West Virginians: There’s still time to register for help. Do it now!

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – If you were affected by the severe storms, landslides and mudslides that occurred June 22-29 and haven’t registered for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), why wait? Do it now!

Take the first step toward getting federal assistance. Don’t miss out! Once you register with FEMA, you may be eligible for a federal grant to help you with your recovery. You may also qualify for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

If you haven’t registered yet and are a homeowner or renter with disaster-related damage in the designated counties, do it now before it’s too late.

Did you not register because:

  • You simply didn’t know that FEMA offers help to homeowners and renters whose homes were damaged?

    • Once you register with FEMA you will learn about the help that may be available to you.

  • You kept putting off registering because you were too busy and didn’t remember to register until the evening, and thought everything would be closed?

    • Registering is a very important first step to getting help. The FEMA helpline is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT every day of the week.

    • Or go online anytime to DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • You are confused about the process of registering with FEMA?

    • FEMA is there to help you. Make the phone call (800-621-3362) or go online to the website (DisasterAssistance.gov). Ask questions and you will get answers.

  • You thought talking with your county officials or the American Red Cross, or calling2-1-1 would automatically make you eligible for FEMA aid?

    • The only way for you to be eligible for federal help is for you, the homeowner, renter or as the business owner, to register with FEMA.

  • You thought the damage to your property would not be eligible for federal help?

    • Let FEMA make the decision to determine if you qualify for federal assistance.

  • You thought that since you already cleaned up and made repairs you couldn’t apply for assistance?

    • You can register with FEMA even after you make repairs. It is helpful to have photographs of the damage. It also helps if you keep all repair receipts.

  • You thought others needed the federal aid more than you?

    • No one is denied aid because of someone else’s need. If you are eligible for assistance, FEMA will provide funds to help you start the recovery process.

  • You thought you’d have to repay a FEMA grant?

    • FEMA assistance is a grant, not a loan. It does not have to be repaid. It is not subject to income tax.

  • You thought that getting disaster assistance from FEMA would affect your government benefits, such as Social Security, Medicaid or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)?

    • You will not have to pay additional income taxes or see any reduction in your Social Security checks or any other federal benefits.

  • You didn’t think you were eligible for FEMA help because you are not a U.S. citizen?

    • If you are in the United States legally or are the parent of a U.S. citizen in your household, you need not worry about applying for federal disaster assistance.

None of these reasons will prevent you from getting help from FEMA. Here’s what to do to get the correct information:

  • Call the FEMA helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362; (TTY users should call 800-462-7585). The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

  • Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • Visit a Disaster Recovery Center near you. To find the closest one, go to www.fema.gov/drc.

If you have questions about how you may qualify for a low-interest SBA disaster loan for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes:

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by calling the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

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West Virginians: There’s still time to register for help. Do it now!

Kanawha and Nicholas counties Disaster Recovery Centers to close; help is still available

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) at 3300 Pennsylvania Avenue in Charleston (Kanawha County), and 6 White Street in Richwood (Nicholas County) will close at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016.

As a survivor of the June storms and floods, you can still get the help you need with just a phone call. The deadline to register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016.

Many of the services available at the DRCs are also available on the helpline. The FEMA helpline operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week, until further notice. By calling 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 for TTY users, you can use the helpline to:

  • Register with FEMA.

  • Provide a change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information.

  • Receive information about FEMA home inspections.

  • Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

  • Ask questions about letters you receive from FEMA.

  • Learn how to appeal a FEMA decision. All applicants may appeal.

You can also register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or find an open DRC at www.fema.gov/drc. Just be sure to do it before Sept. 7.

If you want to discuss your application, you should have your nine-digit FEMA registration number and zip code.

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

SBA low-interest disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters for their recovery needs. The deadline to apply for an SBA loan is Wednesday, Sept. 7.

You can still visit the other DRCs. Representatives from FEMA, various state agencies and the SBA are at the centers to answer your disaster assistance or low-interest disaster loan questions:

Greenbrier County               1233 Kanawha Ave., Rainelle, WV 25962

 

Greenbrier County               Mobile Disaster Recovery Center, Southeastern Labor Council,

                                               AFL-CIO, 65 West Main St., White Sulphur Springs, WV 2498

 

Kanawha County                  Office trailer in parking lot across from Dollar General Store,  

                                               120 Maywood Ave. W., Clendenin, WV 25045

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA and fema.gov/blog.

