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FEMA Urges Residents to Take Evacuation Orders Seriously Ahead of Hurricane Matthew

WASHINGTON – As evacuations begin today in some coastal counties, with more likely to follow, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging residents to listen closely to state and local officials’ guidance and to take seriously any directions to evacuate.

FEMA is working with its federal and state partners at the Regional Response Coordination Centers in Atlanta and Philadelphia to help coordinate any requests for assistance from states potentially affected by Hurricane Matthew.

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Matthew is moving northward with sustained winds of 125 miles per hour through the northern Caribbean, and it could impact Florida and the U.S. East Coast this week. Hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued for Florida’s coastline. Heavy rain between four to ten inches, winds and significant wave heights are expected to impact the Florida Keys, coastal Southeast and the Carolinas beginning on Thursday through the weekend. Evacuations for some coastal counties are beginning today.

“Residents and visitors should take evacuation orders seriously and heed the directions of state, local and tribal officials,” said FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate. “This is a major hurricane that has the potential to cause significant harm to life and property. If instructed to evacuate, don’t wait for the next forecast, evacuate.”

FEMA liaisons are deployed to the state emergency operation centers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina to assist state responses, as needed in advance of the storm. FEMA stands ready to assist additional states and tribes, as needed and requested.

FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) are deployed to emergency operations centers (EOC) in Florida and North Carolina. Additional IMATs are scheduled to arrive at the EOCs in South Carolina and Virginia today to support preparation activities and ensure there are no unmet needs. Additional teams from around the country are ready to deploy to affected states and tribes as necessary.

Four Incident Support Bases have been identified in Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, to pre-position commodities and resources closer to potentially affected areas.

Shelters are beginning to open across the potentially impacted states. Download the FEMA mobile app for disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips, in English and in Spanish. The app provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.

Safety and Preparedness Tips

Hurricane Matthew has potential for life-threatening rain, wind and storm surge. Those in potentially affected areas should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have a plan for their pets.

Individuals should visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to learn these and other preparedness tips for tropical storms or hurricanes. If the storm is expected to affect your area, know your evacuation zone and follow the direction of local or tribal officials if an evacuation is ordered for your area.

If you will be evacuating, contact family and friends to let them know you are leaving and where you’re going; and take your pets with you or pre-identify a pet-friendly safe location like a pet friendly hotel or shelter.

Create a household inventory: For insurance purposes, be sure to keep a written and visual (i.e., videotaped or photographed) record of all major household items and valuables, even those stored in basements, attics or garages. Create files that include serial numbers and store receipts for major appliances and electronics. Have jewelry and artwork appraised. These documents are critically important when filing insurance claims.

Other steps to take right now to protect property are:

Make sure your sump pump is working, and then install a battery-operated backup, in case of a power failure. If you already have a battery backup, install fresh batteries. Installing a water alarm will also let you know if water is accumulating in your basement.
Clear debris from gutters and downspouts. Clear storm drains in the street or near your home of leaves and debris.
Move electronics, valuables, and important documents to a safe place.
Roll up area rugs, where possible, and store them on higher floors or elevations. This will reduce the chances of rugs getting wet and growing mold.
Shut off electrical service at the main breaker if the electrical system and outlets will be under water.
If you incur expenses due to protecting your home in preparation for coming storms and flooding – such as purchasing sandbags – you may be able to file a claim against your National Flood Insurance Program flood policy for reimbursement. Call your insurance agent to discuss your coverage and learn more.

There is the potential for flooding with this storm. Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous and almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas, at bridges and at highway dips. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. If you encounter flood waters, remember – turn around, don’t drown.

Get to know the terms that are used to identify severe weather and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued:

For a hurricane:

A Hurricane Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 74 MPH poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 74 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

For a tropical storm:

A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 39 MPH or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 39 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less.

For flooding:

A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding.
A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

To learn more about what to do before, during and after severe weather, visit www.Ready.gov.

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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.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

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

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FEMA Urges Residents to Take Evacuation Orders Seriously Ahead of Hurricane Matthew

Some Nonprofits May Qualify for FEMA Disaster Grants

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nonprofit organizations that experienced damage or losses from the August floods may apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance grants to help them get back to the business of helping others.

As part of its mission, FEMA provides grants to state, tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofits through its Public Assistance program. For the August floods, these grants reimburse 90 percent of eligible costs for emergency protective measures, and repair and restoration of public facilities and infrastructure to pre-disaster condition.

Only certain nonprofit organizations (PNPs) are eligible. If they provide critical services, such as education, utility, emergency or medical, they can apply directly to FEMA. Those that provide non-critical, essential services to the community must first apply for a low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). FEMA may pay for all eligible emergency work and the permanent work not covered by an SBA loan.

