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Texas Disaster Assistance Nearly $30 Million

AUSTIN, Texas – More than $29.9 million in federal and state aid to date is helping the residents

of 13 Texas counties recover from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in March.

Assistance is ongoing and residents of Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Jasper,

Limestone, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Shelby and Tyler counties are encouraged to

The state of Texas, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and voluntary agencies have

been working to help Texans recover. The following is a snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of

April 25: Nearly $18.4 million has been approved to help homeowners and renters;

More than $11.5 million has been approved by SBA for 174 low-interest disaster loans for

businesses, homeowners and renters to help pay for damage not covered by insurance.

o Of that, more than $11.2 million went to homeowners and renters; and

o More than $366,000 for businesses.

1,674 survivors have received assistance; and

99 percent of the home inspections have been completed.

at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. Toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a

week and multilingual operators are available.

Assistance from FEMA is meant to help jump-start the recovery process; it may not cover all

damage or property loss. Completing an SBA low-interest disaster loan application may make

additional assistance available to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged

vehicle, or pay for storage costs.

Taking a loan is not required; completing the application can open the door to all federal

assistance, including possible additional grants. If approved, and a survivor does not accept the

loan, it may make them ineligible for additional assistance.

Applicants may apply at the online with SBA via the Electronic Loan Application on SBA’s

secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available online at

www.sba.gov/disaster, from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or by

emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Meet with an SBA Representative at a Disaster

Recovery Center to learn more about disaster loans, the application process, or for help

completing the SBA application. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.

Completed applications should be mailed to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing

and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4266,

Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website

txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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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.

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Texas Disaster Assistance Nearly $30 Million

FEMA Urges Survivors to visit Disaster Recovery Centers Before They Close

RIDGELAND, Miss. – State and federal disaster recovery centers in Washington and Bolivar counties will close this week. March storm survivors are encouraged to bring their questions about applications or appeals to the centers while recovery experts are available.

Recovery center hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Locations are:

Bolivar County (Closing Friday, April 29, 6 p.m.)

Willard R. Samuel Jr. Gymnasium

700 N. Chrisman Ave.

Cleveland, MS 38732

Washington County (Closing Thursday, April 28, 6 p.m.)

Washington County Convention Center

1040 South Raceway Road

Greenville, MS 38703

If you require a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille, large print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center, call the appropriate helpline number below.

After the centers close, federal assistance is still available online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service). TTY users can call 800-462-7585. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors can use the helpline to:

Register for assistance.
Ask questions about a letter from FEMA.
Learn how to appeal a FEMA decision. All applicants may appeal.
Inquire about the status of a registration.
Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

Applicants should have their nine-digit FEMA registration number and ZIP code if they want to discuss their application.

For the latest information on Mississippi disaster recovery operations, go online to msema.org and fema.gov/disaster/4268.

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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.

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 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service). TTY users can call 800-462-7585.

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FEMA Urges Survivors to visit Disaster Recovery Centers Before They Close

Sobrevivientes del desastre en la parroquia de Vernon pueden recibir consejos de FEMA para la reconstrucción en tienda de mejoras al hogar

Baton Rouge, La. —

Los sobrevivientes de la parroquia de Vernon que están reconstruyendo después de las severas inundaciones y tormentas de marzo, ahora pueden recibir asesoramiento gratuito de los especialistas de mitigación de riesgos de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés). Los representantes estarán en la tienda Lowe’s Home Improvement en Leesville, comenzando el martes 26 de abril hasta el sábado 30 de abril.

Los especialistas en mitigación pueden responder preguntas sobre cómo proteger las viviendas contra daños futuros relacionados con desastres, y ofrecer sugerencias y técnicas para construir viviendas resistentes al peligro. La mayor parte de la información y de las publicaciones gratuitas disponibles están dirigidas a los sobrevivientes que realizan las reparaciones por sí mismos y para contratistas en general.

Los temas sobre la recuperación incluyen la reparación de techos y la reconstrucción de viviendas inundadas.

La tienda está localizada en:

Lowe’s Home Improvement
2200 Mcrae St.
Leesville, La.

Las estaciones sobre mitigación abrirán comenzando el martes 26 de abril a sábado 30 de abril, de 9 a.m. a 6:30 p.m.

Los sobrevivientes pueden inscribirse en línea visitando DisasterAssistance.gov/es. También pueden llamar al 800-621-3362 ó (TTY) 800-462-7585. Aquellos que usan 711 o el Servicio de Retransmisión de Video (VRS, por sus siglas en inglés) pueden llamar al 800-621-3362.

