FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Colorado’s Lower North Fork Fire

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FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Colorado’s Lower North Fork Fire

FEMA: Nearly $12 Million In Hazard Mitigation For Puget Sound

FEMA: Nearly $12 Million In Hazard Mitigation For Puget Sound 

Release Date: March 26, 2012
Release Number: R10-12-008

» 2012 Region X News Releases

SEATTLE –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that in FY2011, FEMA Region X provided $11,909,572 funding to the State of Washington to implement 19 new Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) projects in the Puget Sound Watershed.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to State and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the HMGP is to help communities prepare for future disasters by providing grants to implement long-term solutions for preparedness and protection against property damage and loss of life.

A primary eligible project type for FEMA’s five Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs is acquisition and demolition of flood prone structures. This results in the acquisition and conversion of developed land into permanent open space, in the form of native vegetation/wildlife habitat, active-use parks, and multi-use greenways.

A good example of a floodway buyout conversion into open space can be seen in King County, along the Cedar River in Maple Valley. This project was completed in 2008. In this project, called the Rainbow Bend Floodway Acquisition project, five residences on 6 parcels were purchased (see attached photos). The flood-prone houses were removed, and the vacant lands returned to their natural state. Now, where a row of houses stood too close to the river, there is riparian habitat.

In FY2011, six flood prone properties similar to the Rainbow Bend Acquisition project have been purchased for acquisition and demolition to be converted into permanent open space. When these projects are finished, six families will be spared the pain of repeated flooding, and the stretches of riverside where these homes once stood will be permanent open space.

Over the past three years, FEMA Region X has provided funding to the State of Washington to implement 101 new Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) projects in the Puget Sound Watershed. A total of 25 have been for acquisition/demolition of flood prone properties for conversion to permanent open space use. The total Federal share dollar value of these acquisition projects is $29.6 million, and 87 flood prone structures have been approved for acquisition.

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 14:49:03

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FEMA: Nearly $12 Million In Hazard Mitigation For Puget Sound

Renters May Be Eligible for FEMA Assistance

Renters May Be Eligible for FEMA Assistance 

Release Date: March 24, 2012
Release Number: 4057-030

» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Persons and families in Kentucky who lost their rental homes or personal property in the recent severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred Feb. 29 through March 3 may be eligible for disaster-related assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Renters who resided in an apartment, mobile home or leased house that was made unlivable because of disaster damage also are encouraged to contact FEMA.

“As numerous persons who rented their homes at the time of the disaster are discovering, disaster aid is not limited to homeowners,” said Libby Turner, federal officer in charge of the Kentucky disaster. “Already over 250 renters have registered with FEMA and many are receiving help as they began to rebuild their lives.”

Through Housing Assistance, FEMA offers two kinds of help to eligible renters:

  • Money to rent a different place to live for a limited period of time while repairs are done to a rented residence that was made unlivable by the disaster
  • A free referral service to find a safe replacement rental property

Both renters and homeowners may also be eligible for Other Needs Assistance, designed to help survivors with uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. These grants can be used for:

  • Disaster-related medical and dental expenses
  • Disaster-related funeral and burial expenses
  • Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged in the disaster, household items such as room furnishings or appliances, and tools and equipment required by the self-employed for their jobs
  • Primary vehicles and approved second vehicles damaged by the disaster

It’s important for survivors to understand that if they receive a U.S. Small Business Administration loan application package, they must complete and mail it to SBA in order to be eligible for Other Needs Assistance. Even if they don’t want an SBA loan, information provided on the application may be used to help determine eligibility for Other Needs Assistance. Survivors do not have to submit an SBA loan application to be considered for FEMA rental assistance.

To qualify for any FEMA assistance, renters must first register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. Specialists are available by phone from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. Renters also may register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a web-enabled phone or smartphone at m.fema.gov.

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.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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.

