Texans Have Two Weeks Left to Register for April Flood Disaster Aid

AUSTIN, Texas—Texans who suffered damage or losses from the April storms and flooding have only two more weeks to register with FEMA for federal disaster assistance.

Residents of 16 counties who experienced damage or losses between April 17 and 30 have until July 29 to register for assistance after FEMA—at the request of the state—extended both the deadline to register as well as the period of time during which damage is eligible.

Residents of Anderson, Austin, Cherokee, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Parker, San Jacinto, Smith, Waller, Wharton and Wood counties as well as those who work in those counties are encouraged to register with FEMA if they have not already done so.

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses.

Applying for disaster assistance is essentially a two-step process, which ensures consideration for all FEMA programs and the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans. First, register with FEMA, then complete and return the no-obligation SBA loan application, if one is offered. There is no charge to apply for the loan and if approved, no obligation to accept it.

Disaster survivors may register the following ways:

  • online at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
  • at a disaster recovery center. To find the nearest one, go online to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

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.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

A free multilingual guide to the types of assistance available can be found at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or 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.

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Texans Have Two Weeks Left to Register for April Flood Disaster Aid

FEMA App Helps You Prepare as Hurricane Season Heats Up

ATLANTA, Ga. — With FEMA’s updated free app you can get weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the nation. You can receive alerts on severe weather happening anywhere in the country, even if your phone is not located in the area. That makes it easy to follow severe weather that may be threatening your family and friends, especially now as the height of hurricane season approaches.

“Emergency responders and disaster survivors are increasingly turning to mobile devices to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters,” said Craig Fugate, FEMA administrator. “This new feature empowers individuals to assist and support family and friends before, during, and after a severe weather event.”

Mobile apps are an essential way to receive the life-saving severe weather warnings. According to a recent survey by Pew Research, 40 percent of Americans have used their smartphone to look up government services or information. Additionally, most smartphone owners use their devices to keep up to date with breaking news and what is happening in their community. Every minute counts when severe weather threatens. These alerts are another tool in the toolbox to build a nation that’s ready, responsive, and resilient.

The new weather alert feature adds to the app’s existing features: a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and Disaster Recovery Centers, and tips on how to survive natural and manmade disasters. Some other key features of the app include:

  • Safety Tips: Tips on how to stay safe before, during, and after over 20 types of hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes

  • Disaster Reporter: Users can upload and share photos of damage and recovery efforts

  • Maps of Disaster Resources: Users can locate and receive driving directions to open shelters and disaster recovery centers

  • Apply for Assistance: The app provides easy access to apply for federal disaster assistance

  • Information in Spanish: The app defaults to Spanish-language content for smartphones that have Spanish set as their default language

The FEMA app is available for free in the App Store for Apple devices and Google Play for Android devices. For more information visit https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app. If you already have the app downloaded, you can update it so the weather alerts take effect. To learn more about the FEMA app, visit: The FEMA App: Helping Your Family Weather the Storm or in Spanish at Spanish: The FEMA App: Helping Your Family Weather the Storm

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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.

 

 

 

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FEMA App Helps You Prepare as Hurricane Season Heats Up

Disaster assistance is available for older adults and people with disabilities

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Older adults and people with disabilities affected by the June 22-29 severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides may be eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

It is important to register with FEMA by calling 800-621-3362 to find out about services that may be available.

FEMA has made it a priority to reach everyone who needs help – including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, older adults and people with limited English proficiency – to make sure all survivors’ needs are met.

Accommodating survivors

  • Every disaster survivor has equal access to disaster information and assistance.

  • All FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are physically accessible.

  • All DRCs offer effective communication options, including captioned phones, iPads with video remote interpreting and on-site American Sign Language interpreters upon request.

  • Both Braille and large print FEMA documents are available.

  • If you need an accommodation or assistance due to a disability, please notify FEMA staff at the time of registration or anytime during the assistance process.

