New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Kings County on Thursday

 NEW YORK – The state of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will open a new Disaster Recovery Center in Brooklyn at 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, to provide one-on-one, face-to-face help for Hurricane Sandy survivors. 

The center will be located at Sheepshead Bay Yacht Club, 3076 Emmons Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11235.

Normal operational hours for the Disaster Recovery Center are:

8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice

Individuals may visit the Brooklyn center to obtain useful FEMA information and apply forlow-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

Two months after Hurricane Sandy struck, 22 Disaster Recovery Centers are open throughout New York. They have hosted more than 114,000 survivors of the severe weather. 

To find the nearest recovery center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, check out the Disaster Recovery Center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals can find a recovery center – and register for FEMA help – online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or downloading the FEMA app. They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until Jan. 28, 2013 to register for federal disaster assistance, which can include money for rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Kings County on Thursday

Help Available For Sandy Survivors Stressed By Holidays

TRENTON, N.J. — The holiday season can create its own stress. This stress can be especially trying for those recovering from Hurricane Sandy.

Free help is available just a phone call away for New Jersey survivors who feel overwhelmed during the holidays.

The New Jersey Disaster Mental Health Helpline at 877-294-4357 or TTY 877-294-4356 is open  from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Hours for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All calls are free and confidential.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency also supports a Disaster Mental Health Helpline run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration where counselors are available 24 hours a day including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The number is 800-985-5990.

Rest, exercise and healthy eating help the body deal with stress. But disaster-induced mental distress may include:

  • Sleeping too much or too little.
  • Stomach aches or headaches.
  • Worrying a lot of the time; feeling guilty but not sure why.
  • Lack of energy or always feeling tired.
  • Severe disorientation or confusion.
  • Overwhelming sense of guilt.
  • Depression, sadness and feelings of hopelessness.
  • Increased use of substances like drugs or alcohol.

Disaster survivors may doubt that happiness will ever be possible again. Talking about those feelings with friends or counselors can help.

Talking to someone can help survivors keep perspective. Eventually, these out-of-balance times will improve. In the meantime, it is important to connect with others.

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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Help Available For Sandy Survivors Stressed By Holidays

New Jersey Disaster Recovery Centers Assist Hurricane Survivors

TRENTON, N.J. — If you’re a Hurricane Sandy survivor and have questions about a letter you received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, need help finding a place to stay, or have any concerns about your recovery, a visit to a disaster recovery center can help.

FEMA staff is available at centers throughout New Jersey to provide clarification to your letters, assist you with finding a temporary home if your primary residence was damaged or destroyed, check on the status of your application for assistance, or refer you to other agencies that may provide additional help.                                                                                              

Also, you can consult with U.S. Small Business Administration customer service representatives about low-interest disaster loans to repair or rebuild your home and FEMA mitigation specialists about cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damages in future disasters.

New Jersey centers will continue to provide assistance for survivors during the holiday season. Normal center hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday until Saturday, Dec. 29. Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. They will be closed New Year’s Day. Normal hours will resume Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013.

To find the nearest center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. You also can visit www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

You should register for disaster assistance before visiting a center. You can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. You also can register by phone or 711/VRS by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

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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New Jersey Disaster Recovery Centers Assist Hurricane Survivors

Resolve to be Ready in Florida, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready in Florida, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

ATLANTA — This year was characterized by extremely active and devastating weather events across the country; flooding in the Southeast as a result of Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Isaac, wildfires across the Midwest, and Hurricane Sandy which devastated parts of the Northeast and was the second-largest Atlantic storm on record.

As 2012 comes to a close and people make resolutions for the new year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) are encouraging everyone to Resolve to be Ready in 2013 by committing to emergency preparedness.

“While Florida is known as the most hurricane-prone state in the nation, there are an abundance of severe weather threats that require all Floridians to be prepared year-round,” said FDEM Director Bryan W. Koon. “Making emergency preparedness a resolution for your family or business is a great way to get motivated and be prepared for whatever 2013 may bring to the Sunshine State.”

As we have seen in 2012, including the recent severe weather affecting many parts of the country during the holidays, disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, and being prepared is one of the most effective things we can do to protect our homes, businesses and loved ones.  Resolve to be Ready in 2013 is a nationwide effort to increase awareness and encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the new year. 

“Resolve to be Ready is one new year’s resolution you’ll want to keep,” said FEMA Region IV Administrator Phil May. “There are simple steps you can take to prepare for emergencies, such as putting together an emergency supply kit and creating a family emergency plan. Taking these steps will help keep you and your family safe, and could be the most important pledge you make.”

