CHARLESTON, W Va.—A new Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Roane County to help survivors affected by the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began June 22.

Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors seeking one-on-one help. Representatives from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and various state agencies are at the centers to answer questions. Weather permitting, centers are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. All centers will be open July 4.

The centers currently open are:

Roane County

Geary Elementary School

9538 Clay Rd.

Left Hand, WV 25251

 

Greenbrier County

Mobile Disaster Recovery Center

Southeastern Labor Council, AFL-CIO

65 West Main St.

White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986

 

Town Hall

201 Kanawha Ave.

Rainelle, WV 25962

 

Kanawha County

Kanawha County School Operations Center

3300 Pennsylvania Ave.

Charleston, WV 25302

 

Nicholas County

City of Richwood City Hall
6 White Ave.

Richwood, WV 26261

 

Summers County

Summers County Memorial Building Gym

451 1st Ave.

Hinton, WV 25951

 

State and FEMA officials continue to work closely with local officials in hard-hit areas to identify suitable sites for additional centers. Survivors can locate the center closest to them, by visiting http://go.usa.gov/x3NnJ or downloading the FEMA App to their mobile device to:

  • Apply for disaster assistance
  • Get directions to the nearest Disaster Recovery Center
  • Find shelter locations
  • Get weather alerts
  • Subscribe to disaster safety tips

Survivors do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register with FEMA.

Those who have not yet registered can do so by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. Survivors may also register by calling toll-free 800-621-3362.  For those who use 711 or the Visual Relay Service, call 800-462-7585. FEMA encourages survivors to register as soon as possible.

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

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters, and private non-profit organizations. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

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.

For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog.

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Roane County Gets Disaster Recovery Center

CHARLESTON, WV—A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Summers County to help survivors affected by the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began June 22.

Disaster Recovery Centers serve as one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors seeking one-on-one help. Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and various state agencies are at the centers to answer questions. Centers are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. All centers will be open July 4.

The centers currently open are:

Greenbrier County

Mobile Disaster Recovery Center

Southeastern Labor Council, AFL-CIO

65 West Main St.

White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986

 

Town Hall

201 Kanawha Ave.

Rainelle, WV 25962

 

Kanawha County

Kanawha County School Operations Center

3300 Pennsylvania Ave.

Charleston, WV 25302

 

Nicholas County

City of Richwood City Hall
6 White Ave.

Richwood, WV 26261

 

Summers County

Summers County Memorial Building gym

451 1st Ave.

Hinton, WV 25951

State and FEMA officials continue to work closely with local officials in hard-hit areas to identify suitable sites for additional centers. Survivors can locate the center closest to them, by visiting http://go.usa.gov/x3NnJ or downloading the FEMA App to their mobile device to:

  • Apply for disaster assistance
  • Get directions to the nearest Disaster Recovery Center
  • Find shelter locations
  • Get weather alerts
  • Subscribe to disaster safety tips

Survivors do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register with FEMA.

Those who have not yet registered can do so by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. Survivors may also register by calling toll-free 800-621-3362.  For those who use 711 or the Visual Relay Service, call 800-462-7585. FEMA encourages survivors to register as soon as possible.

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

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters, and private non-profit organizations. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

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.

For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog.

Continue reading here – 

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Summers County

CHARLESTON, WV – At the request of the state of West Virginia, Jackson and Lincoln counties have now been added to the federal disaster declaration of June 25. They join the 10 counties already designated for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance-Category B (emergency protective measures): Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster.

West Virginians who suffered damage or losses as a result of the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on June 22, 2016, are encouraged to apply for Individual Assistance. Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses.

Those who had flood or storm damage should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. Insurance payments cannot be duplicated, but under-insured applicants may be eligible for help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, until further notice. Survivors can also download the FEMA App to their mobile devices to:

  • Apply for disaster assistance
  • Get directions to their nearest Disaster Recovery Center
  • Find shelter locations
  • Get weather alerts
  • Subscribe to disaster safety tips

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for eligible survivors.

SBA helps businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and can cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

For more information about disaster loans, survivors may call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at  800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov , or visit SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. TTY users may call 800-877-8339.

