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Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Coahoma County

OXFORD, Miss. – A disaster recovery center is open in Coahoma County to provide assistance to survivors of the December storms, tornadoes and floods that struck Mississippi.

The recovery center is run jointly by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and hosts representatives of federal and state agencies who can explain the various programs designed to help survivors recover.

The center is located in the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium, 506 E. Second St., Clarksdale. It is open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

Survivors with storm-related losses are encouraged to register for assistance before going to the disaster recovery center by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Online registration is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov using a computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile device.

Individuals requiring accommodations to visit the center should call the FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362.

Businesses, homeowners and renters can apply for low-interest disaster loans at www.SBA.gov/disaster or by calling SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339).

Disaster recovery centers are also open in Benton County at 60 Third St. in Ashland, and in Marshall County at Spring Hollow Plaza, 198 North Memphis St., in Holly Springs.

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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.

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

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

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Coahoma County

Help Remains Available After Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A disaster recovery center in Richland County will close Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m.:

Richland Main Library, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline. Survivors of Oct. 1-23 storms and flooding in Richland County can get help by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585; those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors can use the helpline to:

Ask questions about FEMA decision letters.
Learn how to appeal FEMA decision letters. All applicants may appeal.
Inquire about the status of a registration.
Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

Applicants should have their nine-digit FEMA registration number and ZIP code if they want to discuss their application.

Survivors may still visit other recovery centers to ask disaster assistance questions. They can locate the closest center by visiting asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are at centers to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest loans.

For the latest information on South Carolina flood recovery operations, visit scemd.org and fema.gov/disaster/4241.

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Help Remains Available After Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Columbia

FEMA Teams in Neighborhoods Helping Mississippi Storm Survivors

OXFORD, Miss. – Disaster survivor assistance teams are working in storm-stricken neighborhoods helping Mississippians recover from the December storms.

The teams are made up of disaster specialists from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They are canvassing areas to give residents an opportunity to register for disaster assistance and to quickly address immediate and emerging needs. The teams can also provide application updates and referrals to additional resources when needs remain.

Using tablets, the FEMA teams can input a survivor’s information and submit a request for federal assistance. These mobile team members can be identified easily by their photo identifications and FEMA clothing. Mississippi residents are reminded to ask for federal identification before providing personal information.

Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the December storms in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman and Tippah counties can register for federal assistance.

Federal disaster assistance for qualified applicants may include:

Grants to rent a new place to live temporarily as needed.
Grants for essential home repairs not covered by insurance.
Grants for serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance — such as medical, dental, transportation, funeral expenses, moving and storage fees, personal property loss and child care.
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

In addition to the registration opportunity offered by recovery teams, survivors can register for assistance by the following methods:

Online using computers, iPhone and Android devices or tablets at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585, Video Relay Service 800-621-3362).

Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Assistance is available in multiple languages.

Business owners can find an electronic loan application on the U.S. Small Business Administration’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Questions can be answered by calling the SBA disaster customer service center at 800-659-2955/ (TTY) 800-877-8339 or visiting www.sba.gov.

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FEMA Teams in Neighborhoods Helping Mississippi Storm Survivors

Disaster Aid for June Storms in South Dakota Tops $3.4 Million

PIERRE, SD – The South Dakota Office of Emergency Management (SDOEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that more than $3.4 million in disaster aid has been approved to help communities in twelve counties and three tribal nations in South Dakota recover from a series of June storms. Those storms caused a swath of damage that stretched from southwest South Dakota through the center of the state.

According to South Dakota Director of Emergency Management Tina Titze, 26 applicants including the City of Pierre, West Central Electric Cooperative, and the Crow Creek, Lower Brule and Oglala Sioux tribal governments are receiving reimbursements for disaster costs and debris cleanup. Federal Coordinating Officer Gary Stanley added, “Under the presidential disaster declaration FEMA reimburses applicants for not less than 75 percent of eligible recovery costs and the state of South Dakota contributes an additional 10 percent cost share.”

On July 30, 2015 President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the state making Brule, Buffalo, Fall River, Haakon, Hughes, Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, Lyman, McCook, Oglala Lakota and Stanley counties as well as the Crow Creek Sioux, Lower Brule Sioux and Oglala Sioux tribal nations eligible for federal disaster aid. The presidential declaration came in response to a request from Governor Dennis Daugaard following the June storms.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding to local government jurisdictions and eligible private non-profits for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs incurred for disaster cleanup or emergency actions taken to protect lives or property.

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Disaster Aid for June Storms in South Dakota Tops $3.4 Million

Public Open House about Flood Risks in Nueces County, Texas

DENTON, Texas – Homeowners, renters and business owners are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps for Nueces County. Interested citizens can obtain more information about the proposed changes during an open house in Corpus Christi on Jan. 14.

