Just Two Weeks Left To Apply With FEMA: Note These Key Points

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Just Two Weeks Left To Apply With FEMA: Note These Key Points

Mingo County Town Hall Meeting Set for April 26

Mingo County Town Hall Meeting Set for April 26 

Release Date: April 24, 2012
Release Number: 4061-048

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

CHARLESTON W.Va. — Mingo County residents who suffered losses from recent flooding will be able to learn more about disaster assistance programs at a Town Hall Meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 26, at the Dingess Elementary School, 101 Schoolhouse Road in Dingess. Mingo County was added to the federal major-disaster declaration for Individual and Households Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on April 20.

“Residents of Mingo County are now eligible to receive federal assistance to help affected individuals, families and businesses recover from losses sustained in the flooding of March 15 through March 31,” FEMA’s Charleston-based Federal Coordinating Officer Deanne Criswell said.

The town hall meeting will be hosted by FEMA, the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the Mingo County Emergency Management Agency. FEMA disaster-assistance experts and representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to answer questions about the available assistance programs.

Residents should register for FEMA assistance by calling FEMA’s 800 HelpLine number 800-621-3362 or apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov before they attend Thursday night’s meeting. Those unsure if they might be eligible for assistance should register with FEMA to find out whether they qualify.

Some registrants might receive an SBA disaster-loan application in the mail. It is important that the application be completed even if no loan is wanted. The information is needed to determine what additional help might be available, and no one is required to accept an SBA loan.

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: Tuesday, 24-Apr-2012 14:36:33

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Mingo County Town Hall Meeting Set for April 26

Recovery Continues With Assistance to Pennsylvania Communities

Recovery Continues With Assistance to Pennsylvania Communities 

Release Date: April 23, 2012
Release Number: 4025-138

» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on Pennsylvania Hurricane Irene

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Federal assistance continues to support Pennsylvania’s recovery from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The aid now focuses on supporting whole community recovery and preparing for future disasters.

Disaster assistance to date totals more than one-half billion dollars.

“Our emphasis now is on longer-term solutions,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas J. McCool. “Important infrastructure is being repaired, and efforts are being made to make communities more disaster-resistant.”

Rebuilding infrastructure
More than $47 million in Public Assistance (PA) funding has been reimbursed to repair or replace taxpayer-owned infrastructure such as roads, bridges, utilities, schools, and similar facilities.

  • There are an estimated 6,000 PA projects from among 1,900 applicants that could result in federal funding of more than $200 million.
  • Of the nearly 3,000 projects completed to date, about 725 have shared more than $3 million in additional funding to lessen the effects of future disasters. The effort is known as mitigation. FEMA is expected to provide more than $30 million in mitigation funding to the commonwealth when all eligible projects are complete.

Long-Term Recovery Committees (LTRC) rely on local volunteers and donations which provide assistance to individuals that helps repair, replace, and rebuild those households whose needs are beyond the legal capacity of government assistance.

These committees have been established for 20 counties: Adams, Berks, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montgomery, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuykill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wyoming, and York.

Providing for the whole community
Long-Term Community Recovery teams have been organized in the hardest-hit areas of the commonwealth. Their objective is to help focus local goals and match the whole community’s efforts with available federal, commonwealth, and community resources.

The community recovery teams have been organized in Shickshinny, Athens, and the Wyoming Valley and Swatara Valley areas.

Other statistics to date:

  • 94,385 persons registered for assistance
  • 83,936 damage inspections were completed
  • $141.8 million in Individual Assistance grants were disbursed:
    • $128.6 million in housing assistance including temporary housing, home repairs, and personal property losses and
    • $13.2 million in dental, medical, and funeral costs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance
    • $18.1 million in maximum grants were awarded to 601 applicants
  • $98 million in low-interest disaster loans were approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration
  • $322 million in claim payments were paid through the National Flood Insurance Program
  • $874,400 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance was distributed
  • Recovery officials continue to transfer residents displaced by the storms from temporary to more permanent housing
    • 249 temporary housing units in nine counties remain occupied

“The strength of the partnership between FEMA and the commonwealth has helped make the best of a bad situation,” said Commonwealth Coordinating Officer John Forr. “Working together effectively has paid off for the residents of Pennsylvania.”

The ongoing recovery efforts continue with 247 FEMA employees and 73 from the commonwealth or other federal agencies. Sixty-five commonwealth residents were hired by FEMA to support the ongoing recovery

  • At the height of the recovery, there were 782 FEMA and 198 commonwealth and/or other federal agency employees working fulltime and overtime
    • Additionally, more than 550 employees of the commonwealth, representing approximately 15 agencies, helped staff the temporary Disaster Recovery Centers. They answered questions on a number of issues, including mental health counseling, driver’s license replacements, emergency food program resources, farm damage, and much more
  • In addition to the Joint Field Office in Harrisburg, temporary FEMA/commonwealth operating facilities were opened in Sayre and Wilkes-Barre

“FEMA remains committed to the commonwealth,” said McCool. “We’ll be here until all available recovery resources have been provided.”

