More Than $2 Million Approved In Federal Disaster Assistance

Release Date: April 6, 2012
Release Number: 4058-023

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

INDIANAPOLIS – More than $2 million in federal funding has been approved for homeowners, renters and business owners since the president issued a major disaster declaration for Indiana. Individual Assistance was made available March 9 to augment state and local recovery efforts after severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes caused extensive damage Feb. 29 to March 3 in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties.

As of close of business April 5, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials report

$1,170, 415.94 has been approved to fund expenses not covered by insurance or other programs. Such expenses include temporary rental assistance, repair and replacement of essential household items, and disaster-related medical, dental or funeral costs. FEMA reports 1,339 registrations have been received. Field inspectors are completing home inspections within 36 hours of registration, and 533 inspections have been completed.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reports $990,800 in low interest disaster loans have been approved thus far to homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits. SBA has issued 813 home loan applications and 171 business loan applications, and urges those receiving applications to return them as soon as possible.

Sellersburg Disaster Recovery Center

A Disaster Recovery Center at Ivy Tech College in Sellersburg will remain open until 6 p.m. on Friday, April 13. Hoosiers have just a few days left to meet with federal specialists about recovery assistance. More than 660 Hoosiers have visited the center, where specialists to answer questions about FEMA recovery programs and customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) help individuals complete SBA low interest disaster loan applications. The center, which was opened through a FEMA-state partnership March 13, will be closed on Easter. Otherwise, it will remain open from

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through April 13.

FEMA Mitigation community outreach events schedule

FEMA specialists spoke with 1,066 Hoosiers during community outreach events in building supply stores this week. FEMA specialists explained simple steps to reduce future storm damage Tuesday and Wednesday at Ryan’s Ace Hardware in Evansville. Specialists will continue meeting with Indiana residents through next week at building supply stores in Clarksville, Evansville, Madison, New Albany, Newburgh and Sellersburg.

Public Assistance for infrastructure recovery in five counties

FEMA Public Assistance Coordinators discussed damage, needs and recovery plans with Public Assistance applicants during kick-off meetings this week in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott and Washington counties. State and local governments and certain non-profit organizations in these counties are eligible to apply for federal assistance to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. The remaining costs are the responsibility of state and local government and, in some cases, non-profit organizations.

Public Assistance funding also covers partial or complete repair of schools and other critical functions such as public water tanks or sewer systems. Projects will be approved only if they are necessary as a direct result of storm damage during the designated timeframe.

Register with FEMA

The first step for homeowners, renters and business owners to obtain federal disaster assistance is to register with FEMA. One easy way to apply is to call the telephone registration and help line, (800) 621-FEMA (3362). For speech-or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at (800) 621-3362. These lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Registration is also possible in the following ways:

Online at www.fema.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov; and
by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

May 8 is the last day to register for assistance.

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 06-Apr-2012 14:18:30

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More Than $2 Million Approved In Federal Disaster Assistance

Jefferson Parish Playgrounds Benefit From Flexible FEMA Grant

Release Date: April 6, 2012
Release Number: 1603-972

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina

NEW ORLEANS – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today a consolidated grant totaling approximately $559,000 to Jefferson Parish for the replacement of playground contents damaged during Hurricane Katrina.

“This grant best supports Jefferson Parish’s efforts to restore an essential element of their recreational system—their playgrounds,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan. “Our funding enables Jefferson Parish to pool together contents funding from all of their playground facilities and distribute it as best needed.”

Prior to this grant, FEMA funded these damages through nine separate project worksheets, all the result of “content assessments” across eight of Jefferson Parish’s damaged playgrounds and other facilities, including the Recreational Department’s East Bank Administration Building. The eight playgrounds include the Johnny Bright Playground, Terrytown Playground, Harvey Playground, Pontiff Playground, Girard Playground, Lakeshore Playground and Jefferson Playground.

FEMA’s recent grant, as requested by Jefferson Parish, will fund contents under the following six major categories—information technology, parks and recreational building equipment and supplies, athletic equipment and supplies, furnishings, office equipment and supplies, and kitchen equipment and supplies.

“Jefferson Parish is grateful for the assistance from FEMA, which will allow us to move forward in the ongoing recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Our playgrounds are an essential part of the quality of life our children and families enjoy in Jefferson Parish. This recent grant will ensure repairs and restoration at eight of our playgrounds so that our citizens can continue to benefit from these outstanding recreational facilities,” said Jefferson Parish President John Young.

In total, FEMA has provided approximately $529.8 million for recovery work throughout Jefferson Parish related to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, of which $50.8 million—including FEMA’s recent grant for playgrounds—was provided specifically for the restoration of recreational facilities within the parish.

