DENTON, Texas – Residents and business owners in Haltom City, Texas can now enjoy a reduction in flood insurance premiums because of the city’s active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). In addition to lower premiums, the CRS program helps to reduce the threat of damage due to flooding.

“The flood insurance program rewards communities for implementing programs and policies that protect their residents from flooding,” said Tony Robinson, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) R6 regional administrator. “By joining this program, Haltom City’s higher regulatory standards, public education outreach, and other initiatives, have earned the city lower premiums as a CRS Class 7 Community.”

Haltom City flood insurance policyholders who reside in Special Flood Hazard Areas will receive a 15 percent reduction on flood insurance premiums and policyholders located outside Special Flood Hazard Areas will enjoy a 5 percent discount. The reduction in flood insurance premiums represents an annual savings in premium costs for Haltom City’s policy holders and will take effect at the time a new policy is written or an effective policy is renewed.

The city’s flood plain management staff has worked hard to insure that Haltom City’s participation in the program pays off. In addition to the reduction in insurance premiums, local officials are more knowledgeable about floodplain management and its residents are more knowledgeable about mitigation and flood insurance.

The program helps to make Haltom City a safer place to live, reduces the economic impact of flood hazards and saves citizens money on flood policy premiums.

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program for NFIP- participating communities. The intended goals of the program are to reduce flood losses; facilitate accurate insurance ratings; and to promote the awareness of flood insurance. For more information on the NFIP’s CRS program, go to http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm.

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

 

Original source: 

FEMA Welcomes Haltom City, Texas to the Community Rating System

NEW YORK – Survivors with home accessibility needs because of Hurricane Sandy, especially older adults and people with disabilities, are encouraged to stay in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA may be able to assist if elevators or electricity are not working properly, even if the structure did not sustain damage.

Residents living in buildings with non-working elevators or inaccessible common areas may be eligible for temporary rental assistance or other disaster-related assistance from FEMA. Those experiencing accessibility issues while waiting for an insurance settlement also may be eligible for assistance.

Buildings with unsafe conditions such as electrical problems in common areas, non-working elevators and hard-to-access entrances may present difficulties to residents, especially those with disabilities or health concerns that make it difficult to use the stairs.

FEMA specialists are canvassing neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Sandy to ensure survivors with physical or mobility needs have equal access and receive equal benefits from FEMA programs. They will work on a case-by-case basis to assist survivors with access and functional needs to ensure they receive the assistance for which they are eligible.

While FEMA will continue outreach efforts, survivors are urged to call the FEMA helpline 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or TTY 800-462-7585. Call centers are available 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. EST, seven days a week.

Originally from – 

Sandy survivors with home accessibility needs should contact FEMA

TRENTON, N.J. — Just two weeks remain for Hurricane Sandy survivors in New Jersey to register for potential recovery assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The deadline is Friday, March 1 at 10 p.m. local time by phone and at midnight for those who register online.

March 1 is also the deadline to return applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans, which is the primary source of federal funds for long-term rebuilding. The quickest way to apply for an SBA disaster home or business loan is filling out an online application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

New Jerseyans who applied for federal disaster assistance are urged to stay in touch with FEMA and SBA. Applicants can track their claims and should notify FEMA and SBA of changes to their mailing addresses, phone numbers or email addresses.

To date, more than $358.1 million in grants has been approved for home repairs or replacement, rental assistance and other needs. Another $446.7 million in SBA low-interest disaster loans has been approved for more than 6,400 homes and businesses.

Survivors can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, via web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov until midnight March 1. New Jerseyans can also register by telephone until 10 p.m. March 1 via FEMA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Recovery assistants remain available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

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.

Link to article – 

Two Weeks Left For Survivors To Register For Disaster Assistance In New Jersey

NEW YORK – Disaster help begins with registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Feb. 27 deadline is coming up soon.

