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Disaster Recovery Center Opens Today in Metairie

BATON ROUGE, La. — A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened today in Jefferson Parish to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured damage to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

Specialists from the state of Louisiana, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

The center is located at:

East Bank Regional Branch Library
4747 W. Napoleon Ave.
Metairie, LA 70001

Hours are: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, until further notice. Closed Sundays.

Survivors may register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

SBA offers federal low-interest disaster loans to residents and businesses. After registering with FEMA, visit any Disaster Recovery Center where SBA representatives will answer questions, explain the application process and help each resident or business owner apply to SBA. For SBA information or to apply online, visit www.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.

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

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens Today in Metairie

Call 2-1-1: Voluntary Agencies Can Help Survivors with Unmet Needs

BATON ROUGE, La. – As Louisianians continue to recover from Hurricane Isaac, they may have needs not met by state or federal grants and loans. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has partnered with more than 150 voluntary agencies that are providing a wide range of crucial assistance to survivors.

Voluntary agencies provide services such as debris cleanup, tree removal, counseling, home repairs and reconstruction. They also are instrumental in collecting and distributing donated food, clothing, cleaning supplies and other items needed by survivors as they begin their road to recovery.

Survivors may be connected to these agencies by calling the Louisiana information helpline at 2-1-1. Operators are available round-the-clock, seven days a week. Additional resources can also be found at www.louisiana211.org. Two parishes have set up hotlines to connect survivors with services. In Plaquemines Parish, the number is 1-504-564-0309. In St. John, the number is 1-985-359-1024.

“FEMA is doing everything we can to help survivors recover from Hurricane Isaac, but we can’t do everything,” said Gerard M. Stolar, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “By partnering with these voluntary agencies, we work together as part of the whole community to help survivors get their needs met.”

Calling 2-1-1 is not the same as registering with FEMA. Those with uninsured or underinsured damages who have not registered with FEMA should apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Those without Internet access may call 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. For 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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

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Call 2-1-1: Voluntary Agencies Can Help Survivors with Unmet Needs

FEMA Dollars Continue to Support New Orleans’ Katrina Recovery

NEW ORLEANS – The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the city of New Orleans recently announced additional Katrina-related grants totaling nearly $7 million that will directly benefit two recovery projects within the city – the Joe Brown Center in New Orleans East and the Municipal Yacht Harbor on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

“These federal dollars will supplement important repairs going on at Joe Brown Center and the Municipal Yacht Harbor,” New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “We are making progress every day and will continue to work with FEMA to identify new eligible funding for storm-damaged buildings and infrastructure. FEMA continues to be an important partner in our recovery from Hurricane Katrina.”

“The great thing about these grants is that they support publically recognizable facilities, since both serve various recreational needs in New Orleans,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan. “These are projects that, once fully complete, locals will greatly utilize and note as yet another sign of Louisiana’s progress on her path toward full recovery.”

Of FEMA’s latest funding, $1.7 million was provided for recently determined eligible damages at the Joe Brown Center, a popular, pre-Katrina recreational facility. This grant brings FEMA’s total support for recovery efforts at the Joe Brown Center to $3.3 million, and it includes the following work:

Removal and replacement of flood-damaged sidewalks throughout the facility; countertops and millwork in the center’s office; storefront entrance; doors and frames; tile floors; and
Repairs to moisture-damaged bleachers in the main facility area and to damaged windows and skylights.

“We know the city is excited to soon open the Joe Brown Center again for public use, and we are pleased with our steadfast recovery partnership that has led to us working side-by-side with the city to ensure all eligible FEMA dollars, such as these, are provided for such important work,” added Cadogan.

FEMA’s remaining funding, $5.3 million of the $7 million, was provided for the New Orleans’ Municipal Yacht Harbor, a marina docking area that provides secure anchoring for both recreational and commercial boats. The harbor facility was significantly damaged during the storm, necessitating FEMA’s current level of support, which now totals $10.1 million.

FEMA’s most recent grant for the harbor captures scope of work updates and revised estimated project costs to repair the following sites at the facility: concrete piers and pile caps, finger and end piers, fender system, timber mooring piles, watchman’s offices and restrooms, safety equipment, Pier 9 replacement, eastern bulkhead, and the electrical and mechanical distribution systems to the individual boat slips.

To date, FEMA has obligated approximately $6.4 billion in public assistance funding for Katrina and Rita related recovery work throughout the city of New Orleans.

Editors: For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/latro.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/femalro, blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

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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FEMA Dollars Continue to Support New Orleans’ Katrina Recovery

Survivors Can Take Steps Now to Rebuild

BATON ROUGE, La. – Hurricane Isaac survivors repairing their homes with an eye toward avoiding damage from future storms can take several steps now to rebuild stronger and safer.

