Baton Rouge, La – Louisiana disaster survivors in East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa parishes are urged to register for federal disaster assistance with FEMA.

Individuals and business owners in the designated parishes who had severe storm or flood damage may register for assistance the following ways:

  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

  • By calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

    • People who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585.

    • For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

    • These toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Assistance provided by FEMA for homeowners and renters can include grants for rent, temporary housing and home repairs to their primary residences, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. The loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Residents and business owners should apply as quickly as they can, even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments but underinsured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Residents are urged to contact their insurance company first to file their flood insurance claims. For flood insurance policyholders who may have questions, FEMA has aligned its call center to better support them with the servicing of their claims and getting answers to their questions quickly. Policyholders may call 1-800-621-3362 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and select Option 2. Call center staff are available to assist policyholders with information regarding their policy, offer technical flood guidance to aid in recovery, and respond to general as well as complicated questions about the NFIP. Policyholders with questions specifically about an insurance claim can be transferred to their insurance carrier for additional assistance.

Survivors seeking information on flood clean up, repairing, and rebuilding can find valuable tips and guidance at www.fema.gov/Louisiana-disaster-mitigation.

###

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 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 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.

Taken from:

Louisiana Residents Urged to Register with FEMA

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – If you applied for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and were referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), there are many good reasons to submit a loan application.

The deadline to apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan is Wednesday, Aug. 24. If you don’t apply before that date, you may not be eligible to receive the help that may be available to you, not only from SBA but also from FEMA.

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations for physical damage from the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred June 22-29. The following counties are eligible to apply: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster.

Some of the top reasons for submitting an SBA loan application include:

  • SBA can help renters and homeowners repair or replace disaster-damaged personal property. Renters, as well as homeowners, may be eligible to borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, appliances and damaged vehicles.

  • A future insurance settlement may fall short. You may find out that you are underinsured for the amount of work it takes to repair or replace your damaged home. An SBA low-interest disaster loan can cover the uninsured costs. By submitting the application, you may have loan money available when it’s needed. SBA may approve a loan for the repair or replacement of a home up to $200,000. The loan balance may be reduced by your insurance settlement. However, the opportunity for an SBA loan may be lost if you wait until after the deadline expires on Aug. 24.

  • You are not required to accept a loan even if you qualify for one.

  • If SBA determines you aren’t eligible for a home loan, they will refer you back to FEMA. This could make you eligible for more FEMA aid.

  • Interest rates on SBA loans may be more affordable than you think. Get in touch with an SBA representative to get details.

  • If you need help completing your loan application call the SBA at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339); send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov; or you can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to sit down and talk with an SBA representative one-on-one. Find the nearest center to you by going online at www.fema.gov/drc.

  • You can submit your SBA disaster loan application in one of three ways:  online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/; in person at a DRC; or by mail.           

If your SBA loan application is approved, you may be eligible to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples

include elevating utilities, water heaters and furnaces, and installing retaining walls and sump pumps. Applicants may be eligible for an SBA loan increase, for mitigation purposes, of up to  20 percent of their physical damage.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to provide working capital to eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the 12 counties listed above and the 17 adjacent counties in West Virginia, five in Virginia, and one in Ohio.

The deadline to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan is March 27, 2017.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by calling the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

Read original article – 

Many good reasons to apply for an SBA loan before the Aug. 24 deadline

AUSTIN, Texas—Disaster recovery centers in Brazoria, Fort Bend and Hidalgo counties will close Aug. 17, 18 and 19.

Brazoria County

Location:      
Brazoria County East Annex

Elections Department
1524 East Mulberry (State Hwy. 35)
Angleton, TX 77515

Closing:         
6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17
 

Fort Bend County

Location:      
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

1600 Ave. D
Rosenburg, TX 77471

Closing:         
6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18

 

Hidalgo County

Location:      
City of Mission Social and Support Center
115 South Mayberry
Mission, TX 78572

Closing:         
6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19    

Although the deadline to register for disaster assistance was Aug. 10, survivors who have registered with FEMA can get updates about their applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claims by visiting the centers or online or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Until they close, hours of operation at the centers are 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May-June storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or survivors can visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

View original post here:

Disaster Recovery Centers to Close Next Week in Brazoria, Fort Bend and Hidalgo Counties

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Effective Saturday, Aug. 13, the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in West Virginia will begin operating under new hours. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Aug. 24, just 11 days away.

The new operating hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All DRCs are closed on Sundays. To find the DRC nearest to you, go online to www.fema.gov/drc.

If you have questions outside DRC business hours, you can call the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service), or 800-462-7585 for TTY users. You can use the Helpline to:

  • Register with FEMA. Remember, the deadline to register is Aug. 24.

  • Ask questions about a FEMA determination letter.

  • Ask about the status of your registration.You will need your nine-digit FEMA registration number and zip code.

  • Update your personal information (e.g., change of address or phone number, bank or insurance information) to avoid processing delays.

  • Receive information about FEMA property inspections.

  • Ask about other federal assistance.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; twitter.com/FEMA; and fema.gov/blog.

