alabama - femacontract.com

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Blanket Alabama to Meet Survivors’ Needs

PHOTO: Disaster Survivor Assistance Team member, Patricia Wiedmer

MONTGOMERY, Ala – Within two weeks in early May, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams knocked on 3,000 doors in Alabama’s hardest hit areas to assess survivor needs after the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding.

In one instance, they were told about a woman with special needs who was unable to register with FEMA. The team visited her residence and registered her on the spot using their government-issued tablet computer.

These teams, totaling 67 FEMA specialists, are tasked with helping survivors by being the eyes and ears on the ground. They assess, inform and report issues to the proper authorities; assist survivors in their own homes or neighborhoods to apply for FEMA grants; guide survivors in the registration process, follow-up on pre- or post-survivor needs; and coordinate with local, tribal and state governments and other partners.

“They have the ability to help people on the spot,” said Albie Lewis, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer for Alabama. “They serve as a walking Disaster Recovery Center going door-to-door and people have been very receptive to the service.”

FEMA DSA teams are made up of disaster specialists as well as FEMA Corp members, 18- to 24-year olds who for 10 months volunteer their time to FEMA and the emergency management field.

The teams currently are canvassing eight counties that sustained some of the worst damage. They visit homes, businesses, organizations and high-traffic areas providing survivor support and coordinating with officials. The counties include Baldwin, Blunt, DeKalb, Etowah Jefferson, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

DSA specialists, who travel in pairs, are easy to spot – they wear FEMA badges as well as navy blue shirts, jackets and/or hats that say FEMA.

Originally posted here:

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Blanket Alabama to Meet Survivors’ Needs

Legal Services Available For Alabamians Affected By Recent Disaster

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabamians who have legal issues that are a direct result of the April 28 through May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding may receive free help from the Volunteer Lawyers Program of the Alabama State Bar Association.

Residents must reside in the designated counties of Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

Assistance with insurance claims (life, medical and property).
Counseling on landlord/tenant problems.
Assistance with home repair contracts.
Assistance with consumer protection-foreclosure problems.
Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster.
Drafting of powers of attorney.
Preparation of guardianships and conservatorships.
Referring individuals to local and state agencies that may be of further assistance.

Survivors should be aware that there are some limitations on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available for cases that will produce a fee (i.e., those cases where attorneys are paid part of the settlement by the court). Such cases are referred to a local lawyer referral service.

The Disaster Legal Services hotline phone number is 888-857-8571. The service is available from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. In the Huntsville area of Limestone County, call 256-539-2275. Those in Mobile and Baldwin counties can call 855-997-2857.

The helpline is part of a long-standing agreement between FEMA and the ABA.

Taken from:

Legal Services Available For Alabamians Affected By Recent Disaster

Denial of Disaster Assistance May Be Appealed

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A letter denying assistance to storm survivors may not be the last word.

Every applicant for federal assistance has the right to file an appeal for another review of their case. In filing an appeal, documentation that proves the applicant’s reason for filing the appeal must be included.

A denial letter does not necessarily mean an applicant is not eligible for assistance,” said Federal

For example, an applicant might receive a letter indicating that the Federal Emergency Management Agency did not receive all the information it needed to provide the applicant with assistance. In that particular case, an appeal that provides all the missing information may be successful,” he said.

It is important that applicants read all letters from FEMA carefully,” added Lewis.

“We want to ensure everyone who is eligible receives all the assistance they are entitled to,” said Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director, Art Faulkner. “People should not be discouraged if they need to file an appeal to be sure they access the available help.”

Assistance may be denied because the applicant failed to provide complete information to support their initial claim.

Some reasons for a denial because of incomplete information are that the applicant did not:

Provide an insurance denial or settlement letter.
Provide proof that the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster;
Provide evidence of identity;
Provide documentation of the disaster damage;
Provide proof of ownership of the damaged property;
Sign all the documents.

If an applicant receives an award but believes the amount to be too low, an appeal for a higher award can be submitted with documentation to support the change to the award.

If an applicant’s damages and losses are covered by insurance, the application may be denied because FEMA cannot duplicate benefits.

