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Mandeville Disaster Recovery Center Transitions to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center

BATON ROUGE, La. — The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center closing Saturday in St. Tammany Parish will convert to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) on Monday, Oct. 22.

At the DLOC, SBA representatives will answer questions, explain the application process and help survivors apply for low-interest disaster loans.
FEMA Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation specialists will also be on hand at the DLOC to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to Hurricane Isaac survivors.

The DLOC will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice at:

Mandeville Public Works Department
1100 Mandeville High Blvd.
Mandeville, LA 70471

To be considered for state/federal disaster assistance, survivors should first register with FEMA, online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

SBA provides federal low-interest disaster loans up to $200,000 to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered property damage during the storm.

For SBA information or to apply online, visit www.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.

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

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Mandeville Disaster Recovery Center Transitions to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center

President Declares Disaster for Florida

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the State of Florida to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Isaac during the period of August 27-29, 2012.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Isaac in Bay, Collier, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Martin, Monroe, Okaloosa, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and Santa Rosa counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.

Gracia B. Szczech has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Szczech said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only.

FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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.

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President Declares Disaster for Florida

Cleveland County Residents Cautioned to Protect Themselves from Post-Disaster Scam Artists

OKLAHOMA CITY – As Cleveland County residents work to rebuild following the devastating Aug. 3-14 wildfire, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are cautioning them about phony, unscrupulous building contractors and other scam artists that often take advantage of people following a disaster.

“In the wake of a disaster, it’s common to see the generous side of human nature. Unfortunately, there are also those people who may try to take advantage of victims during this stressful time,” said OEM Deputy Director and State Coordinating Officer Michelann Ooten.

“Disasters often bring out the best and worst in people,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III. “We strongly recommend that those who are rebuilding their homes and lives take a few simple steps to make sure they’re dealing with a reputable person.”

The first and best defense is to know the most common post-disaster fraud practices:

Phony housing inspectors: If a home’s damage is visible from the street, the homeowner may be especially vulnerable to the phony housing inspector who claims to represent FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
What to do to help protect yourself?

Ask to see the inspector’s identification badge. All federal employees and contractors carry official, laminated photo identification. A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not proof of someone’s affiliation with the government.
Don’t give bank account numbers to an inspector claiming to be affiliated with the federal government. FEMA inspectors never require banking information.
Don’t believe anyone that says they are endorsed by FEMA. FEMA does not endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs. FEMA contracts with inspectors to verify losses.

Fraudulent building contractors: Damage visible from the street also can bring out scam contractors who visit your home offering to begin work immediately, usually for an upfront payment. Most legitimate contractors will have more work than they can handle after a disaster and will provide you a written estimate for completion.
When you hire a contractor:

Use licensed local contractors backed by reliable references when possible. Get a written estimate from at least three contractors, including the cost of labor and materials, and read the fine print.
Demand that contractors carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If they don’t, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.
Note that the state of Oklahoma doesn’t license residential construction contractors, except in the electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades. But there are some special requirements for non-resident contractors.
To find out if an electrician, plumber or mechanical contractor is licensed in Oklahoma, call the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board at 1-405-521-6550 or toll-free at 1-877-484-4424 or check online at http://cibverify.ok.gov.

Bogus pleas for post-disaster donations: Understand that disaster aid solicitations may arrive by phone, email, letter or face-to-face visits. You can ensure the solicitation is legitimate if you:

Ask for the charity’s exact name, street address, phone number, and web address, then phone the charity directly and confirm that the person asking for funds is an employee or volunteer.
Think before you give cash — instead, pay by check made out to the charity in case you must stop funds later.
Request a receipt with the charity’s name, street address, phone number and web address (if applicable). Legitimate nonprofit agencies routinely provide receipts for tax purposes.

Fake offers of state or federal aid:

If someone claiming to be from FEMA or the state visits, calls or emails asking for your Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information, be cautious. Don’t provide any personal information unless you made the initial call.
Do not trust any phone or in-person solicitor who promises to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance or building permit process.
Some scam artists may promise to provide a disaster grant in return for large cash deposits or advance payments in full. Never agree to pay any amount of money for a disaster grant.

It is important to know that federal and state workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and SBA never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. If ever in doubt, do not give out personal information and report people claiming to be government workers to local police.

Provide your Social Security number and banking information only when registering for FEMA assistance; online at www.disasterassistance.gov; via a web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov; by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585; using 711-Relay or Video Relay
Services call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

Register with the SBA online at its secure site: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339; or visit the Noble Disaster Recovery Center. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

If you suspect someone is perpetrating fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at
1-866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement agencies and to the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General at 1-918-581-2885 or online at www.oag.state.ok.us.

