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New Jersey Community Holds Together Through Storm And Recovery

Linda and Bill Tanchak are a lively New Jersey couple who have been together for more than 45 years. They married in 1968 and lived in Marlboro Township in Monmouth County for a majority of that time. In 2011, they packed up their house and moved into their new apartment on the shore in Asbury Park. Two years later, in late October, they would add another very important event to their timeline: surviving Hurricane Sandy.

THE STORM

What forecasters called “the perfect storm” made landfall in New Jersey on Oct. 29, 2012, unleashing winds of 80 mph and a vicious storm surge into communities along the shore.

The Tanchaks, like dozens of their neighbors, chose to stay in their beachfront apartment building on Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park. Asbury Tower—an affordable housing community for low-income seniors—is sandwiched between Deal Lake and the Atlantic Ocean, which left it significantly vulnerable to Sandy’s wrath.

“We had Irene last year that definitely caused us some issues, but when they say it’s the storm of the century you definitely heed the warnings,” said Nancy Hamsik, executive director at Asbury Tower. “It was definitely an experience that I will never forget and the residents will never forget in our lifetimes.”

Sandy’s strong winds knocked out power to the building, leaving its residents and staff in the dark with decreasing temperatures for almost a week. The building’s parking lot, elevator shafts and entire bottom floor were inundated with water, causing major damage to the tower’s activities lounge, in-house beauty salon and mini convenience store.

“We knew the storm was on the way and we did everything we could do to prepare – properly notify the residents, make sure they were ready, make sure they had their emergency kits on hand,” said Hamsik.

THE EVACUATION

Directly after power was restored, the remaining residents were forced out of the building due to an electrical fire in the basement. They were evacuated as a group to a shelter in Wall Township, and then later moved to a racetrack at Monmouth Park in Oceanport where massive tents were initially set up by emergency management officials to house utility workers from out of town who came to help with power restoration.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management connected with this group at the shelter and assisted them with the FEMA registration process.

“When they got to Monmouth Park, they insisted on staying together in the same section, so they can keep an eye on each other,” said Carolyn Robertshaw, activities coordinator at Asbury Tower. “They helped each other out and if there was someone who couldn’t do something, others stepped in to help.”

THE INNOVATIVE, TEMPORARY SOLUTION

Just six miles away from Asbury Park in Neptune Township, a brand new Hampton Inn was left nearly unharmed by the storm. The local government told county emergency management officials about the empty hotel, which was four weeks away from opening before Sandy plowed through the Garden State.

“Our goal was to get this hotel up and running as quickly as possible and to establish it as a transitional shelter,” said Mike Oppegaard, county director for the Office of Emergency Management in Monmouth. “We wanted to make sure priority was given to survivors of Hurricane Sandy, especially those in the Monmouth Park shelter.”

THE WHOLE COMMUNITY EFFORT

In less than two weeks, the hotel was cleaned, furnished and powered up, and on Nov. 14, 2012, its doors opened to survivors of Hurricane Sandy. Thirty-two senior residents from Asbury Tower, including the group sheltering at Monmouth Park, were moved into the hotel as part of FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.

“This just proves that a cooperative effort made by all parts can really produce great outcomes,” said Oppegaard. “You just can’t script it any better than this story.”

The seniors sheltered together in the Hampton Inn under the transitional shelter program for five weeks while the staff and management at Asbury Tower worked diligently to get the complex back to normal.

During this period the hotel partnered with several volunteer agencies and faith- and community-based organizations to address the immediate needs of the survivors. From donated hot dinners to free rides to the doctor’s office to Thanksgiving church services, hotel staff worked alongside volunteers to provide these services and make the survivors feel as comfortable as possible.

THE HOMECOMING

Less than five weeks from the day Hurricane Sandy struck, Asbury Tower residents received the phone call they were waiting for: It’s safe to come home. On Nov. 28, the apartment complex reopened its doors.

“We were very happy to come back. Everybody was greeting everyone when they walked in,” said Bill Tanchak. “Now, there is a sense of camaraderie and we realize we’re a family.”

The common rooms in Asbury Tower were abuzz with laughter, gossip and story-telling. For the Tanchaks and their neighbors, who know exactly what it means to prepare together, shelter together and recover together, Hurricane Sandy will always be a warm chapter in history.

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.

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New Jersey Community Holds Together Through Storm And Recovery

FEMA Awards Nearly $1.3 Million to Plaquemines Parish to Repair Levee Road Damaged by Hurricane Isaac

BATON ROUGE, La. – Plaquemines Parish will receive a nearly $1.3 million federal grant to reimburse the cost of repairing a roadway damaged by Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Monday.

Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, Hurricane Isaac produced high winds, rain and flooding throughout the state, hitting Plaquemines Parish particularly hard. The elevated roadway on the parish’s secondary levee required repairs after the water receded, and the FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $1,280,209, helps reimburse those repair costs.

