HUNT VALLEY, Md. Individuals, who suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy that occurred October 26 through November 4, and were insured, may still be eligible for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“If you were uninsured or your insurance policy did not cover some of your disaster-related damages or losses, FEMA may be able to help,” Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Lapinski said.  “If your insurance company did not fully cover your losses, take the first step and register with FEMA.”

To register or get further information, call – 1-800-621-FEMA or TTY 1-800-462-7585. For more information about this disaster, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4091, www.mema.maryland.gov, www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Somerset County residents affected by Hurricane Sandy also can apply for federal assistance through a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone. Visit m.fema.gov and follow the link to apply online for federal assistance and other recovery help.

Even if disaster victims have insurance, they may be eligible for disaster assistance. In order to complete the application for assistance, however, FEMA will need the resident’s insurance settlement information to avoid any duplication of benefits.

“Disaster assistance is designed to cover uninsured and under-insured disaster-related losses, but cannot duplicate services and funds compensated by insurance claim or provided by another assistance program,” Maryland Emergency Management Agency’s (MEMA) Executive Director, Ken Mallette, said.

The disaster programs available include grants for temporary housing and repairs to make a home safe and sanitary, low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters or business owners and other aid programs.

Uninsured and underinsured losses that may be covered by SBA low-interest loans include debris removal from personal property, damaged and destroyed fences, tree trimming services, tree replacement, damaged and destroyed sheds and other outbuildings and landscaping losses.

FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. Residents should contact their insurance agent first, then if they have unmet needs they should call FEMA to apply. 

Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other forms of help may come in the form of loans. The FEMA representative will explain the details to you when you call.  Once you have registered with FEMA, you will receive a nine digit Identification Number; if you have not received this number you have not formally registered and need to contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 to obtain your registration number.

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.

Continue at source:  

Insured Should Apply for Disaster Assistance

NEW YORK —More than $1.2 billion in federal disaster assistance has been approved for survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New York.

While there is still much work to be done, this money has contributed significantly to the recovery effort. FEMA’s priority is to get people back into their neighborhoods as soon as possible.

“This money will help families who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy start their recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “Working with the SBA, FEMA is helping families get the money they need to repair their homes, find temporary housing and replace essential items lost in the storm.

FEMA continues to reach out to all 13 counties designated for Individual Assistance, focusing on the hardest-hit areas. Assistance to residents in affected counties includes:

  • Bronx                $2.2 million
  • Kings                 $180.7 million
  • Nassau               $269.2 million
  • New York         $12.2 million
  • Queens              $211.3 million
  • Richmond         $84.8 million
  • Suffolk              $61.4 million

FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $1.2 billion for Hurricane Sandy survivors. FEMA has approved nearly $827 million for individuals and households, including nearly $736 million for housing assistance and more than $91 million in assistance for other needs.

  • SBA has approved nearly $378 million in disaster loans to homeowners and renters and more than $25 million in disaster businesses loans. The SBA has staff members at every

FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center and 19 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.

  • More than 260,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance, including more than 141,000 who have applied through the online application site at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or on their smartphone at m.fema.gov.
  • 23 Disaster Recovery Centers are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date more than 117,000 survivors have been assisted at Disaster Recovery Centers in New York.           
  • 58 inspectors are currently in the field. To date 169,031 home inspections have been completed, making a 99.4 percent completion rate.
  • 13 New York counties are designated for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. These are Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. Greene County has been designated for Public Assistance only. 
  • Public Assistance funds are also flowing; so far, more than $323 million has been obligated to the state to help replenish dollars spent to protect New Yorkers before, during and after the storm. The FEMA PA program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of costs for

disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure. In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

Individuals can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.  Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Applicants who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362.

The toll-free telephone numbers are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice.

Continue reading here:

Assistance to New York State Sandy Survivors Tops $1.2 Billion

HUNT VALLEY, Md. – People who live near water are not the only ones who experience flooding.  Floods can move and spread for miles. Flash floods can begin and end within just hours, cutting a path of major destruction.

One of the ways you can protect yourself is with flood insurance.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers this important insurance coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP was created by Congress in 1968 to provide flood insurance at a reasonable cost in exchange for careful management by local communities of flood-prone areas.

