COLUMBIA, S.C. – As South Carolinians rebuild and repair after the recent historic floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand in Berkeley and Richland counties at in-store information centers to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Also on hand will be FEMA’s disaster survivors assistance teams to answer questions and provide guidance on federal help available until further notice.

Advisers will be available at two locations today through Oct. 27. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Monday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Berkeley County: Home Depot located at 190 Marymeade Drive in Summerville

Richland County: Lowe’s located at 7441 Two Notch Road in Columbia

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets in English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage. More information about strengthening property can be found at fema.gov/what-mitigation.

For more information on South Carolina recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4241, Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion4 and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website scemd.org.

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FEMA Mitigation Advisers Offer Guidance to Flood Survivors in Columbia, Summerville

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two disaster recovery centers are open in Florence and Kershaw counties to help South Carolina flood survivors. The centers are open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the centers to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.

The disaster recovery centers are located at the following addresses:

Florence County
Holiness Conference Center (Evans Dining Hall)
620 Ron McNair Blvd.
Lake City, SC 29560

Kershaw County
Blaney Fire Department
2344 Highway 1 South
Elgin, SC 29045

If possible, before going to a disaster recovery center, people with flooding losses should register with FEMA.  They can go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages, and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. If survivors use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center, call 800-621- 3362.

All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability related communication aids.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for temporary rental assistance and essential home repairs for primary residences not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration are also available to help with business, homeowner and renter uninsured losses.

Survivors and businesses should first register with FEMA and may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) or online. They may also apply online.

 

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.

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 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.

Taken from:  

Disaster Recovery Centers in South Carolina Open in Florence and Kershaw Counties

During September, National Preparedness Month, the Austin Joint Field Office is releasing a series of stories highlighting FEMA’s support of Texas communities as they take steps to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property.

AUSTIN, Texas – Austin’s city leaders have seen disaster before and understand the folly of waiting and hoping one will never again hit this area.

With that in mind, they partnered with Travis County and the Central Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross to develop “Disaster Ready Austin.”  Coordinated by the city of Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), the purpose of the initiative is to educate and empower residents to be prepared for emergencies and disasters.

The vision is a whole-community approach to disaster preparedness education in the city of Austin. “Our basic message to [residents] is to protect themselves,” said Jacob Dirr, public information and marketing officer of HSEM’s Community Preparedness Programs. “The goal is to educate Austin residents on basic preparedness for all types of hazards, including first aid tips and what to do in case of flash floods, wildfires, severe weather, pandemic flu or accidents involving hazardous materials.”

Online resources, such as contact cards and emergency kit checklists are offered in English and Spanish at Homeland Security and Emergency Management | AustinTexas.gov . The HSEM Community Education and Outreach team members take advantage of scheduled meetings, such as Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) gatherings at the schools, where they offer presentations in English and Spanish.

Dirr notes that in some areas young kids, and parents, in the Austin community understand Spanish more than English.

Other audiences include Boy Scout groups, elderly care facilities, fairs, kids’ summer programs, area employers, community groups and school events.

One component of their community outreach at events is “Ready Freddie,” a character included in a children’s activity book called “Too Prepared to Be Scared,” which Dirr said is popular with parents and children. Featuring puzzles, games and animated figures to help get the preparedness message across, the booklet also has a certificate of appreciation children can receive when they finish.

“It’s full of colorful disaster-related advice such as information on developing an emergency supply kit, having an emergency plan and keeping pets safe,” Dirr said.

One of the biggest events attended by HSEM staff, including Dirr dressed in a life-size Ready Freddie mascot costume, was the “Back to School Bash” held at the downtown convention center. More than 100 vendors participated, with attendance exceeding 11,000.

To learn more about how cities and towns across Texas are building stronger, safer communities visit Best Practice Stories | FEMA.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. 

More:  

Austin Program Encourages Residents to be Disaster Ready

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Survivors of July’s storms can register for federal disaster aid at a temporary site in Breathitt County. The site will help people who were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides occurring July 11 through July 20.

The registration site is located at:

Breathitt County Library

1024 College Ave.

Jackson, KY 41339

It will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT until further notice.

The site, staffed by a Disaster Survivor Assistance team, will offer registration assistance. Applicants can also check the status of their applications or get referrals to other resources. Specialists will also be available to provide guidance and answer questions on Individual Assistance.

Applicants who cannot come to the Applicant Registration Site and wish to update their contact information or ask questions concerning Federal Emergency Management Agency correspondence can call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585, Video Relay Service 800-621-3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) or go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.

The deadline for survivors to register for federal assistance is Oct. 12.

The Small Business Administration will also be on hand to discuss its disaster loan program.

FEMA and the Commonwealth have made it a priority to reach survivors who need help – including people with disabilities and/or access and functional needs, senior citizens and people with limited English proficiency.

Survivors who need reasonable accommodation to apply for assistance or to visit the registration site may call 502-209-2749 or Kentucky 711 for TTY.

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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.

