Mississippians Use New Technology for Hurricane Recovery

CLINTON, Miss. – Nearly one in three Mississippi households affected by Hurricane Isaac uses the Internet or a Web-enabled cell phone to get disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Of 18,000 households that requested FEMA help in the first two weeks after the storm, about 5,000 used a computer and an additional 1,000 used a smartphone. 

FEMA offers Internet access for computers and smartphones at www.DisasterAssistance.gov and m.fema.gov and has a free app to support the process.

Computers and phones with web browsers can:

  • Submit a request for help and check on their application.
  • Update contact information.
  • Add insurance and bank information.
  • Learn about other types of disaster assistance from several federal agencies that participate in DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Use a questionnaire to streamline recovery.

Non-smartphones can be pretty smart, too. Any phone with text service can find a disaster recovery center in about 10 seconds:

  • Address the text to 43362.
  • In the message, type DRC followed by a space, then type the zip code you want to search. For example, if you lived in Pike County your outgoing message would be DRC 39652.
  • In seconds you’ll receive a text with the street address of the nearest disaster recovery center.
  • Sending this text will not add you to a list.

FEMA and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency urge households with hurricane losses to sign up for help regardless of the amount of damage or insurance.  FEMA assistance can include grants for rent and home repairs, low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to cover uninsured property losses, and referrals to several dozen other agencies that have free disaster recovery services.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s 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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Mississippians Use New Technology for Hurricane Recovery

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight the Byrd Canyon Fire

SEATTLE, Wash — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Byrd Canyon Fire burning in Chelan County, Washington.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on September 10, 2012 at 5:00 PM PDT. This is the third FMAG in Washington in 24 hours.

The fire started on September 8, 2012, and has burned approximately 6,500 acres of Federal and private land.  At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 135 primary homes near the city of Chelan and was at 0 percent containment.  Approximately 170 people had evacuated the area under a mandatory evacuation order. 

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of Washington eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight the Byrd Canyon Fire

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Two Washington Wildfires

SEATTLE, Wash — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for both the 1st Canyons Fire burning in Chelan County and the Barker Canyon Fire burning in Douglas and Grant counties.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper approved Washington’s requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) for the two fires on September 9, 2012.

At the time of the request, the 1st Canyons Fire was threatening 210 primary homes in subdivisions near the city of Wenatchee.  The residents of approximately 200 homes have been placed under a mandatory evacuation order and one shelter is open.  The fire started on September 8, 2012, and has burned approximately 250 acres of private land.  There are 85 other large fires burning uncontrolled within the State.  The Principal Advisor confirmed the threat to homes.  The fire is at approximately 0 percent containment. 

At the time of the request, the Barker Canyon Fire was threatening 165 primary homes and had progressed to within 1/2 mile of the city of Grand Coulee.  Approximately 120 people had been evacuated and one shelter is open. Three power substations and major transmission lines are threatened, with one substation surrounded. The fire started on September 9, 2012 and has burned approximately 10,000 acres. The Principal Advisor has confirmed the threat to homes and utilities. The fire is at approximately 0 percent containment.

The authorizations makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of Washington eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Two Washington Wildfires

Tropical Storm Debby Survivors Should Submit Insurance Settlements

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Tropical Storm Debby survivors who registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and indicated they had insurance coverage should send in their settlement information for review.

The insurance settlement documents allow FEMA to determine if survivors have uninsured or underinsured losses eligible for federal assistance. Decisions on FEMA assistance are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

To submit insurance documentation, here’s what applicants can do:

  • Gather insurance documents and any settlement information.
  • Write the applicant’s name, FEMA registration number and 4068-DR-FL on each page.
  • Send a copy of these documents to FEMA by:

                      Fax:                 800-827-8112

                      Mail:                 National Processing Service Center

                                              P.O. Box 10055

                                              Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

  • Call FEMA with questions at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in many languages.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org/. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

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), all 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 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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Tropical Storm Debby Survivors Should Submit Insurance Settlements

FEMA Working to Strengthen Connection with Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – Teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are going door to door in communities affected by Hurricane Isaac, seeking out survivors to help connect them with recovery services.