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: Tuesday, 24-Apr-2012 09:12:12

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Recovery Continues With Assistance to Pennsylvania Communities

Commonwealth-FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers In West Liberty, Hazel Green Closing; SBA Center To Open In West Liberty

Commonwealth-FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers In West Liberty, Hazel Green Closing; SBA Center To Open In West Liberty 

Release Date: April 5, 2012
Release Number: 4057-050

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

FRANKFORT, Ky. –The Commonwealth of Kentucky and The Federal Emergency Management Agency announce the closure of the Disaster Recovery Centers for Morgan County in West Liberty and Hazel Green for Wolfe County on Wednesday, April 11 at 6 p.m.

The recovery center in West Liberty will re-open as an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center in the same location at 9 a.m., Thursday, April 12, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“We’re closing the disaster recovery centers but FEMA will still be available to help folks who need us,” said Libby Turner, federal officer for Kentucky recovery.  “If you had damage from the storms, you will still be able to register for assistance until May 7.”

Those applicants who have questions after the recovery centers close or those who have suffered damage and have not registered may call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The deadline for registration for FEMA disaster assistance is May 7. Helpline assistance is available in many languages. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have a speech disability may use TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service should call 800-621-3362.

By computer, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov. By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov.

The SBA Center will continue to provide one-on-one assistance to homeowners, renters and business owners seeking disaster assistance for losses caused by the severe storms, tornadoes, winds and flooding that occurred Feb. 29 through March 3, 2012.

A FEMA representative will be present in the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to assist survivors with questions about registration or an application.

The SBA outreach center is located at:

Kentucky Housing Corporation
1084 Highway 7
West Liberty, KY 41472

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 09:26:18

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Commonwealth-FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers In West Liberty, Hazel Green Closing; SBA Center To Open In West Liberty

More Than $1.5 Million Approved in 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.

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.

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:

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, 30-Mar-2012 17:17:49

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More Than $1.5 Million Approved in Federal Disaster Assistance

Seven Months Later, Disaster Aid Surpasses $83.9 million

Seven Months Later, Disaster Aid Surpasses $83.9 million 

Release Date: March 27, 2012
Release Number: 4017-057

» More Information on Puerto Rico Hurricane Irene

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SAN JUAN, PR — More than $83.9 million in grants for disaster aid has been approved to Puerto Rico to continue recovering from the heavy rains, flooding, landslides and mudslides left by Hurricane Irene, Government of Puerto Rico and federal officials announced today.

After seven months, disaster assistance provided includes:

  • $32,883,649.59 million approved in Individual Assistance grants in which;$9,173,400 in low-interest disaster loans approved by the Small Business Administration
    • $14,793,759.12 million are in housing assistance including temporary housing, home repairs, and personal property losses
    • and $18,089,890.47 million in dental, medical and funeral costs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance
  • $2,312,536 in National Flood Insurance Program claims paid
  • $2,052,525 in Crisis Counseling (immediate and regular) programs
  • $21,400 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance
  • $36,861,110.63 in Public Assistance grants obligated
  • $666,750 in Mitigation Measures projects

Additional aid though is forthcoming: Public Assistance (PA) grants are now being obligated to repair or replace taxpayer-owned infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, utilities and similar public facilities. There are several approved projects from among 85 applicants that results in a federal funding of $36,861,110.63 million.

“We have taken steps toward renewing our lives and property,” said Justo Hernández, Federal Coordinating Officer. “Much more remains to be done. It will take time before we complete the recovery process from Hurricane Irene damages.”

On August 27, 2011, President Obama granted a federal disaster declaration making eligible for Disaster Assistance programs the municipalities of: Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Añasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barranquitas, Bayamón, Caguas, Canóvanas, Carolina, Cataño, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerío, Corozal, Culebra, Fajardo, Guayama, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Humacao, Jayuya, Juana Díaz, Juncos, Las Marías, Las Piedras, Loíza, Luquillo, Maricao, Maunabo, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Peñuelas, Ponce, Rincón, Río Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San Juan, San Lorenzo, Santa Isabel, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa and Yauco.

