National PrepareAthon! Day: Take Action and Be Disaster Ready

CHICAGO –Join National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30 and take action to improve your family’s emergency preparedness and resilience to potential disasters.

“Disaster risks in the Midwest can range from severely cold temperatures, to high heat, severe storms and flooding. It’s important to understand each of these risks and what you and your family will need to do to stay safe,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Be proactive, and engage your family, friends and neighbors in one of the many simple ways to prepare for emergencies.”

• Sign up for local alerts and warnings and check for access to wireless emergency alerts. Visit your city and/or county website to find out if they offer emergency alert notifications through their own systems. 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.

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

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 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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National PrepareAthon! Day: Take Action and Be Disaster Ready

Making Repairs and Rebuilding Wisely Following July’s Storm Damage in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – As important as it is to make home repairs as soon as possible following a natural disaster, it is also important to take some time to plan the project, consult with local officials and choose a contractor wisely.

Before You Start:

  • Contact the local permitting office. Follow all local and state requirements.  
  • Check with your local building official to make sure your work is safe and meets all local and state codes and requirements.

How to Help Reduce Future Damage:

  • Consider using building materials that are more resistant to flood, wind, corrosion and decay.
  • If siding or roof sheathing needs replacement, consider installing hurricane/seismic connectors at the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections. Adding wall-to-foundation ties may also be necessary.
  • Windows, doors and skylights should be checked for leaks. If they need replacement, consider impact-resistant units.
  • Check your attic for adequate insulation. Straps should be added from rafters to wall top plates, and gable end-wall framing should be braced.
  • Inspect soffits to determine if structural upgrades are necessary.
  • If you live in a flood-prone area, elevate appliances such as air conditioners.

How to Select Your Contractor Carefully:

  • You are advised to watch out for home improvement scammers saying they have left over materials or say they noticed your home was damaged and can repair it. Take your time to choose your contractor.
  • Look for a contractor with an established physical address.
  • Get bids from more than one person. Make sure they are in writing and specify exactly what will be done.
  • Beware of a low-ball price.
  • Ask for references and contact them.
  • Make sure the contractor has the proper licenses and insurance coverage required in Kentucky.
  • Never pay the full price in advance.

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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.

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).

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.

 

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Making Repairs and Rebuilding Wisely Following July’s Storm Damage in Kentucky

Last Day to Request a Review of Hurricane Sandy Flood Insurance Claims is Three Weeks Away

Three weeks remain for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurance policyholders to submit their Hurricane Sandy Claims for review by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The last day to submit claims is Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced that any additional flood insurance proceeds up to $20,000 will not be treated as duplicative, and will not be recouped by HUD or its grantees. To date, approximately three out of four NFIP claimants have received less than $20,000 in additional compensation from FEMA, and will not face any possible repayment of HUD-funded grants.

Policyholders can call the NFIP’s Hurricane Sandy claims center at 866-337-4262 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Monday through Friday, to request a review.  It is important to have your policy number and insurance company name ready when you call. As of Sept. 16, more than 14,000 policyholders have requested reviews of their Sandy flood insurance claims.

Policyholders also can go online to www.fema.gov/hurricane-sandy-nfip-claims to download a form requesting a review. The downloaded form can be filled out and emailed to FEMA-sandyclaimsreview@fema.dhs.gov or faxed to 202-646-7970 to begin the review process. For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use 711 or VRS, please call 866-337-4262.  For individuals using a TTY, please call 800-462-7585 to begin the review process.

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.

Original source: 

Last Day to Request a Review of Hurricane Sandy Flood Insurance Claims is Three Weeks Away

FEMA & Operation HOPE Renew Collaboration during September’s National Preparedness Month

WASHINGTON– The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and HOPE Coalition America (HCA), the emergency preparedness and financial recovery division of Operation HOPE, signed a memorandum of agreement yesterday renewing their 11-year collaboration to promote financial preparedness and support for recovery after emergencies and disasters. The renewal of this collaboration took place during National Preparedness Month, a nationwide, month-long effort hosted by the Ready Campaign, encouraging households, businesses, and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies.

“Being financially prepared before, during, and after a disaster can help families and communities recover faster when disaster strikes,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “This memorandum of agreement will help to make our communities more financially secure and our nation more resilient.” 

