Disaster Legal Advice Offered to Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Legal services are available to survivors affected by Tropical Storm Debby in the 22 counties designated for federal Individual Assistance.

Survivors who can’t afford an attorney and who run into legal difficulties due to the storm may call the Florida Disaster Legal Services hotline at       866-550-2929 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Assistance is available in Spanish.

A volunteer attorney from the Florida Young Lawyer’s Division of the American Bar Association will respond within 48 hours. For email inquiries contact: fema@flabar.org.

Examples of disaster related legal assistance include:

  • Assistance with insurance claims (life, medical, property, etc.)
  • Counseling on landlord/tenant problems 
  • Assisting in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures
  • Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster

The 22 counties designated for Individual Assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are: Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lafayette, Manatee, Nassau, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and Wakulla.

Survivors and business owners who sustained damages or losses in those counties designated for Individual Assistance can register with FEMA by one of the following methods:

  • Call 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. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
  • Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • By smartphone or tablet, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.

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

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). 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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Disaster Legal Advice Offered to Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

FEMA Grants Nearly $2.7 Million To Alabama To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that a grant of nearly $2.7 million will be awarded to the Alabama Office of Water Resources in support of its floodplain mapping program.

FEMA will provide $2,696,310 in federal funds toward projects to improve existing flood insurance rate maps and flood risk data, which will strengthen local communities’ ability to understand and communicate their flood risk and make informed decisions about flood risk reduction.

The Alabama Office of Water Resources will develop and support production of flood maps and a flood insurance study report for the Wheeler Lake Watershed including portions of Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Morgan, Cullman, Madison and Jackson counties in Alabama as well as portions of Lawrence, Giles, Lincoln, and Franklin counties in Tennessee.  Funding will also be used to develop topographic information for the Cahaba River Watershed including portions of Jefferson County; and to update flood risk information along the coast including Baldwin and Mobile counties.

Flood maps and flood risk data are being updated for communities across the country with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with states and local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into flood risk products.

Flood risks can change over time due to factors such as construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other natural or manmade changes—which is why it’s important that flood maps and flood risk data are updated periodically to reflect these changes. Additionally, the information developed for these projects will be more precise because the latest science available is applied in gathering flood risk data and creating flood maps.

Updated flood maps and flood risk data will ultimately assist local area governments in planning for future development and rebuilding efforts.

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 Grants Nearly $2.7 Million To Alabama To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

FEMA Grants More Than $1.7 Million To South Carolina To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that a grant of more than $1.7 million will be awarded to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in support of its floodplain mapping program.

FEMA will provide $1,757,805 in federal funds toward projects to improve existing flood insurance rate maps and flood risk data, which will strengthen local communities’ ability to understand and communicate their flood risk and make informed decisions about flood risk reduction.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will update flood maps and develop a watershed report for the Seneca Watershed including Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties.  This funding will also help the following communities identify areas at risk for flooding and solutions for reducing that risk: the Upper Savannah, Middle Savannah and the Stevens watersheds including Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood, McCormick, Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick and Saluda counties. Flood risk data will also be developed for: Clarendon, Orangeburg, Williamsburg, Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry counties; for the entire Congaree River Watershed including Calhoun, Lexington and Richland counties; and for Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Georgetown, Horry and Jasper counties.

Flood maps and flood risk data are being updated for communities across the country with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with states and local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into flood risk products.

Flood risks can change over time due to factors such as construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other natural or manmade changes—which is why it’s important that flood maps and flood risk data are updated periodically to reflect these changes. Additionally, the information developed for these projects will be more precise because the latest science available is applied in gathering flood risk data and creating flood maps.

Updated flood maps and flood risk data will ultimately assist local area governments in planning for future development and rebuilding efforts.

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 Grants More Than $1.7 Million To South Carolina To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

FEMA Grants Nearly $4.6 Million To North Carolina To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that a grant of nearly $4.6 million will be awarded to the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program in support of its efforts to update flood risk information throughout the state.

FEMA will provide $4,591,847 in federal funds toward projects to improve existing flood insurance rate maps and flood risk data, which will strengthen local communities’ ability to understand and communicate their flood risk and make informed decisions about flood risk reduction.

The North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program will update flood maps and develop watershed reports for the Lower Yadkin Watershed including portions of Rowan, Stanly, Montgomery and Randolph counties; the Lynches Watershed including Union County; the Lumber Watershed including portions of Montgomery and Richmond counties; the Rocky Watershed including portions of Anson, Cabarrus, Iredell, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties; the South Yadkin Watershed including Davie, Iredell and Rowan counties; and the Upper Pee Dee Watershed including portions of Anson, Montgomery, Randolph, Richmond, Stanly and Union counties.  This funding will also help the following communities identify areas at risk for flooding and solutions for reducing that risk: the Chowan, Upper Yadkin, South Yadkin and Broad River Basins including portions of Chowan, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Davidson, Forsyth, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin, Cleveland, Polk and Rutherford counties.