Essential service providers include:

Child care centers;
Libraries, museums and zoos;
Community centers;
Disability advocacy and service providers;
Homeless shelters and rehabilitation facilities;
Social and human services organizations for children, youth and adults; and
Senior citizen centers.

For more information about eligible essential and critical service providers, reference FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide on FEMA.gov.

A nonprofit that can prove its tax-exempt status from the IRS or the state can begin the process by submitting a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) to the State of Louisiana. RPA forms can be downloaded and submitted at louisianapa.com/site/resources/cfm (in the “forms” section). The State of Louisiana will forward completed applications to FEMA for eligibility determination.

Local emergency management offices may also provide information about the grant process. A list of Louisiana’s parish emergency managers can be found online at gohsep.la.gov/about/parishpa.

For information about SBA loans, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster.

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Some Nonprofits May Qualify for FEMA Disaster Grants

FEMA Housing Inspectors in Florida Counties Damaged by Hurricane Hermine

Tallahassee, Fla.– Housing inspectors contracted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are assisting eligible survivors of the recent flooding by visiting neighborhoods and checking for damage.

“The free FEMA housing inspections are an essential step in the recovery process for survivors who sustained damage to their homes,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Terry L. Quarles. “It’s vital that survivors register with FEMA, ensure we have their current contact information and then coordinate with the housing inspector to schedule the inspection.”

Survivors in Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Hillsborough, Leon, Levy, Pasco and Pinellas counties can register by calling FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362, which is video relay service accessible. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Survivors can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

The recovery process begins when those living in the eight counties designated for individual disaster assistance complete the registration process. Survivors need to register with FEMA and report uninsured or underinsured damage to their homes, vehicles or other personal property. An inspector will then contact the applicant and schedule an appointment to visit the home.

When FEMA inspectors arrive at a home, they will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.

To speed the inspection process, applicants should:

Ensure their home or mailbox number is clearly visible from the road.
Keep their appointment or notify the inspector if a postponement is necessary.
Authorize another adult to act as their agent and be present on their behalf during the inspection if they have evacuated and cannot return for the inspection.
Be reachable, informing neighbors where they can be contacted if they are not staying in the home.
Tell the inspector about other property losses or disaster-related needs such as transportation, medical or dental care, tools needed for a trade if not self-employed and educational materials, so inspectors can relay the information to FEMA.
Take photos of their homes, if possible, which can be used to supplement photos taken by the inspector.

Inspectors try a minimum of three times to contact each applicant, calling at different times on different days. If inspectors cannot reach an applicant, they will post a letter at the applicant’s dwelling with a phone number the applicant should call to reschedule an appointment and/or have the inspection reissued.

The damage inspection generally lasts 20-45 minutes. The inspector does not need to document all damage. As part of the inspection process, homeowners are asked to show proof of ownership, such as a tax bill, a deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property’s address. Renters must show proof of occupancy, a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or another document confirming the location was their primary residence at the time of the disaster. Both homeowners and renters also must have a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.

Inspectors document disaster-related damage, but do not determine the applicant’s eligibility for FEMA assistance. They check for damage to the structure and building systems, to major appliances and septic systems and wells, and enter information into an electronic device that sends the information to FEMA. This speeds up the process of providing assistance.

A U.S. Small Business Administration loss verifier also may schedule an appointment with applicants who have completed an SBA loan application. Like FEMA inspectors, SBA loss verifiers and insurance adjusters are required to carry identification. Residents should ask to see a photo ID if any inspector comes to their home.

Residents should not be concerned if an inspector is seen in their neighborhood, but does not visit every home. They are following schedules and can only visit houses on that day’s list.

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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FEMA Housing Inspectors in Florida Counties Damaged by Hurricane Hermine

FDEM and FEMA Teams Canvassing Hurricane-Stricken Areas in Florida

Atlanta, Ga.–Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are working in hurricane-stricken neighborhoods to help Florida hurricane survivors register for assistance.

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

These mobile team members can be identified easily by their photo identifications and FDEM or FEMA clothing. Florida residents are reminded to ask for photo identification before providing personal information.

Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by Hurricane Hermine from August 31 to September 11, 2016, in Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Hillsborough, Leon, Levy, Pasco, and Pinellas counties are eligible to register for federal assistance.

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

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
By calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, which is video relay service accessible. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call TTY 800-462-7585. 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 https://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 sba.gov/disaster.

