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FEMA Public Assistance Expanded to 11 Counties

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today has expanded federal disaster aid to 11 Arkansas counties. This action makes Clay, Cleburne, Faulkner, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp and White counties eligible for reimbursement for a portion of their expenses due to the April 27 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

Public entities and certain non-profits in these counties are now eligible to apply for support from FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program. Federal PA reimbursement may cover emergency protective measures, debris removal and repairs to infrastructure, including roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreation, and other facilities.

Faulkner County was previously designated on April 29 for Public Assistance for Emergency Work and Debris Removal. Today’s action extends the county’s eligibility to include reimbursement for approved infrastructure repair and restoration projects.

“People depend on having roads, schools, hospitals, water and electricity. These and other facilities can be damaged or affected by severe weather such as the April 27 storms,” said State Coordinating Officer David Maxwell. “That’s why infrastructure repair is such a critical component to our recovery.”

“FEMA reimbursement helps the state and communities cope with the unpredictable costs of emergency response, debris removal and repairing infrastructure damaged by disaster,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy J. Scranton. “These grants help communities complete infrastructure projects that, in turn, help people and businesses get back on their feet.”

Eligible applicants for the PA program include state, county and local government agencies and private non-profits that provide critical or essential services. FEMA obligates funds to the state for 75 percent of eligible costs, while the state and applicant cover the remaining 25 percent.

For more information on Arkansas disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4174. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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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 Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.

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 http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6, the R6 Hurricane Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionvi/updates.shtm and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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FEMA Public Assistance Expanded to 11 Counties

Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Hard-Hit Vilonia

Little Rock, Ark. – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open Monday in Vilonia in Faulkner County, giving storm survivors there the chance to talk directly with qualified disaster assistance personnel.

Disaster Recovery Centers gather different state and federal agencies and programs under one roof, offering survivors convenient access to guidance from a number of resources.

At the center, visitors will be able to talk to specialists from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Internal Revenue Service, the American Red Cross, plus other agencies and groups. Those professionals will be available to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available, including FEMA Individual Assistance grants and SBA low-interest disaster assistance loans for homeowners, renters and business owners.

Disaster Recovery Center Location:

Disaster Recovery Center
1122 Main St.
Vilonia, AR 72455
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sundays: 1 to 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing affected areas in the county to help people register and provide information. All DSA team members wear FEMA shirts and have FEMA badges.

Survivors can continue to register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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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 information about SBA programs, applicants can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339).

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Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Hard-Hit Vilonia

Hours to Change at Mayflower Disaster Recovery Center

Little Rock, Ark. – Effective Monday, May 12, the operating hours for the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Mayflower, Ark., will change.

The new operating hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 1 to 7 p.m. on Sundays. The center is located at 600 Highway 365, Mayflower, AR 72106.

Specialists from a number of federal, state and charitable agencies are at the center to meet face-to-face with survivors about assistance that may be available to help them recover.

It is not necessary to visit the center to register for state and federal disaster recovery assistance.

Survivors may register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or with an internet-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. To register by phone, call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Users of 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. Toll-free telephone numbers are staffed from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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Hours to Change at Mayflower Disaster Recovery Center

Beware of Scams and Fraudulent Phone Calls

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – State and federal recovery officials urge Arkansas residents affected by the April 27 severe storms, tornadoes and floods to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud.

As government agencies and charitable groups continue to provide disaster assistance, scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals may attempt to prey on vulnerable survivors. Since the recovery effort began, authorities have received reports of unscrupulous individuals trying to do just that.

The most common post-disaster fraud practices include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building contractors, bogus pleas for disaster donations and fake offers of state or federal aid. Authorities in Arkansas have reported one resident received a phone call claiming to be from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The caller attempted to get the person’s bank account information and debit card number.

“No government disaster assistance agency will call you and ask for your financial account information,” said State Coordinating Officer David Maxwell of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM). “Unless you place the call yourself, don’t give out that information over the phone. It can lead to identity theft.”

Survivors should also keep in mind that federal and state workers never ask for or accept money, and always carry identification badges. There is no fee required to apply for or to get disaster assistance from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or the state.

“Scam attempts can be made over the phone, by mail or email, or in person,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy J. Scranton of FEMA. “Unfortunately, there seems to be no limit to the inventiveness of these con artists. We urge Arkansans to remain alert, ask questions and require identification when someone claims to represent a government agency.”

Those who suspect fraud should call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at 1-866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement agencies and through the Arkansas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-482-8982.

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Beware of Scams and Fraudulent Phone Calls

State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida survivors affected by the recent series of storms, tornadoes and flooding can now visit disaster recovery centers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties if they have questions about disaster assistance.

The disaster recovery centers will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Center locations are:

Escambia County

Brownsville Community Center

2100 W. DeSoto St.

Pensacola, FL 32505

Santa Rosa County

Gulf Breeze Recreation Center

800 Shoreline Drive

Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

Pensacola State College – Milton Campus

5988 Highway 90

Milton, FL 32583

Specialists from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration will be on hand to answer questions. Survivors will be able to:

Discuss their individual disaster-related needs.
Submit any additional documentation needed, such as phone bills or letters from insurance companies.
Find out the status of an application.
Obtain information about different types of state and federal assistance.
Get help from SBA specialists in completing low-interest disaster loan applications for homeowners, renters and business owners.
Receive referrals to the American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations to help with immediate needs.

Before going to a center, if possible, survivors should register with FEMA. Apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Disaster assistance may include money to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs. Low-interest SBA loans may also be available for losses not covered by insurance or other sources.

For more information on Florida disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4177. Visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

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State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties

FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Florida Panhandle Communities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are reaching out to survivors in Florida’s hardest hit Panhandle communities to help individuals register for assistance. Survivors may meet a specialist in their neighborhood or speak to one on the phone.