Flood maps and flood risk data are being updated for communities across the country with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with states and local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into flood risk products.

Flood risks can change over time due to factors such as construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other natural or manmade changes—which is why it’s important that flood maps and flood risk data are updated periodically to reflect these changes. Additionally, the information developed for these projects will be more precise because the latest science available is applied in gathering flood risk data and creating flood maps.

Updated flood maps and flood risk data will ultimately assist local area governments in planning for future development and rebuilding efforts.

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 Grants Nearly $4.6 Million To North Carolina To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

FEMA Grants More Than $1.4 Million To Mississippi To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that a grant of more than $1.4 million will be awarded to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in support of its floodplain mapping program.

FEMA will provide $1,430,000 in federal funds toward projects to improve existing flood insurance rate maps and flood risk data, which will strengthen local communities’ ability to understand and communicate their flood risk and make informed decisions about flood risk reduction.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality will update flood maps and develop a watershed report for the Lower Big Black Watershed including Holmes, Yazoo, Madison, Warren, Hinds and Claiborne counties.  Additionally, flood risk data will be developed for Lower Pearl, Big Sunflower and Mississippi Coastal watersheds including Lamar, Marion, Walthall, Pearl River, Hancock, Coahoma, Bolivar, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Leflore, Washington, Humphreys, Sharkey, Yazoo, Issaquena, Washington, Warren, Stone, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties.  This funding will also help the following communities with topographic data collection and identifying areas at risk for flooding and solutions for reducing that risk: the  Middle Pearl-Strong and Lower Leaf watersheds including Madison, Leake, Scott, Hinds, Rankin, Copiah, Smith, Simpson, Jasper, Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry and Greene counties.

Flood maps and flood risk data are being updated for communities across the country with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with states and local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into flood risk products.

Flood risks can change over time due to factors such as construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other natural or manmade changes—which is why it’s important that flood maps and flood risk data are updated periodically to reflect these changes. Additionally, the information developed for these projects will be more precise because the latest science available is applied in gathering flood risk data and creating flood maps.

Updated flood maps and flood risk data will ultimately assist local area governments in planning for future development and rebuilding efforts.

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 Grants More Than $1.4 Million To Mississippi To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

FEMA Grants More Than $2.5 Million To Kentucky To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that a grant of more than $2.5 million will be awarded to the Kentucky Division of Water in support of its floodplain mapping program.

FEMA will provide $2,521,438 in federal funds toward projects to improve existing flood insurance rate maps and flood risk data, which will strengthen local communities’ ability to understand and communicate their flood risk and make informed decisions about flood risk reduction.

The Kentucky Division of Water will develop and support production of flood maps and a flood insurance study report for the Lower Kentucky Watershed, including Anderson, Boone, Bourbon, Boyle, Carroll, Casey, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Harrison, Henry, Jessamine, Kenton, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Owen, Rockcastle, Scott, Shelby, Trimble and Woodford counties.  In addition, flood risk data will be developed for portions of the Licking River Watershed, including Bath, Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Elliott, Fleming, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson, Rowan and Wolfe counties.  This funding will also help the following communities identify areas at risk for flooding and solutions for reducing that risk: the Lower Cumberland watershed, including Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Livingston, Lyon, Todd and Trigg counties.

Flood maps and flood risk data are being updated for communities across the country with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with states and local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into flood risk products.

Flood risks can change over time due to factors such as construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other natural or manmade changes—which is why it’s important that flood maps and flood risk data are updated periodically to reflect these changes. Additionally, the information developed for these projects will be more precise because the latest science available is applied in gathering flood risk data and creating flood maps.

Updated flood maps and flood risk data will ultimately assist local area governments in planning for future development and rebuilding efforts.

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 Grants More Than $2.5 Million To Kentucky To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

FEMA Grants More Than $2.7 Million To Georgia To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that a grant of more than $2.7 million will be awarded to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in support of its floodplain mapping program.

FEMA will provide $2,784,000 in federal funds toward projects to improve existing flood insurance rate maps and flood risk data, which will strengthen local communities’ ability to understand and communicate their flood risk and make informed decisions about flood risk reduction.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will develop and support production of updated flood risk data for several watersheds throughout the state including the Upper Chattahoochee Watershed that includes portions of Dawson, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin and White Counties; the Etowah Watershed that includes portions of Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Dawson, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Lumpkin, Paulding, Pickens and Polk counties; the Appalachicola Watershed that includes portions of Decatur County; and the Upper Suwannee Watershed that includes portions of Charlton, Clinch, Echols and Ware counties.  Funding will also be used for the development of coastal flood risk data for portions of Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties.  