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 06-Apr-2012 11:42:22

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Jefferson Parish Playgrounds Benefit From Flexible FEMA Grant

Free Legal Assistance Available for Storm Survivors

Release Date: April 5, 2012
Release Number: 4059-013

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Lanslides
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Free legal assistance is available to survivors of this spring’s tornadoes, severe storms and flooding in federally designated West Virginia counties – Lincoln, Logan, Marion and Wayne. The services are being supplied through a partnership among the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Legal Aid of West Virginia and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA officials said Friday.

Survivors facing legal problems may call 877-331-4259 to request assistance. Phone lines are staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and callers may leave a message outside of those hours. Callers should state they are seeking FEMA legal assistance and should identify what county they are located in. Survivors who qualify for assistance will be matched with West Virginia lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal help.

The type of assistance available includes:

Assistance with securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster survivors
Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims
Help with home repair contracts and contractors
Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster
Assisting in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures
Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems
Counseling on landlord/tenant problems

There are some limitations on disaster legal services. To determine whether a legal problem qualifies for free legal assistance, survivors should make it clear that they are seeking assistance relative to the declared FEMA disaster. An attorney will contact the caller after reviewing the information provided.

Last Modified: Thursday, 05-Apr-2012 10:58:14

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Free Legal Assistance Available for Storm Survivors

Tell Your Neighbor about Federal Disaster Assistance

Release Date: April 3, 2012
Release Number: 4058-019

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

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — If you suffered damage during severe storms Feb. 29-March 3, chances are your neighbor may have, too. Storm-impacted individuals should tell their neighbors about the opportunity to register for assistance with FEMA before the May 8 deadline and to return their SBA loan applications as soon as possible.

Tell your friends and neighbors about the opportunity to register with FEMA even though they have insurance. Insurance may not cover the entire cost of recovery, and a low-interest loan from the SBA may fill the gap to more fully recover from damage.

Tell others FEMA Housing Assistance in the form of grants may include rental assistance, home repairs and home replacements. Other Needs Assistance grants may be available to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.

Tell your friends and neighbors SBA disaster loans help homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations fund repair or rebuilding and cover the cost of replacing lost or damaged personal property and business assets. These loans may cover insurance deductibles, code-required upgrades and other costs not covered by insurance or other sources.

Tell your friends and neighbors if they received an SBA disaster loan application they should return it as soon as possible. If they have questions, they can contact the SBA Customer Service Center. Call (800) 659-2955 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. To apply online, visit:
disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Applicants may also visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Emphasize to your friends and neighbors that completion of the SBA disaster loan application may open the door to FEMA grants and other forms of assistance available to eligible residents. FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical, dental and funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA disaster loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance covering personal property, vehicle repair or replacement and moving and storage expenses. An insurance claim does not have to be settled to complete and submit an SBA loan application.

Register with FEMA

Be sure your friends and neighbors know how to apply for FEMA assistance. One easy way to apply is to call the telephone registration line, (800) 621-FEMA (3362). For speech-or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at (800) 621-3362. These lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. FEMA issues a nine-digit registration number to verify completion of each application.

Registration is also possible in the following ways:

Online at www.fema.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov; and
by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

May 8 is the last day to register for assistance.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 03-Apr-2012 10:52:37

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Tell Your Neighbor about Federal Disaster Assistance

More Than $1.5 Million Approved in Federal Disaster Assistance

Release Date: March 30, 2012
Release Number: 4058-017

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

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — More than $1.5 million in federal funding has been approved to homeowners, renters and business owners since the president issued a major disaster declaration for Indiana. Individual Assistance was made available March 9 to augment state and local recovery efforts after severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes caused extensive damage Feb. 29 to March 3 in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties.

As of close of business March 29, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials report more than $1 million has been approved to fund expenses not covered by insurance or other programs. Such expenses include temporary rental assistance, repair and replacement of essential household items, and disaster-related medical, dental or funeral costs. FEMA reports 1,274 registrations have been received. Field inspectors are completing home inspections within 24 hours of registration, and 491 inspections have been completed.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reports $551,200 in low interest disaster loans have been approved to qualifying homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits.

Sellersburg Disaster Recovery Center

A Disaster Recovery Center at Ivy Tech College in Sellersburg will remain open as long as storm-impacted individuals continue to utilize its services. More than 550 Hoosiers have visited the center, where FEMA and SBA specialists assist with applications and answer questions. The center, which was opened through a FEMA-state partnership March 13, will continue operating Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice.

FEMA Mitigation community outreach events schedule

FEMA specialists spoke with some 250 Hoosiers during community outreach events in building supply store this week. Specialists are on hand to explain simple steps people can take at home to reduce damage during future storms.