Less than two weeks remain for Hurricane Sandy survivors to register for help from FEMA. That’s the same deadline for returning the disaster loan application to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Since Sandy made landfall in late October, FEMA and SBA have approved more than $1.8 billion for survivors in New York. FEMA has approved nearly $900 million for individuals and households (at the close of business Feb. 13).

Registering for help is as easy as calling the FEMA helpline, which operates from

7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice. Hurricane Sandy survivors can register by calling 800-621-3362 (7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services are available) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

To register online, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or on smartphone at m.fema.gov.

SBA has approved almost $912 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters and more than $62 million in disaster businesses loans.

More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339). Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

A simple and fast way to complete an SBA application is online. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.

FEMA and SBA representatives are available to answer questions at each Disaster Recovery Center. To find the nearest disaster recovery center, use the locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov.

You may also text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example, if you lived in Staten Island, you would text:  DRC 10301. Or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

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.

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 public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and 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.

Source article: 

Less than two weeks to register for disaster assistance

TRENTON, N.J. Getting free advice on how to repair or rebuild your home to minimize future disaster damage is as easy as visiting your local home improvement store. Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer their expertise on building techniques that can help protect your home, business or other property.

This free service also offers information and publications on topics such as:

  • Ridding a home of mold and mildew.
  • Understanding flood- and wind-resistant building methods.
  • Knowing the benefits of flood insurance.
  • Elevating or anchoring utilities.

FEMA specialists are available daily from Tuesday, Feb. 12, to Friday, Feb. 15, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the following home improvement stores:

  • Atlantic County—Home Depot, 421 Absecon Blvd., Absecon, NJ 08201
  • Hudson County—Lowe’s, 400 Bayonne Crossing Way, Bayonne, NJ 07002
  • Monmouth County—Lowe’s, 118 Highway 35, Eatontown, NJ 07724
  • Monmouth County—Home Depot, 310 Highway 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
  • Middlesex County—Home Depot, 373 Route 9, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
  • Middlesex County—Home Depot, 1090 Route 9, Old Bridge, NJ 08857
  • Union County—Home Depot, 399-443 Springfield Ave., Newark, NJ 07103        

For additional information on rebuilding stronger, visit fema.gov/SandyNJ and click on “Mitigation Resources.”

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.

Original article: 

FEMA Specialists Provide Free Repair and Rebuilding Advice

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, to visit four disaster recovery centers.

The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York recovery centers. Traffic at the four centers has slowed, indicating the information needs of survivors in those areas have mostly been met. So far, there have been more than 13,000 visits to the four centers combined.

Survivors who need help may still visit any of the other centers that remain open throughout New York, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Also, all recovery centers will suspend service Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, in observance of Presidents’ Day. The centers will reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19.

The four centers that are discontinuing service Feb. 16 are located at:

  • American Legion

209 Cross Bay Blvd.

Broad Channel, NY, 11693

  • Jewish Community Center

YM-YWHA

3300 Coney Island Ave.

Brooklyn, NY, 11235

  • Sheepshead Bay Club

3076 Emmons Ave.

Brooklyn, NY, 11235

  • Gerristen Beach Volunteer Fire Department Training Hall

43 Seba Ave.

Brooklyn, NY, 11229

To find the nearest center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, the Disaster Recovery Center locator is available online at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals also can find a recovery center – and register for FEMA help – online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app.

Survivors who have questions or want to register with FEMA can also call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice.

Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until Feb. 27, 2013, to register for federal disaster assistance, which can include money for rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

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.

Continued:  

Survivors have until Saturday to visit 4 disaster recovery centers in New York

NEW YORK – Following Hurricane Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been working to reimburse local governments and some private nonprofits for some of the costs of emergency response, debris removal and for repairing or rebuilding damaged public facilities.

So far, nearly $608 million in Public Assistance (PA) grant funding from FEMA has been approved for projects in the 14 New York counties designated for PA disaster assistance.  

FEMA recognizes the financial burden on local agencies for response and recovery costs and is committed to helping ease that burden, according to Michael F. Byrne, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for New York.