County officials, community officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are presenting the preliminary maps to communities and unincorporated areas to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks. The information is useful in making decisions about buying flood insurance and how the community should move forward with development. Insurance specialists, local officials and engineers will be on hand to answer questions related to the newly identified flood risks.

Nueces County
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016
American Bank Center – Henry Garret Ball Room
1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
2:00 – 7:00 p.m.

“As we work together with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to Nueces County, we ask that everyone review the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The role of the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

Additional information is available, including links to the interactive mapping website on www.riskmap6.com. Residents can also contact their county or community floodplain administrator for more details.

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Public Open House about Flood Risks in Nueces County, Texas

Disaster Recovery Center to Close in Harris County, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas –The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), located at the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, 6402 Market St., Houston, TX, in Harris County, will close at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 16.

DRCs, operated by the State of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and supported by other agencies, remain open until the needs of area residents have been met. The centers serve as a one-stop shop for information and guidance about disaster assistance.

Visiting a DRC is not required to register for FEMA assistance. Those with questions regarding the application process, or who decide to register for assistance after a DRC closes, can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors also may use any one of several nearby DRCs that remain open. Visit FEMA’s DRC locator at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm to find the center nearest to them.

Texas 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.” If survivors change their address or phone numbers they should update that information with FEMA. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays getting a home inspection or in receiving assistance.

Specialists from the State of Texas, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are available at DRCs to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding from Oct. 22 to Oct. 31.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/ .

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters 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 website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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Disaster Recovery Center to Close in Harris County, Texas

SBA to Open Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Austin; Del Valle DRC to Close

AUSTIN, Texas—The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801Ainez Dr., Austin, TX 78744 in Travis County, will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) for five days only, beginning Monday, Jan. 11.

The Travis County DRC, located at the Elroy Community Library, 13512 FM 812, Del Valle, TX 78617, will close at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9.

The Dove Springs DRC in Austin will remain open until 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 9. The DLOC will be open for business, at the same address, Jan. 11 to Jan. 15, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Representatives from the SBA will be available at the DLOC to meet individually with residents and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding from Oct. 22 to Oct. 31. They will answer their questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program, help them complete their applications and close their approved disaster loans.

Survivors also may use any one of several nearby DRCs that remain open. Visit FEMA’s DRC locator at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm to find the center nearest to them.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters 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 website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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SBA to Open Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Austin; Del Valle DRC to Close

More Californians Preparing For Severe El Nino Flood Risk: Residents Purchase 28,000 New Flood Insurance Policies in California

More Californians Preparing For Severe El Nino Flood Risk: Residents Purchase 28,000 New Flood Insurance Policies in California

28,084 New National Flood Insurance Program Policies Purchased in California since August

Oakland Calif., — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released new data on

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Policies, showing an increase of more than 20,000 new NFIP Policies written in California during the month of November 2015.

There is a 30 – 90 day waiting period for new policies to be reported to FEMA and the latest available data, released today, shows an increase of 28,084 new flood insurance policies purchased in California from August 31 – November 30, 2015.

“Flooding is the most costly and devastating disaster we face as a nation,” said FEMA Region 9 Administrator Robert Fenton. “The major increase in flood policies show Californians are taking the threat seriously and taking powerful steps to protect their families and property. Those who may need and not have a flood policy should act today, as policies generally take 30 days to go into effect.”

The 12% increase is the first of its kind in recent history. The previous reporting period showed that policies increased 3% from August 31 to October 31. During that timeframe, 7,181 new federal flood insurance policies were written in California.

“We are encouraged by the number of Californians that are becoming financially prepared for the flooding that is expected from El Nino,” said Janet Ruiz, California Representative for the Insurance Information Institute. “It is crucial to protect our families and homes by preparing for catastrophes ahead of time.”

FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and works closely with more than 80 private insurance companies to offer flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners. In order to qualify for flood insurance, the home or business must be in a community that has joined the NFIP and agreed to enforce sound floodplain management standards.

Flooding can happen anywhere, but certain areas are especially prone to serious flooding. Many areas in California are at increased flood risk from El Niño, as a direct result of wildfires and drought.

Residents should be aware of a couple things:
- You can’t get flood insurance at the last minute. In most cases, it takes 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect. So get your policy now.
- Only Flood Insurance Covers Flood Damage. Most standard homeowner’s policies do not cover flood damage.
- Get all the coverage you need. Your agent can walk you through the policy.
Know your flood risk. Visit FloodSmart.gov (or call 1-800-427-2419) to learn more about individual flood risk, explore coverage options and to find an agent in your area.
Flood insurance covers flood, but there are other affects from flooding that may apply to you. Damage from mudflows is covered by flood insurance; damage from landslides and other earth movements is not. Speak to your agent.