Appeals must be postmarked within 60 days of receipt of a letter denying assistance. Applicants or someone they designate to act on their behalf must explain in writing why they believe the initial response was wrong and provide any new or additional information and documents that support the appeal.

More information on filing an appeal is in the Applicant’s Guide FEMA mails to each applicant and online at www.fema.gov. Applicants may talk with experts daily 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. on FEMA’s toll free Helpline, 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants can check the status of their appeals by calling these same numbers or online at: www.fema.gov.

View original:

Denial of Disaster Assistance May Be Appealed

Federal Disaster Aid To Alabama Nears $10 Million

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabamians are urged to file for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) if their homes were damaged during the storms, tornadoes and flooding between April 28 and May 5, 2014.

More than 6,600 residents’ registrations have been approved in the nine affected counties in the two weeks following the presidential disaster declaration.

More than $9 million has been approved through FEMA’s Individual and Household program. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $650,000 through its low-interest disaster loan program.

The following numbers, compiled May 15, provide a snapshot of the Alabama/FEMA disaster recovery to date:

Funds approved

$7.8 million for Housing Assistance grants to help with recovery rental expenses and home repair costs.
$1.3 million for Other Needs Assistance to cover essential disaster-related needs, such as medical expenses and lost personal possessions.
$650,000 approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest loans to eligible homeowners, renters or business owners.

Survivor recovery

3,583 of the 4,860 damaged homes and property have been inspected (74 percent of requests).
1,331 visits have been made to the nine disaster recovery centers located in designated counties.
9 counties declared for individual assistance.

FEMA works with many volunteer agencies and the private sector to speed the recovery effort. But those affected by the severe storms (between April 28 and May 5) need to register with FEMA for disaster aid.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance, survivors are urged to apply for help. They can use the following methods:

By phone, call 800-621-FEMA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Operators are multilingual. TTY 800-462-7585.
By computer, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov.

County-by-County approved breakdown of Individual Assistance:

County	Approved Registrations	Housing Assistance	Other Needs Assistance
Baldwin	2,314	$4,764,322.56	$608,804.69
Blount	60	$52,725.68	$3,189.15
DeKalb	70	$17,360.38	$9,614.48
Etowah	149	$370,992.16	$27,877.67
Jefferson	1,123	$840,844.04	$117,580.16
Lee	137	$199,237.62	$45,284.56
Limestone	682	$637,792.33	$305,879.43
Mobile	1,951	$891,169.54	$180,944.97
Tuscaloosa	189	$10,2661.50	$30,082.54
Total:	6,675	$7,877,105.09	$1,329,257.65

Recovery officials urge all Alabama residents who have registered for assistance to stay in close touch with FEMA throughout the recovery process. This is especially true during the first weeks after registering when FEMA Housing Inspectors must contact applicants to view damages. Those with mobile phones should provide that number to FEMA during the registration and/or a good contact number.

Affected survivors and business owners in the nine designated counties may apply for assistance. Those counties are: Baldwin, Blount, DeKalk, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

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.

For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.ema.alabama.gov/.

For the joint Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/AlabamaEMA. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/AlabamaEMA or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

Taken from:

Federal Disaster Aid To Alabama Nears $10 Million

FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Hard-Hit Alabama Communities

CLANTON, Ala. – Specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are reaching out to survivors in Alabama’s hardest hit communities to help individuals register for assistance. Survivors may meet a specialist in their neighborhood or speak to one on the phone.

Crews of FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists and FEMA Corps members are canvassing affected areas to provide on-site registration assistance, address immediate and emerging needs, and answer any questions specific to the registration process. Specialists can also provide referrals to additional resources.

FEMA crews are visiting homes, businesses, local organizations and churches in Baldwin, Blount, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone and Tuscaloosa counties.

Using tablets, crew members can help a survivor fill out an application for assistance on the spot – collecting information in person. Crew members can be identified easily by their photo badges and either FEMA or FEMA Corps clothing. Alabama residents are reminded to ask for federal identification before providing personal information.

Survivors in designated counties may also receive a phone call from FEMA Individual Assistance specialists if they have already registered for disaster assistance.