“The Public Assistance reimbursements will help significantly reduce the impact of Hurricane Sandy costs on local budgets,” Byrne said.  “Our goal is to help agencies obtain the maximum disaster assistance they are eligible for under the law.”

More than 129 PA grants have been approved since the Oct. 30, 2012 Presidential disaster declaration, including a $103 million reimbursement to the New York Health and Hospitals Corporation to replace medical equipment and repair damaged clinics, $106 million for the NYPD for personnel overtime and materials used for emergency protective measures and more than $114 million to the New York University Langone Medical Center for patient evacuation, emergency repairs and clean-up of critical service and facilities.

To be eligible for PA grants, damage must be a result of the disaster, be located within the designated disaster area and be the responsibility of the applicant.  Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal nations and certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations that provide an essential public service.

There are two types of work eligible for reimbursement through a PA grant: emergency work and permanent work.  Emergency work may include reimbursement for debris removal and emergency action

taken to protect lives or property. Permanent work may include reimbursement for repair or restoration of public facilities, such as roads, bridges and public buildings.

FEMA reimburses eligible applicants for 75 percent of their eligible costs. The remaining 25 percent comes from non-federal funds.

Other New York grants include:  a $1,600 grant to the Mattituck Park District in North Fork for material to prevent further erosion to sidewalks, more than $112,000 to reimburse the Town of Shelter Island for debris removal and remediation and a $220,000 reimbursement to the Hudson River Park Trust for the clean-up of an oil spill and debris.   

To learn more about FEMA Public Assistance in New York, visit: http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/recovery.

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.

Continue at source: 

FEMA’s Public Assistance program helps New York rebuild

DENTON, Texas –Homeowners, renters and business owners in Matagorda County, Texas are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

Matagorda County officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the preliminary maps to communities and unincorporated areas in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks and use that information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and how the community should move forward with any development.

The Texas-based coastal flood mapping effort follows the release of a new, comprehensive storm surge study that gives updated information on coastal flood risks. To share that data, a public workshop is scheduled in the county where interested citizens can obtain more information about the proposed changes.

Thursday, Feb. 21                                          

Bay City Civic Center                  

201 7th Street                        

Bay City, TX 77414                                             

2 p.m. – 8 p.m.                                                                  

“As we work together with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to the county, we ask that everyone review the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said FEMA R6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The role of the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

Additional information is available, including links to the interactive mapping website on www.txchart.com. Residents can also contact the Matagorda County Floodplain Administrator for more details.

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

 

Original post – 

Preliminary Flood Maps in Matagorda Co, TX Ready for Public View: Public Open House Scheduled to Share Map Changes and Flood Risk Information

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available in the state of Connecticut to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from a severe winter storm beginning on February 8, 2013, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all eight counties and the Tribal Nations of Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan in the state of Connecticut.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.  This emergency assistance will be provided for a period of 48 hours. 

Albert Lewis has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. 

Follow FEMA online at 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. 

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.

Credit:

President Declares Emergency Declaration for Connecticut

NEW YORK – Because of a winter storm warning issued for the New York area, all Disaster Recovery Centers will remain closed Saturday, Feb. 9. The Federal Emergency Management Agency takes this action out of concern for the safety and well-being of Hurricane Sandy survivors who might be planning to visit a recovery center.

The FEMA Helpline will remain open for normal operations. Hurricane Sandy survivors who have questions can still call  800-621-3362 (7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services are available) or (TTY) 800-462-7585 from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice. Disaster Recovery Centers will re-open at 9 a.m., Monday, Feb. 11.

Residents or visitors should follow guidance issued by emergency officials and check with their local weather forecast office or www.weather.gov for the latest information, including additional watches and warnings.

Now is the time to prepare for intense cold, limited travel options, and the possible loss of electrical power. Prepare an emergency kit for your home and car with supplies such as a NOAA weather radio, plenty of clean water, and non-perishable foods. More information on how to prepare for severe weather is available at www.Ready.gov.

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.

Link: 

Reminder: Disaster Recovery Center hours altered Saturday due to severe winter weather

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