Flood insurance provides coverage that your homeowners or renters insurance doesn’t – coverage for damages caused by floods.

Here are some facts you should know about flood insurance:

  1. Homeowners, business owners and renters all can purchase flood insurance as long as their community participates in the NFIP.
  2. Flood insurance claims are paid even if a federal disaster is not declared by the President.
  3. You do not have to live in a floodplain to buy flood insurance. In fact, more than 20 percent of flood insurance claims come from medium- or low-risk flood areas.
  4. Compared to a fire, people in floodplains are nearly four times more likely to have a flood during their 30-year mortgage.
  5. You can buy flood insurance from licensed insurance agents.
  6. Flood insurance coverage is available for residential and business structures and contents.  A single-family home can be insured for up to $250,000.  An additional $100,000 can be purchased for contents.  Commercial buildings can be insured for up to $500,000.  Business contents can be covered for up to $500,000.
  7. Renters can purchase contents coverage for up to $100,000 to cover personal belongings.
  8. If you have a home-based business, you’ll need to purchase separate coverage for the business and/or contents. Coverage is not automatically included under a homeowner’s flood insurance policy, even if the business is located inside your home.
  9. A flood insurance policy can be written to cover actions taken to prevent flood damages.  These actions can include moving the insured contents to a safe place and/or the cost of purchasing sandbags, plastic sheeting, lumber, pumps, etc.
  10. A flood insurance claim will reimburse you for your covered losses and never has to be repaid, unlike a disaster assistance loan.

Okay, so now you’re interested in flood insurance.  How do you go about getting a policy and what else do you need to know?

  • Contact your insurance agent and tell them you would like more information about flood insurance.  The agent will be able to determine whether your community participates in the NFIP.  Flood insurance from the NFIP is only available in participating communities.  The agent should also be able to tell you what is covered and how much your policy will cost.
  • The cost will be determined in part by whether you live in a floodplain, also known as Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).  Your local building official(s) should have maps showing if there are Special Flood Hazard Areas and where they are.  You can determine whether you are in a low, medium or high-risk area by checking these maps.
  • Those who are located outside the floodplain may be able to get a Preferred Risk Policy.  These policies offer fixed combinations of building and contents coverage at set prices.
  • Another way to reduce your premium is through an elevation rating.  If the lowest floor of your house is above the base flood elevation (predicted flood depth in your area), you can qualify for lower rates.  Local officials can help determine the base flood elevation for your home, however, the homeowner will need to provide an elevation certificate.

Even so, the cost of flood insurance is far cheaper than having to pay thousands of dollars to repair your home or replace contents because a flood caught you off guard.

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.

 

Originally posted here:

Buying Flood Insurance Now Will Save Dollars, Heartache Later

WINDSOR, Conn. — Disaster officials say residents should file their homeowner’s insurance claims first, but not wait on an insurance settlement to register for FEMA disaster assistance or complete an application for an SBA disaster loan.

“We want to make sure everyone who had damage from Sandy gets all the help they are eligible for,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “Don’t think you have to wait for an insurance adjuster. File your insurance claim, then register with FEMA and get the process started.”

Officials say it is always best to document damage thoroughly with photos and/or videos in case some of the damaged items have to be disposed of during the cleanup or before an inspector can inspect the property.

Residents of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London counties, and the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan Tribal Nations located within New London County who had damage from Hurricane Sandy may be eligible for federal disaster assistance from the FEMA Individual Assistance grant program.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available at the close of the English message.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

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

The U.S. Small Business Administration  is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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.

View original – 

Don’t Wait on Insurance to File For FEMA Aid or Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan

WINDSOR, Conn. — FEMA’s registration Helpline is still available for Connecticut residents who suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Although all FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Centers in Connecticut have closed, the Helpline remains available for survivors to register for federal disaster assistance. Sandy survivors who have already registered for aid can call to ask questions, update contact information or check the status of their applications.

Disaster survivors can call 800-621-3362 to register for assistance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Those who use TTY can call 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators can be reached after the initial English message concludes.

The deadline to register with FEMA has been extended to Jan. 28.

Disaster survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

As of Dec. 28, 2012, more than 2,500 Connecticut residents have been approved for federal disaster assistance. FEMA offers financial help to survivors of federally-declared disasters to cover uninsured losses and critical expenses which cannot be covered by other means.