Link – 

Disaster Recovery Centers to trim hours as deadline to register nears

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As West Virginians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by last month’s storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and four local hardware and home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand this week to answer questions and offer home improvement tips along with proven methods to prevent or reduce damage from future disasters. A variety of free workshops for storm-impacted homeowners on such topics as repairing or installing flooring and what to do with rain-soaked drywall will be presented daily. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourselfers and general contractors.

FEMA advisors will be available at:

 

Green’s Feed & Seed

314 Piedmont Road

Charleston, WV  25301

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

The Home Depot

100 Cross Terrace Blvd.

Charleston, WV  25309

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

Lowe’s Home Improvement

5750 MacCorkle Ave. SE

Charleston, WV  25304

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

50 RHL Blvd.

South Charleston, WV  25309

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

Free reference booklets, in English and Spanish, with information on protecting your home from flood damage, will be available at all locations. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

West Virginians who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (EDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog and the flood information pages at http://wvflood.com/Pages/default.aspx

 

This article is from:  

FEMA offers advice at local Kanawha County stores on repairing, rebuilding

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As West Virginians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by last month’s storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and four local hardware and home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand this week to answer questions and offer home improvement tips along with proven methods to prevent or reduce damage from future disasters. A variety of free workshops for storm-impacted homeowners on such topics as repairing or installing flooring and what to do with rain-soaked drywall will be presented daily. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourselfers and general contractors.

FEMA advisors will be available at:

 

Green’s Feed & Seed

314 Piedmont Road

Charleston, WV  25301

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

The Home Depot

100 Cross Terrace Blvd.

Charleston, WV  25309

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

Lowe’s Home Improvement

5750 MacCorkle Ave. SE

Charleston, WV  25304

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

50 RHL Blvd.

South Charleston, WV  25309

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

Free reference booklets, in English and Spanish, with information on protecting your home from flood damage, will be available at all locations. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

West Virginians who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (EDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog and the flood information pages at http://wvflood.com/Pages/default.aspx

 

This article is from:  

FEMA offers advice at local Kanawha County stores on repairing, rebuilding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Wisconsin to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of July 11-12, 2016.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state, tribal, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the affected by severe storms and flooding in Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Florence, Iron, Sawyer, and Washburn counties; and the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe.

Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the State of Wisconsin.

Benigno Bern Ruiz has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Ruiz 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’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.

See original article: 

President Declares Disaster for State of Wisconsin

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – If you are a disaster survivor in West Virginia you may not know you can get help from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that could lead to a smarter, faster recovery for businesses, homeowners, renters or private nonprofits.

The first step is to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Once you have done that, both FEMA and SBA encourage you to apply for a low-interest disaster SBA loan to help fund your recovery and to ensure the federal disaster recovery process continues. 

An SBA low-interest disaster loan is a primary source of funds for real estate property repairs and for replacing contents destroyed in the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred June 22-29.

Physical Damage Disaster Loans

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

If your SBA loan application is approved, you may be eligible to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples

include elevating utilities, water heaters and furnaces, and installing retaining walls and sump pumps. Applicants may be eligible for an SBA loan increase, for mitigation purposes, of up to 20 percent of their physical damage.

Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses and 2.625 percent for nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans

SBA also offers a working capital loan to relieve the economic injury caused by the disaster. A disaster loan is available to eligible businesses as well as private nonprofits even if the property was not damaged by the June storms.

These loans are for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and certain private nonprofit organizations of all sizes to cover unpaid bills and lost business due to the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available in amounts up to $2 million. The total of both physical damage and economic injury loans cannot exceed $2 million.

Eligible counties for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans

The disaster declaration covers the counties of Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster in West Virginia, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. 

Eligible counties for Economic Injury Disaster Loans only

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Lewis, Mercer, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Pendleton, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Upshur, Wayne, Wirt and Wood in West Virginia; Alleghany, Bath, Craig and Giles and Highland in Virginia; and Meigs in Ohio

Deferred Disaster Loan payments

The first payment for a disaster loan is due five months from the date of the SBA note.

Deadlines

The deadline to apply for an SBA Physical Damage loan is Aug. 24, 2016.

The deadline to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan is March 27, 2017.

  • You can submit your SBA disaster loan application in one of three ways:  online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/; in person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC); or by mail. SBA has staff at all DRCs to provide one-on-one assistance to businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters in submitting their application.

Do not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application. You can begin your recovery immediately with a low-interest SBA disaster loan. The loan balance will be reduced by the insurance settlement if you receive one. SBA loans may be available for losses not covered by insurance or other sources.

Remember, you don’t have to accept the loan if you qualify for one.

SBA Disaster Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) help businesses get back on their feet from damage they sustained during the storms. The BRCs are a resource where businesses can meet face-to-face with SBA representatives to learn how a low-interest disaster loan can help them recover. The BRCs are located in Greenbrier, Kanawha and Nicholas counties. To locate a DRC or an SBA BRC, call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.

