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Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Two Louisiana Parishes

BATON ROUGE, La. –Disaster recovery centers will open Monday, March 21, in Monroe and Slidell to help Louisiana flood survivors. The centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday until further notice. The centers will be closed on Easter Sunday, March 27.

The disaster recovery centers are located at the following addresses:

Monroe Civic Center
401 Lea Joyner Expressway
Monroe, Ouachita Parish, La.

The Towers Government Building
520 Old Spanish Trail
Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, La.

More centers are planned to open in affected parishes.

Representatives from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, volunteer groups and other agencies are at the center to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

To register, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids.

For information, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4263.

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Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Two Louisiana Parishes

East Texas Survivors Encouraged to Register for Disaster Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas—East Texans who sustained damage or losses from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that began March 7, 2016 and is continuing, can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The presidential disaster declaration of March 19 makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and business owners in three counties: Jasper, Newton and Orange.

Survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

Social Security number
Address of the damaged primary residence
Description of the damage
Information about insurance coverage
A current contact telephone number
An address where they can receive mail
Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for:

Temporary housing
Essential home repairs
Uninsured and underinsured personal property losses
Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if a survivor has registered with another disaster-relief organization, such as the American Red Cross. If you already called FEMA in attempts to register for assistance for damage caused by the storms and flooding, you will not need to reapply. You can call the FEMA Helpline and speak with a representative if you have any questions.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4266, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

The SBA 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.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

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East Texas Survivors Encouraged to Register for Disaster Assistance

Beware of Fraud, Scams When Seeking Disaster Assistance

Baton Rouge, La. – State and federal recovery officials urge Louisiana residents affected by the March flooding events throughout the state to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud.

As government agencies and charitable groups began providing disaster assistance, scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals may attempt to prey on vulnerable survivors. The most common post-disaster fraud practices include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building contractors, bogus pleas for disaster donations and fake offers of state or federal aid.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (Louisiana) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency advise all residents that no individual with a government disaster assistance agency will call or text asking for financial account information.

Survivors also should keep in mind that federal and state workers never ask for or accept money and always carry identification badges. There is no fee required to apply for or to get disaster assistance from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration or the state.

Scam attempts can be made over the phone, by mail or email, text or in person. Unfortunately, there seems to be no limit to the inventiveness of those wanting to commit fraud. Louisiana residents are asked to remain alert, ask questions and require photo identification when someone claims to represent a government agency.

Those who question the validity of a contact or suspect fraud are encouraged to call the toll free FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. Complaints also may be made by contacting local law enforcement agencies.

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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 (SBA) 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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Beware of Fraud, Scams When Seeking Disaster Assistance

It’s Not Too Early to Begin Flood Clean Up after Louisiana Floods

BATON ROUGE, La. – State and federal emergency management officials encourage Louisiana flood survivors to begin repairs as soon as they can.

Flood survivors do not need to wait for a visit from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or their insurance company to start cleaning up and make repairs. FEMA inspectors and insurance claims adjusters will be able to verify flood damage even after cleaning has begun.

It’s important for survivors to take photographs of damage and keep recovery-related receipts. Insurance companies may need both items, while FEMA may need receipts.

Survivors should check for structural damage before entering their homes and report any damage to local officials. They should also immediately throw away wet contents like bedding, carpeting and furniture because of health issues that may arise with mold.

Emergency management officials encourage survivors to register for FEMA assistance as soon as they can. They only need to register once and only one registration is allowed per household. Once registered, survivors should keep in touch with FEMA and update contact information if it changes.

FEMA assistance may help eligible homeowners and renters pay for a temporary place to stay, make repairs or replace certain damaged contents.

Individuals can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 or Video Relay Service or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362.

FEMA assistance is not taxable, doesn’t need to be repaid and doesn’t affect other government benefits.

Those who are referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration should complete and return the application for a low-interest disaster loan. It is not required to accept a loan offer but returning a completed application is necessary for FEMA to consider survivors for certain forms of disaster assistance.

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It’s Not Too Early to Begin Flood Clean Up after Louisiana Floods

Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Bossier City, Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. – A disaster recovery center will open Saturday, March 19, in Bossier City to help Louisiana flood survivors. This center is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

The disaster recovery center is located at the following address:

Bossier Parish Public Safety Complex
5850 Shed Road
Bossier City, La.

More recovery centers are planned to open in affected areas.

Representatives from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, voluntary groups and local agencies are at the center to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4263.

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Bossier City, Louisiana

More Louisiana Residents Now Eligible for Federal Disaster Assistance, Urged to Register

Baton Rouge, La – Now that flood survivors in 26 parishes may be eligible for federal disaster assistance, their first step is to register.