NFIP is a federal program and offers flood insurance which can be purchased through private property and casualty insurance agents. Rates are set nationally and do not differ from company to company or agent to agent. These rates depend on many factors, which include the date and type of construction of your home, along with your building’s level of risk.

FEMA’s Region 9 office in Oakland, CA has established an El Niño Task Force and is working with the California Office of Emergency Services with the mission of preparing the Region and its partners for the impact of El Niño. The task force is evaluating the core capabilities needed to protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from any flooding that occurs across the region this winter. Last month, the FEMA Region 9 Office released its Draft Severe El Nino Disaster Response plan and convened a regional interagency steering committee meeting in Northern California to exercise the plan.

FEMA recognizes that a government-centric approach to emergency management is not adequate to meet the challenges posed by a catastrophic incident. Utilizing a “whole community” approach to emergency management reinforces that FEMA is only one part of our nation’s emergency management team.

Visit Ready.gov for more preparedness tips and information and follow FEMARegion9 on Twitter.

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More Californians Preparing For Severe El Nino Flood Risk: Residents Purchase 28,000 New Flood Insurance Policies in California

Receive Disaster Assistance from FEMA? Texans Should Spend Wisely & Well

AUSTIN, Texas ─ Disaster Assistance grants should be used only for disaster-related expenses. That’s the word from state emergency management officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA recommends money received for repairs to your home due to damage caused by October’s severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding should be used right away. While the assistance is tax free and the grants do not have to be repaid, survivors are reminded to use their funds wisely and solely for recovery.

When a grant is awarded, FEMA sends a letter listing examples of approved uses that include home repair, rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily, and other disaster-related expenses. These include repair or replacement of a flooded essential vehicle or medical care for an injury caused by the disaster. Disaster grants should not be used for regular living expenses, such as utility bills or food, medical or dental expenses not related to the disaster, travel, entertainment, or any other discretionary expenses not disaster-related.

“It’s important that individuals who suffered damages spend the money according to their specific grant,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes. “A letter explaining the purpose for the grant will be sent to the applicant.”

FEMA advises survivors to read the letter carefully, as it explains ways in which the grant money should be used. Recipients are advised to keep receipts from all purchases to show how funds were spent.

Home repair grants and rental assistance from FEMA does not require applicants to apply for a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for additional assistance under the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program that may cover personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. There are other ONA grants, such as childcare, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses that do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan.

Survivors with questions regarding their application or who have not yet registered for assistance should visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

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Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

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Receive Disaster Assistance from FEMA? Texans Should Spend Wisely & Well

3 Months After Flooding, Federal Assistance to South Carolina Continues

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Ninety days after severe storms and flooding in South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have provided more than $219 million in grants and loans to assist in recovery.

FEMA is coordinating the full resources of the federal government to support the state as it leads recovery efforts. South Carolinians experienced severe losses as a result of the historic Oct. 1-23 flooding. Residents have visited disaster recovery centers more than 48,000 times. More than 25,000 people have participated in 113 public meetings in which FEMA representatives provided information about assistance. More than 101,000 South Carolinians have contacted FEMA to determine whether they qualify for assistance.

FEMA has operated 30 disaster recovery center locations in 24 counties. The federal agency is assisting the state as it works with long-term recovery organizations forming in South Carolina to help individuals and families who have unmet needs. The federal disaster recovery coordinator is working with the state recovery coordinator to identify gaps in assistance for communities that can be met by using resources from federal, state and private sources.

FEMA has awarded more than $79 million in grants to survivors for housing and other essential needs through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Assistance Program. Of that total, $68.9 million was for temporary rental assistance and $10.6 million was for other needs, such as medical, dental and other disaster-related expenses. FEMA has inspected more than 83,300 properties and approved 26,693 applicants for assistance.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program has provided $17.2 million in grants to state and local governments and local communities to cover not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs of emergency response, debris removal and the repair, restoration, replacement and mitigation of damaged public facilities. Additional projects are being formulated and reviewed and the amount of Public Assistance provided by FEMA will increase as more work is approved.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved 4,300 low-interest disaster loans totaling more than $122.7 million.

Here is a breakdown of the assistance provided by FEMA and loans approved by the SBA as of close of business Jan. 4, 2016:

Individuals and Households Assistance
- More than $79.5 million approved to help survivors in their recovery.
  - More than $68.9 million of that amount approved for housing assistance such as temporary rentals and essential home repairs.
  - More than $10.6 million approved for Other Needs Assistance such as medical, dental and other serious disaster-related needs.

Public Assistance
- More than $17.2 million obligated for eligible projects.
SBA Loans
- More than $122.7 million approved.
More than $105.3 million approved in disaster home loans.
More than $16 million approved in business loans.
More than $1.3 million approved in economic injury disaster loans.

3 Months After Flooding, Federal Assistance to South Carolina Continues

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