FEMA Disaster Aid Will Not Affect Social Security or Taxes

FEMA Disaster Aid Will Not Affect Social Security or Taxes 

Release Date: May 3, 2012
Release Number: 4059-061

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — West Virginians who receive disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after the recent tornadoes and flooding will not pay additional income taxes, see any reduction in their Social Security checks or any other federal benefits.

Disaster assistance for temporary housing, home repair, repair or replacement of personal property or for other needs does not count as income, FEMA officials said. Disaster relief payments from the government or donations from charitable organizations will not affect Social Security payments or Medicare benefits.

Eligibility for assistance is not dependent on income. The determination on the amount of disaster assistance an eligible applicant receives is based on the amount of loss and damages incurred as a direct result of the recent storms and flooding and the amount of their insurance settlement, if any.

Those who have experienced damage from the storms may be eligible for FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. This may cover expenses for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of damaged personal property and other disaster-related needs, such as medical, dental or transportation costs not covered by insurance or other programs.

The only way to know if you are eligible for disaster assistance is to register with FEMA. By phone, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. People with hearing disabilities can use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. Applicants also can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to “Apply for Federal Assistance.”

Applicants may visit the Disaster Recovery Center after they register with FEMA. The only West Virginia Disaster Recovery Center currently in operation is in Logan County at the Verdunville Volunteer Fire Department at 2270 Mud Fork Road in the city of Logan. The center will be open until noon, Friday, May 11.

The center is staffed with disaster recovery specialists who can provide information and answer questions about disaster-related assistance, according to FEMA and state officials.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 03-May-2012 16:45:45

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FEMA Disaster Aid Will Not Affect Social Security or Taxes

Administration Takes Another Step Toward Strengthening Resilience For All Hazards

Administration Takes Another Step Toward Strengthening Resilience For All Hazards 

Release Date: May 3, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-034

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its partners released the 2012 National Preparedness Report (NPR) identifying significant progress the nation has made in areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. Overall the Report found that the nation has increased its collective preparedness, not only from external threats, but also for natural and technological hazards.

“This Report illustrates areas of national strength to include planning, operational coordination, intelligence and information sharing, and other response related capabilities,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “As we continually assess and aim to meet the full vision of the National Preparedness Goal, we must continue to build on the significant progress to date and address identified opportunities for improvement.”

The Report reflects how the nation has made significant progress addressing opportunities for improvement identified after events such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. For example, the 9/11 attacks revealed limited information sharing across the government and the private sector, but since that time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed a national network of fusion centers and has standardized policies. Additionally, DHS has been closely coordinating with the Joint Terrorism Task Forces for sharing information across the whole community.

The Report details how federal preparedness grant dollars have been used to build and sustain core capabilities. From fiscal year (FY) 2006 to FY 2010, $17.2 billion in DHS-FEMA non-disaster preparedness grant investments were made through various grant programs. Programs such as the State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative support a range of capabilities across all mission areas, leveraging these substantial investments more broadly.

Decision makers in the public and private sectors use risk analysis to shape and prioritize preparedness activities across mission areas. States are required to conduct threat and hazard identification and risk assessments as a condition for receiving most preparedness grants and set threat and hazard-based targets for capability assessments when developing State Preparedness Reports.

The NPR looked at 31 core capabilities needed to achieve the National Preparedness Goal across the five mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. This Report was written in close coordination with leaders of federal departments and agencies, and reflects input from state, local, tribal and territorial governments, private and nonprofit sector partners and the general public.

The National Preparedness Report is the next step in implementing PPD-8. Since the President signed the directive in March 2011, FEMA and its partners have released the first edition of the National Preparedness Goal, the National Preparedness System description and the working drafts of the National Planning Frameworks. For more information on PPD-8 and to download the Report, visit www.fema.gov/ppd8 or contribute your ideas at fema.ideascale.com.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 03-May-2012 14:16:06

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Administration Takes Another Step Toward Strengthening Resilience For All Hazards

Old Idea Still Works: Storm Shelters Provide Safe Refuge

Old Idea Still Works: Storm Shelters Provide Safe Refuge 

Release Date: May 2, 2012
Release Number: 4058-041

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Recent storms in southern Indiana have heightened awareness of the value of storm shelters among some residents. Near Holton, one family is planning improvements to the storm shelter they installed 25 years ago. Just west of Corydon, a resident is including a shelter in his new home.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) applaud these efforts and encourage residents to consider taking similar steps to reduce their risks of damage from future storms.