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: Tuesday, 27-Mar-2012 16:53:46

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Seven Months Later, Disaster Aid Surpasses $83.9 million

Disaster Survivors Urged To Carefully Read Letters from FEMA

Disaster Survivors Urged To Carefully Read Letters from FEMA 

Release Date: March 27, 2012
Release Number: 4059-007

» 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.V. — West Virginia residents in Lincoln, Logan, Marion and Wayne counties who registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will receive a letter after they apply for disaster assistance. The letter explains the current status of an individual’s disaster assistance application.

“We want to remind disaster survivors to carefully read the entire letter, because FEMA may need additional information,” said Charleston-based FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Deanne Criswell. Criswell is in charge of FEMA’s response to the flooding and tornadoes between February 29 through March 5 and the flooding beginning March 15.

“It is important to know that the initial decision and amount of assistance, whatever it might be, could change when the applicant’s insurance or other government assistance is figured in,” Criswell said.

Sometimes people do not qualify for financial help right away because further documentation has to be submitted to FEMA. Some of the many reasons for a denial are:

  • Records have not been provided to show the damaged property was the applicant’s primary residence at the time of the disaster;
  • The applicant has not received his or her insurance settlement;
  • Information may be needed such as a record of income or the correct address of the damaged property;
  • Proof of home ownership or rental documentation might be missing;
  • The Small Business Administration disaster loan application has not been returned; or
  • Essential documents are not signed.

“Just because the letter says an applicant isn’t eligible for disaster assistance, this does not necessarily mean FEMA’s decision is final,” said Criswell. “Applicants can ask FEMA to reconsider the decision if they disagree with what the letter says.”

If an applicant does not agree with FEMA’s decision, an appeal process is available. Appeals may relate to eligibility, the amount or type of help provided, a late application, a request to return money or continuing help. The appeal must be sent to FEMA and postmarked within 60 days of the date the decision letter is received. To appeal, applicants must follow these steps:

  1. Explain in writing why you think the decision about the amount or type of assistance is not correct.
    1. When submitting the letter, include your full name, date and place of birth, and current address.
    2. You must sign the letter, and it must be notarized and include a copy of a state-issued identification card. Failing that, the letter must contain the following statement: “I hereby declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
  2. Date the appeal letter and include your FEMA application number and the disaster number (located at the top of the decision letter).
  3. Mail the letter to:

    FEMA
    National Processing Service Center
    P. O. Box 10055
    Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

  4. Or fax the letter to:

    800-827-8112
    Attention: FEMA

For questions about the letter, the appeal process or to register for disaster assistance, applicants should call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Operators are on duty seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time.

Register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. By smartphone, tablet or other PDA, log onto m.fema.gov. FEMA’s App for Android phones can be downloaded at market.android.com/details?id=gov.fema.mobile.android.

Applicants are urged to visit any Disaster Recovery Center after they go through the entire registration process. There they can get guidance on disaster recovery, clarify any letters or calls they may have received from FEMA and can also confer with SBA representatives. Disaster Recovery Center locations are available on DRC locator on the FEMA website: www.fema.gov

Filling out an SBA loan application is essential for potentially qualifying for further assistance. SBA personnel at the DRC can explain the low-interest loan packages available to individuals, private nonprofits and businesses of any size for the repair or replacement of real estate and/or personal property damaged by the storms and related flooding, officials said. People who register with FEMA may be sent a loan application from the SBA along with the FEMA letter. No one is obligated to take out a loan, according to the SBA.

Additional information is available at www.fema.gov and from the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at www.dhem.wv.gov.

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: Tuesday, 27-Mar-2012 16:05:05

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Disaster Survivors Urged To Carefully Read Letters from FEMA

FEMA Aid to Kentucky Tornado Recovery Exceeds $7 Million

FEMA Aid to Kentucky Tornado Recovery Exceeds $7 Million 

Release Date: March 23, 2012
Release Number: 4057-029

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

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $7 million for survivors of the recent severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding occurring Feb. 29-March 3, 2012.

“Funds are being quickly provided to survivors in the Commonwealth so they can begin their recovery as soon as possible,” said Libby Turner, federal officer in charge of the Kentucky recovery. “Our outreach teams are also on the ground in home improvement stores in impacted areas advising residents in the best ways to rebuild safer, stronger and smarter to minimize damages in future severe weather events.”

To date:

  • Approximately 4,400 survivors in 21 designated counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance. Many people have sought housing assistance from FEMA because their primary residence has been damaged or destroyed.
  • More than $5.2 million has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
  • More than 2,200 homes sustained damages. Of those, more than 650 were destroyed.
  • Approximately 1,200 households have received FEMA grants to help pay for temporary housing.
  • Approximately 2,400 inspections of damaged properties have been conducted.
  • More than $900,000 in low-interest disaster loans has been approved by the Small Business Administration.
  • Approximately $1.2 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
  • Nine disaster recovery centers are open for survivors to get information on disaster assistance programs and help them apply for aid.
  • More than 1,900 visits have been made to disaster recovery centers.