By making a resolution to take a few simple steps in advance, people can minimize the impact of an emergency on their families, homes and businesses.  To take the pledge, visit www.ready.gov/resolve or www.listo.gov, which includes free information, checklists and guidelines about how to put together a kit and make a plan.

Here are a few important tips to get you started:

  • Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area and learn what you need to do to get ready for them. One way you can do this is by signing up to receive information on your mobile device.  Here are a few agency websites that offer timely information:
  • Make a family emergency plan so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones when a disaster strikes. Think about how you would reach your kids at school or your spouse at work. If you had to evacuate, where would you go? Thinking this through in advance will make a big difference.
  • Build two emergency supply kits – one for home and one for the car – that include water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or are stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.
  • Get Involved.  Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community. Contact your local Citizen Corps.

Spread the word to your loved ones and encourage them to Resolve to be Ready in 2013. Anyone can learn more by visiting Ready.gov or Listo.gov.  

To learn more about severe weather in Florida, and to Get A Plan!, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org or www.kidsgetaplan.com, and follow FDEM on Twitter at @FLSERT, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT and on Google+ at FLSERT.

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.

 

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Resolve to be Ready in Florida, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Cerrará El Centro Ubicado En Bayonne, Cambio En El Horario De Atención Del Centro Ubicado En Bay Head

Trenton, N.J. — Uno de los Centros de Recuperación por Desastre (DRC, por sus siglas en inglés) enel condado de Hudson cerrará este sábado.

El centro ubicado en Bayonne City Museum en Bayonne cerrará a las 7:00 p.m. el 29 de diciembre.

Funcionarios federales y estatales estuvieron muy atentos a la cantidad de solicitantes que visitan los centros en todo el estado. En las últimas semanas, el número de personas que buscó ayuda en el centro de Bayonne disminuyó, lo cual indica que las necesidades de información de los sobrevivientes del área han sido satisfechas.                                                                                                                           

Los sobrevivientes del huracán Sandy en el área de Bayonne pueden visitar cualquier centro ubicado en el estado.

Entretanto,  el centro ubicado en Bay Head Fire Station No. 1 en Bay Head cambió el horario de atención; el horario actual es de lunes a sábado de 9:00am a 7:00pm, de ese modo atenderá en el mismo horario que el resto de los centros ubicados a través del estado.

En los centros los residentes pueden hablar personalmente con representantes de recuperación. Especialistas en programas de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) están disponibles en los centros para brindar información sobre la inscripción y otro tipo de información así como para responder preguntas. También cuentan con especialistas en mitigación que pueden brindar asesoramiento sobre cómo reconstruir económicamente y técnicas de reparación para reducir los daños a la propiedad en futuros desastres.

Además de los especialistas en programas de FEMA, representantes de atención al cliente de la Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) de los Estados Unidos están disponibles para responder preguntas acerca del programa de préstamos por desastre de bajo interés de la SBA y para brindar asistencia con las solicitudes de préstamos por desastre.

Las ubicaciones de los DRC pueden cambiar. Visite FEMA.gov/DRC para encontrar el centro más cercano abierto.

No es necesario acudir a un centro para recibir asistencia.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a los ciudadanos y a las agencias de primera respuesta para garantizar que, como país, trabajemos juntos para desarrollar, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad de prepararnos, protegernos y recuperarnos de los peligros, responder ante ellos y mitigarlos.

Siga a FEMA en Internet en www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema y www.youtube.com/fema.  Además, siga las actividades del administrador Craig Fugate en www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

Los enlaces de medios sociales mencionados se brindan únicamente como referencia. FEMA no avala a ninguna compañía, aplicación o sitio web que no sea gubernamental.

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Cerrará El Centro Ubicado En Bayonne, Cambio En El Horario De Atención Del Centro Ubicado En Bay Head

Bayonne Center To Close, Bay Head Center Hours Change

TRENTON, N.J. — A Hudson County disaster recovery center will close this Saturday.

The center located at the Bayonne City Museum in Bayonne will close at 7 p.m., December 29.

State and federal officials have been paying close attention to how many applicants are visiting centers throughout the state. Over the past weeks, the number of individuals seeking help at the  Bayonne center has dropped, indicating the information needs of survivors in the area are being met.                                                                                                                

Hurricane Sandy survivors in the Bayonne area can still visit any center across the state.

Meanwhile, the center located at Bay Head Fire Station No. 1 in Bay Head has changed its hours to 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday to be consistent with centers across the state.

Centers allow residents to speak one-on-one with recovery representatives. FEMA program specialists are available to provide registration and other information and to answer questions at the centers. These include mitigation specialists who can provide guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.

