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Free Legal Services for Arkansas Disaster Survivors

Little Rock, Ark. – Besides the physical, emotional and mental challenges they pose, disasters such as the April 27 severe storms, tornadoes and floods may leave some survivors with legal issues. Arkansans who need help with storm-related legal issues but can’t afford a lawyer may find one for free. If you’re in this situation or know someone who is, this is what you need to know:

How to request free legal help:

To request a lawyer, call 844-344-7904 toll free.
The phone is staffed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Messages can be left at any time.
Callers should state they are seeking disaster-related legal assistance.
Those who qualify for the free service will be matched with Arkansas lawyers who have volunteered to help.
All calls are completely confidential.

Types of legal assistance include:

Assistance with insurance claims—life, medical, property, etc.
Help with replacing legal papers such as wills
Advice on problems with landlords
Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems
Help with home repair contracts and contractors or with building permits

This program is for survivors in the counties designated for federal disaster assistance to individuals:Faulkner, Pulaski, Randolph and White.

Disaster Legal Services are provided through a partnership among the Arkansas Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which funds some of the administrative costs.

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.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.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. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6, the R6 Hurricane Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionvi/updates.shtm and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Free Legal Services for Arkansas Disaster Survivors

FEMA Mitigation Outreach at Ace Hardware in Colorado Springs

DENVER – A FEMA mitigation team will offer building tips at the Ace Hardware Uintah Gardens store in Colorado Springs Friday, Nov. 8, through Tuesday, Nov. 12 including Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11.

Mitigation measures can benefit homeowners, renters and business owners hoping to reduce problems such as mold and mildew. Advice also may be of help protecting electrical systems, furnaces and appliances.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be at this location:

Ace Hardware Uintah Gardens

1830 W. Uintah St.

Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Hours: Friday, Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST

Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., MST

Monday, Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST.

The mitigation team also will have free reference booklets in English and Spanish, including:

Preparing Makes Sense, Get Ready Now
Protecting Your Home From Flood Damage
Help After a Disaster
Mold & Mildew: Cleaning Up Your Flood-Damaged Home

More information about strengthening property can found at fema.gov/what-mitigation

Original article –

FEMA Mitigation Outreach at Ace Hardware in Colorado Springs

FEMA Specialists Provide Free Repair, Rebuilding and Mitigation Advice in Fairbanks

Main Content

Release date:

September 25, 2013

Release Number:

NR-019

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaskans can get free advice this Saturday in Fairbanks on how to reduce property damages during disasters like floods, fires and earthquakes.

Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be at the Preparedness Expo at the Carlson Center on Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to offer expertise on building techniques and mitigation that can help protect homes, businesses and other property. The expo is a one-day public event being held as part of National Preparedness Month that features exhibits focusing on disaster preparedness.

This free service also offers information and publications on topics such as:

Understanding flood- and earthquake-resistant building methods
Staying warm during the winter
The benefits of flood insurance
Elevating or anchoring utilities

For more information on helpful, money-saving mitigation methods, such as elevation, flood proofing and earthquake-resistant property designs, visit FEMA.gov/building-science-publications.

Last Updated:

September 25, 2013 – 13:08

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Alaska

Related Disaster:

Alaska Flooding

See original:

FEMA Specialists Provide Free Repair, Rebuilding and Mitigation Advice in Fairbanks

FEMA Offers Rebuilding Advice at Area Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores

NEW YORK – People whose property was damaged or destroyed in Super Storm Sandy and are rebuilding can get advice from a FEMA specialist. Hazard Mitigation specialists who are knowledgeable in cleanup and building safer and smarter to avoid future losses will be dispensing guidance free of charge, compliments of FEMA.

FEMA will staff tables at Home Depot stores in Suffolk County at 10 Gateway Blvd, Patchogue; and in Richmond County at 545 Targee St, Staten Island; and at a Lowe’s in Nassau County at 253-01 Rockaway Blvd, Rosedale.

Beginning Thursday May 9 – Tuesday May 14:

Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday and 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Advice and direction on the National Flood Insurance Program and Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps, Flood Insurance Rate Maps, repair and rebuilding will be available to all, not just to customers who are registered with FEMA.

These specialists will be able to talk about elevating electrical services and appliances; installing sewer back-flow valves; removing and replacing drywall and insulation; channeling water away from foundations; repairing with water-resistant materials. They can also give guidance in the permitting process required by local authorities.

For every dollar spent on mitigation, FEMA officials say that nearly four times as much is saved when another disaster like Sandy hits.

More information on ways to protect your property from disasters to come is available at: www.fema.gov. Click on “Plan, Prepare and Mitigate.”

Originally posted here:

FEMA Offers Rebuilding Advice at Area Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores

Disaster Legal Services Available to Storm Survivors

PEARL, Miss. – Feelings of loss after a disaster can be compounded by frustration – frustration in dealing with insurance claims, home repair contracts, or drawing up legal documents to replace those lost.

Disaster Legal Services provides legal assistance to low‐income individuals who, as a result of the disaster, are unable to secure adequate legal services. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, through an agreement with the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association, provides free legal help for survivors of a presidentially declared major disaster if they are unable to pay.

Disaster legal assistance that local lawyers typically provide covers:

Help with insurance claims for doctor and hospital bills, for loss of property, loss of life.
Drawing up new wills and other legal papers lost in the disaster.
Help with home repair contracts and contractors.
Advice on problems with landlords.
Preparing powers of attorney.

The Young Lawyers Division of The Mississippi Bar has provided a toll free number, 877-691-6185, that is staffed Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. When staff steps away or during all other hours of the day, a caller may leave their name, and a good daytime contact number. A legal representative will return an applicant’s call as soon as possible.

Legal help in any area of law is only available if the legal issue is directly related to a declared major disaster. Disaster legal advice is limited to cases that will not require a fee.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Disaster Legal Services Available to Storm Survivors

FEMA Mitigation Specialists Offer Rebuilding Advice

Release Date: March 27, 2012
Release Number: 4058-016

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

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In the wake of disasters, people often wonder whether there is a way to protect themselves and their property from devastating loss. The answer is yes!

Mitigation specialists from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at Menards, 2808 Menards Drive, Evansville, Ind., this week to offer free information and answer questions about rebuilding.

The FEMA team will be in the store beginning March 29 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday April 1.

In addition to answering questions, mitigation specialists will have information about how to rebuild safer and stronger and provide steps that may lessen storm damage in a future disaster. This ranges from creating a disaster family plan to building a “safe room” — a shelter designed to provide occupants a safe place to go when severe weather threatens.

As people repair or rebuild, this is an ideal time for them to incorporate disaster-resistant measures. 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.

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, Rebuilding for a More Sustainable Future, Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting and Understanding Your Risks and Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses.

Survivors can apply for federal disaster assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY (800) 462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired applicants. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call (800) 621-3362. Registration is also available online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

May 8 is the last day to register for assistance.

Federal disaster aid was made available on March 9 to the State of Indiana to supplement state and local recovery efforts for homeowners, renters and business owners in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes during the period of Feb. 29 to March 3, 2012 in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 28-Mar-2012 10:03:39

FEMA Mitigation Specialists Offer Rebuilding Advice