The 14 counties in Kentucky currently eligible for Public Assistance are Ballard, Grant, Johnson, Kenton, Larue, Laurel, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Morgan, Pendleton, Trimble and Wolfe. Public Assistance is available to local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, utilities, schools and similar facilities.

The 21 counties in Kentucky are currently eligible for Individual Assistance are Bath, Campbell, Carroll, Grant, Grayson, Johnson, Kenton, Larue, Laurel, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton, Rowan, Russell, Trimble and Wolfe. Individual Assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.

More than 250 volunteer agencies rushed to aid Kentucky following the storms that tore across the Commonwealth. FEMA helps match volunteers with storm-damaged areas where help is needed.

Mitigation specialists are offering free information and answering questions about rebuilding at home improvement stores in five Commonwealth counties.

Survivors who receive a letter from FEMA that says more information is needed to determine their eligibility for federal disaster assistance should read it carefully. If a survivor gets a letter requesting more information or informing them of a decision they disagree with, FEMA urges them to call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) and to file an appeal.

Survivors who received an application from the U.S. Small Business Administration for a low-interest disaster loan must complete and return it as soon as possible. No survivor is required to accept a loan, but they must return a completed application to be considered for additional FEMA assistance.

IRS, with the cooperation of the Kentucky Department of Revenue, is postponing certain tax deadlines for Kentuckians who live in, or have a business in any Commonwealth county designated for Individual Assistance. This special relief includes an extension of the April 17 deadline for filing 2011 individual income tax returns, making income tax payments and making 2011 contributions to an individual retirement account. Taxpayers requiring assistance with penalty waivers or additional tax information may contact the Department of Revenue at 502-564-4581.

Kentucky senior citizens who receive disaster assistance from FEMA as a result of the recent severe storms and tornadoes will not lose their Social Security benefits nor have their benefits cut. Disaster grants will not affect income levels, which might cause a senior citizen to become ineligible for Medicaid, welfare assistance, food stamps or Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Free help is also available for survivors who have legal issues as a result of the severe storms. Help can include questions about lost wills, landlord-tenant relations, property ownership, home repair contracts and government benefit programs. Survivors can request free legal help by calling 877-625-9839. Information also can be found at www.kybar.org/567.

There are three ways to register with FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance: call 800-621-FEMA (3362), register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or register using a tablet or Smartphone by visiting m.fema.gov. Help is available in many languages.

Disaster applicants who use TTY should call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service should call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, every day.

KYEM urges anyone who has storm damage to their residence or other property to document the damage by photographing or videoing it, if possible, and maintain a list of any repairs and keep repair receipts. Report the damage and location to your county emergency manager. Survivors must still register with FEMA to be considered for federal disaster assistance.

More disaster specific information can be found on the Kentucky Emergency Management website at www.kyem.ky.gov.

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: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 09:58:11

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FEMA Aid to Kentucky Tornado Recovery Exceeds $7 Million

Federal Aid Programs For The State Of West Virginia Disaster Recovery

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Federal Aid Programs For The State Of West Virginia Disaster Recovery

Community Relations Teams Canvassing Areas Hit By Tornadoes In Tennessee

Community Relations Teams Canvassing Areas Hit By Tornadoes In Tennessee 

Release Date: March 22, 2012
Release Number: 4060-003

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

ATLANTA, Ga. — Community relations specialists from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are currently working in ten Tennessee counties assisting survivors of the severe storms that occurred Feb. 29 – March 2.

The ten counties in middle and east Tennessee were recently designated for federal disaster assistance.

Teams are going door-to-door in the impacted communities to share and gather information and to identify possible unmet needs. Officials want individuals and small business owners to know about all available disaster assistance programs. 

Federal help in the form of grants and low-interest loans may be available to homeowners and renters affected by the storms. Grants for temporary housing, basic home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs are available. Homeowners, renters and businesses may also be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Community relations team members wear ID badges and either FEMA or Tennessee Disaster Response shirts. When community relations specialists meet a disaster survivor with unmet needs, they pass that information on to state, federal or voluntary agency staff best able to respond. They also meet with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and public officials to explain the disaster assistance process.

Survivors should register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), which is video relay service accessible. Applicants using TTY can call 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors can also register by computer online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. If using a smartphone or tablet, register at m.fema.gov.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include grants for rental assistance and home repairs, low-interest loans from the SBA to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster.

For more information, visit www.TNEMA.org and www.FEMA.gov/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: Thursday, 22-Mar-2012 15:50:31

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Community Relations Teams Canvassing Areas Hit By Tornadoes In Tennessee

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