“Severe, slow-moving storms like Hurricane Isaac not only can cause tremendous damage to people’s homes and businesses, they can affect the infrastructure people depend on every day,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “Reimbursing the repair of the levee road puts the parish one step closer to normalcy after Hurricane Isaac.”

The newly awarded funds are a portion of the $195.5 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

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

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FEMA Awards Nearly $1.3 Million to Plaquemines Parish to Repair Levee Road Damaged by Hurricane Isaac

FEMA Awards Nearly $3.2 Million to East Baton Rouge for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – East Baton Rouge Parish will receive a nearly $3.2 million federal grant to reimburse the parish for removing and disposing of debris resulting from Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Friday.

The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $3,189,504, will help the parish pay for removing more than 355,800 cubic yards of debris from three public rights of way. A cubic yard of debris is about the size of a residential washing machine.

“Removing debris after a storm protects public health and safety,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “These funds support East Baton Rouge’s efforts to eliminate hazardous debris and help return the parish to normal.”

The grant covers the federal share of the parish’s eligible costs for the work. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant pay the remaining 25 percent.

The newly awarded funds are a portion of the $195.5 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

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FEMA Awards Nearly $3.2 Million to East Baton Rouge for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

FEMA approves $80 million to help NY communities rebuild from Sandy

NEW YORK – The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announce the approval of more than $80 million in Public Assistance grants to help communities clean up and recover from Hurricane Sandy.

Grants to New York City include $30 million to reimburse NYPD for personnel overtime, equipment usage and materials associated with emergency protective measures. A $7 million grant reimbursed FDNY for emergency protective measures such as removing water from 2,741 basements and clearing streets for emergency vehicle access.

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection was reimbursed for emergency protective measures with a $10 million grant to protect and temporarily repair damaged areas and operate pumping equipment and emergency generators.

Public Assistance grants affect all of the areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The new grants provide more than $6.2 million to Brookhaven Township for debris removal and disposal; $9.5 million to reimburse Islip Township for efforts in combating immediate threats to improved public and private property; and $15 million to the Nassau County Police Department for personnel overtime, equipment usage and materials associated with emergency protective measures.

The FEMA Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure.

14 New York counties are designated for Public Assistance. These are Bronx, Greene, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

Public Assistance is administered by New York State and funded by FEMA.

To learn more about FEMA Public Assistance, visit: 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.

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FEMA approves $80 million to help NY communities rebuild from Sandy

FEMA Souris Valley Housing Mission Continues Progress

MINOT, N.D. – Just one month into 2013, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that the number of temporary housing units (THU) still occupied in Ward County has fallen to 476. The drop is another sign that recovery efforts continue, even in the chilly winter months.

There are only 79 FEMA THUs still on private property in the Souris Valley, down from a high of nearly 1100. In addition 25 units are still occupied at DeSour Valley Heights in Burlington and 298 are occupied at Virgil Workman Village just east of Minot. The remaining 74 occupied units are at four manufactured home parks in the area.

FEMA is also proceeding with the sale of THUs to current residents. As of Jan. 31, a total of 50 sales have been finalized. Purchasing the unit they are living in is one of several options that displaced residents have in securing permanent housing. FEMA continues to meet with residents on a monthly basis to assist them with developing a long-term housing plan, and those meetings will continue until FEMA’s housing mission concludes in June 2013.

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FEMA Souris Valley Housing Mission Continues Progress

FEMA, partners provide help for critical needs

NEW YORK – After a disaster, there are many sources of support for survivors as they begin their recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is only one part of a team that includes federal, state, tribal and local government agencies, voluntary organizations, the private sector and faith-based organizations.

FEMA helps survivors of a disaster with critical expenses that cannot be covered in any other way. This grant assistance may be used to help cover items or services that prevent or overcome a hardship due to a disaster. Such items or services include temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. Survivors registered with FEMA may be eligible for up to $31,900, the maximum grant.

The assistance FEMA provides may not restore damaged property to its condition before the disaster and may not cover all losses from property damage. Money to repair a home is limited to making it safe, sanitary and functional.

One of the most significant sources of long-term recovery is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners and renters. Homeowners may be eligible for loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace their storm-damaged home. Homeowners and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property.

Additionally, more than 500 national, state and local community and faith-based organizations are involved in helping Sandy survivors with their recovery. They are providing a range of services including home repair, child care, counseling services, muck-outs and mold suppression in disaster-damaged homes.

People who sustained losses due to Hurricane Sandy have until Wednesday, Feb. 27, to register with FEMA for potential grant assistance. They should register even if they have insurance. Applying by the deadline may help survivors avoid a funding shortfall if they later find that they are underinsured or have additional damages.

Counties in New York designated for individual assistance include: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

Eligible applicants may register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. People can also call the FEMA helpline 800-621-3362 (711 Relay or Video Relay Services are available) or TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline call centers are available 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. EST, seven days a week.

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.

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.

