BATON ROUGE, La. – The Covington disaster recovery center will close Thursday, March 31, at 6 p.m.

The center is located at the following address:

Parish Recreation District
13505 Highway 1085
Covington, La.

Louisiana disaster survivors in Covington may still visit other centers for face-to-face help. They may find other locations online at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by calling 800-621-3362.

They may also access many of the services available at centers by calling the FEMA helpline at 800- 621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open
7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors may use the helpline to stay informed and learned about:

  • Ask questions about FEMA determination letters.
  • Learn how to appeal FEMA determination letters. All applicants may appeal.
  • Inquire about the status of a registration.
  • Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
  • Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
  • Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

Applicants should have their nine-digit FEMA registration number and zip code on hand and available if they want to discuss their application.

For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or go online to  www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4263.
 
We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s  www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at  www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information on Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service.  You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

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 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 us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover 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. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800)877-8339.

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Help Remains for Louisiana Disaster Survivors after Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Covington, St. Tammany Parish

DUPONT, Wash. – More than $1.4 million has been awarded to the Chelan County Public Utility District No. 1 to help reimburse the utility for costs to restore power to thousands of residents during the summer 2015 wildfires, according to officials from the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division (EMD) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The utility district will receive $1,459,947 from FEMA for reimbursement of expenses to restore power to 9,000 customers. The grant helps cover costs for replacing burned poles, damaged transformers, utility lines and miles of fiber optic line. The money will also help pay the cost of overtime for employees who worked around the clock to restore service.

“The utility district worked tirelessly to meet the needs of its customers during the wildfires,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin of EMD. “This federal grant will help the district recover some of the enormous costs it incurred in doing so.”

The grant comes from FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program, which reimburse the state and state agencies, local and tribal governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations for their eligible expenses for disaster-related response and recovery.

Although funds go to government entities and nonprofits, the PA program is intended to benefit everyone — communities, cities and states. PA dollars help pay for efforts to keep residents and property safe during an event and clean up communities of disaster-related debris. They also help put utilities, roads and bridges, public parks and other infrastructure back in order after the disaster.

The disaster declaration for the Aug. 9 to Sept. 10, 2015, wildfires makes PA grants available to eligible applicants in Chelan, Ferry, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whatcom and Yakima counties and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

“FEMA has been working closely with EMD since the wildfire outbreak this summer, and our commitment to Washington’s recovery remains strong,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas Dargan of FEMA. “These Public Assistance funds are a demonstration of that commitment.”

Under the PA program, FEMA reimburses applicants for 75 percent of eligible expenses, while the other 25 percent is the nonfederal share. The federal portion is paid directly to the state, which then makes disbursements to the local and tribal jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

More information about the PA program is available at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and on the Washington EMD website at http://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division/.

Information regarding the federal response to the summer wildfires, including funds obligated, is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4243.

Continue reading here:

FEMA Awards $1.4 Million to Chelan County Public Utility District for Wildfire Assistance

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency managers and state broadcasters’ associations, will conduct a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) in twenty-two states, two territories, and the District of Columbia on Wednesday, February 24, at 2:20 p.m. (Eastern).

Broadcasters from the following locations are voluntarily participating in the test: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Virginia. The EAS test is made available to radio, broadcast and cable television systems is and scheduled to last approximately one minute.

The test will verify the delivery and broadcast, and assess the readiness for distribution of a national-level test message. The message of the test will be similar to the regular monthly test message of EAS, normally heard and seen by the public: “This is a national test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test.”

The EAS test might also be seen and heard in states and tribes bordering the states participating in the test.

Public safety officials need to be sure that in times of an emergency or disaster they have methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public when needed.  Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems is a way to assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine what improvements in technologies need to be made. 

More information on the Public Alert and Warning System and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) is available at www.fema.gov/ipaws or www.ready.gov/alerts.

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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.

Continued: 

FEMA, State Broadcasters, in Coordination with Emergency Managers Test the Emergency Alert System

PHILADELPHIA – The State of West Virginia and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Joint Field Office in Charleston, WV will close January 22, 2016. For the past ten months the state and FEMA have been working closely to support the recovery from the 2015 spring and summer storms that impacted 67 Counties.

What does this mean for the people of West Virginia?

Regis Phelan, the Federal Coordinating Officer said, “FEMA will continue to work closely with the state to ensure the recovery process continues smoothly and projects are complete.”

A Joint Field Office is closed when most of its work is completed. The federal work is then transitioned to the regional FEMA office, located in Philadelphia, PA. FEMA officials will continue to work closely with state personnel to close out major projects over the next few years.

From the Region, FEMA personnel will continue to support work on five presidentially declared disasters that impacted West Virginia. The five disasters are DR 4210, DR 4219, DR 4220, DR 4221 (Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides) and DR 4236 (Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides).

“The State of West Virginia will be communicating and working with FEMA to ensure assistance to the counties continues smoothly,” said West Virginia’s State Coordinating Officer Jimmy Gianato. “Over the past year the Joint Field Office has allowed us to make substantial progress in the recovery from the five disasters that impacted our state and we will continue to move forward in our recovery.”