Specialists are on hand through March 31 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

Lowe’s
1350 Veterans Parkway
Clarksville, Ind. 47129

Lowe’s
511 Ivy Tech Drive
Madison, Ind. 47250

Menards
2808 Menards Drive
Evansville, Ind. 47715

Specialists will be on hand April 3-7 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

Home Depot
2239 State St.
New Albany, Ind. 47150
P.C. Lumber & Hardware
150 Hunter Station Road
Sellersburg, Ind. 47172

Public Assistance for infrastructure recovery in five counties

On March 22, the president declared Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott and Washington counties eligible for Public Assistance, which means that means state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations in the designated counties are eligible to apply for federal assistance to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. The remainder is the responsibility of state and local government and, in some cases, non-profit organizations.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security briefed Public Assistance applicants this week. Applicants logged onto an online briefing webinar Wednesday. State representatives met face to face with applicants during a briefing in Sellersburg Friday.

Register with FEMA

The first step for homeowners, renters and business owners to obtain federal disaster assistance is to register with FEMA. One easy way to apply is to call the telephone registration line, (800) 621-FEMA (3362). For speech-or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at (800) 621-3362. Those lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. FEMA will issue a nine-digit registration number to verify completion of each application.

Registration is also possible in the following ways:

Online at www.fema.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov; and
by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

May 8 is the last day to register for assistance.

Last Modified: Friday, 30-Mar-2012 17:17:49

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More Than $1.5 Million Approved in Federal Disaster Assistance

FEMA’s ‘Rambo’ Ready To Expedite Fire Management Grants

Release Date: March 29, 2012
Release Number: 4029-108, 1999-018

» More Information on Texas Wildfires
» More Information on Texas Wildfires

AUSTIN, Texas — As wildfires raged throughout Texas in 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared a record 55 Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) to help local governments and other applicants recoup some of their firefighting costs. Now FEMA wants to help those applicants get their money.

Through an innovative pilot program called Recovery Assistance Mobile-Based Operations (RAMBO), FEMA Public Assistance teams can work with the applicant much the way a tax preparer works with a client during tax season — and RAMBO is available to go right to the applicant’s office.

“Contacting a RAMBO team leads to expedited assistance,” said FEMA Public Assistance Branch Director Karri DuBois. “Not only is a checklist provided beforehand to help the applicants know the kind of paperwork to collect, we then save everyone time by reviewing the documentation and helping them work through the process.”

The team goes over receipts and other documents with the applicant, making sure that all paperwork is in order and asking and answering questions so that the final project worksheet can be completed and funds quickly obligated.

In Kimble County, for instance, the RAMBO team helped get funds obligated within a couple of weeks rather than the normal timeframe of several months or longer.

“We worked closely with our state partner, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, to find a way to expedite the FMAG process, and RAMBO was the answer,” said Kevin L. Hannes, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for the Texas wildfire disasters. “Our goal is to get local governments reimbursed as quickly as possible so they can focus on the current wildfire season.”

An FMAG is federal assistance approved while a fire is burning uncontrolled and threatens such destruction as to constitute a major disaster. It offers 75 percent reimbursement for eligible expenses such as overtime labor, equipment and supplies, provisions for shelters, safety items for firefighters and mutual aid. The grant recipient for an FMAG is the state. State agencies and local entities apply to the state for subgrants.

FMAGs were declared in 2011 for specific fires in Archer, Bastrop, Bexar, Bosque, Brewster, Cass, Clay, Coke, Eastland, Ector, Ellis, Fisher, Grimes, Harris, Howard, Hutchinson, Jack, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Kent, Kimble, King, Knox, Marion, Midland, Mitchell, Montgomery, Motley, Nolan, Palo Pinto, Potter, Presidio, Randall, Shackelford, Somervell, Stephens, Stonewall, Tom Green, Travis, Walker, Waller, Webb, Wichita, Wilbarger, Williamson and Young counties.

Applicants wanting assistance from RAMBO should contact their state Public Assistance coordinator.

Follow FEMA tweets about the Texas disaster at www.twitter.com/femaregion6. Other online resources are blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

Last Modified: Thursday, 29-Mar-2012 11:46:09

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FEMA’s ‘Rambo’ Ready To Expedite Fire Management Grants

Tennessee Storm Survivors Urged To Complete SBA Disaster Loan Applications

Completing low-interest disaster loan applications is a vital step towards recovery or additional grants…

Release Date: March 28, 2012
Release Number: 4060-010

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

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Tennessee residents affected by the Feb. 29 – March 2 tornadoes need to complete and return the disaster loan application they received after registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The loan application could be the key to rebuilding a damaged home or business.