For more information on Kentucky’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://kyem.ky.gov. On Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/KYEmergencyManagement. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/kyempio or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

See the article here – 

Applicant Registration Site Opens in Breathitt County

Washington  – Disasters like floods, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes are a harsh and frequent reality for much of the country. According to a recent survey conducted by FEMA, progress has been made; however, fewer than half of Americans have discussed and developed an emergency plan with their household.

Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ad Council launched a new series of public service announcements (PSAs) to encourage families to develop an emergency communication plan before a disaster occurs. An extension of the national Ready campaign, the new PSAs launch in conjunction with the 12th annual National Preparedness Month, serving as a reminder to take action to prepare for the types of hazards that could impact where you live, work, and vacation.

“The last thing you want to be worried about during a disaster is how to communicate with your family members,” said Administrator Craig Fugate. “Have that conversation today. It doesn’t cost a thing.”

The new campaign includes English and Spanish-language TV, radio, outdoor, print and digital PSAs. Created pro bono by Chicago-based advertising agency Schafer Condon Carter, the PSAs illustrate the importance of having a family plan in the event of an emergency by showing real emergency moments and asking the question, “when is the right time to prepare?”  The viewer is encouraged to develop a family emergency communication plan through the clear message, “Don’t wait. Communicate.” The PSAs direct audiences to Ready.gov/communicate for tools and resources to help develop and practice a family emergency communication plan.

“Through the Ready campaign, we’ve made a lot of progress educating and empowering Americans to prepare for all types of emergencies but there are still so many families that don’t have a plan, said Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council. “Having these conversations is really important and can have a big impact on our families’ safety in the event of a disaster.”

“SCC is honored to work with the Ad Council and FEMA on the Ready campaign,” said David Selby, President and Managing Partner of SCC. “This new campaign provides powerful imagery and a critically important call-to-action that we hope will cause individuals and families to pay attention, lean in and, ultimately, take action.”

Localized television and radio PSAs were created and will be available for 27 states, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington D.C., and New York City as part of an ongoing collaboration with state and local emergency management partners. These PSAs drive audiences to their local organization’s website for resources and information pertinent to their area.

As an extension of the national Ready campaign, versions of the PSAs were created for Ready New York, a local initiative that was launched in partnership with the New York City Office of Emergency Management in 2009. Tailoring the message to the unique challenges faced by people living in New York City, audiences are directed to call 311 or visit NYC.gov/readyny, where they can find preparedness resources, including 11 Ready New York guides in 13 languages and audio format.

Managed and sponsored by the Ready campaign, National Preparedness Month is designed to raise awareness and encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses, and places of worship. National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to share emergency preparedness information and host activities across the country to help Americans understand what it truly means to be ready.

National Preparedness Month Weekly Themes

  • Week 1 (September 1–5)  Flood
  • Week 2 (September 6–12)  Wildfire
  • Week 3 (September 13–19)  Hurricane
  • Week 4 (September 20–26)  Power Outage
  • Week 5 (September 27–30)  Lead up to National PrepareAthon! Day, September 30

National Preparedness Month culminates with National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30 when cities and counties across the country are planning community-wide events bringing together schools, their business community, government, faith leaders, hospitals, individuals and families, and others to participate in community-wide preparedness drills and activities for hazards that are relevant to their area.

Since the launch in 2003, the Ready Campaign has received nearly $1.2 billion in donated media. The Campaign helps to generate more than 92 million unique visitors to Ready.gov. The Ad Council is distributing the new PSAs to media outlets nationwide this week, and the PSAs will run in donated time and space.

For more information visit Ready.gov/September or follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter. For more information about National PrepareAthon! Day, visit www.ready.gov/prepare.

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Read the article: 

National Preparedness Month Kicks Off on September 1

AUSTIN, Texas – Apply by Aug. 27 for assistance from FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). You have every reason to do so. 

If you are among thousands of Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred from May 4 to June 22, you may be eligible for a grant or low-interest loan from the SBA. If you answer YES to any of the following questions and were affected by the disaster, you may be eligible.

  • Are you a homeowner, renter or business of any size with disaster-related damage? 

  • Did you file an insurance claim for damage and have not received your settlement? 

  • Are you uninsured or under-insured and have unmet needs?

  • Do you need help applying because English is your second language?

  • Are you a Qualified Alien or the parent of a U.S. citizen in your household?

  • Are you a person with a disability or have an access or functional need?

  • Do you receive Social Security, Medicaid food stamps and are concerned help will affect your benefits?

  • Do you need help, but feel others need it more or that there won’t be enough assistance for everyone?

  • Do you feel you will not qualify for a low-interest loan?

If you have questions or concerns about applying for disaster assistance, call the FEMA helpline before the Aug. 27 deadline. Tell your friends and neighbors that help may be available, but they must register before the deadline.

Remember, FEMA grants do not have to be repaid and you are not required to accept an SBA loan. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Find answers to questions on http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. Topics include rumor control, recovery information, recovery center locations and hours, links to apply for assistance and other resources, information about flood insurance, news releases, fact sheets, photographs and blogs.

You can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time). Multilingual operators are available. Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

You also can visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Assistive equipment is available. To find the nearest DRC, go online to http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

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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.

