Virginia Beach Disaster Recovery Center Hours Change

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Effective Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Virginia Beach will begin operating under new hours. The new operating hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

Disaster survivors are urged to register with FEMA right away, and can visit the DRC nearest them or call the FEMA help line at 800-621-3362 for assistance. To find a DRC location closest to you, go to: https://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers and click on ‘Search for a Disaster Recovery Center.’

DRCs are operated by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The centers provide FEMA registration assistance and disaster information to residents in the cities of Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk and Virginia Beach with damage from Hurricane Matthew.

Specialists at the recovery centers can review applicant cases, answer questions about claims, review information needed to process claims, and talk with a U.S. Small Business Administration representative.

These disaster centers are open Monday through Sunday until further notice:

Starting Wednesday:

Virginia Beach: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

                      Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library

                      4100 Virginia Beach Blvd

                      Virginia Beach, VA 23452

                      Enter main door, turn right, near Cafe

Chesapeake: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                      Chesapeake Department of Human Services

                      City of Chesapeake

                      100 Outlaw St.

                      Chesapeake, VA 23320

                      Enter main door, turn right

Norfolk: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  Norfolk City Work Force Development Center

  201 Little Creek Road

  Room 208

  Norfolk, VA 23505

You don’t need to visit a DRC to register for Federal assistance, survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov, on the FEMA Mobile App, or by calling 800-621-3362. TTY users can call 800-462-7585. Phone lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT until further notice. Help is available in almost any language.

Additional information about this disaster is available at www.fema.gov and www.vaemergency.gov. Virginians seeking information about disaster-related services needs should call Virginia 211, a statewide information and referral service.

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Virginia Beach Disaster Recovery Center Hours Change

FEMA Hires Local Residents for Disaster Recovery Jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Monday, Nov. 14) — In partnership with the State of South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aims to hire dozens of workers for a variety of temporary jobs in Blythewood, Florence and North Charleston.

Those selected will join the team—made up of state and federal workers, voluntary agencies, and community leaders—already in place to help the state recover from Hurricane Matthew. Through local hires, FEMA can gain community insight and give an added boost to the area’s economy.

Many FEMA employees started as local hires in their own states following a declared disaster.

Nationwide the FEMA workforce of 8,000 people includes full-time employees and reservists who travel across the country to help survivors recover after a disaster, including floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires and hurricanes.

In South Carolina, FEMA has the following positions currently available:

  • Environmental Specialist
  • Historic Preservation (Structures) Specialist
  • Couriers
  • Voluntary Agency Liaison
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Hazard Mitigation Program Community Outreach Education Specialist

Salaries are between $14 and $28 an hour. If needed, FEMA will post more jobs to take advantage of the large pool of talented workers in South Carolina. Positions are temporary. Qualified applicants should possess strong customer service skills, whether the job entails helping survivors in the field or serving as support staff in the office.

To become part of FEMA, go online to SCworks.org. Once there, interested parties should conduct a job search by employer. Then filter by “government” and enter “FEMA” as their keyword.

Each FEMA job candidate must be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or older. Candidates must pass a complete background investigation, fingerprint check and credit check prior to being hired by FEMA. Disaster work may require 10-hour workdays seven days a week.

FEMA remains committed to employing a highly qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation and the people we serve. The federal government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, non-disqualifying physical handicap, sexual orientation and any other non-merit factor.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4286.

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/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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FEMA Hires Local Residents for Disaster Recovery Jobs

South Carolina Survivors Have 30 Days to Apply for Disaster Assistance

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Monday, Nov. 14) – Just one month remains for Hurricane Matthew survivors in South Carolina to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and submit loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The last day for survivors to register for federal disaster assistance is Tuesday, December 13. Survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or relay service) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance from FEMA may include grants for homeowners or renters to help pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non- profit organizations, homeowners and renters. SBA loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the SBA are available to small businesses and private- nonprofits to assist with working capital needs as a direct result of the disaster. SBA loans are for uninsured or underinsured disaster losses. SBA advises it is not necessary to wait for an insurance settlement before submitting a loan application.