The memorandum of agreement outlines a wide array of collaborative actions between FEMA and Operation HOPE, including efforts to provide pre-disaster financial education materials and information to communities, establishing and updating procedures to provide free financial guidance, and case management to survivors in the event of a major disaster or emergency, and efforts to recruit and train volunteers to provide financial preparation and recovery guidance to survivors. 

“Operation HOPE helps individuals, families and small businesses regain their financial health and economic stability after a natural disaster or national emergency,” said Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and CEO John Hope Bryant. “We’re pleased to renew our partnership with FEMA and assist their efforts to help Americans be better prepared for adverse events. As such, HOPE Inside locations nationwide will now include access and resources offering HCA services.”

Over the past several years, FEMA and HCA have leveraged resources from each other to help individuals and families prepare for disasters, or recover from disasters in the shortest possible time. FEMA has also partnered with Operation HOPE to encourage individuals, families and businesses to collect and safeguard the critical documents they will need to help them start the process through the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK). The EFFAK is a resource for financial preparedness, providing step-by-step instructions on the protection of personal assets and financial information to reduce vulnerability after a disaster. This simple tool can help Americans identify and organize key financial, insurance, medical, and legal records, and is available at www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness.

 

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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 & Operation HOPE Renew Collaboration during September’s National Preparedness Month

Deadline to Enter Hurricane Sandy Claims Review Is One Week Away

Roy Wright, Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), reminds policyholders that the deadline for requesting a review of their Hurricane Sandy claim is Sept. 15, 2015.

“If you feel your Sandy claim was underpaid, I encourage you to call us so we can take another look and we stand ready to take your calls,” Wright said. “FEMA has begun providing funds to policyholders who completed the review and were due additional payments on their claim,” Wright said.

More than 12,500 policyholders have entered the review process so far.

Getting started is as simple as making a telephone call. To be eligible for the review, policyholders must have experienced flood damage between Oct. 27, 2012 and Nov. 6, 2012 as a result of Hurricane Sandy and must have had an active NFIP flood policy at the time of the loss. Policyholders can call the NFIP’s Hurricane Sandy claims center at 866-337-4262 to request a review.  It is important to have your policy number and insurance company name when you call.

In advance of the approaching deadline, FEMA expanded its call center hours to make it easier for policyholders to request a review. The call center operates weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. EDT to 6 p.m. EDT.

Policyholders can go online to www.fema.gov/hurricane-sandy-nfip-claims to download a form requesting a review. The downloaded form can be filled out and emailed to FEMA-sandyclaimsreview@fema.dhs.gov or faxed to 202-646-7970 to begin the review process. For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use 711 or VRS, please call 866-337-4262.  For individuals using a TTY, please call 800-462-7585 to begin the review process.

When policyholders call, it is helpful if they have available as much information as possible, including the name(s) on the policy, the address of the damaged property and the ten-digit NFIP policy number that was in effect at the time of the loss. Policyholders will be asked a series of questions to determine whether they qualify for the review. If qualified, they will be called by an adjuster to begin the review. The timing of this call may be affected by the volume of requests. Most reviews can be concluded within 90 days.

Policyholders who have already requested a review of their claim do not have to call again. They are in the system and an adjuster will continue to work with them after the Sept. 15 deadline.

The Sandy Claims Review is intended to be simple for the policyholder and does not require paid legal assistance. Several nonprofit service providers are ready to offer free advice and answer questions policyholders may have. A list of these advocacy groups can be found on the claims review website at www.fema.gov/sandyclaims.

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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Deadline to Enter Hurricane Sandy Claims Review Is One Week Away

Know your tsunami evacuation routes – Race the Wave in Cannon Beach, OR Sept. 13

Tsunami racers, take your marks! This Sunday, September 13, Race the Wave participants will practice the tsunami evacuation route from the coast to higher ground in Cannon Beach, Oregon. We know that increasing preparedness levels across the board means greater community resilience, and Race the Wave is a great event to highlight during National Preparedness Month this September.

The race finishes at the higher ground of one of the community’s evacuation meeting points, where Cannon Beach will host a preparedness fair with interactive booths to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies and disasters.