If you experienced losses or damage as a result of the recent storms you have several ways to register for disaster assistance:

  • You can apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by telephone 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. EST seven days a week.

  • Or you can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). You can locate the center closest to you by visiting http://go.usa.gov/x3NnJ or downloading the FEMA App to your mobile device to:

    • Apply for disaster assistance
    • Get directions to the nearest DRC
    • Get weather alerts
    • Subscribe to disaster safety tips

Will disaster assistance change my benefits?

  • If you receive Social Security benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), or Aid to Families with Dependent Children, you will not lose your benefits and they will not be cut if you receive disaster aid from the state or FEMA.

  • For more information on Social Security, contact the Social Security Administration by calling 800-772-1213 or by visiting www.SocialSecurity.gov.

Will I have to pay more taxes?

  • A FEMA grant does not add to your taxable income.

How will I know what I am eligible for?

  • If you live in one of the 12 West Virginia counties approved for federal Individual Assistance as a result of the storms that occurred June 22-29 you may be eligible for disaster aid.
  • The only way to know if you are eligible – and what you are eligible for – is to apply.

Are there any videos available?

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA and fema.gov/blog.

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Disaster assistance is available for older adults and people with disabilities

Federal Disaster Assistance Tops $51 Million for May-June Storms and Flooding

AUSTIN, Texas—More than $51 million in federal disaster assistance to date is helping fuel the recovery for households and businesses in 24 Texas counties hit hard by the May-June storms and flooding.

As of July 13, nearly $28.4 million was approved in FEMA household assistance grants for eligible applicants to repair damaged homes and pay for temporary housing. An additional $4.5 million was approved to cover other essential needs including personal property, disaster-related dental and medical expenses, transportation and child care.

Some 4,911 households in 24 designated counties were approved for FEMA assistance. The designated counties are Austin, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Eastland, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Hidalgo, Hood, Kleberg, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, Palo Pinto, Parker, San Jacinto, Stephens, Travis, Tyler, Waller and Washington.

The U.S. Small Business Administration approved 328 businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters for low-interest disaster loans totaling nearly $18.5 million.

“FEMA and the SBA have been working with our state and local partners to help families and communities get back on their feet,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “But we can only assist you if you have registered with FEMA.”

Individuals who had disaster-related damage or losses between May 26 and June 24 and who live or work in the 24 eligible counties have until Wednesday, Aug. 10, to register for FEMA assistance.

Applying for disaster assistance is essentially a two-step process, which ensures consideration for all FEMA programs and the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans. First, register with FEMA, then complete the no-obligation SBA loan application, if one is offered. There is no charge to apply for the loan and if approved, no obligation to accept it.

Disaster survivors may register the following ways:

  • online at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
  • at a disaster recovery center. To find the nearest one, go online to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

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.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

A free multilingual guide to the types of assistance available can be found at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

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

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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

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Federal Disaster Assistance Tops $51 Million for May-June Storms and Flooding

FEMA offers advice on repairing, rebuilding at local Lowe’s stores

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As West Virginians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by last month’s storms, floods, landslides and mudslides, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local Lowe’s 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 and next, at in-store information centers in five area locations to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

FEMA advisors will be available at:

LOWE’S  HOME  IMPROVEMENT

Cabel County
700 Mall Rd.
Barboursville, WV 25504
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 14–19.

Fayette County
46 Fayette Town Center Rd.
Fayetteville, WV 25840
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 14–19.

Kanawha County
1000 Nitro Marketplace
Cross Lanes, WV 25313
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 14–19.

Nicholas County
5200 W. Webster Rd.
Summersville, WV 26651
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 14–19.

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 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 a.m. and 7 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help 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

Original article: 

FEMA offers advice on repairing, rebuilding at local Lowe’s stores

FEMA to Those Who Receive Assistance: Use Funds for Its Intended Purpose

AUSTIN, Texas – Federal officials are cautioning Texans who have received disaster assistance from FEMA to use the money for its intended purpose and to keep disaster spending receipts for three years.

