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South Carolina Survivors Have Two Weeks to Apply for FEMA Assistance

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two weeks remain for survivors of the Oct. 1-23 storms and flooding in South Carolina to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and submit loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 4. Once registered, you’re in the system. There is no need to register again.

Assistance can include money for temporary housing and essential home repairs for primary homes, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help survivors recover from the effects of the disaster.

There are several ways to register for federal assistance. Individuals can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multilingual operators are available. Survivors may also get assistance from a Disaster Survivor Assistance team member working in their communities.

Although it is not necessary to visit a disaster recovery center in the 24 disaster-designated counties, some survivors may want to visit a center where they can have access to FEMA program specialists and other federal representatives. For the 29 center locations currently open, visit: http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

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.

The SBA deadline for homeowners, renters and businesses to submit loan applications for physical damage is also Dec. 4. Survivors may obtain information by visiting the SBA website www.sba.gov/disaster; applying online via SBA’s secure website https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; or calling SBA’s disaster assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.

At the disaster recovery centers, SBA customer service representatives can answers questions, help complete loan applications and close loans. The SBA also operates business recovery centers in Charleston, Horry, Richland and Sumter counties.

For more information on South Carolina’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4241, twitter.com/FEMARegion4, www.facebook.com/FEMA and www.fema.gov/blog.

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South Carolina Survivors Have Two Weeks to Apply for FEMA Assistance

FEMA Public Assistance Grants to Help Washington Communities Recover from Wildfires

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Washington State Emergency Management Division (EMD) are working closely with local and tribal officials to help Washington communities recover from this summer’s devastating wildfires.

The assistance comes through the Public Assistance (PA) program, which reimburses state and local governments, federally recognized tribes and certain private nonprofit organizations for eligible expenses they incurred in protecting lives and property ahead of and during the fires, and in cleaning up and rebuilding afterward.

The presidential disaster declaration stemming from the Aug. 9 to Sept. 10, 2015, wildfires makes FEMA PA grants available to eligible applicants in Chelan, Ferry, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whatcom, and Yakima counties and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

“This program is important to Washington taxpayers,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin of EMD. “It provides financial assistance that enables our communities to repair and rebuild without putting an additional burden on residents. We welcome partnering with FEMA to assist communities impacted by the historic wildfires. ”

“The PA program strengthens communities that do not have the resources to bounce back from a disaster,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas Dargan of FEMA. “The funds help to repair the roads people use every day getting to work and school, put utilities and water systems back in order, and ensure a community’s other important public needs are met.”

To date, 34 potential applicants have filed a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) to initiate a disaster claim under the Oct. 20 disaster declaration. Applicants have until Nov. 19 to file RPAs with the Washington Emergency Management Division.

The EMD, with FEMA support, is holding a series of briefings for potential applicants to provide a general overview of the grant program, outline program deadlines and answer any questions.

Also taking place are initial meetings among applicants and project officers from EMD and FEMA to discuss which types of emergency expenses and projects are federally reimbursable. They also discuss the process of rebuilding structures to resist damage in the future.

These meetings are an important step in getting assistance dollars back into the communities.

Under the PA program, FEMA reimburses applicants for 75 percent of their eligible expenses, while the other 25 percent is the nonfederal share. The federal portion is paid directly to the state, which then makes disbursements to the local and tribal jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

More information about the PA program is available at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and on the Washington EMD website at http://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division/.

Additional information regarding the federal response to the wildfire disaster, including funds obligated, is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4243.

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FEMA Public Assistance Grants to Help Washington Communities Recover from Wildfires

Disaster Recovery Centers Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving

COLUMBIA, S.C. –All but two disaster recovery centers will be closed on Sundays beginning Nov. 15. Centers located at the Beck Recreation Center in Georgetown and the Sheriff’s Office in Newberry will be closed Sundays beginning Nov. 22.

All centers will be closed Nov. 26 for Thanksgiving.

Survivors can locate their closest center by visiting asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are at centers to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest loans.

Applicants also can get help by calling 800-621-3362. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities should call 800-462-7585 (TTY); 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.

For the latest information on South Carolina flood recovery operations, visit scemd.org and fema.gov/disaster/4241.

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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.

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).

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 Recovery Centers Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving

FEMA, State Broadcasters’ Associations and Emergency Managers to Test the Emergency Alert System

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in cooperation with state, local, and tribal emergency managers and state broadcasters’ associations, will conduct a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 in six states at 1:20 p.m. PST.

FEMA will send the voluntary EAS test message signal through its Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) from the exhibit floor of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Broadcasters are voluntarily participating in the test from Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The EAS test is scheduled to last approximately one minute.