Eligible survivors should register now with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but FEMA may be able to help with uninsured or underinsured losses.

Survivors who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the NFIP call center at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

After registering with FEMA, survivors who need one-on-one assistance may visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find a list of DRC locations and hours, download the FEMA App to your mobile phone or visit asd.fema.gov/inter/locator. DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities. The centers have magnifiers, tools to amplify sound, materials in alternative formats, and video remote interpretation. Sign language interpreters are available upon request.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation, go online to fema.gov/disaster/4286 or the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at scemd.org/recovery-section/ia.

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. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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 websiteat www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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South Carolina Survivors Have 30 Days to Apply for Disaster Assistance

Hurricane Matthew Survivors Encouraged to Use Disaster Grants for Intended Purpose

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Officials urge Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew survivors to use their federal disaster aid for its intended purpose.  Improperly using the funds could be a violation of the declaration survivors sign to receive the grants and could result in future assistance being denied.

Once approved for disaster grants, Georgia survivors receive FEMA aid via check or an electronic direct deposit to their checking account. They receive a letter from FEMA providing information about the grant and how the money can be spent.

Before survivors receive their grants, they must sign a declaration and a release certifying that all funds will be spent on the expenses for which they are intended.

These grants are for repairs, temporary housing and other approved, essential disaster-related costs. Disaster recovery officials are available to help survivors understand the way grants should be spent after they receive the funds. Georgia survivors who have questions about their grants should call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Federal officials caution that the funds may be deposited into bank accounts before letters announcing the grants are delivered to survivors.

Housing funds may be used for:

  • Rental assistance. Applicants who have a continuing need for temporary rental assistance must turn in valid lease and utility receipts to receive additional assistance.

  • Reimbursement for lodging expenses directly related to the disaster.

  • Repairs to windows, doors, water and ventilation systems or other structural elements to return a home to a safe and functional condition.

  • Rebuilding a disaster-damaged home.

    Recipients of FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program grants may use the funds for:

  • Essential personal property, specialized tools for employment, household items, appliances and vehicle repair or replacement.

  • Disaster-related medical, dental, moving and child-care expenses.

    Applicants should be sure to update their personal information including addresses, phone numbers and bank accounts. If FEMA does not have the correct contact information, disaster survivors may miss letters or phone calls about their applications for assistance or payment status.

    FEMA grants cannot duplicate payments from other sources. For example, if a grant recipient receives an insurance settlement covering expenses already paid for by FEMA, those duplicated funds must be returned to FEMA.

    Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties. Damage or losses from Hurricane Matthew in Georgia must have occurred Oct. 4-15.

    Survivors are encouraged to keep their information updated by logging into their account:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).
  • Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish).
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Help is available in most languages.

For updates on Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew response and recovery, follow @GeorgiaEMA and @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and visit gemhsa.ga.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4284. 

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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.

# # #

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Hurricane Matthew Survivors Encouraged to Use Disaster Grants for Intended Purpose

FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Battle Georgia Wildfires

ATLANTA, Ga.–The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to Georgia to fight the Tatum Gulf Fire burning in Dade County.

This authorization makes FEMA grant funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire. Eligible costs can include labor, equipment and supplies used for fighting the fire and costs for emergency work such as evacuations and sheltering, police barricading and traffic control.

“FEMA has approved this request to make sure Georgia has the resources it needs to battle this fire,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Gracia Szczech. “We will continue to work closely with the frontline responders who are fighting this wildfire.”

The state requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), and it was granted in the late evening of November 13, 2016. The fire started on November 11, and at the time of the request, had burned more than 250 acres of state and private land. The fire was threatening 150 homes in and around the City of Trenton and the Rising Fawn community. In addition, the fire is threatening utility lines, a communications tower, roads, and cultural resources. Currently, mandatory evacuations are taking place for approximately 200 people (60 homes) and evacuations are expected to continue. 

Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to fund firefighting activities when there is a fire threat that could cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided.

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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.

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

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FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Battle Georgia Wildfires

Disaster Assistance Tops $53 Million for Hurricane Survivors in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Thursday, Nov. 10) — One month after the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Matthew, the amount of federal assistance to help South Carolina recover has climbed to $53 million.

That $53 million total includes:

  • More than $28.5 million in disaster grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for homeowners and renters.
  • More than $12.2 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofit

organizations, homeowners and renters.

  • More than $12.2 million in flood insurance payments from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
  • While progress continues, here’s a look at recovery highlights to date:
  • More than 39,000 households have applied for disaster assistance from FEMA. The declaration now designates 24 counties for Individual Assistance: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg.
  • Disaster assistance from FEMA includes $23.9 million in Housing Assistance grants and $4.6
  • million in Other Needs Assistance, including grants for the replacement of flood-damaged vehicles and reimbursements for serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. The incident covers damage incurred between Oct. 4 and Oct. 31, 2016.
  • The SBA has approved 349 low-interest disaster loans, totaling $12.2 million. Disaster loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. SBA has approved 341 home loans, 2 business loans and 6 Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which help small businesses and private-nonprofits with working capital needs as a direct result of the disaster.
  • The SBA has opened 3 Business Recovery Centers to enable storm-impacted businesses to meet individually with SBA representatives and find out how a low-interest disaster loan can help them recover. Additionally, SBA has staff at all Disaster Recovery Centers to provide one-on- one assistance.
  • FEMA-contracted housing inspectors have completed more than 26,000 inspections of disaster- damaged properties to verify damage.
  • In support of the State of South Carolina, 196 Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) personnel

have been canvassing storm-damaged neighborhoods. In the first 30 days of recovery operations, DSA teams have visited more than 28,000 homes and spoken with 18,000 people. Team members are equipped to register survivors with FEMA and answer their questions about disaster assistance.

  • The NFIP, which is administered by FEMA, has paid out partial and advanced payments totaling

$12.2 million to 6,335 policyholders

  • The State and FEMA have opened 16 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to serve survivors. The centers report 3,830 visitors to date. More DRCs will open and close according to community need and visitor demand.

The federal disaster declaration on Oct. 11, 2016, also made FEMA Public Assistance—help for hard-hit communities—available in 26 South Carolina counties: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter and Williamsburg.

Public Assistance grants reimburse local, state and tribal governments and certain nonprofit organizations for 75 percent of their disaster-related expenses, including emergency protective measures, debris removal, and infrastructure repair and replacement.

Although the millions of dollars in Public Assistance go to government entities and nonprofits, Public Assistance benefits everyone—communities, cities and states. The monies help pay for efforts to keep people and property safe, clean up disaster-related debris, and put roads, utilities and public works back in order after the disaster.

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

For Individual Assistance, survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621- 3362 (voice, 711 or relay service) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the NFIP call center at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

FEMA mitigation specialists are also available at DRCs to provide literature to survivors on NFIP and guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to make homes more flood- and wind- resistant.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800- 659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.  TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

To find a complete list of DRC locations and hours, download the free FEMA app to your mobile device or visit asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.  DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities. The centers have magnifiers, tools to amplify sound, materials in alternative formats, and video remote interpretation.

Sign language interpreters are available upon request.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4286 or the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at scemd.org/recovery-section/ia.

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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.

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Disaster Assistance Tops $53 Million for Hurricane Survivors in South Carolina

FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Battle South Carolina Wildfires

ATLANTA, Ga.–The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to South Carolina to fight the Pinnacle Mountain Fire burning in Pickens County.

This authorization makes FEMA grant funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire. Eligible costs can include labor, equipment and supplies used for fighting the fire and costs for emergency work such as evacuations and sheltering, police barricading and traffic control.