Disaster assistance is to help residents meet basic disaster-related needs and funds are distributed via check or direct deposit. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.

If an applicant spends the payment on anything other than the purpose for which it is directed, he or she may be denied assistance the next time a disaster strikes. In some cases, FEMA will ask that the money be returned.

“Money from FEMA is not like a tax refund from the IRS, so please don’t treat it as such,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “These funds are to help survivors in their disaster recovery and shouldn’t be used for anything else.”

Those receiving assistance are urged to keep receipts of their disaster spending for three years to document the money was used to meet disaster-related needs. If a recipient receives an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, he or she must reimburse FEMA. Random audits are conducted to confirm funds were spent properly.

Disaster assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners.

Twenty-four counties are included in the May 26-June 24 federal disaster declaration: Austin, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Eastland, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Hidalgo, Hood, Kleberg, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, Palo Pinto, Parker, San Jacinto, Stephens, Travis, Tyler, Waller and Washington.

Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households, and those who work in those 24 counties.

Applying for disaster assistance is essentially a two-step process, which ensures consideration for all FEMA programs and the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans. First, register with FEMA, then complete and return the no-obligation SBA loan application, if one is offered. There is no charge to apply for the loan and if approved, no obligation to accept it.

Disaster survivors may register the following ways:

  • online at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
  • at a disaster recovery center. To find the nearest one, go online to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

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.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

A free multilingual guide to the types of assistance available can be found at fema.gov/pdf/assistance/process/help_after_disaster_english.pdf

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

Read article here – 

FEMA to Those Who Receive Assistance: Use Funds for Its Intended Purpose

Lincoln County DRC opens

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The latest Disaster Recovery Center opens in Lincoln County beginning July 8 to provide assistance to survivors of the June 22 severe storms, floods, landslides and mudslides.

The center is located at the Morrisville Fire Department Substation, 2508 Straight Fork Rd., Alkol, WV 25501.  It is the twelfth center to open in West Virginia.

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), various state agencies, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) staff the centers, giving survivors a chance to discover what programs are available to them, and to get their questions answered. 

Weather permitting, all recovery centers are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. To locate the closest center, survivors can either visit http://go.usa.gov/x3NnJ or download the FEMA App to their mobile device. Before visiting a center, survivors can register with FEMA by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-3362.  Video Relay Service (VRS) or 711 users can call 800-462-7585.

The other centers are:

Clay County

Clay County High School

1 Panther Dr.

Clay, WV 25043

 

Fayette County

Midland Trail High School

26719 Midland Trail

Hico, WV  25854

 

Greenbrier County

Mobile Disaster Recovery Center

Southeastern Labor Council, AFL-CIO

65 West Main St.

White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986

 

Town Hall

201 Kanawha Ave.

Rainelle, WV 25962

 

Kanawha County

Kanawha County School Operations Center

3300 Pennsylvania Ave.

Charleston, WV 25302

 

Nicholas County

City of Richwood City Hall
6 White Ave.

Richwood, WV 26261

 

Nicholas County High School

30 Grizzly Ln.

Summersville, WV 26651

 

Pocahontas County

McClintic Public Library

500 8th St.

Marlinton, WV  24954

 

Roane County

Geary Elementary School

9538 Clay Rd.

Left Hand, WV 25251

 

Summers County

Summers County Memorial Building Gym

451 1st Ave.

Hinton, WV 25951

 

Webster County

Webster Springs Municipal Building

City Council Room

143 McGraw Ave.

Webster Springs, WV 26288

Registering with FEMA is the first step towards qualifying for disaster assistance which may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacements and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters and private non-profit organizations. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.

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 visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/region3 and fema.gov/blog.

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Lincoln County DRC opens

West Virginia storm survivors should ‘stay in touch’ with FEMA

CHARLESTON, W. Va.– West Virginia homeowners and renters who have registered for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are encouraged by recovery officials to “stay in touch” with the agency after they have applied for assistance.

