funding will cover costs to remove and dispose of sediment from a Cochiti Pueblo retention structure.

“We are committed to working with our state, local and tribal partners to assist in the recovery process. Debris and sediment removal

activities such as this are critical to the communities’ recovery because debris can pose a significant threat to the lives and safety of

residents,” said FEMA Region 6 Acting Administrator Tony Robinson.

FEMA’s contribution, made possible by a Public Assistance grant, represents a 75 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding

for projects directly to the state of New Mexico; the state then forwards the grant to the eligible applicant.

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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.

FEMA Awards More than $5.4 Million to New Mexico for Debris and Sediment Removal

FEMA Teams up with Fed, State and Local Partners to Support Tropical Storm Irene-damaged Fish Habitats in Vermont

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is collaborating with state, federal and community partners to support Tropical Storm Irene-damaged fish habitats in Vermont, a state where fishing annually generates at least $63 million.

Trout populations were significantly impacted by Irene in some areas, and are as historically and culturally important to Vermonters as they are economically.

“Equally important to your average Vermonter is the heritage and culture of fishing,” said Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Commissioner Patrick Berry. “The most popular sport fish in Vermont is the brook trout, a fish that often lives in the kinds of rivers and streams that were most directly impacted by the tropical storm. When you have miles and miles of stream that are affected, that hurts not only the state’s pocket book, but it hurts your average Vermonter who wants to get out on a weekend with his kids and go catch their favorite fish, the brook trout.”

Berry represents the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, one of several organizations working alongside FEMA to support Tropical Storm Irene-damaged fish habitats in Vermont. The White River Partnership; the town of Rochester; Green Mountain National Forest; Vermont’s Department of Fish and Wildlife; the U.S. Forest Service; Trout Unlimited; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Passage Program are also part of the unique collaboration.

The White River Partnership, a South Royalton-based non-profit, has worked with the town of Rochester to secure funding to enhance culverts that clogged and failed during Tropical Storm Irene. The culverts will be rebuilt stronger and larger to allow more storm debris to pass. What’s more, the culverts will be reconstructed using sand, rocks and other elements to mimic natural, more eco-friendly passages for the fish. This modern approach of stream reconstruction and restoration creates a more balanced, natural stream system that, among other benefits, provides a more seamless transit for fish.

The first of the culverts was ordered in mid-July. The culvert is scheduled to arrive in mid-August to be installed on North Hollow Road. As many as three culvert installations may be completed during the 2012 season; the remaining four will likely be completed in 2013.

One creative approach will be to replace a culvert that was damaged at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Rochester with a discarded bridge unearthed from a salvage yard by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Reclaiming and repurposing the discarded bridge will cost just $8,500. This is just one example of how recycled materials are being repurposed in the reconstruction process.

FEMA has produced a video highlighting much of the work these organizations are accomplishing together. To view the video, visit: https://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/9347.

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FEMA Teams up with Fed, State and Local Partners to Support Tropical Storm Irene-damaged Fish Habitats in Vermont

Waiting for an Insurance Settlement? FEMA Can Help

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Even if survivors of Tropical Storm Debby have insurance, temporary disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency may still help.

Disaster assistance may be able to fill insurance gaps or help those who have been waiting more than 30 days on a homeowner’s insurance claim.

To receive assistance residents must write a letter to FEMA explaining their situation and provide insurance documentation that proves they filed their claim. Any help awarded is considered an advance and may need to be repaid promptly to FEMA once an insurance settlement is received.

Assistance may also be available to those who have exhausted their policy’s additional living expenses.

Survivors need to mail their insurance information and their letter requesting help to:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-70155

Or fax it to: 800-827-8112

Survivors must repay their disaster assistance if there is a duplication of benefits after they receive their insurance settlement.

Those who still have questions may call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362).

Assistance is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

They may also call the state Insurance Consumer Advocate helpline at 877-693-5236, toll-free in Florida, and 850-413-3089 from out of state.

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Waiting for an Insurance Settlement? FEMA Can Help

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