Las líneas telefónicas gratuitas operan de 7 a.m. a 10 p.m., siete días a la semana.

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Los alentamos a que continúe con precaución en áreas donde haya todavía áreas inundadas. Siga los pasos de DOTD en su página web www.511la.org para obtener la información más reciente sobre el cierre de caminos. Esté atento a los comunicados de advertencia de sus autoridades locales y de los gerentes del manejo de emergencias. Usted puede encontrar información actualizada en la página de respuesta del estado en www.emergency.la.gov. También GOHSEP proporciona información en Facebook y Twitter. Usted puede recibir alertas de emergencia en la mayoría de los teléfonos celulares y tabletas al descargar la nueva aplicación de alerta de FM. Esta es gratuita usando el servicio básico. Usted también puede descargar la Guía para la Preparación en Emergencias de Louisiana y encontrar otra información adicional en www.getagameplan.org

La asistencia para la recuperación por desastre está disponible sin tomar en consideración raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés o nivel económico. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido discriminado, llame al número gratuito de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Para llamar al TTY use 800-462-7585.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a los ciudadanos y a las agencias de socorristas para garantizar que trabajemos juntos como nación para desarrollar, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad para prepararnos, protegernos, dar respuesta, recuperarnos y mitigar todos los peligros. Síganos en Twitter en http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 y en el blog de FEMA en http://blog.fema.gov.

La Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa, por sus siglas en inglés) es el recurso primario de fondos del gobierno federal para reconstruir a largo plazo la propiedad privada dañada por los desastres. El SBA ayuda a los propietarios de viviendas, inquilinos y negocios de todos los tamaños y privados, organizaciones sin fines de lucro a financiar la reparación o esfuerzos de reconstrucción y cubrir los costos de reemplazo por la pérdida o daño causado por el desastre a la propiedad personal. Estos préstamos por el desastre cubren pérdidas no compensadas completamente por el seguro u otras formas de recuperación y no duplica los beneficios de otras agencias u organizaciones. Para mayor información, los solicitantes deben ponerse en contacto con el Centro de Servicio al Cliente de la Asistencia por Desastre de SBA llamando al (800) 659-2955, por correo electrónico

disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, o al visitar la página web de SBA en www.sba.gov/disaster. Para personas con problemas auditivos o del habla, llamar al (800) 877-8339.

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Sobrevivientes del desastre en la parroquia de Vernon pueden recibir consejos de FEMA para la reconstrucción en tienda de mejoras al hogar

La ayuda sigue disponible después del cierre del Centro de Recuperación por Desastre en Ringgold, Parroquia de Bienville

BATON ROUGE, La. – El Centro de Recuperación por Desastre (DRC, por sus siglas en inglés) en Ringgold, Parroquia de Bienville, cerrará sus puertas el martes 26 de abril a las 6:00 p.m.

El DRC está localizado en la siguiente dirección:

Bienville Courthouse Annex
2145 Mill St.
Ringgold, La.

Los sobrevivientes por desastre en Ringgold pueden visitar otros centros para reunirse con los oficiales de recuperación. Para encontrar otros centros vaya a asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm o llame al 800-621-3362.

Los residentes todavía pueden inscribirse para la asistencia por desastre u obtener información llamando a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362 (TTY) 800-462-7585. Aquellos que usan 711 o el Servicio de Retransmisión de Video (VRS) pueden llamar al 800-621-3362. Las líneas telefónicas operan de 7:00 a.m. a 10:00 p.m. siete días a la semana, hasta nuevo aviso. También pueden inscribirse visitando la página web DisasterAssistance.gov/es o fema.gov/es/disaster/4263.

Llame a la línea de ayuda para:

Hacer preguntas sobre las cartas de elegibilidad de FEMA.
Obtener información sobre cómo apelar las cartas de elegibilidad de FEMA. Todos los solicitantes pueden apelar.
Conocer el estado de su solicitud.
Proveer cambios de dirección, teléfono o números de cuantas bancarias e información de su seguro para evitar que se retrase el procesamiento de la asistencia por desastre.
Obtener información sobre las inspecciones de vivienda de FEMA.
Obtener respuestas sobre la asistencia federal por desastre.

FEMA recomienda que los solicitantes tengan a mano su número de inscripción de nueve dígitos cuando hagan la llamada. Deberán también verificar su identidad para poder tener acceso a su información personal.