Applicants changing their addresses or phone numbers – even if only temporarily – should update that information with FEMA. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays getting a home inspection or in receiving assistance. When registering with FEMA, it’s a good idea to provide a secondary contact phone number – both a cell phone and a landline number, for example.

FEMA has provided two ways for homeowners and renters to update their information:

  • Visit the FEMA website at DisasterAssistance.gov to upload documents.
  • Call the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or relay service). TTY users should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

When updating status information, callers should refer to the nine-digit number issued at registration. This number is on all correspondence applicants receive from FEMA and is a key identifier in tracking assistance requests.

For more information on West Virginia recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4273, Twitter at www.twitter.com/region3 and the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at www.dhsem.wv.gov.

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West Virginia storm survivors should ‘stay in touch’ with FEMA

FEMA Urges You to Spend Disaster Funds Wisely

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – More than $23.5 million in federal assistance has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help West Virginians recover from the devastating severe storms, floods, landslides and mudslides that struck the state during the incident period of June 22-29, 2016.  While assistance is tax-free and grants don’t have to be repaid, FEMA urges you to use the funds quickly, wisely and only for disaster-related expenses.

When a grant is awarded, FEMA will send you a letter listing approved uses including:

  • home repairs (e.g., structure, water, septic and sewage systems)

  • rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily

  • repair or replacement of a flooded essential vehicle

  • medical care for an injury caused by the disaster

  • repair, cleaning or replacement of clothing, specialized tools

  • necessary educational materials (e.g., computers, school books, supplies)

  • moving and storage expenses related to the disaster

  • other disaster-related expenses

You may spend your FEMA grant in any way that helps you achieve the goal of permanent, safe, sanitary and functional housing.

  • Rental assistance grants are provided for temporary housing when a disaster leaves your home uninhabitable or inaccessible.

  • You, as a homeowner or renter, can choose to rent an apartment, house, mobile home or some other temporary rental unit.

  • If you intend to seek continued rental assistance, you’ll need receipts to show you used the grant for rent.

Disaster grants should not be used for regular living expenses, such as utilities, food, medical or dental bills not related to the disaster, travel, entertainment or any discretionary expense not related to the disaster.

It’s important to remember that federal law prohibits duplicating federal grants from other sources, i.e., “double-dipping.” FEMA also encourages you to keep your receipts for three years to show how the funds were spent. After every major disaster FEMA conducts audits of disaster assistance payments to ensure taxpayer dollars were properly provided by the agency and appropriately used by recipients.

When you get a letter from FEMA, read it carefully. If you have any questions, call the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362; TTY users can call 800-462-7585. You can visit one of the 11 Disaster Recovery Centers open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday, weather permitting. To locate the closest center, call the Helpline or visit http://go.usa.gov/x3NnJ, or download the FEMA APP to your mobile device. 

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FEMA Urges You to Spend Disaster Funds Wisely

FEMA Offers Free Repair, Rebuild Information Sessions at Local Stores

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As West Virginians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by last month’s storms, floods, landslides and mudslides, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and 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 at in-store information centers, in four area locations, through July 13, to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

FEMA advisors will be available at:

HARDMAN’S

Nicholas County
1300 Webster Road, Summersville
During normal store hours. July 8–13

Roane County
109 Main Street, Spencer
During normal store hours. July 8–13

 

LOWE’S

Greenbrier County
20 Gateway Blvd., Lewisburg
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 8–13

Kanawha County
50 Rhl Blvd., Charleston
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 8–13

Free reference booklets, in English and Spanish, with information on protecting your home from flood damage and cleaning up mold and mildew, 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 a.m. and 7 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help service claims, provide general information regarding policies, and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

Visit fema.gov/what-mitigation, for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger. For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA,  fema.gov/blog and the flood information pages on the website of the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

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FEMA Offers Free Repair, Rebuild Information Sessions at Local Stores

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