The message will be the same as typical EAS test messages, with the word “national” added to the message: “This is a national test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test.” The test is designed to have limited impact on the public. There is no Federal Commissions Commission regulatory liability for stations that choose not to participate. The EAS test might also be seen and heard in bordering states participating in the test, including California, Oregon, Idaho, Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan.

The test will assess the operational readiness of FEMA’s IPAWS infrastructure that will distribute a national-level EAS test message to radio, television and cable operations from origination to reception by the public. In 2007, FEMA began modernizing the nation’s public alert and warning system by integrating new technologies into existing alert systems. IPAWS connects public safety officials, such as emergency managers, police and fire departments to multiple communications channels to send alerts to the public when a disaster or other imminent danger occurs.

More information on the Public Alert and Warning System and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) is available at www.fema.gov/ipaws or www.ready.gov/alerts.

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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.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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FEMA, State Broadcasters’ Associations and Emergency Managers to Test the Emergency Alert System

Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Raymondville and Brownsville, Texas -REVISED

Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Raymondville and Brownsville, Texas

Public Open House Events Scheduled to Share Map Changes and Flood Risk Information
(Please note correction below to address for open house in Willacy County.)

DENTON, Texas –Homeowners, renters and business owners in the Texas counties of Cameron and Willacy are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

County officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the preliminary maps to communities and unincorporated areas in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks and use that information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and how the community should move forward with any development.

The Texas-based coastal flood mapping effort follows the release of a new, comprehensive storm surge study that gives updated information on coastal flood risks. To share that data, public workshops are scheduled in each of the counties where interested citizens can obtain more information about the proposed changes. Experts will be on hand to answer questions related to the newly identified flood risks.

Willacy County Cameron County

Wednesday, Nov. 18 Thursday, Nov. 19

L. E. Franks Tourist Center Brownsville Public Library

501 S. Seventh Street 2600 Central Blvd.

Raymondville, TX Brownsville, TX

2:00 – 7:00 p.m. 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.

“As we work together with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to these counties, we ask that everyone review the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The role of the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

Additional information is available, including links to the interactive mapping website on www.riskmap6.com. Residents can also contact the floodplain administrator in each county for more details.

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Flood Risk Open House to View Maps in Raymondville and Brownsville, Texas -REVISED

FEMA Mitigation Advisers Offer Guidance to Flood Survivors in Richland County

COLUMBIA, S.C. – As South Carolinians rebuild and repair after the recent historic floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand in Richland County to answer questions and offer home improvement tips to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared towards do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Advisers will be available at two locations through Nov. 17. Hours and locations are as follows:

Home Depot located at 5200 Fernandina Road in Columbia (Thursday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Monday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Lowe’s located at 7420 Garners Ferry Road in Columbia (Thursday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Monday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets in English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage. More information about strengthening property can be found at fema.gov/what-mitigation.

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FEMA Mitigation Advisers Offer Guidance to Flood Survivors in Richland County

What to do if you disagree with FEMA’s decision letter

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – If Lake and Calaveras County residents receive a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency saying they are not eligible for disaster assistance, it is important that they read the letter carefully and then contact FEMA if they have questions or need assistance making an appeal.

The appeal must be postmarked within 60 days of the date on the FEMA letter, not the date received. FEMA will help survivors make an appeal.

Survivors can call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. For 711 or video relay service, call 800-621-3362. They can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To locate the nearest center, call FEMA or go online to FEMA.gov/DRC.

A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance: 916-381-0330; for TTY, call 711.

The FEMA letter will explain the reason an applicant was determined to be ineligible and what additional information he or she needs to provide or how FEMA’s decision can be appealed.

Some of the reasons for an initial turn down can be easily remedied with more information such as:

Calling or writing to FEMA when a final insurance settlement is agreed upon.
Providing proof of ownership or residence, especially documents showing the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Returning a completed U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan application.
Signing essential documents.

Survivors can ask for a review of the amount or type of help provided or any other decision about federal disaster assistance if they appeal the agency’s decision within 60 days of the date on the FEMA letter. Many issues can be resolved if applicants follow up with updated information or documentation.

When appealing a decision, applicants should explain in writing why they disagree with a decision along with any new or additional documents supporting the appeal.

Appeal letters should include:

Federal disaster declaration number ‘DR-4240-CA’ on all pages of documents.
Applicant information, including:
- Nine-digit FEMA application number on all pages of documents
- Name
- Date and place of birth
- Address of the damaged dwelling
Copies of verifiable documentation supporting the appeal. All receipts, bills and estimates must include contact information for the service provider. Applicants should keep all originals for their records.
Copy of a driver license or state-issued identification card showing the residence address is the same as the damaged property.
If a driver’s license or state-issued identification card is not available, an alternative is to have the appeal letter notarized with the following statement included: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”

The applicant’s signature.