Flood maps and flood risk data are being updated for communities across the country with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with states and local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into flood risk products.

Flood risks can change over time due to factors such as construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other natural or manmade changes—which is why it’s important that flood maps and flood risk data are updated periodically to reflect these changes. Additionally, the information developed for these projects will be more precise because the latest science available is applied in gathering flood risk data and creating flood maps.

Updated flood maps and flood risk data will ultimately assist local area governments in planning for future development and rebuilding efforts.

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 Grants More Than $2.7 Million To Georgia To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

FEMA Grants More Than $2.3 Million To Florida To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that two grants, totaling more than $2.3 million, will be awarded to the Suwannee River and Northwest Florida Water Management Districts in support of their floodplain mapping programs.

FEMA will provide $2,308,505 in federal funding toward projects to improve existing flood insurance rate maps and flood risk data, which will strengthen local communities’ ability to understand and communicate their flood risk and make informed decisions about flood risk reduction.

With this funding, the Suwannee River Management District will update flood maps and develop watershed reports for the Ecofina-Steinhatchee Watershed including Taylor, Madison, Lafayette and Dixie counties.  Funding will also help the following communities identify areas at risk for flooding and solutions for reducing that risk: the Waccosassa Watershed, including Levy, Gilchrist and Alachua counties.  Additionally, funding will be used for coastal flood studies for Taylor, Levy and Dixie counties.

The Northwest Florida Water Management District will use funding to develop and support production of flood maps and flood insurance study reports for the Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay watersheds including portions of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.  Funding will also be used to develop additional flood risk data for coastal studies recently performed within the District

Flood maps and flood risk data are being updated for communities across the country with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with states and local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into flood risk products.

Flood risks can change over time due to factors such as construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other natural or manmade changes—which is why it’s important that flood maps and flood risk data are updated periodically to reflect these changes. Additionally, the information developed for these projects will be more precise because the latest science available is applied in gathering flood risk data and creating flood maps.

Updated flood maps and flood risk data will ultimately assist local area governments in planning for future development and rebuilding efforts.

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 Grants More Than $2.3 Million To Florida To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

FEMA Mitigation Specialists to Answer Questions in Highlands, Hillsborough and Polk Counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency and home improvement stores are teaming up 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 Highlands, Hillsborough and Polk counties beginning Wednesday, July 25.

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

The specialists will be available for questions at the Disability Expo and Public Forum on Wednesday, July 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is located at the County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa.

They will be in Highlands County from July 25 to July 30 at the Home Depot in Sebring at 2303 U.S. 27 N. The outreach hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The outreach continues Aug. 1 to Aug. 6 in Polk County at the Lowe’s in Bartow at 425 E. Van Fleet Drive. The hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

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). 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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FEMA Mitigation Specialists to Answer Questions in Highlands, Hillsborough and Polk Counties

Protect Your Property From Wind and Water Damage

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Property owners planning to rebuild homes or businesses damaged by Tropical Storm Debby should consider using construction methods that will minimize damage in future storms.

Taking steps to reduce future damage is called hazard mitigation.  The most obvious example of mitigation is elevating flood-prone properties.  Information on many mitigation procedures is available free from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Here are some improvements property owners should discuss with contractors:

  • WIND CLIPS: These are small inexpensive metal plates that are used to firmly secure a roof to the walls of a structure.
  • MASONRY TIES: These are metal strips used to anchor the wooden frame of a structure to the masonry foundation walls.
  • PLYWOOD:  Construction engineers prefer plywood to pressboard, not less than 7/16 of an inch thick.
  • FASTENING: In securing four-by-eight foot plywood sheathing to walls or roofs, nails should be driven at intervals no greater than four inches in the perimeter and six inches in the middle lines.
  • GARAGE DOORS:  Consider a heavy gauge door. When high winds buckle a garage door it is likely that the roof will be lifted off.
  • ELEVATION:  This is the ultimate safeguard against flooding.  It is costly but widely employed, particularly along coastlines.
  • ELECTRICAL:  Appliances and circuit breaker boxes should be raised above base flood elevation, door seals renewed and old windows replaced with waterproof windows.
  • DRAINAGE:  Ditches should be cleared.

Specialists stress the necessity of tying foundations to the frames of structures with correctly installed anchor bolts.  Bolts should penetrate foundation blocks at least 15 inches to connect with the second course of block.

While these measures can’t guarantee protection from storm damage, the odds for escaping major damage are much improved.

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). 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.

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

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Protect Your Property From Wind and Water Damage

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