Individuals and business owners in the designated parishes who had storm damage may apply for assistance two ways:

 Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

 By calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

o People who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585.

o For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

 These toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

The federal disaster declaration issued March 13 for seven Louisiana parishes has been expanded twice to include 19 additional parishes as a result of severe storms and flooding that began on March 8, 2016, and continues.

On March 17, three parishes – Allen, Ascension and Calcasieu – were added to the declaration. On March 15, the federal disaster declaration was extended to 16 additional parishes: Beauregard, Bienville, Caddo, Caldwell, De Soto, La Salle, Livingston, Madison, Natchitoches, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Union, Vernon, Washington, West Carroll and Winn. Parishes included in the original declaration are Bossier, Claiborne, Grant, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland and Webster.

Assistance provided by FEMA for homeowners and renters can include grants for rent, temporary housing and home repairs to their primary residence, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. The loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Residents and business owners should apply as quickly as they can, even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments but underinsured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

For flood insurance policyholders who may have questions, FEMA has aligned its call center to better support them with the servicing of their claims and getting answers to their questions quickly. Policyholders may call 1-800-621-3362 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and select Option 2. Call center staff are available to assist policyholders with information regarding their policy, offer technical flood guidance to aid in recovery, and respond to general as well as complicated questions about the NFIP. Policyholders with questions specifically about an insurance claim can be transferred to their insurance carrier for additional assistance.

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.

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 (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations 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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More Louisiana Residents Now Eligible for Federal Disaster Assistance, Urged to Register

Nearly $700,000 Awarded in FEMA Public Assistance Grants for Northern Idaho

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Federal grants to help northern Idaho communities recover from severe winter storms late last year have reached nearly $700,000, according to officials with the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security (IBHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This figure is expected to continue to grow. The grants were made available under major presidential disaster declarations for a November windstorm and severe storms in December.

The grants come through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program, which reimburses state and local governments, federally recognized tribes and certain private nonprofit organizations for eligible disaster-related expenses. Funding may cover emergency protective measures, debris removal and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged infrastructure.

“Northern Idaho counties suffered significant damage and upheaval following a late November wind storm, followed just weeks later by a severe winter storm event,” said IBHS Director Brad Richy. “Over these past few months, IBHS and FEMA have forged a strong partnership with our PA applicants in order to expedite the approval process.”

The FEMA grants obligated to the state for eligible applicants include:

$171,970 to Kootenai Electric Cooperative for debris removal, power restoration and emergency protective measures;
$133,083 to Inland Power and Light for power restoration;
$76,039 to the City of Plummer for debris removal, electric distribution and emergency protective measures;
$65,604 to Kootenai County for debris removal;
$64,518 to Northern Lights, Inc. for debris removal;
$50,528 to the Lake Highway District for debris removal;
$41,692 to Clearwater Power Co. for electrical distribution repairs;
$36,791 to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe for emergency protective measures, damaged buildings and contents, and Internet utility repairs; and
$30,552 to the Worley Highway District for debris removal.
Smaller grants totaling about $19,000 for building and equipment repairs have been obligated to towns, school districts and water and sewage plant work.

“Although PA dollars go to governments and nonprofits after a disaster, they benefit everyone in a community,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont of FEMA. “The money helps protect people and property, clean up neighborhoods, haul away disaster debris, put utilities back in order, and repair roads and bridges that residents use every day.”

The Dec. 23, 2015, major disaster declaration for the Nov. 17, 2015, severe storm and straight-line winds provides assistance to eligible applicants in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. The Feb. 1, 2016, declaration for the Dec. 16-27, 2015, severe winter storms provides assistance for applicants in Benewah, Bonner and Kootenai counties.

Under the PA program, FEMA reimburses eligible applicants for at least 75 percent of their eligible and documented expenses, while the remainder is the non-federal share. FEMA pays the federal portion directly to the state, which administers and disburses the grants.

Both disaster declarations provide cost-share grants for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property during future disasters.

More information about the PA program is available at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and http://bhs.idaho.gov/Pages/Operations/DisasterAssistance/PublicAssistance.aspx.

Additional information for the specific disasters, including funds obligated, is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4246 and www.fema.gov/disaster/4252 .