Disaster survivors who have any questions can call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov.

Follow OEM on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement.

FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6.
Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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Cleveland County Residents Cautioned to Protect Themselves from Post-Disaster Scam Artists

Disaster Recovery Center in Noble Changes Hours

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will continue to provide application assistance to those impacted by the Aug. 3-14 wildfire in Cleveland County at the recovery center in Noble; however, the hours of operation will change beginning Friday, Oct.12.

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Twelve Corners Baptist Church, 15601 E. Etowah Road will open and close one hour later to accommodate the needs of the applicants. The new hours are: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The center will officially close Saturday, Oct. 20.

To date, 132 Cleveland County residents have visited the center to register for assistance, update their information or to speak with representatives from OEM, FEMA and SBA who provided recovery information, answered questions about available programs and assisted with applications.

As of close of business Oct. 10, FEMA provided nearly $1.4 million in grants to help Cleveland County residents recover from the wildfire. Assistance is available to help with temporary housing, emergency home repairs or other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.

Visiting a center is not required to be considered for assistance. It is provided to assist those who would like help in filling out forms, checking the status of their claim and even registering. It also provides an opportunity to speak face-to-face with representatives from OEM, FEMA, SBA and others.

There are several ways for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations to register for FEMA’s disaster assistance or check the status of a registration. They include registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov, using web-enabled phones at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

To apply for an SBA disaster loan: After registering with FEMA, go online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339; or visit the DRC in Noble. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

The deadline to apply for federal assistance from FEMA and the SBA is Nov. 21. Anyone receiving an SBA loan package will need to return it as soon as possible.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov.

Follow OEM on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement.

FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6. Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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Disaster Recovery Center in Noble Changes Hours

Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Now Closes on Saturday

BATON ROUGE, La. —Hurricane Isaac survivors in Iberville Parish have more time to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Plaquemine. At the request of the parish, the center will remain open one extra day, and close at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

Iberville Parish Utility Department
59805 Bayou Rd.
Plaquemine, LA 70764

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 13.

Recovery centers have opened in many affected parishes to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured losses to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

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Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Now Closes on Saturday

Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Closes Friday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Time is running out for Hurricane Isaac survivors in Iberville Parish to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Plaquemine. The center closes at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

Iberville Parish Utility Department
59805 Bayou Rd.
Plaquemine, LA 70764

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 12.

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Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Closes Friday

FEMA Determination Letters Are Not The End Of The Line

CLINTON, Miss. – Within 60 days of a decision letter from FEMA, Hurricane Isaac survivors in Mississippi can ask the agency to review their case again.

Some of the reasons for an initial determination of ineligibility can be easily remedied with more information such as:

Calling or writing to FEMA when a final insurance settlement is agreed upon.
Indicating a willingness to re-locate to another residence; answering “Yes” to this question indicates flexibility in considering other temporary housing solutions but does not commit an applicant to move.
Providing proof of ownership or residence, especially documents showing the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Returning the SBA disaster loan application.
Signing essential documents.

Survivors can ask for another review to appeal the amount or type of help provided or any otherdecision about federal disaster assistance. Many issues can be resolved and allow applicants to receive disaster assistance.

When appealing, applicants should explain in writing why they disagree with a decision along withany new or additional documents supporting the appeal.

Appeal letters for Hurricane Isaac also should include:

Federal disaster declaration number 4081-DR-MS on all pages of documents
Applicant information, including;
- Nine-digit FEMA application number on all pages of documents
- Name
- Date and place of birth
- Address of the damaged dwelling
Copies of verifiable documentation that supports the appeal. All receipts, bills and estimates must include contact information for the service provider. Keep all originals for your records.
A copy of a state-issued identification card, unless the letter is notarized or includes the following statement: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
The applicant’s signature.

Applicants can call the Disaster Legal Services hotline phone number at 877-691-6185 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for free legal help with insurance claims. They can also call the Mississippi Insurance Department at 800-562-2957.

Mail the appeal letter to:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Applicants may fax their appeal letter to:

(800) 827-8112

Attention: FEMA

It is important to have appeal letters postmarked within 60 days of the date on the decision letter.