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

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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.

Taken from: 

FEMA Helpline Still Available to Assist Hurricane Sandy Survivors in Connecticut

Less than Two Weeks left for Rhode Islanders to Seek Aid for Sandy Losses

WARWICK, R.I. — Time is running out for anyone hit with losses from Hurricane Sandy to seek state-federal disaster recovery assistance. The deadline to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency is Monday, January 14.

“Don’t assume you wouldn’t qualify for assistance,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer James N. Russo. “Let us figure that out. We want to ensure that everyone who is eligible receives help. If Sandy caused you any kind of losses–regardless of whether you are a property owner, renter, have already cleaned up or made repairs or have insurance–call or go online and register now.”

FEMA-state assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, uninsured vehicle damage, lost or damaged personal property and many other costs incurred because of Hurricane Sandy.

State and federal officials particularly want to remind anyone who has insurance, including flood insurance, to go ahead and register with FEMA. Once you are registered, you can go back to FEMA down the road for help if insurance shortfalls result in uncompensated losses. But if you don’t register before the deadline, FEMA will not be able to help you cover those losses. Registration keeps the financial assistance option open.

Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362). The phone line is open from 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Multilingual recovery specialists are available. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service.  Rhode Islanders with questions about federal disaster assistance or their registration may call 800-621-3362 and select the “help” option.

Low interest disaster loans are vital to full recovery for many who had storm damage.  The U.S. Small Business Administration provides these loans, not just for businesses, but also for renters, homeowners, businesses of any size and private non-profits to cover uncompensated real or personal property losses. The deadline to apply for an SBA loan is Tuesday, January 15.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Find tweets about Sandy recovery at www.twitter.com/femaregion1. For Rhode Island specific information go to http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4089. Other online resources include http://blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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 medical and dental expenses, 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.

 

 

Original article: 

Less than Two Weeks left for Rhode Islanders to Seek Aid for Sandy Losses

NEW YORK – Most of us make New Year’s resolutions to look better, feel better or reach a long-term goal.

This year resolve to rebuild stronger, safer and smarter after Hurricane Sandy to save lives and property when the next weather disaster strikes.

Hazard mitigation is building smart, strong and safe to prevent future damage from severe weather. Smart building includes mitigating damage against floods, strong winds and even tornadoes.

Always contact a local building official before undertaking rebuilding, renovating or retrofitting to be sure your plans meet local and state government requirements. You also need the proper permits from your local municipality to avoid future problems.

Such simple mitigation measures as elevating electrical and heating systems and anchoring fuel storage tanks can provide a windfall of protection against severe weather. 

Mitigation can also include landscaping. For instance, sea oats and other grasses can provide soil stability against storm surge. Ask your landscaper what indigenous plants withstand severe weather and protect property. Professional tree pruning can save not only the tree but can minimize the damage caused by a tree in severe weather. 

Flooding

Just an inch of water can cause costly damage to your property.

The average annual U.S. flood losses in the past 10 years (2002-2011) were more than $2.9 billion.

Rebuilding smartly in a flood-prone area means preventing future damages from flooding such as elevating your structure above the base flood elevation or higher. Flood hazard maps show different zones of hazard which determines policy premiums. The lower the degree of risk, the lower the flood insurance premium.

By elevating your home above that potential flood elevation, you not only reduce the risk of flooding, you save on the cost of flood insurance. The FEMA’s NFIP policy can cover structures and personal property. You don’t have to live in a flood-prone area to buy FEMA’s flood insurance policy which is sold by most insurance agents.

To be eligible to buy FEMA’s flood insurance your community must participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Check the Community Status Book to see if your community is already an NFIP partner. (http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program/national-flood-insurance-program-community-status-book)

Wind

Wind will quickly damage vulnerable homes and buildings. The roof is most susceptible to wind. The type of roof is the first factor in limiting damage.

Whether with new construction or retrofitting an existing roof, build to ensure the connections between the roof and walls are strong enough to resist the “uplift” effect of high winds. When the roof lifts off it may collapse back down on the house.

Getting down to the foundation, many homes are built on concrete pads to which they are only slightly connected. Severe winds pull the walls right out of the foundation. To resist high winds, structures must be firmly connected to foundations.