If called, applicants could be asked to verify their identity with some of the following information:

The last four digits of their Social Security number.
The address of their damaged home.
The applicant’s current mailing address.
The applicant’s current phone number.

If applicants receive a phone call from FEMA representatives and question the validity of the caller, they can contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify the source of the call. The FEMA representative will then make another attempt to call the applicant back. FEMA will not call applicants to request any banking information.

Those who suspect anyone of committing fraudulent activities should call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at 866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement agencies and through the state’s Office of Consumer Affairs at 800-392-5658.

Survivors in the counties currently designated for Individual Assistance can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on Alabama disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4176. Visit the Alabama Emergency Management Agency website at ema.alabama.gov/ or Facebook page at facebook.com/AlabamaEMA.

See the article here –

FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Hard-Hit Alabama Communities

Five More Alabama Counties Added for FEMA Individual Assistance

CLANTON, Ala. – Survivors in Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Mobile and Tuscaloosa counties may now apply for federal disaster assistance, as they were added Thursday to the major disaster declaration for the recent tornadoes and flooding in Alabama.

Individuals and households in the five counties may now register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance, and report their uninsured or underinsured property damage from the severe storms during the period of April 28 through May 5.

A total of nine counties have been designated for the Individual Assistance program. The other four counties are Baldwin, Jefferson, Lee and Limestone.

Disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured individuals may include:

Money to help pay for temporary housing and emergency home repairs.
Money for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Survivors can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Alabama residents should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization. FEMA registrants must use the name that appears on their Social Security card.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

Social Security number
Address of the damaged home or apartment
Description of the damage
Information about insurance coverage
A current contact telephone number
An address where they can receive mail
Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

Five More Alabama Counties Added for FEMA Individual Assistance

Federal Aid Programs for State of Alabama Disaster Recovery

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Alabama.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster’s adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social security matters.

How to Apply for Assistance:

Affected individuals and business owners in designated areas can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health. Emergency protective measures assistance is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Public Assistance:

Application procedures for tribal and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state and federal/tribal applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

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.

Read article here:

Federal Aid Programs for State of Alabama Disaster Recovery

FEMA and National Public Radio Work Together to Increase Emergency Alert Preparedness for People Who Are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing

WASHINGTON —The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced a cooperative pilot project with National Public Radio’s (NPR’s) technology research and development group, NPR Labs, to demonstrate the delivery of the first-ever, real-time emergency alert messages to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in five Gulf states.

Twenty-five NPR-affiliated public radio stations throughout Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas agreed to participate in the pilot project to transmit emergency alert messages, such as weather alerts, to 475 individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in the stations’ listening areas to determine how effectively the messages are being sent and received. The Gulf State region was selected for the demonstration because it is often subjected to extreme weather conditions. Individuals participating in the project will receive alert and warning messages through specially designed receivers capable of displaying the text messages.

“FEMA is committed to providing equal access to effective communication for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing as information must be accessible to be actionable,” said Damon Penn, Assistant Administrator for FEMA’s National Continuity Programs Directorate. “FEMA has been working with NPR’s technology research and development group to identify key resources and radio stations to demonstrate whether special receivers made exclusively for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing will help them receive emergency alerts. We hope the data and experiences gained from the demonstration will be used to help improve this specialized technology.”

The public radio stations participating in the pilot will receive emergency alert messages from FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), where the network operations center of the Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS) will uplink the warnings to the participating stations. The stations will then broadcast the emergency alerts to specially designed FM Radio Data System (RDS) radio receivers that alert the participants with a flashing indicator. The receivers can display the alert message through the receiver’s display, and the participants can connect a strobe light or bed-shaker alerting device to the receiver, helping ensure alerts are noticed day and night.

“This demonstration project is a crucial first step in improving the technology for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing during emergencies,” said Mike Starling, Executive Director, NPR Labs. “I want to sincerely thank the 25 stations for agreeing to participate in this demonstration project that is working to test the latest technology to ensure that all individuals, including those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, can be informed of emergencies when electricity, the Internet and other communications channels are unavailable.”