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FDEM and FEMA Teams Canvassing Hurricane-Stricken Areas in Florida

Florida Survivors Urged to Register for Disaster Assistance

ATLANTA, Ga.– Homeowners, renters and business owners in Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Hillsborough, Leon, Levy, Pasco and Pinellas counties who were affected by Hurricane Hermine are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as they may be eligible for disaster assistance.

The September 28 presidential disaster declaration makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and businesses from the hurricane and associated severe storms and flooding in Florida.

Individuals and businesses in the designated counties can begin the disaster assistance process by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362, which is video relay service accessible. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice.

Assistance may include grants for temporary housing, rental assistance and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed personal property, and medical and dental expenses. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration may also be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Florida residents should register with FEMA even if they have insurance, but only if their property was damaged by the floods or high winds. 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. Federal disaster aid does not affect other government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicaid, and is not considered taxable income. Only one person per household is eligible to register. Survivors must use the name that appears on their Social Security cards when registering with FEMA.

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.

The declaration also authorizes Public Assistance to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Hermine in the counties of Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla.

Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

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Florida Survivors Urged to Register for Disaster Assistance

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Florida

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of Florida.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster’s adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social security matters.

How to Apply for Assistance:

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Assistance for the State, Tribal, and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. Emergency protective measures assistance is available to state and eligible tribal and local governments on a cost-sharing basis (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas, and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal, and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state, tribal, and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only.

FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Federal Aid Programs for the State of Florida

Take Action and Be Disaster Ready: National PrepareAthon! Day

CHICAGO –Join National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30 and take action to improve your emergency preparedness and resilience to disasters. America’s PrepareAthon! is a grassroots campaign developed to encourage individuals, organizations and communities to prepare for specific hazards through drills, group discussions and exercises.

“It’s important to be proactive about emergency preparedness so you know what to do if disaster strikes,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Engage your family, friends and neighbors to identify the risks in your community and understand what to do to stay safe.”

Sign up for local alerts and warnings and check for access to wireless emergency alerts. Visit the websites for your city and/or county to find out if they offer emergency alert notifications. You should also ensure your cell phone is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to warn you of extreme weather and other emergencies in your area. Remember, warning sirens are intended for outdoor notification. When indoors, your alert-enabled smart phone or weather radio can provide you with critical alerts.
Develop and test emergency communications plans. Visit www.Ready.gov/plan-for-your-risks for tips on how to ensure your plan is as comprehensive as possible.
Assemble or update emergency supplies. Include drinking water, a first-aid kit, canned food, a radio, flashlight and blankets. Visit www.Ready.gov/build-a-kit for a disaster supply checklist. Don’t forget to store additional supply kits in your car and at the office.
Collect and safeguard critical documents. Make copies of important documents (mortgage papers, deed, passport, bank information, etc.). Keep copies in your home and store originals in a secure place outside the home, such as a bank safe deposit box.
Document property and obtain appropriate insurance for relevant hazards. Discuss with your insurance agent the risks that may threaten your home and the types of coverage you may need to ensure your property is adequately insured.
Download the FEMA app to your smartphone. You’ll receive alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the U.S. and have access to information about how to stay safe.

More information about the ways to register for and participate in America’s PrepareAthon! Day is available at www.Ready.gov/prepare. For even more readiness information, follow FEMA Region V at twitter.com/femaregion5 and facebook.com/fema.

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.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

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Take Action and Be Disaster Ready: National PrepareAthon! Day

One Year of Progress After Historic South Carolina Floods

ATLANTA — One year ago, record rainfall and river flooding inundated large swaths of South Carolina triggering a federal disaster declaration for thirty-five South Carolina counties. Now hard-hit communities are building back stronger. To date, assistance to residents and communities in South Carolina from the Federal Emergency Management Agency totals well over $164 million.

“We partnered with multiple agencies to assist flood survivors as they worked to recover from the South Carolina floods,” said Gracia Szczech, FEMA’s Region IV Regional Administrator. “While a year has passed, our ultimate goal remains the same – to ensure that communities continue to recover and to emerge stronger and more resilient.”

South Carolina by-the-numbers:

More than 28,000 survivors in twenty-four South Carolina counties received $89,548,894 for individual and housing assistance. Of that amount, $77,714,396 was provided for temporary housing and repairs not covered by insurance and $11,834,498 for other needs such as medical bills, moving and storage expenses, and personal property. More than 11,500 families received rental assistance during the recovery.

Eight emergency shelters housed a total population of 1,400.

FEMA inspectors surveyed more than 90,000 residences for damages (including those re-inspected on appeal).

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams met with 65,696 survivors and 52,629 visits were made to Disaster Recovery Centers.

Disaster unemployment assistance as a result of the disaster was extended to 650 survivors.