In addition to FEMA program specialists, customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to answer questions about the SBA low-interest disaster loan program, and to assist with disaster loan applications.

DRC locations may change. The nearest open offices can be found online at FEMA.gov/DRC.

It is not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance.

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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Bayonne Center To Close, Bay Head Center Hours Change

I Started By Calling FEMA, Why Did I End Up With The SBA

TRENTON, N.J. — Some Hurricane Sandy survivors who ask for disaster assistance wonder why they receive applications for loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Receiving an SBA loan application is part of the process that begins when survivors register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help after a disaster.

Applications of those registering with FEMA are evaluated, based on the information they supply, for available disaster assistance. This includes money for essential repairs or replacement of homes and personal property, such as automobiles, lost as a result of the disaster.

Those found to be eligible for SBA’s low-interest, long-term loans are sent applications. The applications for SBA loans must be returned by Jan. 30, 2013.

Filling out and returning the SBA documents does not obligate the survivor to accept a loan, if offered. But completing the application is a necessary step for those needing money for more than housing assistance.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program can provide grants to repair or replace personal property items such as clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

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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I Started By Calling FEMA, Why Did I End Up With The SBA

Keep In Touch With Seniors After Hurricane Sandy

TRENTON, N.J. — As recovery efforts continue in New Jersey through the holiday season, it is important that residents keep in touch with their elderly relatives, friends and neighbors, or anyone they may know with a disability or access and functional need.

Seniors or individuals with special needs previously living on their own may be dependent on others for food, shelter or the basic necessities of daily living. Those used to assisted living may face disruptions in their normal routines or a change in their usual caregivers.

Here are some simple ways to help:

  • Arrange weekly or bi-weekly visits.
  • Schedule a regular day when you can call to check in.
  • Assist them in recovering their physical possessions.
  • Help them return to familiar surroundings with friends and acquaintances as soon as possible.
  • Make sure they have needed medical and financial assistance.
  • Help them re-establish social networks.
  • Monitor their nutritional and medicinal needs.
  • If you do not live close, ask a neighbor of theirs to look in on them; make sure they have your up-to-date contact information.

Individuals with access or functional needs may include those who are non-English speakers or have limited English proficiency, those with special dietary needs or medical conditions, those who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who are visually or mobility impaired.

Seniors and other survivors can register with FEMA at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smartphone at m.fema.gov. Survivors may also call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. For 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362.

To contact the Area Agency on Aging in your county, visit www.state.nj.us/health/senior/sa_aaa.shtml or call the nationwide toll-free number at 877-222-3737. Anyone seeking mental health services can call the toll-free disaster mental health helpline at 877-294-HELP (4357) or TTY 877-294-4356.

Garden State residents can also call the New Jersey 2-1-1 hotline for more information on state, local and voluntary organizations in the area that may help with specific unmet needs.

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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Keep In Touch With Seniors After Hurricane Sandy

Greene County Designated for FEMA Public Assistance for Sandy Response, Rebuilding Costs

14 New York counties now eligible for public infrastructure repair, emergency work and cleanup reimbursement

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that Greene County is now eligible for disaster aid under the FEMA Public Assistance program.

The Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments, tribal organizations and certain private nonprofit entities at least 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure. The remaining 25 percent comes from non-federal funds.

In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

“I am pleased to announce that Greene County has been added to the disaster declaration,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA federal coordinating officer. “As the recovery continues, FEMA is working with our state and local partners to rebuild New York. We have been here since the beginning and will stay here until our work is done.”

With the addition of Greene County, there are now 14 New York counties designated for Public Assistance  under President Obama’s federal disaster declaration for New York, including: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester and Greene.

In the seven weeks since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, FEMA has awarded more than

$318 million to local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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Greene County Designated for FEMA Public Assistance for Sandy Response, Rebuilding Costs

FEMA Obligates $1.1 Million to Lafourche Parish for Debris Removal

BATON ROUGE, La. – Lafourche Parish will receive a $1.1 million federal grant to help reimburse its costs for cleaning up debris from public rights of way following Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced.

The FEMA grant, totaling $1,144,692, is obligated to the parish for its work in removing and disposing of more than 107,000 cubic yards of vegetative and other debris cause by high winds and flooding during the storm.

“Cleaning up debris is an important step in the recovery process,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This grant demonstrates our strong support for the city’s efforts to clear debris and thus protect public health and safety.”

The FEMA grant covers the federal share of the parish’s eligible costs for the work. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant pay the remaining 25 percent.

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the more than $144.1 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29 declaration for Hurricane Isaac.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Obligates $1.1 Million to Lafourche Parish for Debris Removal

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