Property owners who wish to speed up the rebuilding process do not have to wait for a complete Substantial Damage Inspection, say mitigation experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Property owners can provide the local permitting official with a copy of an estimate from a licensed contractor to repair the structure, and a copy of a pre-disaster market value appraisal. With these documents, they can apply for a permit to make needed repairs.

“Storm survivors are anxious to get on with repairs, and we encourage them to do so,” said Patricia McArthur, Hazard Mitigation Branch Director for FEMA’s Hurricane Isaac mission in Louisiana. “The rebuilding phase of any disaster is an ideal time to plan ways to prevent or limit future damage.”

One source of funds for eligible homeowners who have flood insurance and whose homes were determined to be substantially damaged may be Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage. ICC provides up to $30,000 of insurance coverage for the increased cost of compliance with their community’s floodplain management ordinance.

FEMA assistance for individuals may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and emergency home repairs to make a home habitable. Survivors could also be eligible for grants for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

FEMA may also assist survivors whose insurance settlements have been delayed longer than 30 days from the time they filed their claims. Any help awarded by FEMA is considered an advance and must be repaid once an insurance settlement is received. The current maximum is $31,400.

To apply for an advance, people with delayed settlements should write a letter to FEMA explaining the situation. Homeowners should include documentation from their insurance companies proving their claim was filed. If they filed by telephone, they should include their claim number, the date they applied, and estimated time before they expect to receive the settlement.

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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Survivors Can Take Steps Now to Rebuild

Disaster Recovery Center Opens Monday in New Roads

BATON ROUGE, La. — A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will open Monday, Oct. 22, in Pointe Coupee Parish to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured damage to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

The center opens at 11 a.m. on Monday. Regular hours thereafter will be Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice. Closed Sunday.

Scott Civic Center
1200 Major Pkwy.
New Roads, LA 70760

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens Monday in New Roads

Mississippi Damage from Isaac Being Identified for Repair

CLINTON, Miss. – The rebuilding of Mississippi public infrastructure in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac is underway, with more than $55 million in damage identified as potentially eligible for federal assistance.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are assisting local governments and certain non-profits in the 48 designated counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians with identifying eligible projects, and requesting funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance program. There are 12 teams helping to develop project worksheets on each project to be repaired.

“Through our Public Assistance program, we partner with the state and local governments to identify facilities with eligible damages,” said Terry Quarles, FEMA federal coordinating officer. “Our goal is to assist them in getting the funds to restore critical infrastructure within the state.”

FEMA assigns public assistance coordinators who work with applicants in evaluating damages and determining estimated costs of repair.

“The Public Assistance program is a very important part of helping our state, local governments and private nonprofits recover,” said State Coordinating Officer Bill Brown. “The faster we get them back on their feet, the faster our residents will also be able to recover from a disaster.”

Public Assistance projects are categorized as small projects, with costs less than $64,200, and large projects, with costs above that threshold. There are 479 small projects identified in Mississippi, and 79 large projects, according to federal officials.

For approved projects, FEMA will pay 75 percent of eligible costs. The state and the applicant are responsible for 25 percent.

Only damage that occurred as a result of the storm is eligible for reimbursement.

Public Assistance projects may include debris removal, emergency response, and repair or replacement of damaged culverts, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.

Certain private nonprofits may also receive Public Assistance funding if they provide services of a public nature, such as hospitals, utilities and schools, but they are responsible for the full 25 percent
cost share.

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Mississippi Damage from Isaac Being Identified for Repair

FEMA Adds Pointe Coupee Parish for Individual Assistance

BATON ROUGE, La. – Residents of Pointe Coupee Parish working to recover from Hurricane Isaac may now apply for federal and state disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as the parish was added Wednesday to the major disaster declaration for the hurricane.

“Our Individual Assistance experts are ready to get help to eligible Hurricane Isaac survivors in Pointe Coupee Parish,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “Survivors should register with FEMA as soon as possible so we can begin to work with them and determine their needs.”

Homeowners, renters and business owners with uninsured or underinsured property damage may register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Disaster assistance for individuals may include:

Grants to help pay for temporary housing and emergency home repairs to make a home habitable;
Grants for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance;
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization or local community or church organization. FEMA registrants must use the name that appears on their Social Security card. Applicants will be asked to provide:

Social Security number
Address of the damaged home or apartment
Description of the damage
Information about insurance coverage
A current contact telephone number
An address where they can get mail
Bank account and routing numbers if they want direct deposit of any financial assistance.

The latest addition brings to 26 the total number of parishes for which Individual Assistance has been made available in Louisiana: Allen, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

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FEMA Adds Pointe Coupee Parish for Individual Assistance

Disaster Recovery Center Opens Wednesday in St. Martin Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. — A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will open Wednesday in St. Martin Parish to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured damage to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

The center is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17 and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 through Oct. 31, closed Sundays, at:

3257 Hwy 70
Morgan City, LA 70380 (in parking lot)

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens Wednesday in St. Martin Parish

Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims Have Upcoming Deadlines

BATON ROUGE, La. — Most property owners whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have approaching deadlines for filing claims for their flood-related losses.