Armed with fliers in English, Spanish, French, Vietnamese and Braille, some 250 Community Relations specialists are providing survivors with valuable information about registering with FEMA and getting local, state and federal assistance.

The effort is part of FEMA’s stepped-up approach to reach survivors in their homes and communities as quickly and effectively as possible after a disaster declaration. Community Relations specialists also have met survivors at Disaster Recovery Centers, at points of distribution, at shelters and through community- and faith-based groups.

“FEMA’s Community Relations teams meet with survivors wherever possible to let them know how FEMA can help them and to listen to their concerns,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. “This creates a vital link that helps us help people.”

The specialists also learn of survivors’ immediate needs and help direct local, state and federal resources to address problems. One Community Relations team is credited with helping prevent a tragedy in Lafourche Parish. When team members visited an elderly woman who wore an oxygen-fed breathing mask, they smelled gas in her home. They calmly asked her to leave the home with them and called local emergency services.

When firefighters arrived, the gas odor was so strong they could not enter the home. Because the woman had breathing assistance, she had not noticed the leak, but emergency officials said a single spark could have caused an explosion.

The Community Relations teams also may be able to dispel rumors in the community and help FEMA debunk myths.  The specialists help to identify survivors who require language translations and who have functional or access needs due to a disability or being elderly.

“They are our eyes and ears in the field,” Hall said. “By having Community Relations specialists out there, FEMA and the state are learning how to best help survivors recover from Hurricane Isaac.”

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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

Excerpt from: 

FEMA Working to Strengthen Connection with Survivors

Weekly Wrap Up: Hurricane Isaac Recovery in Mississippi

CLINTON, Miss. – The following are Hurricane Isaac recovery news items from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the previous week.

  • FEMA is sending out determination letters to those who registered telling them the status of their application. Those who don’t understand the letter or disagree with FEMA’s decision should visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline (800-621-FEMA) to get more information and assistance with questions.
  • FEMA inspectors are currently visiting the residences of disaster applicants in Mississippi to assess damages related to Hurricane Isaac. Applicants can speed up the process by having the appropriate documents, such as identification and proof of ownership or occupancy.
  • Public buildings and infrastructure are now eligible for reimbursement in Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Covington, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Newton, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Smith, Stone, Walthall, Wayne and Wilkinson counties for 75 percent of the cost to repair road systems and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities, parks, recreational and other key public facilities.
  • Disaster recovery centers are open in Adams, Clarke, Forrest, George, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl River, Pike, Stone, Walthall and Wilkinson counties.
  • Community relations specialists from MEMA and FEMA are going door to door in 17 designated counties to provide information about how to register for federal and state disaster assistance.

People with storm losses are encouraged to register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants also may call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

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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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s 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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Weekly Wrap Up: Hurricane Isaac Recovery in Mississippi

Disaster Survivors: Do Not Become a Victim of Phone Scams

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state officials are urging Louisianians to watch out for unscrupulous solicitors asking for disaster- related financial information over the phone. Hurricane Isaac survivors are reporting to FEMA and local police incidents of just how crafty telemarketing scammers are becoming.

Misleading scammers are trying to manipulate disaster survivors into providing bank account routing numbers, social security numbers and other personal information.  Beware of representatives claiming to be associated with FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Association who try to coax you for additional information by telling you they already have your email address.

If you suspect someone is perpetrating fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement agencies and to the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General at 1-800-351-4889 or online at www.ag.state.la.us.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding 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 uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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Disaster Survivors: Do Not Become a Victim of Phone Scams

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Orleans and Plaquemines Parishes

BATON ROUGE, La. —  Five State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers have opened in Orleans and Plaquemines parishes to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

Specialists from the state of Louisiana, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

Survivors can visit any of the Orleans Parish centers now open in four convenient locations:

Main Library

219 Loyola Ave.

New Orleans, LA 70112

Saturday Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.

Fridays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed on Sundays

For the following centers, Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday to Thursday hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.  Closed on Fridays and Sundays.

