Berkeley County Disaster Recovery Center opens

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, Nov. 1) – A mobile Disaster Recovery Center will roll into Berkeley County Nov. 2 for four days to offer disaster assistance to survivors of the storms and floods of Hurricane Matthew.  The DRC will set up shop at the Alvin Recreation Center, 2191 Santee River Rd., St. Stephen, SC 29479.  It will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday – Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. It is scheduled to close at 6 p.m. Nov. 5.

Representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, voluntary organizations and various state agencies will be on hand to answer questions, provide guidance on disaster recovery and rental resources, explain written correspondence from FEMA and make referrals to other agencies.

DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities. The centers have tools to amplify sound, magnifiers and materials in alternative formats along with video remote interpretation. Sign language interpreters are available upon request at the center.

If possible, register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before visiting the DRC. Registering is the first step toward qualifying for disaster assistance, which may include grants to help renters and homeowners pay for temporary housing, personal property replacements and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

It’s easy to register with FEMA:

  • Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Call toll-free 800-621-3362 (711, voice or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.
  • Visit the Alvin Recreation Center DRC or one of the ten other Disaster Recovery Centers

(DRCs) operating in Beaufort, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Orangeburg and Williamsburg counties. Find the addresses of the DRCs at “Quick Links” on  DisasterAssistance.gov.

After registering with FEMA, survivors may also be eligible for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA offers such loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, renters and homeowners. SBA loans are for uninsured or underinsured disaster losses.

SBA advises it is not necessary to wait for an insurance settlement before submitting the loan application.

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).

You can  receive weather alerts, safety tips and learn about disaster resources by downloading the free FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices. Visit fema.gov/mobile-app for more information.

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/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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.

Source: 

Berkeley County Disaster Recovery Center opens

President Declares Major Disaster for Minnesota

WASHINGTON –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Minnesota to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of September 21-24, 2016. 

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms and flooding in Blue Earth, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, and Waseca counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

David G. Samaniego has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Samaniego said additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

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.

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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Link to article – 

President Declares Major Disaster for Minnesota

FEMA’s letter of eligibility: Read it very carefully

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Saturday, Oct. 29) — Following initial application review by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), South Carolina survivors who have applied for disaster assistance will receive a “letter of eligibility.” Applicants may be told they are eligible for disaster assistance or that they have been determined ineligible.

If you are eligible, the letter explains the amount of your grant and how it is to be used. If the letter says you are ineligible, the grant amount reads “0”, but in many cases that is not the last word.

FEMA officials in South Carolina report that the most common reasons for denial of assistance in Hurricane Matthew are:

  • Insufficient storm-related damage to affect the habitability of the damaged home. FEMA will provide assistance to assure your home is habitable – that it is safe, functional and sanitary.
  • Survivors have chosen to remain in their damaged homes while repairs are being made. In these cases they may be eligible to receive assistance for repairs, but are ineligible for housing assistance.
  • Duplication of applications. Two people (husband and wife, for example) have applied for assistance for the same damaged home. Only one application per household is allowed.

A letter may indicate your application is missing information such as verification of occupancy or proof that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the Hurricane Matthew storms and flooding that began Oct. 4, 2016.

If you are instructed, you can simply submit missing documentation to FEMA online, by mail or fax, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). You can find the location of the nearest DRC by visiting  DisasterAssistance.gov .

Applicants who do not receive a letter or who have questions about their determination of denial should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for an explanation, or visit their FEMA account at DisasterAssistance.gov.

A copy of “Help After a Disaster” will be included with your letter of determination. The booklet explains additional assistance that may be available to survivors and answers questions about filing an appeal.

Any applicant that has been denied assistance may file an appeal. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a DRC for more information about the appeal process. You can submit your appeal and the required documentation online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

In South Carolina, the “One SC Fund” supports and directs funds to nonprofit organizations providing disaster relief & recovery assistance. For more information, visit  yourfoundation.org/community-impact/one-sc-fund-sc-flood-relief/. Survivors in the state who need food, clothing, and shelter are urged to call 2-1-1, and for storm clean up to call 800-451- 1954.

For more information, visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at  scemd.org/recovery-section/ia .

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 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.

You can  receive weather alerts, safety tips and learn about disaster resources by downloading the free FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices. Visit  fema.gov/mobile-app  for more information.

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/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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 link:

FEMA’s letter of eligibility: Read it very carefully

FEMA Awards $378,725 Grant to Genesee County to Support Emergency Services

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $378,725 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Genesee County, Michigan, for the purchase and installation of 24 warning sirens.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of loss of life and property,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “Timely and effective warning sirens will allow people to make informed decisions and take action to protect themselves and their families.”

“The award of federal hazard mitigation funds is instrumental in ensuring the residents of Genesee County will remain safe during an emergency,” said Capt. Chris A Kelenske of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD).  “This mitigation project is a positive example of local, state and federal agencies working together to prepare for and respond to all hazards.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $512,100 eligible project cost.  The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $133,375, will be provided by Genesee County.

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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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.
 

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

Source – 

FEMA Awards $378,725 Grant to Genesee County to Support Emergency Services

Help for Renters

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, Nov. 1) – With so much attention given to businesses and homeowners, survivors who are renters may think they are not eligible for disaster assistance even though they suffered losses from the storms and floods spawned by Hurricane Matthew. But they are.

Like homeowners, renters must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

  • Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Call toll-free 800-621-3362 (711, voice or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.
  • Visit one of the nine Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operating in Beaufort, Dorchester, Florence, Horry, Marion, Orangeburg and Williamsburg counties. Find the DRC closest to you at “Quick Links” on DisasterAssistance.gov. Representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and various state agencies are on hand to answer questions.