“This wildfire is a major risk to lives and property. FEMA has approved this request to ensure that South Carolina has the resources to fight this fire,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Gracia Szczech. “State and local partners are the frontline responders battling this wildfire, and we will continue to work closely with them.”

The state requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), and it was granted in the late afternoon of November 12, 2016. The fire started on November 8, and at the time of the request, had burned in excess of 1,500 acres of state and private land. The fire was threatening 180 homes around Pinnacle Mountain including the Folsom Rest Subdivision (Sugar Likker Road), Bear Valley Golf Club Subdivision, and other numerous subdivisions along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Hwy. The fire was also threatening communication towers, infrastructure, utilities, and  the Greenville watershed, Jocassee gorges, Gravely wildlife management area (black bear refuge), and Table Rock State Park. Mandatory evacuations have taken place for approximately 130 residences.  

Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to fund firefighting activities when there is a fire threat that could cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided.

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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.

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

Original post – 

FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Battle South Carolina Wildfires

FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Washington County

RALEIGH, NC – FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Washington County Monday, Nov. 14, to provide information about available state and federal disaster assistance and other recovery information. The center will operate for three days, closing at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Washington location:           Washington County Airport

                                                1069 Airport Road

                                                Plymouth, NC 27962

 

 Regular hours:                     9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Centers are staffed with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, North Carolina Emergency Management and the U.S. Small Business Administration. You can receive help applying for federal disaster assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and obtain updates regarding your application. 

FEMA and the state have recovery centers open throughout the disaster-affected counties in North Carolina. To locate the center nearest to you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or download the FEMA or Readync mobile apps. If you have access to a computer, you can go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or ncdps.gov.

If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service (VRS). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
  • Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation such as American Sign Language interpreting, Braille, large print, etc. while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the Helpline number for support. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4285 and readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @ncemergency.

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 800-621-3362 or TTY at 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 FEMA on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Washington County

FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Halifax County

RALEIGH, NC – FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Halifax County Monday, Nov. 14, to provide information about available state and federal disaster assistance and other recovery information. The center will operate for three days, closing at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Halifax location:                   Enfield Municipal Building

                                                200 Whitfield St.

                                                Enfield, NC 27823

 

 Regular hours:                     9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Centers are staffed with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, North Carolina Emergency Management and the U.S. Small Business Administration. You can receive help applying for federal disaster assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and obtain updates regarding your application. 

FEMA and the state have recovery centers open throughout the disaster-affected counties in North Carolina. To locate the center nearest to you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or download the FEMA or Readync mobile apps. If you have access to a computer, you can go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or ncdps.gov.

If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service (VRS). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
  • Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation such as American Sign Language interpreting, Braille, large print, etc. while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the Helpline number for support. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4285 and readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @ncemergency.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or TTY at 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 FEMA on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Halifax County

FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Battle North Carolina Wildfires

ATLANTA , Ga.–The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to North Carolina to fight the Party Rock Fire burning in Rutherford and Buncombe counties.

This authorization makes FEMA grant funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire. Eligible costs can include labor, equipment and supplies used for fighting the fire and costs for emergency work such as evacuations and sheltering, police barricading and traffic control.

“This wildfire constitutes a major threat to lives and property. FEMA has approved this request to ensure that North Carolina has the resources to fight this fire,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Gracia Szczech. “State and local partners are the frontline responders battling this wildfire, and we will work closely with them.”

The state requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), and it was granted on the evening of November 11, 2016. The fire started on November 5 in Chimney Rock State Park, and had burned in excess of 1,101 acres of state and private land. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 500+ homes in and around the Lake Lure, Chimney Rock and Shumont communities. Mandatory evacuations were taking place for approximately 800+ citizens and evacuations are expected to increase. There are 20 other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.

Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to fund firefighting activities when there is a fire threat that could cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided.

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FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Battle North Carolina Wildfires

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