If you have not registered with FEMA:

  • You can apply by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY)  800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services, you should call 800-621-3362. Operators are multilingual and calls are answered from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week; or

  • You can go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov; or

  • You can visit a DRC.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by calling the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

Taken from:

A U.S. Small Business Administration loan can be smart business

Charleston, W.Va. – If you suffered damage or losses from the June 22-29 severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides, you have less than three weeks left to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for federal disaster assistance. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Individual disaster assistance grants for homeowners and renters are available to eligible residents of 12 counties: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster.

Here is how to register:

  • Call 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 for TTY users;

  • Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov;  

  • Visit your nearest Disaster Recovery Center.Find that center by calling 800-621-3362 or going online to www.fema.gov/drc.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

You should register even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you have losses insurance doesn’t cover, you may receive help from FEMA after your insurance claims are settled.

To fully cover your losses, you may also need a low interest disaster loan. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides these loans, not just for small businesses, but also for renters, homeowners, businesses of any size and private nonprofits to cover uncompensated real or personal property losses. The deadline to apply for an SBA physical damage loan is the same as for FEMA assistance, Wednesday, Aug. 24. There is no fee to apply for a loan and you do not have to accept one even if it is offered.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. TTY users can call 800-877-8339.  Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by calling the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

Read original article: 

West Virginians: You have just three weeks left to register with FEMA

PINE RIDGE, S.D. – Hundreds of families’ lives were turned upside down and were severely affected after the devastating storms and floods hit Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Many homes were beyond repair. Families and friends were forced to find other places to live, doubling and tripling up in homes that were habitable, at a time when there was already a significant housing shortage on the Reservation.

Dirt and gravel roads took a heavy beating, with washouts numerous and culverts damaged.  This limited access for individuals to basic needs, including food and medical attention.

Even before the storms, resources within the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) were already stretched to the limits. Recovery was going to take time… and take many partners working as one.

Housing and roads were among the priorities identified by Oglala Sioux Tribal President John Yellow Bird Steele. Two task forces with leaders and members from the tribe, OST organizations, and federal agencies, were established to confront these challenges head on.  Their task is to identify the issues, and work to make things better not only now, but for the future.

Housing

The OST Housing Task Force, is co-chaired by the Oglala Sioux Lakota Housing and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The focus has been on “One Nation – One Number” – OST’s initiative to document unmet housing needs and capture a comprehensive number of people living on the reservation. The hard numbers can better tell the story of overcrowding and cramped living conditions than anecdotal details alone.  And while some numbers are currently available, there is no uniformity in how they are compiled or methodologies used. Consistency and accuracy of the numbers is vital for all the various funding opportunities for tribal programs.

Another initiative is underway to combat the high energy bills on the reservation by delivering a simple weatherization program outlining ways in which homeowners can improve energy efficiency in their homes. It focuses on providing information about no-cost and low-cost ways of saving energy – things that individuals can do themselves.

Roads

The OST Roads Task Force, is co-chaired by the Oglala Sioux Tribe-Department of Transportation (OST-DOT) and the Federal Highways Administration.  As with the Housing Task Force, many tribal federal partners have come to the table. And like the Housing Task Force, the Roads Task Force found the lack of data documenting tribal roads and conditions can contribute to inadequate funding and opportunities for road construction, repairs, equipment and personnel.

For two months, assessment teams traveled the reservation, collecting information on location, construction, and condition on 1720 tribal roads totaling 466 miles to be entered into the OST-DOT data base. It will be included in the Geospatial Information System (GIS) mapping of Pine Ridge Reservation, as part of the OST “One Nation – One Map” project.

Estimates of repair and maintenance costs are also being developed to demonstrate funding needs and support prioritization of tribal road improvement projects and maintenance. This will also provide a baseline for the future by detailing the current condition of all roads.

Preparing for the Future

Building capability within the Tribe has also been a priority focus. Education, training and other initiatives provide opportunities for the tribe to enhance their ability to plan for and respond in the future.

  • Strategic Planning and Management Training was offered to Tribal leadership and agency staff teaching the importance of planning and walking through a step by step planning process and create a plan for the area they were responsible for. This will augment the work of an OST Planning Office, which is in development.
  • Tribal officials and employees attended FEMA’s “Emergency Management Framework for Tribal Governments” course. This training provides tribal leaders a basic understanding of emergency management and their role in leading and directing their tribe in implementing comprehensive emergency management systems.
  • Tribal leaders and members representing multiple tribal agencies received training on FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects, what could be considered eligible and requirements to apply.
  • In coordination with FEMA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Oglala Sioux Tribe, an in-depth assessment of all GIS activities on the reservation is underway.  This assessment will analyze current staffing levels, equipment, IT infrastructure, and data needs.  In addition, BIA will offer their “Principles of GIS” course to the tribal staff responsible for GIS activities.
  • One of the needs identified for the Pine Ridge Reservation is a structural fire suppression and prevention program, which currently is not available. Federal and tribal partners are taking steps to solve this issue and funding opportunities are being explored.

See more here – 

Recovery on Pine Ridge – One year later: A Holistic Approach – Partners Working Together

 Page 12 of 144  « First  ... « 10  11  12  13  14 » ...  Last »