FEMA, designated by DHS to implement a U.S. public alert and warning system, established the IPAWS system to provide the President with a way to address the American people during a national emergency. FEMA has been working with numerous public and private industry stakeholders to ensure that emergency alerts can be delivered simultaneously through multiple communications pathways. The National Weather Service uses IPAWS to send Wireless Emergency Alerts to participating cell phone carriers, who sends the alerts to cell phones.

NPR manages the Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS), which is the distribution network that delivers news, music, and specialized programming to public radio stations throughout the United States reaching 27 million listeners each week. The initiative is a joint effort with NPR Labs under a contract with DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate and FEMA’s National Continuity Programs. NPR Labs’ mission is to identify, evaluate, and advance the application of innovative technologies in support of the public service mission of NPR and its 900 member stations. NPR Labs was established in 2005 and is located at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C.

FM participating stations: Alabama:WUAL, Tuscaloosa; WBHM, Birmingham; WLRH, Huntsville; WJAB, Huntsville; Florida: WUSF, Tampa; WLRN, Miami; WPBI, West Palm Beach; WUFT, Gainesville; WMFE, Orlando; WFSU, Tallahassee; WGCU, Fort Meyers; WJCT, Jacksonville; WQCS, Fort Pierce; Louisiana: KDAQ, Shreveport; WWNO, New Orleans; WRKF, Baton Rouge; KRVS, Lafayette; in Mississippi: WMPN, Jackson; and in Texas: KERA, Dallas; KUHF, Houston; KETR, Commerce; KUT, Austin; KMBH, Harlingen; KEDT, Corpus Christi and KVLU, Beaumont.

For more information on FEMA programs, go to www.fema.gov/ipaws

FEMA does not endorse any non-government entities, organizations, or 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.

Original article:

FEMA and National Public Radio Work Together to Increase Emergency Alert Preparedness for People Who Are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing

FEMA Urges Residents to Continue Monitoring Conditions as Tropical Storm Approaches Gulf Coast

Heavy Rains and Flooding Possible in Some Areas

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its national response coordination center in Washington, D.C. and its regional offices in Atlanta, Ga., and Denton, Texas remains in close coordination with states potentially affected by Tropical Storm Karen. According to the National Weather Service, tropical storm conditions are expected along areas of the Gulf Coast as early as this afternoon and into Sunday.

“Residents along the Gulf Coast are encouraged to continue to monitor local conditions and follow the direction of local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “As the storm continues to move toward land, residents may begin to experience strong winds and flooding. Remember that conditions can change with little or no notice.”

Based on applicable legal requirements and consistent with its contingency plan, FEMA has recalled currently furloughed employees necessary to serve functions of the agency that protect life and property as they prepare for potential landfall of Tropical Storm Karen.

FEMA has recalled staff necessary to deploy four incident management assistance teams (IMAT), including a national incident management assistance team (IMAT), to potentially affected states. Each IMAT is supported by its defense coordinating element staffed by the Department of Defense. Liaison officers are currently positioned in emergency operations centers in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to assist with the coordination of planning and response operations. Additional teams are on standby and available for deployment as needed and requested.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate spoke with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, Florida Governor Rick Scott, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant this week about ongoing efforts to prepare for Tropical Storm Karen. Fugate reiterated that Gulf Coast states have the full support of FEMA and the rest of the federal family in advance of the storm making landfall. Fugate’s calls were preceded by outreach from FEMA’s Regional Administrators to emergency management officials in potentially impacted states.

According to the National Weather Service, a tropical storm warning remains in effect from Morgan City, La. to the mouth of the Pearl River. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. Also, a tropical storm watch remains in effect for metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain and from east of the mouth of the Pearl River to Indian Pass, Fla. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible, generally within 48 hours.

Severe Weather Safety and Preparedness Tips for Potentially-affected Gulf Coast areas:

Have important supplies ready to sustain you and your family, if needed. This includes water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, cell phone charger, medicines, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies.
History shows that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly, so FEMA encourages coastal residents to monitor weather conditions and take steps now to get prepared for potential severe tropical weather.
Tropical storms can bring high winds and heavy rains, so listen to local officials and follow their instructions.