In the 25 years since they built their shelter, Don Wood and his family have sought protection through several windstorms and a few tornadoes. Their shelter, which is accessed through a trap door on a deck, has 8-inch-thick walls made of concrete-filled concrete blocks. Improvements the Woods are making now include extending the concrete roof over a part of the stairway and resurfacing the concrete stairs.

Nearby, Jeremy Shireman is incorporating a storm shelter in the basement of his new home, which is under construction. The shelter will occupy the space under the front porch of his home with the concrete floor of the porch serving as the roof of the shelter.

IDHS and FEMA offer several resources for residents interested in reducing their risks of storm losses. Information on the IDHS website includes tornado safety guidelines. Free hazard mitigation publications are available at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 480-2520. These include Taking Shelter from the Storm and Understanding Your Risks: Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses.

IDHS and FEMA officials advise residents with storm shelters to notify their local fire departments or other emergency responders about the locations of their storm shelters. That information can be vital in post-disaster recovery efforts, in the event debris covers the access to the shelter.

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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-May-2012 14:05:21

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Old Idea Still Works: Storm Shelters Provide Safe Refuge

FEMA Dollars Begin Flow Into Washington Disaster

FEMA Dollars Begin Flow Into Washington Disaster 

Release Date: May 1, 2012
Release Number: 4056-006

» More Information on Washington Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

LACEY WA (May 1, 2012) – When the severe winter storms dubbed ‘Snowmageddon’ hit Washington State in January of this year, airports, roads and schools closed, cars crashed, and trees and tons of debris blocked roads and knocked out power to more than 275,000 customers across the state.

Governor Christine Gregoire’s request for disaster funding after the storm estimated damage at more than $32 million.

As of today, more than $354,800 has been approved for 21 of some 800 recovery projects. FEMA will pay 75 percent of that, nearly $266,000 in Public Assistance (PA) disaster relief dollars; the State and local governments will match 25 percent.

Reimbursement dollars have begun flowing.

“Without a doubt, having these dollars begin flowing into these disaster-struck communities will help them with budget shortfalls,” said Kurt Hardin, Washington Emergency Management Division’s state coordinating officer. “The massive January disaster response hit these already strapped local governments hard.”

Following the March 5, 2012 Presidential disaster declaration, the State Emergency Management Division (EMD) and FEMA began processing public assistance applications throughout the 11 disaster declared counties. Projects in Seattle, Lacey, Renton, the Shelton School District, the Cedar River Water and Sewer District, as well as others, were among the first applicants to be approved.

“Our primary goal is to get to ‘yes’ on projects so we can help these Washington communities recover as quickly as possible,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Karl at FEMA’s Lacey-based field office. “This initial funding approval is the first of many to come.”

Eligible counties include Clallam, Grays Harbor, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, and Wahkiakum. FEMA will pay 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures, repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas, and similar publicly owned facilities.

Under the PA program, the state is able to forward federal funds to eligible state, local and tribal governments as well as certain private non-profit organizations providing essential community services that incurred disaster-related costs.

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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-May-2012 10:14:00

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FEMA Dollars Begin Flow Into Washington Disaster

Get FloodSmart: Protect Now With Flood Insurance

Get FloodSmart: Protect Now With Flood Insurance 

30-Day Countdown to the 2012 Hurricane Season Begins May 2

Release Date: May 1, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-033

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Every year, thirty days from the start of hurricane season, FEMA officials urge U.S. residents to prepare their homes and businesses for the heightened flood risks associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. This year, FEMA is placing more urgency in this message due to the expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on May 31, 2012, the day before the 2012 hurricane season begins on June 1st.

The authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program is scheduled to expire on May 31 unless Congress acts in advance to reauthorize it. The NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters and business owners. The NFIP identifies areas of flood risk; it encourages communities to implement measures to mitigate against the risk of flood loss; and it provides financial assistance to help individuals recover rapidly from flooding disasters.