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 10:02:48

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Renters May Be Eligible for FEMA Assistance

Disaster Recovery Centers Opening Saturday in DeKalb, Jackson and Overton Counties

Disaster Recovery Centers Opening Saturday in DeKalb, Jackson and Overton Counties 

Release Date: March 23, 2012
Release Number: 4060-005

» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announce the openings of disaster recovery centers in DeKalb, Jackson and Overton counties to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding Feb. 29 – March 2. The centers will open at noon Saturday, March 24, and will remain open that day until 6 p.m.

Sunday hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Beginning Monday, March 26, center hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The centers will remain open until further notice.

Representatives from the state, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the centers to explain assistance programs and help survivors register for disaster aid.

The disaster recovery centers will be located at the following addresses:

DeKalb County
County Administrative Building
724 South Congress Blvd.
Smithville, TN 37166

Jackson County
Dodson Branch Community Center
16160 Dodson Branch Hwy.
Cookeville, TN 38501

Overton County
911 EMS Building
253 Industrial Park Dr.
Livingston, TN 38750

If possible, before visiting a disaster recovery center, people with storm losses should register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), which is video relay service accessible. Applicants using TTY can call 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. If using a smartphone or tablet, register at m.fema.gov.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include grants for rental assistance and home repairs, low-interest loans from the SBA to cover disaster related damages or losses, and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster.

For more information, visit www.TNEMA.org and www.FEMA.gov/assistance.

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 08:47:58

Originally from: 

Disaster Recovery Centers Opening Saturday in DeKalb, Jackson and Overton Counties

FEMA, State Open Disaster Recovery Center in Logan County Saturday

FEMA, State Open Disaster Recovery Center in Logan County Saturday 

Release Date: March 23, 2012
Release Number: 4061-005

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Lanslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — A state and federal Disaster Recovery Center will open in Logan County to assist individuals, households and businesses that suffered damage from the recent flooding, Federal Emergency Management Agency officials said Friday. The facility will begin to serve the public officially at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at:

Verdunville Volunteer Fire Department
Rte. 5, 2270 Mud Fork Road
Logan, WV 25601

The center is staffed with disaster-recovery specialists who can provide information and answer questions about flood-related assistance, according to FEMA. Operating hours after Saturday are 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

“Before stopping by at the disaster recovery centers, people seeking assistance are strongly urged to register with FEMA first,” said Charleston-based FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Deanne Criswell. “Having spoken with or otherwise having contacted state or local officials does not count. You must register with FEMA in order to apply for help.”

Registration is fast and easy, Criswell said. By phone, call the FEMA Hotline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For those with speech or hearing disabilities, use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or with any PDA device at m.fema.gov.

Information needed when registering with FEMA includes the address of the damaged property, names of those living in the household, a general description of the damage, the Social Security Account number of any family member living in the home, the extent of insurance coverage and certain other information needed to expedite the process.

Also on hand at the Disaster Recovery Centers are representatives from the Small Business Administration who can explain the low-interest loan packages available to individuals, private nonprofits and businesses of any size. These loans are for the repair or replacement of real estate and/or personal property damaged by the storms and related flooding, officials said. People who register with FEMA may be sent a loan application from the SBA. No one is obligated to take out a loan, according to the SBA.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation, medical, dental and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. But applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement and moving and storage expenses.

Centers already in operation are:

Marion County
City Public Safety Office
500 Quincy Street
Fairmont, WV

Lincoln County
Duval Fire Company
5237 Straightfork Road
Griffithsville, WV
The DRC in Griffithsville will be closed on Saturday, March 24, for one day only and will reopen on Sunday at 8 a.m.

Wayne County
Cabwaylingo Presbyterian Church
1475 Left Fork Dunlow Bypass Road
Dunlow, WV

Wayne County Health Department
217 Kenova Ave.
Wayne, WV 25570

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 23-Mar-2012 16:11:57

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FEMA, State Open Disaster Recovery Center in Logan County Saturday

Community Relations Teams Canvassing Areas Hit By Tornadoes In Tennessee

Community Relations Teams Canvassing Areas Hit By Tornadoes In Tennessee 

Release Date: March 22, 2012
Release Number: 4060-003

» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

ATLANTA, Ga. — Community relations specialists from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are currently working in ten Tennessee counties assisting survivors of the severe storms that occurred Feb. 29 – March 2.