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Kanawha and Nicholas counties Disaster Recovery Centers to close; help is still available

Disaster Aid to Local Governments Helping Rebuild Texas Communities

AUSTIN, Texas—Federal officials today estimated more than $44.8 million in disaster assistance will help local governments rebuild infrastructure damaged or destroyed by the severe storms, April 17 – 30.
 
That funding is in addition to nearly $60.5 million in federal disaster assistance to date for the April storms that has helped individuals and families with housing assistance, repairs and replacing essential possessions.

When disaster strikes, the first response is to ensure personal and family safety and then address the loss of property and possessions. The federal Individuals and Households Program responds to these urgent needs.

Public Assistance is another essential element of disaster response. The PA program benefits everyone—neighborhoods, cities and states, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations—by reimbursing applicants for eligible work on damaged public facilities.

The April 25 federal disaster declaration made PA available to these 26 counties: Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Bosque, Callahan, Cass, Cherokee, Colorado, Coryell, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Harrison, Jones, Liberty, Milam, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, Waller, Washington, Wharton and Wood. 

PA dollars:

  • clean up the community and repair bridges.
  • put water systems and utilities back in order.
  • repair hospitals and emergency services.
  • rebuild libraries and replace damaged books.
  • rebuild schools and universities.
  • restore damaged public parks so families can enjoy them again.

PA will provide a minimum of 75 percent of the cost to repair or replace disaster-damaged infrastructure from the April storms.

FEMA estimates the federal share of almost $9 million will help reimburse local governments for the emergency work and debris removal that took place in the storm’s immediate aftermath.

Other PA projects are now being developed and approved by local, state, and federal officials. Payments are made on a reimbursement basis.

“Public Assistance grants support the work that helps an entire community recover,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of the agency’s operations in Texas. “These are federal tax dollars coming back to Texas to rebuild taxpayer-funded infrastructure.”

Public Assistance funding applicants can include:

  • state agencies.
  • local and county governments.
  • private nonprofit organizations that own or operate facilities that provide essential government-type services.

Recovery officials are currently working with more than 120 applicants to develop specifications and costs for about 285 projects, to date, in the counties eligible for disaster assistance.
 
For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion6.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Disaster Aid to Local Governments Helping Rebuild Texas Communities

West Virginia survivors get two-week extension for FEMA registrations

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — The deadline for West Virginia storm survivors to register for federal assistance has been extended 14 days to Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted the extension at the request of West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, citing a continued flow of new applications for federal assistance in the wake of the June 22-29 severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

FEMA disaster grants are available to homeowners and renters in the 12 storm-impacted counties named in the presidential disaster declaration of June 25: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster. Nearly 9,000 applications from West Virginia survivors have been received by FEMA to date.

Disaster assistance for individuals may include grants to help homeowners and renters with temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and serious disaster-related needs. Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare and other federal and state programs. Grants do not have to be repaid to the federal government.

One of FEMA’s federal partners in disaster recovery, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), would also extend to Sept. 7, 2016 its deadline for filing physical disaster loan applications.

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses, homeowners and renters. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

If your SBA loan application is approved, you may be eligible to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples

include elevating utilities, water heaters and furnaces, and installing retaining walls and sump pumps. Applicants may be eligible for an SBA loan increase, for mitigation purposes, of up to 20 percent of their physical damages.

The application/registration process is quick and easy. FEMA encourages all survivors who sustained disaster-related damage or losses to apply – before the Sept. 7 deadline – by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362 (TTY users should call 800-462-7585) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov . The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

You may also register at any of the five Disaster Recovery Centers located in Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties. An easy-to-use DRC Locator is available at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm .
 

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West Virginia survivors get two-week extension for FEMA registrations

North Country Fire Department to Upgrade Aging Equipment

NEW YORK — Firefighters of the Brushton Volunteer Fire Department will receive 12 new self-contained breathing apparatuses and seven complete sets of personal protective equipment as a result of an Assistance to Firefighters Grant that is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Located in Franklin County’s Town of Moira in north-central New York, the Village of Brushton’s fire station has 32 volunteers who have had to borrow outdated equipment to respond to fires, as well as to share it while training.  Firefighter Jude Ducharme of the village’s department said that he and his colleagues will “no longer have to use gear that has been handed down and has been damaged while doing our jobs.”