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

View original article:

Texans Have Every Reason to Register for Disaster Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas – To meet the needs of Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 22, a State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Nueces County will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center on Friday, Aug. 28.

Thursday, Aug. 27, is the final day for survivors to register for FEMA recovery assistance or to apply for a loan from SBA.

The Disaster Recovery Center at Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds Conference Center- Meeting Room A, B & C, 1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd., Robstown, TX  78380, will close on Aug. 27, at 6 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 28, an SBA center will open at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds Conference Center- Business Office Conference Room at 9 a.m. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice.

Representatives from the SBA will be available at the center to meet individually with residents and business owners to answer their questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program, help them complete their applications and close their approved disaster loans. Assistance will be available in English and Spanish. 

SBA low-interest disaster assistance loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 from SBA to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

Applying for an SBA low-interest disaster loan is part of federal disaster assistance. Many people who apply to FEMA are automatically referred for a low-interest disaster assistance loan. Survivors should complete SBA loan applications so they can be considered for all available disaster assistance.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money to fund long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit 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 uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Survivors with questions regarding their FEMA applications or the appeals process after the DRC transitions to a Disaster Loan Outreach Center have several ways to obtain information:

  • Go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.
  • Contact U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit SBA’s website at  sba.gov/disaster.  Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

For more information on Texas recovery, go to Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, 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.

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

Visit Texas Disaster Mitigation | FEMA.gov for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

See original:

Disaster Recovery Center in Nueces County Texas Transitioning to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center August 28

AUSTIN, Texas – The Disaster Recovery Center located at the Hidalgo County WIC Building, 1903 N. Knights Drive, Pharr, TX, 78577, will cease operations at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29. The final day for survivors to register for FEMA recovery assistance or to apply for a loan from the U. S. Small Business Administration is Thursday, Aug. 27.

The DRC, operated by the State of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and supported by other agencies, has remained open to meet the needs of area residents. The center has served as a one-stop shop for information and guidance about disaster assistance.

After the DRC closes, survivors with questions regarding their applications or the appeals process have several ways to obtain information:

  • Go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.

  • Visit the Texas Disaster Recovery website fema.gov/disaster/4223.
  • Contact U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit SBA’s website at  sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Visit http://www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger. For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, 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.

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

 

Link:

Hidalgo County, Texas Disaster Recovery Center to Close August 29

AUSTIN, Texas – If you are among the thousands of Texans who filed insurance claims for damage related to the May 4 to June 22 storms, you may be eligible for additional state-federal assistance. The key is to register with FEMA before the Aug. 27 deadline. Filing a claim under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program is different than registering for a FEMA disaster assistance grant.

FEMA may be able to help you with uninsured or underinsured losses or if your insurance settlement is delayed. Be sure to document your situation and gather insurance company documents that can be included when you talk with FEMA after registering.

Have you received the maximum settlement from your insurance and still have unmet disaster-related needs?  You may be eligible for a grant.

For example, if you have exhausted the maximum settlement from your insurance for Additional Living Expenses (ALE for loss of use) and still need help from FEMA with temporary housing, you should document your need and assemble paperwork that shows use of ALE from insurance.

While FEMA cannot duplicate benefits covered by your insurance or other sources, you may also be eligible for emergency home repairs, disaster-related medical, dental and funeral costs and other disaster-related expenses.

Has a decision on your insurance settlement been delayed longer than 30 days from the time you filed your claim? Be sure to let FEMA know and have ready any documents from your insurance company to show that you filed a claim. If the claim was filed over the telephone, include the claim number, date applied, and an estimate of how long it will take for you to receive your settlement. Any help from FEMA would be considered an advance and would have to be repaid to FEMA when your insurance settlement is received.

You can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Applying for an SBA low-interest disaster loan is part of federal disaster assistance. Many people who apply to FEMA are automatically referred for a low-interest disaster assistance loan. Survivors should complete SBA loan applications so they can be considered for all available disaster assistance.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6, and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, 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.

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

View original post here: 

Texans Who Filed Insurance Claims for May-June Storm Damage Should Register With FEMA

AUSTIN, Texas – As Texans rebuild or repair their homes damaged by the May 4 through June 22 storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand in Brazoria, Grayson, Harris, Montgomery, and Williamson counties at in-store information centers to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Also, if you’re thinking of building a storm shelter or safe room, literature is available about the best options. Safe rooms built to FEMA specifications have saved thousands of lives.

Advisors will be available at the following locations Aug. 20 – 25:

Brazoria County: Home Depot located at 100 Abner Jackson Parkway, Lake Jackson, TX 77566

Grayson County: Home Depot located at 601 Northcreek Drive, Sherman, TX 75092     

Harris County: Lowe’s located at 9640 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77055

Montgomery County: Home Depot located at 23575 U.S. Highway 59, Porter, TX 77365

Williamson County: Lowe’s located at 201 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Hutto, TX 78634

Hours of operation: Thursday – Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday (Aug.25), 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets in English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage and cleaning up mold and mildew. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, http://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.

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

 

 

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Advice on Preventing Damage from Future Storms Offered at Home Improvement Stores in Texas

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