The ten counties in middle and east Tennessee were recently designated for federal disaster assistance.

Teams are going door-to-door in the impacted communities to share and gather information and to identify possible unmet needs. Officials want individuals and small business owners to know about all available disaster assistance programs. 

Federal help in the form of grants and low-interest loans may be available to homeowners and renters affected by the storms. Grants for temporary housing, basic home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs are available. Homeowners, renters and businesses may also be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Community relations team members wear ID badges and either FEMA or Tennessee Disaster Response shirts. When community relations specialists meet a disaster survivor with unmet needs, they pass that information on to state, federal or voluntary agency staff best able to respond. They also meet with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and public officials to explain the disaster assistance process.

Survivors should register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), which is video relay service accessible. Applicants using TTY can call 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors can also register by computer online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. If using a smartphone or tablet, register at m.fema.gov.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include grants for rental assistance and home repairs, low-interest loans from the SBA to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster.

For more information, visit www.TNEMA.org and www.FEMA.gov/assistance.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Mar-2012 15:50:31

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Community Relations Teams Canvassing Areas Hit By Tornadoes In Tennessee

Federal Disaster Specialists Will Be In Holton For One Day Saturday

Federal Disaster Specialists Will Be In Holton For One Day Saturday 

Release Date: March 22, 2012
Release Number: 4058-012

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS – Disaster recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the Holton Fire Department in Holton from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for one day on Saturday, March 24.

Staff and services will be available to provide assistance to individuals who suffered damage from severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from Feb. 29 through March 3.

Holton Fire Department
38 South Marion St.
Holton, IN 47023

Specialists from FEMA will be on hand to answer questions about registration for disaster assistance and about hazard mitigation and provide information and contacts for other programs. SBA specialists will answer questions about the SBA low-interest disaster loan program, explain the application process, issue applications and help individuals complete their applications.

Individuals impacted by the storms should register with FEMA before meeting with specialists. One easy way to apply is to call the telephone registration line, (800) 621-FEMA (3362). For speech- or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at (800) 621-3362. These lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Registration is also possible in the following ways:

Assistance is available for impacted individuals and businesses in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties. May 8 is the last day to register for assistance.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Mar-2012 14:24:24

From:

Federal Disaster Specialists Will Be In Holton For One Day Saturday

Hours Change At Sellersburg Recovery Center

Hours Change At Sellersburg Recovery Center 

Release Date: March 22, 2012
Release Number: 4058-011

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announce new hours for the Disaster Recovery Center at Ivy Tech Community College in Sellersburg. Starting Sunday, March 25, and until further notice, the hours will be as follows:

Hours of operation

Sunday, March 25 (The center will be closed on Sundays after March 25.)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday – Saturday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The center will remain open as long as individuals continue to utilize its services.

More than 460 storm-impacted individuals have been served at the center since the IDHS and FEMA opened it March 13 at Ivy Tech Community College, I-65 and Hwy 311(I-65 exit 9).

At the center, storm-impacted individuals can meet face-to-face with FEMA specialists who can help with the application process. They can complete necessary steps, such as updating addresses, phone numbers and insurance information. Assistants also explain FEMA processes, including how to appeal decisions. FEMA mitigation specialists are also on hand at the center to explain simple ways individuals can reduce risk of loss in the future.

U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) customer service representatives at the recovery center are available to answer program questions and issue disaster loan applications for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. SBA offers disaster loans up to $200,000 to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million for disaster related losses. Interest rates are as low as 1.875 percent for
homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the storms are encouraged to register for assistance prior to visiting the center by calling the telephone registration line, (800) 621-FEMA (3362). For speech- or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at (800) 621-3362. These lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Registration is also possible in the following ways:

May 8 is the last day to register for assistance.

Federal disaster aid was made available to the State of Indiana to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes from Feb. 29 through March 3 in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick, and Washington counties.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Mar-2012 13:37:31

More here: 

Hours Change At Sellersburg Recovery Center

In Ravaged West Liberty, Volunteers Drive Recovery

In Ravaged West Liberty, Volunteers Drive Recovery 

Release Date: March 22, 2012
Release Number: 4057-028

» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

WEST LIBERTY, Ky. — Tears well in the corners of Anna Roller’s eyes as she watches Mennonite volunteers clear debris from her once heavily-wooded property.