Nearly three million meals were served under the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Thirty-three counties and the state received $74,920,813 in Public Assistance. Of that amount, $38,264,692 was obligated for debris removal and emergency protective measures and $36,656,121 was obligated for permanent repairs to public infrastructure.

Seven counties received more than a million dollars each in Public Assistance for emergency measures or permanent repairs to public infrastructure such as roads and bridges, and public buildings and utilities. Berkeley County was the hardest hit, receiving $9,137,955 mostly for repairs.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) paid 3,866 claims for flood damages totaling $134,177,354, as of May 25, 2016. The NFIP has closed out 99 percent of the claims filed.

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Download the FEMA mobile app for disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips.

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One Year of Progress After Historic South Carolina Floods

Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned for September 28

FEMA and FCC Issue Reminder and Key Points about Test

WASHINGTON – As a reminder, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a mandatory nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, September 28, at 2:20 p.m. EDT. In light of the upcoming test, the agencies share the following key informational points:

The purpose of the nationwide test is to ensure that EAS remains an effective means of warning the public about emergencies. Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems helps to assess the operational readiness of alerting infrastructure and identify any needed technological and administrative improvements.
The nationwide test will be administered by FEMA, in cooperation with the FCC and National Weather Service, and with the participation of radio, broadcast TV, cable, satellite, and other service providers (known as “EAS Participants”). EAS Participants are required to file reports with the FCC after the test, which the agency will analyze to determine how the test performed.
FEMA’s test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages in that the public should receive both audio and on-screen text conveying that this is only a test. Specific language will differ slightly as it will indicate that, “This is a national test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test.” (emphasis added.)
The test message will be transmitted in both English and Spanish, with EAS Participants deciding which version to use for their communities. The test is intended to last approximately one minute.
How EAS works: Emergency alerts are created by authorized government agencies and sent to local radio and video service providers by local connections or through a central system administered by FEMA. The radio and video service providers then disseminate the emergency alert messages to affected communities. The FCC prescribes technical and procedural rules for communications providers’ participation in this process.
Public safety officials need to be sure that in times of an emergency or disaster, they have reliable methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public when needed. Conducting regional and national testing supports the continued use, training, and improvement of the system.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) will not be part of the test.
The back-up date for the test is October 5, 2016, in case the September 28 test is cancelled due to widespread severe weather or other significant events.
The test was first officially announced on July 18, 2016. FEMA and the FCC have been coordinating with EAS Participants and other stakeholders in preparation for the test.

September is National Preparedness Month. In addition to conducting the nationwide EAS test, FEMA and the FCC encourage individuals to take action to prepare now and throughout the year. While government plays a role, each of us – including individuals, organizations and businesses – has important things we can do to be ready for the unexpected. Take time this month to be better prepared by following these steps:

Make an emergency plan so families know how to reconnect and reunite when an emergency strikes.
Download the FEMA App for disaster resources and to receive weather alerts, safety tips, and reminders (in English and Spanish) so you can have peace of mind and be ready for the unexpected.
Practice your preparedness. In case you are not with your family during an emergency, practice how you will communicate with each other; digitize important documents and plan a safety drill or exercise at your place of work.
Visit Ready.gov. There are easy-to-use tools and resources available for families, organizations and communities for many disasters, to include floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires at Ready.gov.

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Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

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

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Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned for September 28

Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Iberville, Livingston and Vermilion Parishes for Louisiana Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – Disaster recovery centers will open on Friday, August 26, in Iberville, Livingston and Vermilion parishes to assist Louisiana flood survivors. The centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.

These disaster recovery centers are located at the following addresses:

Iberville Parish East Iberville Gym 3285 Highway 75
St. Gabriel, LA 70776

Livingston Parish American Legion Hall 26200 Highway 43
Springfield, LA 70462

Vermilion Parish Old Health Unit
401 S. St. Charles St. Abbeville, LA 70510

Survivors may locate other centers near them at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

To register with FEMA, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.

Representatives from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, volunteer groups and other agencies are at the disaster recovery centers to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing many affected areas, and are able to register people for FEMA assistance if needed. Sometimes these teams will remain in certain locations convenient to the community, such as a library or mayor’s office. When residents require further assistance the teams may refer them to a disaster recovery center nearby.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids. Each disaster recovery center has assistive technologies for people with disabilities. To arrange to have an ASL interpreter at the DRC when you visit, call 225-382-1739.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for businesses of all sizes including landlords, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

For more information, applicants may contact the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4277.

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We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information on Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

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

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps 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 SBA.gov/disaster Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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Original post:

Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Iberville, Livingston and Vermilion Parishes for Louisiana Survivors

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