Survivors are urged to consider low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. While FEMA assistance addresses the immediate needs of disaster survivors, it is low-interest disaster loans that can help homeowners, renters and businesses handle the larger costs of rebuilding or replacing personal property and contents.

Although survivors are not required to accept a disaster loan if one is offered, completing the SBA application is a part of the process and is a key to receiving other assistance, such as FEMA grants, in the 10 Tennessee counties designated for federal disaster assistance.

Homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations in these counties who qualify, can use SBA disaster loans to pay for disaster-related damages. Businesses or owners of rental property affected by the storm may also be eligible.

The SBA offers loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace primary residences and up to $40,000 for personal property damages, including automobiles. The interest rate on disaster loans for homeowners may be as low as 1.875 percent, with terms up to 30 years.

Loans to businesses may be up to $2 million, with interest rates as low as 4 percent. These loans may help with repairs, replacement of property, and working capital for economic injury. The SBA provides small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations economic injury disaster loans for ongoing business expenses to recover from the economic impact of a disaster. Economic injury disaster loans are available even if the business didn’t sustain physical damages.

SBA representatives at all nine Tennessee disaster recovery centers are available to help individuals complete and submit loan applications and answer any questions.

Survivors may apply for SBA disaster loans before insurance claims are settled. The loans may be used to refinance existing mortgages on homes and businesses in certain cases. They may also be used to relocate on a case-by-case basis.

The SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number is 800-659-2955 or (TTY) 800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Help is also available by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

Loan applications can be completed online at SBA’s website: disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
The deadline to complete and return applications is May 15, 2012.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 28-Mar-2012 16:28:53

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Tennessee Storm Survivors Urged To Complete SBA Disaster Loan Applications

FEMA: Nearly $12 Million In Hazard Mitigation For Puget Sound

Release Date: March 26, 2012
Release Number: R10-12-008

» 2012 Region X News Releases

SEATTLE –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that in FY2011, FEMA Region X provided $11,909,572 funding to the State of Washington to implement 19 new Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) projects in the Puget Sound Watershed.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to State and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the HMGP is to help communities prepare for future disasters by providing grants to implement long-term solutions for preparedness and protection against property damage and loss of life.

A primary eligible project type for FEMA’s five Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs is acquisition and demolition of flood prone structures. This results in the acquisition and conversion of developed land into permanent open space, in the form of native vegetation/wildlife habitat, active-use parks, and multi-use greenways.

A good example of a floodway buyout conversion into open space can be seen in King County, along the Cedar River in Maple Valley. This project was completed in 2008. In this project, called the Rainbow Bend Floodway Acquisition project, five residences on 6 parcels were purchased (see attached photos). The flood-prone houses were removed, and the vacant lands returned to their natural state. Now, where a row of houses stood too close to the river, there is riparian habitat.

In FY2011, six flood prone properties similar to the Rainbow Bend Acquisition project have been purchased for acquisition and demolition to be converted into permanent open space. When these projects are finished, six families will be spared the pain of repeated flooding, and the stretches of riverside where these homes once stood will be permanent open space.

Over the past three years, FEMA Region X has provided funding to the State of Washington to implement 101 new Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) projects in the Puget Sound Watershed. A total of 25 have been for acquisition/demolition of flood prone properties for conversion to permanent open space use. The total Federal share dollar value of these acquisition projects is $29.6 million, and 87 flood prone structures have been approved for acquisition.

Last Modified: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 14:49:03

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FEMA: Nearly $12 Million In Hazard Mitigation For Puget Sound

Disaster Assistance Includes Right of Appeal

Release Date: March 23, 2012
Release Number: 4058-013

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

INDIANAPOLIS —Some Indiana residents who have registered for disaster assistance may have received letters saying their applications are denied. They should know that they have the right to appeal that decision.

Applicants who received denial letters should make sure they understand why they were denied. A denial may be due to various reasons. A visit to the Disaster Recovery Center in Sellersburg or a call to the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362 can help provide a better explanation.

Many find their circumstances have changed from the time they registered for assistance. They may have discovered additional damage to their property, or that they need housing help after all. Displaced renters may find upon returning that their residences are unlivable. Whatever the reason, applicants have the right to appeal a denial within 60 days from the date of the determination letter.

Applicants must explain in writing why they believe the initial FEMA response was wrong and provide new or additional information and documents to support the appeal. They should also include their FEMA registration number and disaster number in the letter, along with their full name and address of the damaged home.

Appeals can be mailed to:

FEMA-Appeals Officer
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 1005
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

They may also be faxed to: 1-800-827-8112.

A video titled “You can Appeal” provides additional information at www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6506.

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

Last Modified: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 12:17:17

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Disaster Assistance Includes Right of Appeal