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También GOHSEP proporciona información en Facebook y Twitter. Usted puede recibir alertas de emergencia en la mayoría de los teléfonos celulares y tabletas al descargar la nueva aplicación de alerta de FM. Esta es gratuita usando el servicio básico. Usted también puede descargar la Guía para la Preparación en Emergencias de Louisiana y encontrar otra información adicional en www.getagameplan.org

Continued here:

La ayuda sigue disponible después del cierre del Centro de Recuperación por Desastre en Ringgold, Parroquia de Bienville

Vernon Parish Disaster Survivors Can Get Rebuilding Tips at a Local Home Improvement Center

Baton Rouge, La. — Disaster Survivors from Vernon Parish who are rebuilding after the March 8 – April 8 severe storms and floods can receive a free consultation with hazard mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The mitigation representatives will be available at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Leesville from Tuesday, April 26 until Saturday, April 30.

The mitigation specialists will answer questions about protecting homes from future disaster-related damage, as well as offer tips and techniques to build hazard resistant homes. Most of the information and the free publications provided are geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Recovery topics to be covered include roof repair and rebuilding flooded homes.

The store location is as follows:

Lowe’s Home Improvement
2200 Mcrae St.
Leesville, La.

The mitigation specialists will be available on Tuesday, April 26 to Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Survivors can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information at www.gohsep.la.gov, Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

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

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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This article is from –

Vernon Parish Disaster Survivors Can Get Rebuilding Tips at a Local Home Improvement Center

Help Remains for Louisiana Disaster Survivors after Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Ringgold, Bienville Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Ringgold (Bienville Parish) disaster recovery center will close Tuesday, April 26, at 6 p.m.

The center is located at the following address:

Bienville Courthouse Annex
2145 Mill St.
Ringgold, La.

Louisiana disaster survivors in Ringgold may still visit other centers to meet with recovery officials. For other locations go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or call 800-621-3362.

Residents can still register for disaster assistance or ask questions by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. They can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4263.

Call the helpline to:

Ask questions about FEMA determination letters.
Learn how to appeal FEMA’s determination. All applicants have the right to appeal.
Inquire about the status of a registration.
Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

FEMA advises applicants to have their nine-digit FEMA registration number on hand when they call. They also will be asked to verify their identity if they want access to their information.

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We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information on Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s 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 https://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800)877-8339.

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Help Remains for Louisiana Disaster Survivors after Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Ringgold, Bienville Parish

Temporary Housing Help Available from FEMA for Displaced Survivors

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippians whose homes were destroyed or made unlivable by the recent storms and flooding can turn to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance.

FEMA and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, as well as local communities, are committed to helping survivors find options for safe housing following the disaster that began March 9. FEMA also wants to help survivors return to their homes.

Those who are unable to remain in their homes made unsafe, unlivable or inaccessible by the disaster, can contact FEMA for assistance in finding temporary housing. Financial assistance for renting temporary housing is available for eligible survivors.

To be considered eligible, survivors first must register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling FEMA’s Helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Other eligibility requirements include:

Proof that the primary residence is unsafe, unlivable or uninhabitable and within the disaster-designated county;
Insured survivors must have filed for insurance benefits and found that the damage to the property is not covered by insurance, the insurance settlement is insufficient or the settlement has not yet been received.
Damage must have occurred between March 9 and 29, 2016.

FEMA rental assistance is temporary and is not designed to be a permanent housing option. Rental assistance serves as a bridge until survivors secure permanent housing.

The U.S. Small Business Administration can provide long-term rebuilding assistance in the form of low-interest disaster loans to qualified individuals in their recovery.

Businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hard of hearing) or by visiting SBA.gov. Survivors may also apply for disaster loans at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Both FEMA and SBA are prohibited by law from duplicating insurance benefits. But, if the survivor’s insurance falls short of meeting the need, the survivor may be eligible for help from either or both agencies.

For more information on Mississippi’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster4268 and msema.org.

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

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money to help business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters rebuild and recover after a disaster. SBA low interest disaster loans repair and replace property losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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Temporary Housing Help Available from FEMA for Displaced Survivors

FEMA, NWS Urge Families and Communities to Take Steps to Prepare for Hazards

Officials Encourage Individuals to Register to Participate in an Exercise or Drill, Make a Family Communication Plan, Download Alerts and Know Local Hazards

WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Weather Service (NWS) urge Americans to take actions to prepare for a wide array of hazards by developing a family communication plan and downloading alerts and learning about local hazards. FEMA is encouraging people to take these actions in conjunction with America’s PrepareAthon!^SM, a grassroots, community-based campaign for action designed to increase preparedness and resilience.

America’s PrepareAthon! provides an important opportunity for individuals, organizations and communities to take action to prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills and exercises. Visit the America’s PrepareAthon! website, ready.gov/prepare, to register your participation, for more information, and to sign up.