To date, FEMA, through its Public Assistance program, has obligated $78 million in assistance to the state, local governments and eligible non-profit agencies. Many of the projects involve the reconstruction of public buildings, roads, and bridges.

Following a disaster there is a focus on mitigation actions when restoring damaged infrastructure, when cost effective, so the repaired facility is better able to withstand future disaster damage. So far, the state and FEMA officials have identified 585 mitigation projects from 1,250 infrastructure projects.

For additional information visit www.fema.gov/states/west-virginia or www.dhsem.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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

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State, FEMA to Close Joint Field Office January 22, 2016

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Calaveras County will receive a grant of approximately $2.8 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for a water pretreatment facility located at the Jenny Lind Water Treatment Plant, near the town of Jenny Lind.

As a result of the Butte Wildfire, which began Sept. 9, 2015, a pretreatment facility is now needed to remove contaminants and sediments in the potable water supply. The pretreatment facility will filter out debris, turbidity and heavy metals discharged into the watershed that feeds the New Hogan Reservoir.

FEMA pays 75 percent of the eligible costs with a 25 percent match by the Calaveras County Water District. The total cost is projected to be $3.75 million.

The Jenny Lind Water Treatment Plant, which supplies water to 10,000 customers, receives water from the Calaveras River, just downstream of the New Hogan Reservoir. The reservoir will discharge these contaminants during heavy rains for up to 20 years.    

This grant comes from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant program. These grants are available to state, tribal, local governments and some non-profit organizations. Sub-recipients propose projects to the Cal OES, which administers the overall program and selects projects that meet the goal of reducing or eliminating losses from future disasters.  

The fund is based on the amount of money FEMA spends on Individual Assistance and Public Assistance in a specific event. The total amount available is roughly equal to 20 percent of the funds disbursed by the two programs, based on California’s Enhanced Mitigation Plan, which exceeds federal minimum requirements.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 or @Cal_OES and at facebook.com/fema or facebook.com/CaliforniaOES.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Originally posted here: 

Calaveras County Receives $2.8 Million Water Treatment Grant

PHILADELPHIA – FEMA Region III has created four new infographics to promote individual and community preparedness. Infographics can be used in many different ways to help reach multiple audiences and guide action. We encourage everyone to use, share and promote these vibrant visual tools. Each infographic focuses on a specific topic:

Protect against a Flood Infographic. If you live in a flood prone area, taking protective measures is a must in order to protect your house and valuables. This image focuses on ways you can make your home more resilient to floods. This infographic can enhance a community newsletter or email. Download at  http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/108453.

Pet Preparedness Infographic. A significant number of families have pets who also need to be ready for a disaster. We encourage everyone to take simple steps to prepare their pets, including building a pet preparedness kit and having a pet-friendly plan for disasters. This infographic is perfect for pet stores and veterinarian offices as it promotes pet preparedness and safety. Download at  http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/108455.

Make Your Business Resilient Infographic. Roughly 40 to 60 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors following a disaster, but you can. Encourage workplace resiliency through planning and preparation for the unexpected. This infographic is great to share in an email to your workforce and to post on bulletin boards and breakrooms. Download at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/108451.

Is your Disaster Kit Stocked? Infographic. Hurricane Sandy knocked out power to 8.5 million customers for seven days. Make sure your disaster kit is up-to-date and you have a plan in place for your family. Consider this infographic and display at local stores and supermarkets. Download at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/108699.

By promoting preparedness, we can reduce the impact of future disasters.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

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FEMA Region III Releases Preparedness Infographics

Federal Grant Eases Taxpayer Funding of Replacements

New York, NY — Firefighters of the Harrison Township Fire District #1 will be receiving 30 state-of-the-art, self-contained breathing apparatuses as the result of an Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

The AFG award totals $183,000 and was announced here today by Dale McShine, Director of Grants for Region II of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers the Region’s AFG program.  She said the federal share of the grant comes to $174,286.  The award will become effective today.

“The new SCBAs will replace 30 older models that are obsolete and will no longer be supported by their manufacturer. The new units will provide breathable air to the District’s 40 firefighters, the majority of whom are volunteer,” said Brian Bartholomew, the Fire District’s Business Administrator.

He said the District covers some 20 square miles with a population of roughly 14,000, adding that his District responded to some 370 fire calls last year.

“These SCBAs wear out over 15 to 25 years and need either to be totally replaced or are in need of parts, a responsibility that falls to the local taxpayers,” Bartholomew pointed out.  “So, this grant not only provides safe firefighting equipment that benefits both our residents and our firefighters, but also relieves our taxpayers.”

Bartholomew said that this AFG means that his District will have new, safe equipment for “a number of years, and that we won’t have to be repairing each SCBA on a piecemeal basis.”

FEMA’s Dale McShine said that in 2013, Assistance to Firefighters Grants provided funding of almost $22 million to the 192 fire departments and EMS agencies throughout Region II, which includes New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

“These grants assist emergency agencies,” she said, “and we know that they provide safety and protection to entire communities.  We are very pleased to be part of that process.”