Most of these claims are due in the upcoming two weeks as the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires them to be reported within 60 days from the date of loss. Hurricane Isaac made first landfall in Louisiana Aug. 28 with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring within several days before and after it hit.

NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since Isaac made landfall, NFIP has paid out nearly $192 million on 9,736 claims in Louisiana.

“The flooding caused by Hurricane Isaac in many cases caused more damage than the wind,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “We are reminding Louisianians with NFIP policies that time is running out to get their claims filed with their agents or insurance companies.”

If policy holders have questions about flood insurance or concerns about their claims, they may call FEMA’s Hurricane Isaac Flood Insurance Call Center. The toll-free number is 1-866-331-1679. Help is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional information is available at www.floodsmart.gov.

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Cleveland County Residents Cautioned to Protect Themselves from Post-Disaster Scam Artists

OKLAHOMA CITY – As Cleveland County residents work to rebuild following the devastating Aug. 3-14 wildfire, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are cautioning them about phony, unscrupulous building contractors and other scam artists that often take advantage of people following a disaster.

“In the wake of a disaster, it’s common to see the generous side of human nature. Unfortunately, there are also those people who may try to take advantage of victims during this stressful time,” said OEM Deputy Director and State Coordinating Officer Michelann Ooten.

“Disasters often bring out the best and worst in people,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III. “We strongly recommend that those who are rebuilding their homes and lives take a few simple steps to make sure they’re dealing with a reputable person.”

The first and best defense is to know the most common post-disaster fraud practices:

Phony housing inspectors: If a home’s damage is visible from the street, the homeowner may be especially vulnerable to the phony housing inspector who claims to represent FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
What to do to help protect yourself?

Ask to see the inspector’s identification badge. All federal employees and contractors carry official, laminated photo identification. A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not proof of someone’s affiliation with the government.
Don’t give bank account numbers to an inspector claiming to be affiliated with the federal government. FEMA inspectors never require banking information.
Don’t believe anyone that says they are endorsed by FEMA. FEMA does not endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs. FEMA contracts with inspectors to verify losses.

Fraudulent building contractors: Damage visible from the street also can bring out scam contractors who visit your home offering to begin work immediately, usually for an upfront payment. Most legitimate contractors will have more work than they can handle after a disaster and will provide you a written estimate for completion.
When you hire a contractor:

Use licensed local contractors backed by reliable references when possible. Get a written estimate from at least three contractors, including the cost of labor and materials, and read the fine print.
Demand that contractors carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If they don’t, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.
Note that the state of Oklahoma doesn’t license residential construction contractors, except in the electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades. But there are some special requirements for non-resident contractors.
To find out if an electrician, plumber or mechanical contractor is licensed in Oklahoma, call the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board at 1-405-521-6550 or toll-free at 1-877-484-4424 or check online at http://cibverify.ok.gov.

Bogus pleas for post-disaster donations: Understand that disaster aid solicitations may arrive by phone, email, letter or face-to-face visits. You can ensure the solicitation is legitimate if you:

Ask for the charity’s exact name, street address, phone number, and web address, then phone the charity directly and confirm that the person asking for funds is an employee or volunteer.
Think before you give cash — instead, pay by check made out to the charity in case you must stop funds later.
Request a receipt with the charity’s name, street address, phone number and web address (if applicable). Legitimate nonprofit agencies routinely provide receipts for tax purposes.

Fake offers of state or federal aid:

If someone claiming to be from FEMA or the state visits, calls or emails asking for your Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information, be cautious. Don’t provide any personal information unless you made the initial call.
Do not trust any phone or in-person solicitor who promises to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance or building permit process.
Some scam artists may promise to provide a disaster grant in return for large cash deposits or advance payments in full. Never agree to pay any amount of money for a disaster grant.

It is important to know that federal and state workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and SBA never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. If ever in doubt, do not give out personal information and report people claiming to be government workers to local police.

Provide your Social Security number and banking information only when registering for FEMA assistance; online at www.disasterassistance.gov; via a web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov; by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585; using 711-Relay or Video Relay
Services call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

Register with the SBA online at its secure site: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339; or visit the Noble Disaster Recovery Center. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

If you suspect someone is perpetrating fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at
1-866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement agencies and to the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General at 1-918-581-2885 or online at www.oag.state.ok.us.

Disaster survivors who have any questions can call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov.

Follow OEM on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement.

FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6.
Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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Cleveland County Residents Cautioned to Protect Themselves from Post-Disaster Scam Artists

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