Runners at starting line of race

Residents of Cannon Beach, Oregon gather for a 5K race following a tsunami evacuation route from the beach to a safe meeting spot. The race helped residents build the “muscle memory” of getting to safety, if they should feel an earthquake while they are on or near the beach.

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Race the Wave uses the National Preparedness month themes of being disaster aware and taking action to prepare and makes those themes relevant for their community.

  • Know the Plan: Make a plan with your family about where you will meet. Know if you need to pick your kids up from school. Know where you need to go and what to bring with you.
  • Take the Route: Become familiar with signage in your area. Learn the evacuation route from where you live, work, and play. Evacuate on foot and avoid traveling by car if possible.
  • Race the Wave: Natural warnings are the best sign of a tsunami. If you feel the ground shaking, move quickly inland or to a higher elevation. Listen to the radio to learn of tsunami warnings originating from non-local causes.

This is the second annual Race the Wave event, which includes a 10k, 5k and 2k for all abilities to participate in; participants can run, walk or roll the route. Visitors and locals alike will learn about the risks posed by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and what they can do to stay safe.

The Community of Cannon Beach, Clatsop County Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), Oregon Office on Disability & Health at Oregon Health & Science University and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region X office are coming together to support Race the Wave.

FEMA encourages everyone to take steps to become better prepared for an emergency. Whether it’s at home, at work, at school, or in the community, there’s a lot that you can do to be ready and help others be ready too.  This September, take time to get disaster prepared and take action to prepare.

What you can do:

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Know your tsunami evacuation routes – Race the Wave in Cannon Beach, OR Sept. 13

Applicant Registration Site Opens in Breathitt County

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

Applicant Registration Site Opens in Rowan County

FRANKFORT, Ky.  — Survivors of July’s storms can register for federal disaster aid at a temporary site in Rowan 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:

Carl D. Perkins Community Center

1300 Crayton Jackson Lane

Morehead, KY 40351

It will only be open through this Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.

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Applicant Registration Site Opens in Rowan County

More than $5 million Approved for Disaster Aid to Kentucky Flooding Survivors

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Three weeks after President Obama declared a major disaster for Kentucky, approximately $5.3 million in federal aid has been approved to help those affected by the July storms and flooding.

More than 1,000 individuals and households have contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help or information by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362/TTY 800-462-7585.

Some are seeking housing assistance from FEMA because the flooding made their home unlivable. Other forms of disaster assistance are provided by partner agencies such as the Small Business Administration. Other callers may be interested in disaster unemployment assistance.

The following summarizes the disaster recovery effort as of Sept. 2:

  • 504 households have been approved for FEMA grants that assist with temporary rentals and personal property loss.
  • More than $3 million is approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and essential home repair costs on primary residences.
  • More than $480,000 is approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
  • More than $1.7 million has been approved in Small Business Administration disaster loans.
  • 819 home inspections have been completed.
  • 692 visits have been made to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
  • 2 disaster recovery centers (Johnson and Carter counties) are currently open.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance coverage, survivors are urged to apply for help. They can use any of the following methods:

  1. By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Assistance is available in most languages. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585 or Video Relay Service 800-621-3362.
  2. Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Businesses, homeowners and renters that need help may contact the Small Business Administration directly at the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), send an  email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply.

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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.

 

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More than $5 million Approved for Disaster Aid to Kentucky Flooding Survivors

Disaster Recovery Centers to Close For Labor Day

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Disaster recovery centers, which are operated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will not be open on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.

The Johnson County disaster recovery center (120 Tays Branch Road in Paintsville) and the Carter County center (539 Hitchins Ave. in Olive Hill) will close Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. and reopen Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 9 a.m. (EDT).

At the centers, specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration can answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors of July’s severe storms and flooding. Specialists can help with registration, check an individual’s case, answer questions about an application or review information needed to process an application.

Survivors who suffered losses in Breathitt, Carter, Fleming, Johnson, Perry, Rowan and Trimble counties can continue to register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585, Video Relay Service 800-621-3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (EDT).

Assistance can include money for temporary housing and essential home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

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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.

 

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Disaster Recovery Centers to Close For Labor Day

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