If applicants have any questions about the letters, they should call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 or go to www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

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FEMA Determination Letters Are Not The End Of The Line

When in Doubt, Register for Disaster Assistance

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urge Cleveland and Creek County residents who sustained property damage or losses from the Aug. 3-14 wildfires to apply for disaster assistance even if they think they may not qualify.

You have insurance
Your well and septic system was damaged
You already started to rebuild – save receipts for work already done
You think you may not qualify

You can call the same number you called when you registered to:

Confirm your registration
Check your status if you called before your county was declared a major disaster
Change your contact information or report additional damages

“Don’t prejudge your eligibility. You may be eligible for assistance you didn’t think was available,” said State Coordinating Officer and OEM Deputy Director Michelann Ooten.

“Registering provides access to a host of Federal, State and voluntary programs. We are here to provide assistance for all eligible applicants,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III. “FEMA may provide assistance that can address a person’s specific needs, not just housing.”

Federal disaster assistance may include FEMA’s grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs or other serious disaster-related expenses, such as wells or septic tanks, medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs, not covered by insurance or other sources.

Since the disaster declaration, 596 individuals in Creek County and 150 in Cleveland County affected by the wildfires applied for assistance with FEMA.
Homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations, that have not yet registered should do so now by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585, visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or m.fema.gov via web-enabled phones or using the FEMA app. Anyone using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

To apply for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): After registering with FEMA, go online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339; or visit the Disaster Recovery Center in Noble. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

SBA’s low-interest disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits for their uncompensated physical disaster losses (homes, personal property and business assets). For small businesses and most private nonprofits, SBA disaster loans are available to cover working capital needs caused by the disaster, whether or not the business suffered physical damage.

It is important that anyone receiving an SBA disaster loan application complete and return it. Returning the application does not obligate you to accept an SBA loan; however, it is a necessary step to be considered for other additional forms of federal disaster assistance

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov. Information can also be accessed via smartphone at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app.

Follow the OEM on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement. FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6. Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

When in Doubt, Register for Disaster Assistance

Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Cleveland County

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and others will provide recovery assistance to those impacted in Cleveland County by the Aug. 3-14 wildfire at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) opening in Noble.

The Disaster Recovery Center opens Wednesday, Oct. 3.

Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. As of Oct. 8, the hours will change to Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until further notice.

Twelve Corners Baptist Church
15601 E. Etowah Road
Noble, OK 73068

Registering for assistance before visiting a DRC will shorten applicants’ time at the center. However, visiting a center is not required to be considered for assistance.

Cleveland County residents affected by the fire may register online at: www.disasterassistance.gov, or web-enabled phones at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app. If they do not have a computer, they can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, the number is the same: 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

Homeowners, renters and businesses affected, can apply for an SBA disaster loan after registering with FEMA by going online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; calling 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339. For information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits for their uncompensated physical disaster losses (homes, personal property and business assets). For small businesses and most private nonprofits, SBA disaster loans are available to cover working capital needs caused by the disaster, whether or not the business suffered physical damage.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov.

Follow the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement. FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6. Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Cleveland County

National Disaster Recovery Framework Activated in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. – Now that Louisiana’s response to the Hurricane Isaac disaster has entered the recovery phase, a new collaborative will help communities find creative ways to fund solutions to their continuing needs.

The state of Louisiana, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has activated the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) for the first time. The framework recognizes that extended recovery requires a united effort beginning at the local level, plus the private sector and individuals – the whole community.

It all starts with input from the public, said Wayne Rickard, who was appointed the federal disaster recovery coordinator for Louisiana’s Hurricane Isaac recovery effort. Mark Riley has been designated as the state disaster recovery coordinator.

“People engage with their local officials to tell them their priorities for recovery,” Rickard said. “In turn, we ask those leaders what their communities need, and the team will figure out what we can do to help them make that a reality. By coordinating state and federal agencies from several disciplines, we may be able to identify other funding streams and technical assistance to help communities rebuild stronger and smarter.”

The NDRF names six recovery support functions that are led by designated federal coordinating agencies at the national level:

Community Planning and Capacity Building (DHS/FEMA)
Economic (Department of Commerce)
Health and Social Services (Health and Human Services)
Housing (Department of Housing and Urban Development)
Infrastructure Systems (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), and
Natural and Cultural Resources (Department of Interior).

Most of the agencies already had a presence in Louisiana, Rickard said, and their roles in the recovery process are not too different from what they usually do. What is different is the level of collaboration among agencies.

“By pooling our resources and talents, we can make a bigger difference than we can working alone,” Rickard said.

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.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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National Disaster Recovery Framework Activated in Louisiana

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