Mitigation Dollars at Work

For New York damages caused by Hurricane Sandy, the U. S. Small Business Administration has provided $357 million to help homeowners, businesses and private non-profit organizations rebuild their properties damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Some funds have also been allocated for the mitigation of similar damages during future events.

More information about Resolving to Be Ready and Rebuilding Strong and Smart are available online:

  • Listo America –Ready.Gov

http://www.ready.gov/translations/spanish/america/beinformed/index.html

  • FEMA also has videos on YouTube: “What is Mitigation?”           

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=057ZkeoFyc4

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Read article here:

Resolve To Rebuild Stronger, Safer, Smarter

TRENTON, N.J. — A Hudson County disaster recovery center will close this Saturday.

The center located at the Bayonne City Museum in Bayonne will close at 7 p.m., December 29.

State and federal officials have been paying close attention to how many applicants are visiting centers throughout the state. Over the past weeks, the number of individuals seeking help at the  Bayonne center has dropped, indicating the information needs of survivors in the area are being met.                                                                                                                

Hurricane Sandy survivors in the Bayonne area can still visit any center across the state.

Meanwhile, the center located at Bay Head Fire Station No. 1 in Bay Head has changed its hours to 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday to be consistent with centers across the state.

Centers allow residents to speak one-on-one with recovery representatives. FEMA program specialists are available to provide registration and other information and to answer questions at the centers. These include mitigation specialists who can provide guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.

In addition to FEMA program specialists, customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to answer questions about the SBA low-interest disaster loan program, and to assist with disaster loan applications.

DRC locations may change. The nearest open offices can be found online at FEMA.gov/DRC.

It is not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster 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.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

From: 

Bayonne Center To Close, Bay Head Center Hours Change

NEW YORK ­­­­– Getting local businesses back up and running is a key part of a community’s recovery after a disaster. Several of FEMA’s federal, state, local and private sector partners have programs in place to support New York businesses after Hurricane Sandy:

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has low-interest loans available for businesses and most private nonprofits for up to $2 million dollars for physical property losses. Small businesses and most private nonprofits can also apply for economic injury loans for up to

$2 million. Interested businesses can apply at any of the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, SBA Business Recovery Centers, online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or contact the SBA at 800-659-2955.

NYC Economic Development Corporation established a Hurricane Sandy Emergency Loan Fund to support NYC small businesses with their recovery and clean-up efforts. This loan program will provide $10 million in low-interest loans to businesses, ranging from

$5,000 – $25,000 for each loan. Funds can be used to replace or repair damaged assets, or to make up for working capital losses incurred due to business interruption. For additional details and information on how to apply, businesses should visit: http://www.nybdc.com/HurricaneSandySmallBusinessReliefFund.html.

Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency’s Emergency Sales Tax Relief Program gives an exemption of State and County Sales Tax of 8.625 percent to small businesses in Suffolk County on purchases up to $100,000 for building materials or replacing damaged equipment.  Businesses can visit: www.suffolkIDA.org or call 631-853-4802 for additional information or to fill out an application.

National Grid Hurricane Sandy Relief Program provides grants up to $250,000 to National Grid commercial, industrial or multi-family residential gas customers that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Eligible customers can use program funds for energy infrastructure repairs or replacement, rehabilitation of buildings, and costs associated with replacement of machinery or equipment necessary for the operation of the businesses. Funding consideration will be based on documented financial need and impact to the community. To determine eligibility and for additional information, customers should contact National Grid at 855-496-9359.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Link: 

Several Resources Available to Help Business Owners Recover from Sandy

WINDSOR, Conn. — The State of Connecticut and FEMA officials have announced extension of the deadline for individuals to register for federal disaster assistance to Jan. 28, 2013.

The deadline for the completion and return of loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration has also been extended to Jan. 28. A majority of residents who register for assistance with FEMA will receive SBA loan applications. These should be completed and returned to complete the registration process. No one is required to take out a loan.

Residents of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London counties, and the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan Tribal Nations located within New London County who had damage from Hurricane Sandy may be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach           multilingual operators.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

See original:

Connecticut FEMA Registration Deadline Extended to Jan. 28

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