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Nearly $700,000 Awarded in FEMA Public Assistance Grants for Northern Idaho

Disaster Declaration Process and Cleaning Up After a Disaster

DENTON, Texas – Cleaning up after a flood? FEMA has some suggestions:
•   Check for damage. Check for structural damage before re-entering your home. If you suspect damage to water, gas, electric or sewer lines, contact authorities.
•   Remove wet contents immediately. Wet carpeting, furniture, bedding and anything else holding moisture can develop mold within 24 to 48 hours. Clean and disinfect everything touched by floodwaters.
•   Tell your local officials about your damages. This information is forwarded to the state so state officials have a better understanding of the extent of the damages.
•   Plan before you repair. Contact your local building inspections or planning office, or your county clerk’s office to get more information on local building requirements.
•   File your flood insurance claim. Be sure to provide: the name of your insurance company, your policy number and contact information. Take photos of any water in the house and damaged personal property. Make a detailed list of all damaged or lost items.
There are also questions about when Federal Assistance is available after a disaster. In simple terms, here’s the process:
A disaster happens. Local officials and first responders respond. These officials see that their communities need assistance in dealing with it. They ask the state for help. The state responds. Sometimes, the state sees that the response is beyond its resources. That’s when the state reaches out to FEMA for assistance.
Typically, before asking for a Major Disaster declaration, the state asks for a preliminary Damage Assessment. This is done by teams composed of state and federal officials. They arrive in the disaster damaged area and local officials show them the most severely damaged areas that they can access.
Among the items considered are:
•   The amount of damage
•   How widespread the damages are, and the number of insured and uninsured properties involved
•   Special needs populations
•   Other disasters the state may be working.
Governors use this information to decide whether to request a disaster declaration. Once a governor decides to request a declaration, it is processed as quickly as possible.
If the President decides there’s a need, he signs a Major disaster declaration for either Individual Assistance, Public Assistance or both, for designated counties.
Individual Assistance means:
Individuals and business owners may be eligible for rental assistance, grants for repairs, or low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)for damages to uninsured or underinsured property.
Public Assistance means:
Government entities and certain private non-profit agencies may be eligible to be reimbursed for the cost of repairs to uninsured or underinsured facilities, as well as some costs for labor and materials.
If there is a Major Disaster declaration, survivors may register for assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.
The Preliminary Damage Assessment teams often take photographs of damaged areas. After a Major Disaster declaration, photographs of your damages are accepted as documentation, in addition to your receipts.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6 , and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Disaster Declaration Process and Cleaning Up After a Disaster

Three months later: More than $75 million approved for Missouri flood survivors

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Almost three months ago, heavy rains brought flooding and storms to cities along the Mississippi, Missouri and Meramec Rivers. Since that time, more than $75 million has been approved in the form of disaster grants to individuals and families, flood insurance payments, and low-interest loans to renters, homeowners and businesses.

It isn’t too late to receive assistance. The deadline to register for federal assistance is Monday, March 21, 2016. Those who register with FEMA can be referred to national and locally-active voluntary, faith-based and non-governmental agencies when federal assistance cannot meet all of their needs.

A few milestones from the Missouri flood disaster:

$11,828,408 in FEMA grants to nearly 2,300 individuals and families for emergency home repairs, repair or replacement of essential personal property, rental assistance, and help with funeral, medical, dental, legal and other disaster-related expenses.
$11,649,800 in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans to more than 270 homeowners, renters and businesses.
$52,118,027 in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payments.
More than 1,700 survivors visited 15 disaster recovery centers to get one-on-one counseling on survivor assistance, flood insurance, mitigation methods, low-interest loans and other information.
FEMA floodplain management specialists fielded 335 technical assistance calls and questions from NFIP participating communities.
FEMA floodplain management specialists worked with the state on substantial damage software and inspection training for local officials in NFIP participating communities.

In all, Individual Assistance was extended to 33 counties. The counties receiving IA were Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA web pages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

Douglas County Added to Oregon Disaster Declaration

SALEM, OR – Federal disaster assistance has been extended to public entities in Douglas County as a result of the severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and landslides and mudslides occurring Dec. 6-23, 2015, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.

Douglas County joins Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill counties under the disaster declaration signed by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2016. FEMA’s Public Assistance program offers supplemental financial assistance on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities in designated counties. The program also provides an opportunity for mitigation projects that protect damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for certain hazard mitigation measures.

“The addition of Douglas County to the declaration is due to the work and collaboration of many agencies and individuals,” said Clint Fella, state coordinating officer at Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management. “We are pleased that Douglas County will benefit from this assistance.”

The state of Oregon, which administers the Public Assistance program, will conduct briefings with local officials in these counties and affected tribal governments, to provide information on the assistance available and how to apply.

“By assisting local, state and tribal governments and looking for ways to reduce future damages, state and federal disaster assistance has an impact on every individual in these communities,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont.

FEMA reimburses 75 percent of eligible costs covered in the declaration.

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Douglas County Added to Oregon Disaster Declaration

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