Anna Roller considers herself lucky.

The tornados and storms that destroyed most of the business district and many homes in this tiny Kentucky town damaged or destroyed over 2800 homes across the Commonwealth. The storms left the Rollers’ house mostly intact but crushed their garage and turned a hardwood-studded hillside into a pile of kindling.

The folks helping Anna Roller are volunteer members of a Mennonite Disaster Services team using bobcats, tractors and log skidders to remove splintered trees from the Rollers’ property and other damaged homes in West Liberty.

Mennonite Disaster Services is one of the more than 250 volunteer agencies that rushed to aid West Liberty and Kentucky following the tornado. FEMA helps the Commonwealth of Kentucky match volunteers with storm-damaged areas where help is needed.

“The volunteer response has truly been amazing. So many people stepping up to help their neighbors and strangers helping strangers,” said Jim Garrett, Volunteer Coordinator for Kentucky Emergency Management. He continued, “This is just a testament to the goodness of the American Spirit!”

“Seeing volunteers come from all over the country to help people in Kentucky is one of the many rewards of my job,” said Libby Turner, the federal officer in charge of recovery operations in Kentucky. “It is truly heart-warming to see how many folks want to help people who are hurting.”

West Liberty University near Wheeling, W.Va., provided transportation and equipment for a group of their students to come to the town in Kentucky that shares the name of their college and help the town begin its long recovery.

“Helping people who need us gives us all joy,” said Peggy Morris, an 80-year old from Cadiz, Ky., and a member of a Kentucky Baptist Convention team stacking broken trees and limbs left by the tornado in the yard of another of the almost 850 homes damaged or destroyed in Morgan County and West Liberty.

Dee Bost, Farah Price and Carolyn Kenney and six other members of their church in Searcy, Ark., left at 5 a.m. the Sunday morning following the West Liberty tornado. After a 10-hour drive, they settled in to help the people of West Liberty get their lives back together.

“I don’t know what I would have done if these folks had not come to help us clean up,” said Anna Roller. “I really don’t know how we would have been able to get up all the trees and trash.”

Follow this link to FEMA video:
www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/7806.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Mar-2012 11:57:00

Link – 

In Ravaged West Liberty, Volunteers Drive Recovery

Disaster Recovery Centers Opening Thursday In Hamilton, McMinn And Monroe Counties

Disaster Recovery Centers Opening Thursday In Hamilton, McMinn And Monroe Counties 

Release Date: March 21, 2012
Release Number: 4060-002

» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

ATLANTA, Ga. — The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announce the openings of disaster recovery centers in Hamilton, McMinn and Monroe counties to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding Feb. 29 – March 2. The centers will open at noon Thursday, March 22 and will remain open that day until 6 p.m.

Beginning Friday, March 23, center hours will be 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The centers will remain open until further notice.

Representatives from the state, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the center to explain assistance programs and help survivors register for disaster aid.

The disaster recovery centers will be located at the following addresses:

Hamilton County

Chattanooga Fire Dept. Station #7
6911 Discovery Dr.
Chattanooga, TN 37416

McMinn/Polk counties

Etowah Rural Fire and Rescue
1018 Tennessee Ave.
Etowah, TN 37331

Monroe County

Tellico Plains Community Center
132 Bank St.
Tellico Plains, TN 37385

If possible, before visiting a disaster recovery center, people with storm losses should register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), which is video relay service accessible. Applicants using TTY can call 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors can also register by computer online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. If using a smartphone or tablet, register at m.fema.gov.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include grants for rental assistance and home repairs, low-interest loans from the SBA to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster.

For more information, visit www.TNEMA.org and www.FEMA.gov/assistance.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Mar-2012 10:50:21

This article:  

Disaster Recovery Centers Opening Thursday In Hamilton, McMinn And Monroe Counties

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