Registering with FEMA is the first step toward qualifying for disaster assistance, which may include grants to help renters and homeowners pay for temporary housing, personal property replacements and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

After registering with FEMA, renters may also be eligible for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA offers such loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, and homeowners as well as renters. SBA loans to renters may cover the cost of repairing or replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.

For more information on SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800 659-2955 or 800 877-8339 for TTY; email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit  http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela for the Electronic Loan Application on SBA’s secure website.

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).

You can  receive weather alerts, safety tips and learn about disaster resources by downloading the free FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices. Visit fema.gov/mobile-app for more information.

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/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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.

Link to original – 

Help for Renters

Help Remains for Hermine Disaster Survivors after Disaster Recovery Centers Close in Citrus, Dixie, Hernando and Leon Counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The disaster recovery centers operated by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Citrus, Dixie, Hernando and Leon counties will close on Thursday, October 27, at 6 p.m.

The centers are located at:

Citrus County

West Citrus Center

1540 N. Meadowcrest Blvd.

Crystal River, FL 34429

Dixie County

Lumber Yard Parking Lot

63 NE 132nd Ave.

Cross City, FL 32628

Hernando County

Westside Government Center

7405 Forest Oaks Blvd.

Spring Hill, FL 34607

Leon County

Leroy Collins Library

200 W. Park Ave,

Tallahassee, FL 32301

Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will continue to canvass Hurricane Hermine affected counties until Saturday, October 29, with information on available assistance. They can answer questions and support you in on-the-spot registration.

Those who have not yet registered can do so by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

They may also access many of the services available at centers by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711/Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors may use the helpline to stay informed. They can:

  •  Ask questions about FEMA determination letters.
  •  Learn how to appeal FEMA determination letters. 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 on hand and available if they want to discuss their application.

For information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4280, https://twitter.com/femaregion4, www.facebook.com/FEMA, and www.fema.gov/blog.

Credit – 

Help Remains for Hermine Disaster Survivors after Disaster Recovery Centers Close in Citrus, Dixie, Hernando and Leon Counties

Four Additional North Carolina Counties Now Designated for Disaster Assistance

RALEIGH, N.C. – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Craven, Martin, Tyrrell and Washington counties may apply for federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Matthew damage and losses in North Carolina.

The 23 counties already eligible to apply for assistance, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual and Households Program, are: Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Nash, Pender, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Wayne and Wilson.

Storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred, as a result of Hurricane Matthew, beginning on October 4.

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible.  If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

  • Download the FEMA Mobile App

  • Phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call
    800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

  • The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

  • Multilingual operators are available.

For those who do not have access to telephone or internet service, don’t be discouraged.  North Carolina Emergency Management and FEMA are coming to you.  Teams of State and FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists will soon be moving into affected communities to help people register for assistance.  Additionally, Disaster Recovery Centers are open in Edgecombe, Harnett, Nash and Wilson counties with more planned to open in the near future.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Survivors should contact their insurance company to file their insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

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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 800-621-3362 or TTY at 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.

The latest updates on road closures can be found at ReadyNC.org or by calling 5-1-1. Residents can also get real-time traffic and weather on the ReadyNC mobile app. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306. Follow us on Facebook at NCEmergencyManagement and Twitter @NCEmergency  or @femaregion4.

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 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.

Read more – 

Four Additional North Carolina Counties Now Designated for Disaster Assistance

Lubbock County Texas Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas –– New flood maps become effective for portions of Lubbock County on Friday Feb. 3, 2017. Residents are encouraged to examine them so they can determine their need to buy flood insurance. When the risks are known, individuals and community leaders can make informed decisions about building and development.

Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover the effects of flooding. Anyone without flood insurance runs the risk of uninsured losses to their homes, personal property and businesses. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy, or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is a voluntary program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Residents with federal mortgages must have flood insurance if the structures are in flood hazard areas. Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events.

Your local floodplain administrator can tell you if your community participates in the NFIP. He or she can also help you review the new flood maps. “We have to know what our risks are in order to prepare for them,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Floods can happen anywhere.”

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat. 

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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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 us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov. 

Credit – 

Lubbock County Texas Flood Maps Become Final

FEMA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the annual funding opportunity for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG).

The Fiscal Year 2016 AFG program will award $310.5 million to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters against fire-related deaths and hazards.

FEMA awards AFG funding to fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Service (EMS) organizations, and state fire-training academies.  In addition, FEMA awards funding to other nonprofit organizations recognized for their experience and expertise with respect to fire prevention, fire safety programs and activities, and firefighter research and development programs.

Since 2002, FEMA has awarded $6.8 billion in fire grants to more than 62,300 recipients. Historically, 84 percent of awards go towards purchasing personal protective equipment, vehicles, and other operational equipment.

The application period is open through Nov. 18, 2016. The grant guidance is posted at www.grants.gov and here.  Fire departments and other applicants who need additional information or assistance may contact the help desk at firegrants@fema.gov or by calling 866-274-0960.

Additionally, National Fire Prevention week is this week, Oct. 9-15. This year’s fire prevention campaign is, “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.”  For additional information on Fire Prevention Week, visit: www.usfa.fema.gov. For tips on fire safety and prevention, go to Ready.gov/home-fires.

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Resources: FY 2016 AFG Fact Sheet

 

Download the FEMA App to locate and get directions to open shelters across the state, and receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States.

 

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. 

 

 

 

Source: 

FEMA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

President Declares Major Disaster For South Carolina

WASHINGTON –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of South Carolina to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Matthew beginning October 4, 2016, and continuing. 

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Jasper, Marion, and Williamsburg counties.

Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Michael Moore has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Moore said additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

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. 

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.

Read this article: 

President Declares Major Disaster For South Carolina

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