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FEMA, partners provide help for critical needs

FEMA Urges Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Residents to Monitor Conditions and Be Prepared for Severe Weather

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, through its regional offices in Chicago, Atlanta, Denton, Texas; Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, is closely monitoring the storm system that is forecast to affect the upper Ohio Valley southward to the central Gulf Coast and eastward to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast coast.

FEMA has been in touch with its state counterparts, and also is in close contact with federal partners at the National Weather Service. The severe weather is forecast to include the threat of widespread damaging winds, along with the possibility of tornadoes, through the evening and overnight hours.

Although there have been no requests for federal assistance at this time, FEMA encourages all individuals in areas where severe weather is expected to monitor NOAA Weather Radio, and local news for severe weather updates and warnings and to always follow the direction provided by local officials. When natural disasters like severe weather and tornadoes strike, the first responders are local emergency and public works personnel, volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and numerous private interest groups who provide emergency assistance required to protect the public’s health and safety and to meet immediate human needs.

Everyone should become familiar with the terms used to identify a severe weather hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued. Some of the more common terms used to describe severe weather and tornado hazards include the following:

Severe Thunderstorm Watch – Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning – Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm.

Tornado Watch – Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information.

Tornado Warning – A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.

For a complete listing of weather-related forecasts in your area, visit www.weather.gov

If you are in an area that is in the track of the storm system but has not yet been affected by the severe weather, it’s never too early to prepare:

Keep up to date with local conditions – Follow TV and radio reports from your area, or visit www.weather.gov (http://mobile.weather.gov on your phone) for the latest forecast.
Check your family’s emergency supply kit – Make sure you have food, water, medications, and other necessities to sustain you and your family for at least 72 hours. This includes a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, cell phone charger, medicines, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies.
Listen to the instructions of local officials. Local officials make decisions on sheltering in place or going to your pre-designated safe meeting location.

For more information on severe weather and tornado preparedness tips, visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to find out how you can protect your family during emergencies.

Follow FEMA online at 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.

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FEMA Urges Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Residents to Monitor Conditions and Be Prepared for Severe Weather

Statement by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013

WASHINGTON – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate released the below statement following the President’s signing of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, which includes a provision to amend the Stafford Act allowing Tribes direct access to federal disaster relief.

“FEMA has strong, long-standing relationships with Tribal governments, and they are essential members of the emergency management team. We commend the efforts of Members of Congress, Tribal leadership and their organizations, the Department of Homeland Security, and the President who have made this change a reality. This legislative change to the Stafford Act will provide federally recognized Tribal governments the option to choose whether to make a request directly to the President for an emergency or major disaster declaration, or to receive assistance, as they do presently, through a declaration for a State. This amendment to the Stafford Act follows on the President’s commitments to Indian Country, strengthens the government to government relationship between FEMA and federally recognized Tribes, and will enhance the way FEMA supports Tribal communities before, during, and after disasters.”

Fully implementing this historic provision will require consultation with Tribes and other stakeholders, particularly as FEMA develops the administrative and programmatic requirements and procedures necessary to execute the law. FEMA will provide interim guidance in the coming weeks explaining how and when Tribal governments may seek declarations, while more comprehensive consultations and administrative procedures are undertaken.

Statement by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013

Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Briefing Set for Wyoming County

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation briefing is scheduled for Wyoming County, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Date, time and location of the briefing is as follows:

DATE:

Tuesday, Feb. 5

TIME:

10 a.m.

LOCATION:

Wyoming County Emergency Operations Center

3880 State Route 6 East

Tunkhannock, PA 18657

At the briefing, officials from state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations will receive information about applying for federal assistance to recover from Hurricane Sandy during the period from October 26 to November 8, 2012.

FEMA manages the Public Assistance program, approves grants and provides technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants and managing each project funded under the program.

For more information about the Public Assistance process, including a list of frequently asked questions, see http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-frequently-asked-questions.

Federal funding is also available through the Public Assistance program on a cost-sharing basis for Hazard Mitigation measures in all counties of the Commonwealth.

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 http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

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Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Briefing Set for Wyoming County

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Feb. 4

WINDSOR, Conn. — The deadline for Hurricane Sandy survivors to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is Feb. 4.

Connecticut residents who lost their jobs due to this disaster should file a claim by calling their local TeleBenefits line. To find your local TeleBenefits number, visit the Connecticut Department of Labor website at www.ctdol.state.ct.us, check the blue pages of your telephone directory, or contact Infoline at 211.

The U.S. Department of Labor oversees the DUA program in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provides the funds for payment of benefits and reimburses the state for its administrative costs.

DUA is available to those who are not eligible for state unemployment benefits, including the self-employed, farmers and farm workers.

Workers may qualify for DUA if:

They were injured in the disaster and are unable to work;
Their workplace was damaged or destroyed;
Transportation to work is not available;
They could not get to their job because they must travel through an affected area;
The disaster prevented them from starting a new job;
Their business suffered because most of its income was derived from an affected area; and
They are able and available for work, unless injured in the disaster, and have not refused a suitable offer of employment.

Registering for FEMA disaster assistance is not required to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

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

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Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Feb. 4

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