“Flood insurance is essential to help protect against the devastating effects of flooding, and the time to act is now,” said David Miller, Associate Administrator for FEMA’s Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration. “As we approach a potentially active hurricane season, FEMA is urging Congress to reauthorize the NFIP and send a clear signal to citizens, communities, and private sector partners that the federal government will continue to support our nation’s efforts to manage flood risk.”

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster to affect every state across the country. Severe weather has already brought significant flood events to many states in the U.S. As we continue to monitor conditions and respond to these events, we must also look forward to summer and hurricane-related weather patterns that will heighten flood risks for many.

FEMA also stresses that flood risks associated with hurricane season extend beyond the Gulf and Southeastern coasts. The largest amounts of rainfall from hurricanes are often produced by slow moving storms that stall out miles from a shoreline as did Tropical Storm Lee in 2011. In addition, last year Hurricane Irene caused major flooding over much of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast when it moved inland, with high winds and torrential rains.

FEMA is urging residents to purchase flood insurance now. Flood insurance is available through more than 85 insurance companies in nearly 22,000 participating communities nationwide. Most everyone can purchase flood insurance – including renters, business owners, and homeowners. Flood insurance is also affordable. The average flood insurance policy is around $625 a year. And in moderate- to low- risk areas, homeowners can protect their properties with low-cost Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs) that start at just $129 a year. Individuals can learn more about their flood risk by visiting www.FloodSmart.gov or calling 1-800-427-2419.

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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-May-2012 08:45:23

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Get FloodSmart: Protect Now With Flood Insurance

St. Bernard Parish’s Public School System Enters Final Leg of Recovery

St. Bernard Parish’s Public School System Enters Final Leg of Recovery 

Release Date: May 1, 2012
Release Number: 1603-974

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina

NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today a $148.3 million consolidated grant to the St. Bernard Parish School Board, largely supporting the implementation of their post-Katrina, overall recovery plan.

“For nearly six and a half years, we have been steadfast in our efforts to fully rebuild our schools for the children of St. Bernard. These efforts, comprised of partnerships between our school board, FEMA and the state, have culminated in this monumental grant, which allows us to finish our final recovery endeavors,” said St. Bernard School Board Superintendent Doris Voitier.

During Hurricane Katrina, St. Bernard Parish’s public school system was destroyed, with most of their facilities rendered inoperable following the storm. Prior to the unprecedented destruction, these facilities served nearly 9,000 students throughout the local community.

“Given the reality of the large-scale catastrophe at hand, St. Bernard Parish School Board Superintendent Doris Voitier had to swiftly make initial, yet effective, recovery decisions with the goal of quickly returning students to school. Through her leadership, these early efforts transformed into a comprehensive recovery plan that is now nearing fruition,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan.

The school system’s new layout is built upon the determination that rebuilding all damaged facilities at their original locations was not in the best interest of the community’s post-Katrina needs. Instead, the same functions and capacities that existed pre-Katrina were restored in a different configuration.

FEMA’s recent grant supports these efforts, approving Voitier’s consolidated alternate project request for the agency to streamline federal funding provided for 15 damaged facilities into nine targeted projects.

The nine projects include Chalmette High School; Chalmette High School’s baseball field house, football field house and storage facility; Maumus Arts Center and Planetarium; new Lacoste Elementary School; the Cultural and Performing Arts Center; the school system’s transportation, maintenance and storage building; Arabi Elementary School’s gymnasium; J.J. Davies Elementary School’s enclosed walkway and new Gautier Elementary School.

“Our consolidated funding best reflects the needs of the St. Bernard Parish School Board as they embark on their final rebuilding efforts and becoming the first school system in Louisiana destroyed by Hurricane Katrina to reach their end goal—full recovery,” added Cadogan.

In total to date, FEMA has provided approximately $500 million in public assistance to the St. Bernard Parish School Board for all recovery work related to restoring their school system following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-May-2012 08:16:57

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St. Bernard Parish’s Public School System Enters Final Leg of Recovery

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Fire in Jeff Davis County, Texas

Link to article: 

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Fire in Jeff Davis County, Texas

Just One Week Left to Apply With FEMA: Don’t Miss May 8 Deadline

Just One Week Left to Apply With FEMA: Don’t Miss May 8 Deadline 

Release Date: May 1, 2012
Release Number: 4058-040

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Tuesday, May 8, is the last day for residents of six southern Indiana counties to register for federal assistance and apply for low-interest disaster loans in connection with severe storms that occurred from Feb. 29 through March 3. Storm-impacted residents and business owners in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick or Washington counties are urged to register for federal aid and submit their loan applications as soon as possible.

Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security advise storm survivors to submit required insurance settlement information with FEMA as soon as possible. Storm-impacted individuals have 12 months from the date of their FEMA decision letter to file any required insurance settlement information. However, the quicker FEMA receives insurance settlement information, the sooner an application for FEMA funding may be processed.

May 8 is also the last day to submit an application for a low-interest disaster loan for physical damage from the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA). Hoosiers who received a loan application should complete it and return it as soon as possible. Information provided could determine whether a storm-impacted individual qualifies for other forms of FEMA assistance. Even after being approved for a loan, there is no requirement to accept the entire approved loan amount or any portion of it.

To ask questions or to learn more about SBA loans, applicants may call the SBA Customer Service Center. The toll-free number is (800) 659-2955. Hearing-impaired individuals may call TTY (800) 877-8339. Emails may be sent to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan application forms may be downloaded from SBA’s website www.sba.gov. Applicants may also apply for SBA loans online by visiting https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Hoosiers may register or check the status of their FEMA application by calling FEMA’s telephone registration and help line (800) 621-FEMA (3362). For speech- or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585. Video Relay Service may be accessed by calling (800) 621-3362. These lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Online registration is available through www.fema.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Smart phone or tablet registration is possible by visiting m.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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 01-May-2012 13:17:43

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Just One Week Left to Apply With FEMA: Don’t Miss May 8 Deadline

Mingo County Town Hall Meeting Set for May 3

Mingo County Town Hall Meeting Set for May 3 

Release Date: April 30, 2012
Release Number: 4059-059

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides

CHARLESTON W.Va. — Mingo County residents who suffered losses from recent flooding will be able to learn more about disaster assistance programs at a Town Hall Meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 3, at the Dingess Elementary School, 101 Schoolhouse Road in Dingess. Mingo County was added to the federal major-disaster declaration for Individual and Households Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on April 20.

A previously scheduled meeting at the location was postponed because of severe weather conditions that arose on April 26.

“Residents of Mingo County are now eligible to receive federal assistance to help affected individuals, families and businesses recover from losses sustained in the flooding of March 15 through March 31,” FEMA’s Charleston-based Federal Coordinating Officer Deanne Criswell said.

The town hall meeting will be hosted by FEMA, the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the Mingo County Emergency Management Agency. FEMA disaster-assistance experts and representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to answer questions about the available assistance programs.

Residents should register for FEMA assistance by calling FEMA’s 800 HelpLine number 800-621-3362 or apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov before they attend Thursday night’s meeting. Those unsure if they might be eligible for assistance should register with FEMA to find out whether they qualify.

Some registrants might receive an SBA disaster-loan application in the mail. It is important that the application be completed even if no loan is wanted. The information is needed to determine what additional help might be available, and no one is required to accept an SBA loan.

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 30-Apr-2012 15:41:24

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Mingo County Town Hall Meeting Set for May 3

FEMA Offers Tips On Smart Building At Local Supply Stores

FEMA Offers Tips On Smart Building At Local Supply Stores 

Release Date: April 30, 2012
Release Number: 4058-039

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS – Residents who want to make their homes and businesses more hazard-resistant can get advice from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mitigation specialists at local building supply stores from May 2 through 6 in Columbus and Vincennes.

In addition to answering questions, mitigation specialists will have information about techniques to make structures safer and stronger and ways to avoid damage from storms and other hazards. Ideas range from creating a disaster family plan to building a storm shelter.

Mitigation specialists will be in Lowe’s stores this week from Wednesday through Saturday from
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The stores are at the below locations:

3500 10th St., Columbus, IN 47201
2700 N. Sixth St., Vincennes, IN 47591

A series of free mitigation publications is available at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 480-2520. These include: Taking Shelter from the Storm and Understanding Your Risks: Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses.

Small changes can make a big difference the next time storms strike and can lessen the damage and financial impact on individuals, communities and society as a whole. An independent study shows each dollar spent on mitigation saves society an average of $4 by reducing future losses due to disasters.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Monday, 30-Apr-2012 11:55:19

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FEMA Offers Tips On Smart Building At Local Supply Stores

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