Crews of FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists are canvassing affected areas to provide on-site registration assistance, address immediate and emerging needs, and answer any questions specific to the registration process. Specialists can also provide referrals to additional resources.

FEMA crews are visiting homes, businesses, local organizations and churches in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Using tablets, crew members can help a survivor fill out an application for assistance on the spot – collecting information in person. Crew members can be identified easily by their photo badges and FEMA clothing. Florida residents are reminded to ask for federal identification before providing personal information.

Survivors in designated counties may also receive a phone call from FEMA Individual Assistance specialists if they have already registered for disaster assistance.

If called, applicants could be asked to verify their identity with some of the following information:

The last four digits of their Social Security number.
The address of their damaged home.
The applicant’s current mailing address.
The applicant’s current phone number.

If applicants receive a phone call from FEMA representatives and question the validity of the caller, they can contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify the source of the call. The FEMA representative will then make another attempt to call the applicant back. FEMA will not call applicants to request any banking information.

Those who suspect anyone of committing fraudulent activities should call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at 866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to Florida’s Office of the Attorney General at the state toll-free number: 866-966-7226.

Survivors in the counties currently designated for Individual Assistance can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

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FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Florida Panhandle Communities

More than $1.3 Million in Federal Assistance Approved for Mississippi Storm Survivors

PEARL, Miss. – Less than 10 days after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding swept across Mississippi, more than $1.3 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency grant assistance has been approved to help those affected by the storms.

More than 2,100 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.

In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. FEMA often refers survivors to those agencies. All businesses are also referred to the SBA. Other callers may be interested in other programs such as disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.

The following is a snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of May 7:

More than 200 households approved for FEMA grants for homeowners and renters, including:
- More than $978,000 approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
- Nearly $327,000 approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
428 home inspections completed.
891 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
5 disaster recovery centers currently open.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance coverage, survivors in the 12 disaster-designated Mississippi counties are urged to apply for help. Designated counties include Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston. Survivors can use any of the following methods to register:

By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) People who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Assistance is available in most languages.
Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
By tablet or smartphone, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.

Survivors who register with FEMA and are referred to SBA will be contacted with options on how to apply for a low-interest disaster loan. After being contacted by SBA, survivors should complete and submit an application even if they do not plan to accept a loan in order to continue the federal assistance process. It is part of the FEMA grant process and can pave the way for additional disaster assistance. SBA disaster loans are available with interest rates as low as 2.188 percent and terms up to 30 years.

Complete the SBA application online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Call the SBA customer service center with questions at 800-659-2955. People who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-877-8339. For more information, visit sba.gov.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency website at msema.org or the Facebook page at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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.

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More than $1.3 Million in Federal Assistance Approved for Mississippi Storm Survivors

FEMA Awards $676,740 Grant to Saline County: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish 9 flood prone structures

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $676,740 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Saline County,Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of eight residential structures and one commercial structure located in the floodplain. Following demolition, these properties will be maintained as permanent open space in the community.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “The acquisition and demolition of these structures permanently removes them from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.

“Approval of this grant is good news for residents who have been hit by flooding many times in the past,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “The grant will enable them to move to higher ground and avoid future heartache and property losses.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $902,320eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $225,580, will be provided by Saline County.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

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FEMA Awards $676,740 Grant to Saline County: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish 9 flood prone structures

There Are Many Reasons for a Letter From FEMA

PEARL, Miss. – Everyone receives a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after applying for disaster assistance. It explains FEMA’s decision, what to do next if you disagree with FEMA’s decision, and how grant money should be spent if you receive it.

If you have questions about any letter from FEMA, you should call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY at 800-462-7585) or visit a disaster recovery center. You can use the same phone number to find the nearest center. You can also locate a center with your smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov or online at www.fema.gov/drclocator.

If your letter says you are ineligible, it will provide information on what steps are necessary if you disagree with FEMA’s decision. For help, you can call FEMA’s helpline or go to a center and speak with a recovery specialist.

FEMA looks at a number of things and information to determine if a survivor may be eligible to receive disaster assistance. You must be able to:

Verify identity. If you’ve lost your ID during the storm, visit a disaster recovery center. The staff there can make referrals regarding replacement documents.
Verify occupancy for primary residence. You need to provide proof of occupancy such as a utility bill, driver’s license, merchant’s statement, employer’s statement. You can bring the documents to a disaster recovery center, where recovery specialists will help you.

You may also receive a letter from FEMA about your eligibility if you missed an appointment with an inspector.

That’s why it is so important to give good contact information – such as a cellphone or work number – and stay in touch with FEMA.

If you receive a disaster loan application from the SBA, you must complete and return it to SBA in order to be referred to other FEMA programs. You are not required to accept the loan. But returning the SBA application is part of the assistance process.

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There Are Many Reasons for a Letter From FEMA

Alabama Storm Survivors Urged To Register For Disaster Assistance

CLANTON, Ala. – Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Alabama are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as they may be eligible for disaster assistance.

The presidential disaster declaration on May 2 makes federal assistance available to eligible survivors in Baldwin, Jefferson, Lee and Limestone counties.

Disaster survivors have several ways to apply:

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov any time day or night.
By phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
Via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Assistance can include money for temporary housing and home repairs, and for 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 may also be available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Alabama residents in Baldwin, Jefferson, Lee and Limestone counties should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization. Applicants will be asked for the following information:

Social Security number
Address of the damaged home or apartment
Description of the damage
Information about insurance coverage
A current contact telephone number
An address where they can receive mail
Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

For more information on Alabama disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4176 or visit the Alabama Emergency Management Agency site at ema.alabama.gov/.

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Alabama Storm Survivors Urged To Register For Disaster Assistance

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