Algiers Branch

3014 Holiday Dr.

New Orleans, LA 70131

East NOLA Branch

5641 Read Blvd.

New Orleans, LA 70127

Robert E. Smith Branch

6301 Canal Blvd.

New Orleans, LA 70124

In Plaquemines Parish, the latest recovery center is located at:

            111 Bethlehem Ln.

            Braithwaite, LA 70040

Saturday hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday forward:  8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.

This is the third recovery center operating in Plaquemines Parish. Two others remain open in Belle Chase and Port Sulphur.

This brings to 25 the number of centers operating in 16 parishes. More recovery centers will open as sites are identified and approved. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go online to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

Applying for disaster assistance is quick and simple. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY)    1-800-462-7585.  If you use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

SBA offers federal low-interest disaster loans to residents and businesses. After registering with FEMA, visit any Disaster Recovery Center where SBA representatives will answer questions, explain the application process and help each resident or business owner apply to SBA. For SBA information or to apply online, visit www.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.

The major disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac now makes available federal assistance to eligible survivors in 21 parishes: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington and West Feliciana.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Orleans and Plaquemines Parishes

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Adams, Hinds

CLINTON, Miss. – Disaster recovery centers have opened in Jackson and Natchez to help those with storm losses caused by Hurricane Isaac.  Center hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day until further notice.  Here are the addresses of the newest centers:

Adams County

Parkway Baptist Church

117 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive

Natchez, MS 39120

Hinds County

Golden Key Community Center

3450 Albemarle Road

Jackson, MS 39213

Recovery centers are also open in these counties. Visit any center for assistance.

Clarke County

Sunflower Grocery Shopping Center

109 W. Donald St.

Quitman, MS 39355

Forrest County

Forrest County Community Shelter

946 Sullivan Drive

Hattiesburg, MS 39401

George County

George County Senior Center

7102 Highway 198 East

Lucedale, MS 39452

Hancock County

Hancock County Resource Center

454 Highway 90

Waveland, MS 39576

Harrison County

County Farm Road 361 Shelter 

15035 County Farm Road

Gulfport, MS 39503

Jackson County

Jackson County Fairgrounds

4761 Vega St.

Pascagoula, MS 39567

Lincoln County

Army National Guard Armory

182 Highway 84 East  

Brookhaven, MS 39601

Marion County

Marion County Development Partnership

412 Courthouse Square

Columbia, MS 39429

Pearl River County

Mississippi National Guard Armory

1251-B Highway 11 South

Picayune, MS 39466

Pearl River County

Baker Maid Building

403 South Main St.

Poplarville, MS  39470

Pike County

Community Safe Room

2017 Quinlivan Road

Magnolia, MS 39652

 

Stone County

Stone County Safe Room

1084 Project Road

Wiggins, MS 39577

Walthall County

Walthall County Library

707 Union Road

Tylertown, MS  39667

Wilkinson County

Wilkinson County Industrial Complex

1495 U.S. Highway 61 South

Woodville, MS 39669

Representatives of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the centers to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.

Before going to a disaster recovery center, people with storm losses are encouraged to register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants also may call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service call
800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Federal disaster assistance can include grants for rental assistance and home repairs, low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster.

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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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s 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.

 

Link to article:

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Adams, Hinds

Hurricane Isaac Survivors ElIgible for Disaster Legal Services

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisianians who sustained damage from Hurricane Isaac can now call the Disaster Legal Services hotline at 1-800-310-7029 for free legal assistance and counseling.

Through the hotline, volunteer lawyers can help eligible hurricane survivors with legal issues related to the hurricane. Volunteer lawyers can discuss insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, consumer protection issues and the replacement of wills or other important documents that were lost or destroyed during the storm.

Callers should be prepared to discuss particular legal problems caused by the disaster and to provide a current contact phone number. To be eligible for this free legal assistance, they must reside in one of the 21 parishes designated for Individual Assistance under the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac. The parishes are Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne,  Washington and West Feliciana.

Disaster Legal Services is a federally funded program run under an agreement between the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division, Louisiana State Bar Association, the Louisiana Civil Justice Center and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The call center operates from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Voicemails are returned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Legal assistance for Spanish-speaking callers is also available.

Hurricane survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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Hurricane Isaac Survivors ElIgible for Disaster Legal Services

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