For further information, please contact William H. Douglass at FEMA 212-680-3665 or 917-561-3223.

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.twitter.com/FEMASandy,www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, 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.

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Fire Department in NJ Gloucester County to Receive Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses

Charleston, W.Va. – State and federal officials say that more than $31 million in combined state and federal disaster assistance has been delivered to the State of West Virginia to help cover the costs of the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides in March and April that damaged infrastructure across the State.

“We continue to work with FEMA to ensure that eligible projects are completed,” said State Coordinating Officer Jimmy Gianato. “These incidents caused heavy damage to our State. This funding represents our strong partnership and ongoing efforts in recovering from the severe weather in March and April.”

“I am proud of the work we have completed so far in coordination with West Virginia and our partners,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Regis Phelan. “We remain committed to this process and to West Virginia’s recovery from these incidents.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance Programs provide state and local governments and eligible private non-profit organizations, in designated counties, with federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities such as roads, bridges, buildings and utilities. Hazard Mitigation funding is for cost-effective measures that would prevent or reduce the threat of future damages.

The State, which distributes the FEMA funds to local governments and qualified non-profits, must review Public Assistance projects, along with FEMA, to ensure compliance with regulations.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.


Media Contact: FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov

Link:  

Over $31 Million Provided to West Virginia for March, April Storms

PHILADELPHIA – Residents of Talbot County, Maryland have received a reduction in their flood insurance premiums through increase of various floodplain management measures encouraged by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) oversees the NFIP, which administers a program called the Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS is a voluntary, incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed minimum NFIP requirements. The program includes 10 different class rating levels based on the number and type of activities voluntarily initiated by the participating community. Each level corresponds to a percentage discount on National Flood Insurance policy premiums within the municipality.

As a member of the Community Rating System, Talbot County is within an elite group of 12 Maryland communities that have received this recognition. With the continued steps taken by Talbot County to protect its citizens and increase its resiliency, it entered into the program as a Class 8 Community Rating System participant on October 1, 2014. The Class 8 rating qualifies eligible National Flood Insurance Program policy holders in the County for an average of over $110 in savings on their annual premiums. In total, participation in the program accounts for a total savings of nearly $107,000 annually for citizens of Talbot County.

Under the CRS, local officials are asked to meet three goals: (1) reduce flood losses; (2) facilitate accurate insurance rating; and (3) promote the awareness of flood insurance. Communities can earn a CRS rating by submitting an application explaining the projects they have in place or development. Once the information is verified and approved, FEMA provides flood insurance premium discounts through the NFIP. The amount of a property owner’s policy discount is based on the community’s CRS rating.

For each Class that a community moves up to, it provides its residents with an additional 5% reduction in their flood insurance premiums up to the 45% reduction that a Class 1 community receives. As a Class 8 community, Talbot County enables its residents to receive a 10% reduction on qualified flood insurance premiums.

For information about flood insurance, property owners should contact their insurance agent, visit floodsmart.gov, or call the NFIP’s toll-free information line at 800-427-4661. To learn more about the CRS, visit floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/page/crs/community_rating_system.jsp.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.


Media Contact: FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov

Originally posted here:

Talbot County Lowers Flood Insurance Premiums

DENTON, Texas — A year-and-a-half after tornadoes and severe storms ripped through central Oklahoma, recovery efforts are still under way. Grants totaling nearly $7 million have recently been awarded to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Public Assistance grants will fund the repair and replacement of numerous educational structures damaged and destroyed by the tornadoes.

Nearly $3.5 million will cover the rebuilding of several facilities on the Canadian Valley Technology Center main campus in El Reno. One of the buildings will contain campus offices, student services, an event center, and high school and adult student programs. A second building will be reconstructed to contain Canadian Valley District administrative offices and two adult student programs. Both buildings will include safe rooms to shelter students and staff. 

More than $3.3 million has been awarded for Moore Public School District as reimbursement for construction of Briarwood Elementary School, Plaza Towers Elementary School and Highland East Junior High School, which were destroyed on May 20, 2013.

“The spring of 2013 was a horrific time for Oklahomans, but the hard work and determination we’ve seen since then has been amazing,” said OEM Director Albert Ashwood. “We continue to work with FEMA, local emergency managers, other state, local and federal agencies, as well as voluntary organizations to help ensure the best possible recovery for these communities.”

“Central Oklahoma suffered tragic losses from the tornadoes of May 2013,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “It’s so important to rebuild public schools, and re-establish safe, permanent places for children to learn and thrive in their communities. We are proud to support our state and local partners as they continue to rebuild their lives and communities.”

These grants bring the total amount of federal disaster Public Assistance to more than $45 million for emergency protective measures, debris removal, and infrastructure repair and replacement. For more information about the disaster response and recovery to Oklahoma’s severe storms and tornadoes in May 2013, please visit www.oem.ok.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4117.

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The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

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 us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.                

 

 

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More Than $6.8 Million in Federal Grants Awarded for Schools Impacted by May 2013 Tornadoes

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