Mail the appeal letter to:

FEMA
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Applicants may fax the appeal letter to: 800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA

It is important to have appeal letters postmarked within 60 days of the date on the decision letter.

Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. For 711 or video relay service, call 800-621-3362. For more information go to FEMA.gov/Help-After-Disaster. Even easier is visiting one of the three FEMA disaster recovery centers (DRC).

All three Disaster Recovery Centers will be open on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, with normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To locate the nearest DRC, go to FEMA.gov/DRC.

Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. Registration continues through Monday, Nov. 23.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 and at Facebook.com/FEMA.

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 are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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What to do if you disagree with FEMA’s decision letter

Severe Weather Mid-Week: Get Ready Now

CHICAGO – With an ominous Wednesday forecast for most of the central U.S. that includes severe storms, heavy rains, strong winds and the possibility of tornadoes, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V encourages everyone to get prepared.

“Even though temperatures are dropping as we approach the winter months, severe storms are still a risk,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Now is the time to make sure your family knows what to do to stay safe, and verify your mobile phone is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts to warn you of extreme weather and other emergencies in your area.”

Individuals living throughout Illinois and Indiana, southern Wisconsin and western Ohio should follow the instructions of state and local officials and listen to local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information related to this storm system. Purchasing a weather radio for your home is another way to ensure that you receive critical warning information. If a warning is issued, get indoors, and move to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.

Find valuable tips to help you prepare for severe storms at http://www.ready.gov/severe-weather and download the free FEMA app, available for your Android, Apple or Blackberry device. Visit the site or download the app today so you have the information you need to prepare for severe weather.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

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Severe Weather Mid-Week: Get Ready Now

Two Weeks Left to Register for FEMA Grants and Apply for SBA Disaster Loans

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The deadline is Nov. 23, 2015, to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance and to apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest, long term disaster loans.

FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers in Calaveras and Lake counties will maintain normal operating hours on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. At the centers, disaster survivors can register for FEMA disaster assistance, apply for an SBA loan, and discuss recovery issues with representatives of various organizations and agencies. DRC hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. DRC locations can be found at FEMA.gov/DRC.

Even if you think you were fully insured against the devastating wildfires, it is important to register with FEMA and also submit an initial SBA online loan application by the Nov. 23 deadline just in case your insurance later turns out to be inadequate.

Once registered with FEMA, an application for assistance can remain open for up to a year from the declaration date – until Sept. 23, 2016 – pending final resolution of insurance coverage.

Survivors also can finalize a preliminary SBA loan application after the Nov. 23 deadline, as long as the initial application has been submitted by that date.

So far, 3,598 individuals and households have contacted FEMA for assistance and information: 1,092 in Calaveras County and 2,506 in Lake County.

More than $10.4 million has been authorized to date by FEMA for individuals and households. That amount includes nearly $6.9 million for Housing Assistance and more than $3.5 million for Other Needs Assistance, such as replacement of damaged or destroyed medical equipment, clothing, essential furnishings, appliances and even an automobile.

To date, 2,763 damaged or destroyed homes, 99 percent of the total, have been examined by FEMA’s inspection services.

The SBA has approved more than $12.8 million in disaster loans to businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. That includes $11.5 million to homeowners and renters and $1.3 million to businesses and private nonprofits for both physical damages and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations have until June 22, 2016, to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans only.

FEMA refers most survivors to the SBA for long term disaster recovery loans. Those applicants should complete an SBA loan application, even if they feel they cannot afford or do not want a loan. SBA disaster loans are part of the federal assistance process. Accepting an SBA loan is not required, but submitting that application may trigger additional grant assistance through FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program, which is administered by the state of California.

A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance: 916-381-0330, for TTY, call 711.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 and at facebook.com/FEMA.

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 are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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.

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Two Weeks Left to Register for FEMA Grants and Apply for SBA Disaster Loans

Disaster Assistance Help Remains Available After Disaster Recovery Centers in Myrtle Beach, Neeses and West Columbia Close

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The following three disaster recovery centers will close Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. because of a lack of visitors:

South Strand Recreational Center at 9560 Scipio Lane in Myrtle Beach
Neeses Town Hall at 6357 Savannah Highway in Neeses
Cayce West Columbia Library at 1500 Augusta Road in West Columbia

Applicants in Myrtle Beach, Neeses and West Columbia may still visit other recovery centers to ask disaster assistance questions. They can locate their closest center by visiting asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

For the latest information on South Carolina flood recovery operations, visit scemd.org and fema.gov/disaster/4241.

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Disaster Assistance Help Remains Available After Disaster Recovery Centers in Myrtle Beach, Neeses and West Columbia Close

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