“Some disasters come with warning and others with little or no warning,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Families, businesses and organizations need to prepare today – know your hazards, assemble supplies and practice what to do in case a disaster strikes.”

According to NOAA, flooding, which can occur anywhere in America, proved to be the most costly hazard in 2015, costing more than $2.7 billion in damages. Natural disasters left a destructive mark in 2015, putting people at risk and causing approximately $4.8 billion in damages.

“People can improve America’s resilience to extreme weather by knowing their risk, having quick access to weather forecasts and making a plan to follow when forecasters issue a warning,” said Louis W. Uccellini, Ph.D., director of NOAA’s NWS. “We urge everyone to take a moment this weekend to review weather safety information, develop or update their family communication plan and check to make sure their emergency kit is ready for severe weather season.

FEMA offers free, easy-to-use guides, checklists and resources to help individuals, organizations and communities practice the simple, specific actions they can take for emergencies relevant to their area. Examples include:

Create a family emergency communication plan. Visit ready.gov/prepare and download Be Smart. Take Part: Create Your Family Emergency Communication Plan. Collect the information you need, decide on the places you will meet in case of an emergency, share the information with your family and practice your plan.
Download the FEMA app for disaster resources, weather alerts and safety tips. Earlier this month, FEMA launched a new feature to its free smartphone app that will enable users to receive push notifications to their devices to remind them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters. The app also provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and open recovery centers, tips on how to survive natural and manmade disasters, and weather alerts from NWS for up to five locations across the nation.
Sign up for local text alerts and warnings, get the latest forecast at weather.gov and download weather apps to stay aware of worsening weather conditions. Visit ready.gov/prepare and download Be Smart: Know Your Alerts and Warnings to learn how sign up for local alerts and weather apps that are relevant for hazards that affect your area.
Gather important documents and keep them in a safe place. Have all of your personal, medical and legal papers in one place, so you can evacuate without worrying about gathering your family’s critical documents at the last minute. Visit ready.gov/prepare and download Be Smart: Protect Your Critical Documents and Valuables for a helpful checklist.

# # #

America’s PrepareAthon! was established to provide a comprehensive campaign to build and sustain national preparedness as directed by Presidential Policy Directive-8. The campaign is coordinated by FEMA in collaboration with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; the private sector; and non-governmental organizations.

Taken from –

FEMA, NWS Urge Families and Communities to Take Steps to Prepare for Hazards

Richland Parish Disaster Survivors Can Get Rebuilding Tips at a Local Home Improvement Center

Richland Parish Disaster Survivors Can Get Rebuilding Tips at a Local Home Improvement Center

Baton Rouge, La. — Disaster survivors from Richland Parish who are rebuilding after the March severe storms and floods can receive a free consultation with hazard mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The mitigation representatives will be available at Home Hardware Center in Rayville from Monday, April 25 until Saturday, April 30.

The mitigation specialists can answer questions about protecting homes from future disaster-related damage, as well as offer tips and techniques to build hazard resistant homes. Most of the information and the free publications provided are geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Recovery topics to be covered include roof repair and rebuilding flooded homes.

The store location is as follows:

Home Hardware Center
2004 South Julia St.
Rayville, La

The mitigation specialists will be available on Monday, April 25 to Friday, April 29 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information at www.gohsep.la.gov, Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

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

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Originally from:

Richland Parish Disaster Survivors Can Get Rebuilding Tips at a Local Home Improvement Center

FEMA Aid Recipients Cautioned on Using Funds for Intended Purpose

AUSTIN, Texas – Recovery officials are cautioning Texans who have received disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use the funds for their intended purpose and to keep disaster spending receipts for three years.

Disaster assistance is to help residents meet basic disaster-related needs and funds are distributed via check or direct deposit. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.

If an applicant spends the payment on anything other than the purpose for which it is directed, he/she may be denied assistance the next time the need arises. In some cases, FEMA will ask the funds be returned.

Those receiving aid are urged to keep receipts of their disaster spending for three years to document the money was used to meet disaster-related needs. If a recipient receives an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, he or she must reimburse FEMA. Random audits confirm funds were spent properly.

Disaster assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners.

Homeowners, renters and businesses in Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Jasper, Limestone, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Shelby and Tyler counties are eligible for federal disaster assistance as a result of the severe storms in March.

The first step is to register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. Toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week and multilingual operators are available.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4266, Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Visit fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

See the article here:

FEMA Aid Recipients Cautioned on Using Funds for Intended Purpose

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