FEMA, through its regional offices in Chicago, Ill and Kansas City, Mo., also is monitoring the storms affecting and potentially affecting areas of the Central U.S., including portions of Iowa and Nebraska, and has been in touch with state and local officials. FEMA deployed a liaison to the emergency operations center in Nebraska and activated an incident management assistance team (IMAT), positioning the team for immediate deployment should assistance be requested by the states affected. FEMA continues to stand ready to support the states, as requested.

For more information on preparing for hurricanes, severe weather and other natural disasters, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov or www.listo.gov. Information regarding emergency preparedness and what to do before and after a disaster can also be found at m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app from your smartphone’s app store.

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, 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.

Original article –

FEMA Urges Residents to Continue Monitoring Conditions as Tropical Storm Approaches Gulf Coast

Giving Alabamians A Safe Place To Go

During the April 2011 tornadoes, Prattville, Ala. resident Ty Story took cover in a closet with his wife Becky and their three daughters using a mattress for extra protection.

“We were about a mile from where it hit,” he said of the EF-3 tornado that destroyed and damaged numerous homes in his community. “We knew it was close to us, but we couldn’t see it because our house is next to a tree line. But you could see all the trees going in different directions from the wind.”

Although the Story family and their home were undamaged, the devastation around their home and community made one decision very easy. They quickly became one of the 4,267 Alabama families to register for and receive an individual safe room grant from the state of Alabama funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s hazard mitigation program.

“The safety of Alabama’s residents was a main priority of Governor Bentley following the April 2011 storms,” said Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner, whose agency administered the program. “Our directive was to assist every homeowner and municipality who submitted the required application within the deadline to ensure they would soon have a safe place to go.”

Following federally declared disasters, states are given grant money from FEMA, through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, to help their residents and communities be more resilient in preparation for future disasters. The April 27, 2011 event in Alabama resulted in 62 tornadoes creating a path of destruction more than 1,711 miles long and causing more than 250 deaths in the state.

Due to that devastation, the state was eligible for more than $70 million in mitigation funds.

“We knew we never wanted to face this situation again,” Faulkner said. “We wanted to give Alabama families and communities the resources they needed to be prepared.”

Because the state established priorities for mitigation projects early, FEMA was able to provide up-front funding for program management costs, allowing the state to hire and train grant reviewers early in the process. Then, as grant applications came in from communities throughout the state, reviewers were already in place to handle them.

In addition, FEMA committed staff to work in Alabama for nearly two years to help process the mitigation grant applications, said FEMA Region IV Administrator Phil May.

“A key component in Alabama’s recovery has been the state’s commitment to implement mitigation measures to lessen the impacts of future disasters,” he said. “This allowed FEMA and state staff to work hand-in-hand during the project application and approval process.”

The partnership between the federal and state government, along with the rapid ability to receive funding wasn’t lost on the Story family, whose storm shelter is now installed underground, through their garage. The family received 75 percent of the cost through the grant program.

“Having the peace of mind we have now? That’s just huge,” he said. “We knew we wanted one after seeing the damage. But when we heard about the program and getting reimbursement to do this, well that was just a no-brainer. With three girls in school, I’m just glad FEMA and Alabama made this decision.”

Another example of the unified effort was the FEMA and AEMA co-sponsored “Safer Alabama Summit” held in June 2011 on the University of Alabama’s campus, which allowed storm survivors and elected officials to learn more about the importance of mitigation activities and how to make informed decisions on their recovery. The summit led to numerous other mitigation-related outreach meetings and events throughout the state.

In addition to safe rooms and storm shelters, state officials also obligated money to fund generators for critical infrastructure, alert notification systems, and a project to harden portions of the Druid City Hospital’s trauma center in Tuscaloosa that also sustained damages.

Alabama Mitigation Priorities:

$63 million for 4,267 individual & 282 community safe rooms/storm shelters.
$3.6 million for alert notification systems.
$5 million for generators to critical infrastructure facilities.
$1.3 million to harden Druid City Hospital’s trauma center.

###

View original article:

Giving Alabamians A Safe Place To Go

Page 3 of 4 « 1 2 3 4 »