Brushton’s new mayor, Kevin Pentalow, expressed appreciation for the grant.  “It means that our firefighters will have new coats, pants, gloves, helmets, boots, and hoods that are not charred, torn, or discolored, and they’ll be well protected while doing their jobs.  And, we’ll have a full complement of breathing apparatuses that are less than 10 years old.  There’s a lot of safety provided by this gear.”

The new equipment is made possible through a grant from FEMA’s Region II, which covers New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.  Dale McShine, the Region’s Director of Grants, reported that the grant totals $102,228.00, the federal share of which is $97,360.00. 

The equipment will also put Brushton’s fire equipment in line with safety criteria set by the National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Brushton’s firefighters respond to some 60 calls for assistance annually to a population of approximately 1800.  Firefighter Ducharme said that the department is increasingly assisting neighboring departments in dispensing emergency medical services.

Tania Hedlund, FEMA’s Region II Branch Chief for grants, reports that in fiscal year 2014, the region awarded 273 grants, totaling $95.6 million.

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North Country Fire Department to Upgrade Aging Equipment

Many good reasons to apply for an SBA loan before the Aug. 24 deadline

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – If you applied for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and were referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), there are many good reasons to submit a loan application.

The deadline to apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan is Wednesday, Aug. 24. If you don’t apply before that date, you may not be eligible to receive the help that may be available to you, not only from SBA but also from FEMA.

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations for physical damage from the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred June 22-29. The following counties are eligible to apply: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster.

Some of the top reasons for submitting an SBA loan application include:

  • SBA can help renters and homeowners repair or replace disaster-damaged personal property. Renters, as well as homeowners, may be eligible to borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, appliances and damaged vehicles.

  • A future insurance settlement may fall short. You may find out that you are underinsured for the amount of work it takes to repair or replace your damaged home. An SBA low-interest disaster loan can cover the uninsured costs. By submitting the application, you may have loan money available when it’s needed. SBA may approve a loan for the repair or replacement of a home up to $200,000. The loan balance may be reduced by your insurance settlement. However, the opportunity for an SBA loan may be lost if you wait until after the deadline expires on Aug. 24.

  • You are not required to accept a loan even if you qualify for one.

  • If SBA determines you aren’t eligible for a home loan, they will refer you back to FEMA. This could make you eligible for more FEMA aid.

  • Interest rates on SBA loans may be more affordable than you think. Get in touch with an SBA representative to get details.

  • If you need help completing your loan application call the SBA at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339); send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov; or you can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to sit down and talk with an SBA representative one-on-one. Find the nearest center to you by going online at www.fema.gov/drc.

  • You can submit your SBA disaster loan application in one of three ways:  online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/; in person at a DRC; or by mail.           

If your SBA loan application is approved, you may be eligible to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples

include elevating utilities, water heaters and furnaces, and installing retaining walls and sump pumps. Applicants may be eligible for an SBA loan increase, for mitigation purposes, of up to  20 percent of their physical damage.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to provide working capital to eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the 12 counties listed above and the 17 adjacent counties in West Virginia, five in Virginia, and one in Ohio.

The deadline to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan is March 27, 2017.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by calling the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

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Many good reasons to apply for an SBA loan before the Aug. 24 deadline

Disaster Recovery Centers to trim hours as deadline to register nears

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Effective Saturday, Aug. 13, the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in West Virginia will begin operating under new hours. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Aug. 24, just 11 days away.

The new operating hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All DRCs are closed on Sundays. To find the DRC nearest to you, go online to www.fema.gov/drc.

If you have questions outside DRC business hours, you can call the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service), or 800-462-7585 for TTY users. You can use the Helpline to:

  • Register with FEMA. Remember, the deadline to register is Aug. 24.

  • Ask questions about a FEMA determination letter.

  • Ask about the status of your registration.You will need your nine-digit FEMA registration number and zip code.

  • Update your personal information (e.g., change of address or phone number, bank or insurance information) to avoid processing delays.

  • Receive information about FEMA property inspections.

  • Ask about other federal assistance.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; twitter.com/FEMA; and fema.gov/blog.

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Disaster Recovery Centers to trim hours as deadline to register nears

West Virginians: You have just three weeks left to register with FEMA

Charleston, W.Va. – If you suffered damage or losses from the June 22-29 severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides, you have less than three weeks left to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for federal disaster assistance. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Individual disaster assistance grants for homeowners and renters are available to eligible residents of 12 counties: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster.

Here is how to register:

  • Call 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 for TTY users;

  • Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov;  

  • Visit your nearest Disaster Recovery Center.Find that center by calling 800-621-3362 or going online to www.fema.gov/drc.

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.

You should register even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you have losses insurance doesn’t cover, you may receive help from FEMA after your insurance claims are settled.

To fully cover your losses, you may also need a low interest disaster loan. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides these loans, not just for small businesses, but also for renters, homeowners, businesses of any size and private nonprofits to cover uncompensated real or personal property losses. The deadline to apply for an SBA physical damage loan is the same as for FEMA assistance, Wednesday, Aug. 24. There is no fee to apply for a loan and you do not have to accept one even if it is offered.

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

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by calling the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

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West Virginians: You have just three weeks left to register with FEMA

Recovery on Pine Ridge – One Year Later: Oglala Sioux Tribal Members Aiding Efforts

PINE RIDGE, S.D. – Hundreds of people from all over the country have contributed to recovery efforts at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservations following severe storms and flooding in May 2015. The response triggered the largest permanent housing construction effort in FEMA’s history.  As part of that effort, the agency has hired 25 local tribal members to assist in that effort, and their role has been vital.

On all disasters, FEMA tries to hire people from the impacted area to provide important local knowledge.  At Pine Ridge, this process was even more important, as the local hires also served to bridge the cultural gap and assisted more seasoned FEMA individuals in dealing with disaster survivors. 

Glenda Red Feather performs clerical work and has served as a guide, traveling with FEMA staff around the reservation and helping to explain to disaster survivors the assistance they are receiving.  Being part of positive change in her community is what attracted her.

“The reason I wanted to work with FEMA was the fact that they were providing safety and security for our people throughout the reservation,” she said. “FEMA has had such a huge impact and brought much change to the lifestyles in numerous areas around the Pine Ridge Reservation. Things like that don’t come around too often so I found it hard not to want to be able to participate in that!”

Besides assisting the disaster survivors, the local hires have also helped other FEMA staff acclimate to the reservation, as many were unfamiliar or had never been on one previously.  Staff have held numerous potlucks and informal lunches, serving as a meeting of different cultures.

“Throughout our time with FEMA we were able to teach our colleagues our cultural beliefs, customs and values,” said Red Feather.  “All of that now comes across when we are meeting with the disaster survivors.”

For the local hires, like all the FEMA staff, the rewards coming in assisting those impacted by the disaster.  But that has extra meaning when those people are neighbors, friends and family.

“The highlight of working with the FEMA agency would most definitely have to be seeing the look on the applicants face when their keys were being handed over to them,” said Red Feather. “Some didn’t know how to express their feelings while others weren’t able to control it. It’s an amazing feeling knowing you’re a part of such a program that is changing ones’ life (or many for that matter) for the better. This job has been such an overwhelming yet remarkable job.”

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Recovery on Pine Ridge – One Year Later: Oglala Sioux Tribal Members Aiding Efforts

FEMA offers advice at local stores on repairing, rebuilding

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As West Virginians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by last month’s storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and five local hardware and 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 this week to answer questions and offer home improvement tips along with proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. A variety of free workshops for storm-impacted homeowners on such topics as repairing or installing flooring and what to do with rain-soaked drywall will be presented daily. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourselfers and general contractors.

FEMA advisors will be at:  

Ace Hardware

326 Main Street

Rainelle, WV 25962

Through Aug. 6

8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

 

Byrnside Hardware

107 4th Street,

Danville, WV 25053

July 28 to Aug. 3 – (Workshop closed Sunday)

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

 

The Home Depot

1100 Liberty Park Drive,
Hurricane, WV 25526

July 28 to Aug. 3 (Workshop closed Sunday)

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Lowes Home Improvement

1155 Oakvale Road

Princeton, WV  24740

July 28 to Aug. 3 (Workshop closed Sunday)

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Sears Home Improvement

RR 1 Box 17-A

Ronceverte, WV 24970

July 28 to Aug. 3 (Workshop closed Sunday)

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

 

Free reference booklets, in English and Spanish, with information on protecting your home from flood damage, will be available at all locations. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

West Virginians who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog and the flood information pages at http://wvflood.com

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FEMA offers advice at local stores on repairing, rebuilding

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