The 12 designated counties are also eligible for Public Assistance-Category B (emergency protective measures). The Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations at least 75 percent of disaster-related expenses to help West Virginia communities recover. Eligible costs for emergency protective measures, such as police overtime for extra work caused from responding to the disaster, may be eligible for reimbursement.                                                             

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Two West Virginia Counties Added to Federal Disaster Declaration

CHICAGO –Ensure your Independence Day weekend is filled with celebration and not regret with these 10 fire safety tips, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V office in Chicago:

  1. Be sure fireworks are legal in your area before using or buying them.
  2. Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities and never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers alone account for one quarter of emergency room fireworks injuries.
  3. If you set off fireworks, keep a bucket of water handy in case of malfunction or fire.
  4. If fireworks malfunction, don’t relight them! Douse and soak them with water then throw them away.
  5. Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially one that is glass or metal.
  6. Use your grill well away from your home and deck railings, and out from under branches or overhangs.
  7. Open your gas grill before lighting.
  8. Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below your gas or propane grill so it cannot be ignited.
  9. Declare a three-foot “kid and pet-free zone” around the grill to keep them safe.
  10. Avoid loose clothing that can catch fire when cooking on the grill.

You can find more information and tips on being fire safe this Fourth of July, by visiting www.usfa.fema.gov and be sure to download the FEMA app, available for Apple, Android and Blackberry mobile devices. The app includes home fire safety tips and reminders users can set to test smoke alarms (monthly), change smoke alarm batteries (yearly), and practice fire escape plans (every six months).

 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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Ten Safety Tips for this 4th of July

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $1,071,593 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Hubbard County, Minn., for the construction of two safe rooms at Camp Wilderness Boy Scout camp.  

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “The construction of these safe rooms will protect the lives of vulnerable citizens by providing a secure location to seek shelter from tornadoes and other high wind events.”

“Boy Scouts visiting Camp Wilderness will be safer when severe weather hits, thanks to a local, state, and federal partnership,” said Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management director Joe Kelly.  “Safe rooms are one way communities across the state are reducing the risk that comes with disasters. These lifesaving projects are possible when we combine resources and work together, and we encourage more cities and counties to apply for grants that will help them protect their residents.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $1,428,790 eligible project cost. The Boy Scouts of America Northern Lights Council will contribute the remaining 25 percent, or $357,197.

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

Link – 

FEMA Awards $1,071,593 Grant to Hubbard County

AUSTIN, Texas—Texans who have a disability or access need and sustained damage or losses from the May storms and flooding may face challenges, but registering for federal aid shouldn’t be one of them.

“We reach out to the entire community,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “And FEMA works with our partners to make sure that everybody can get access to disaster assistance information, programs and registration.”

FEMA’s disaster recovery centers – locations where survivors can meet face-to-face with various agencies and service providers – accommodate the needs of the entire community, including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

The centers meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards; have assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to use amplified telephones; phones that display text; amplified listening devices for people with hearing loss; and magnifiers for people with vision loss.

Some disaster recovery centers use a video relay service available to people who use American Sign Language, allowing them to communicate through an interpreter when registering for disaster assistance. Others make an ASL translator available at the center. In addition, language applications are used for translation.

Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in Austin, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Eastland, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Stephens, Travis, Tyler, Waller and Washington counties. To find the nearest disaster recovery center, go online to asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

In addition to accommodating people with disabilities or access needs, FEMA also reaches out to people with limited English proficiency by providing multilingual operators, making printed literature available in multiple languages and having translators available in the field. Printed materials are available in accessible formats such as Braille and large print.

Texans can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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.

Excerpt from – 

FEMA Ensures Texans with Disabilities, Access Needs Can Register For Disaster Aid

CHARLESTON, W.v. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today a Disaster Recovery Center will be opening to assist survivors affected by the West Virginia Flooding. Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to provide one- on-one, face-to-face help. The location is:

Kanawha County

Kanawha County Crede Warehouse

3300 Pennsylvania Ave

Charleston, WV 25302

Opening today at 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday (6/28/2016) 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., (open seven days a week)

Individuals do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register with FEMA. FEMA urges those who have not yet registered to do so as soon as possible by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. FEMA also accepts registrations through your smartphone at m.fema.gov. For those without access to the internet, FEMA has a toll-free number at 1-800- 621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the deaf or hard of hearing.

To learn more about Disaster Recovery Centers, go to FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers. Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4273,  twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA and fema.gov/blog.

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-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 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.

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens

AUSTIN, Texas – Federal officials urge those with damage or losses from the May storms and floods to complete a no-obligation disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help with their recovery.

Completing the application can open the door to all federal assistance, including possible additional grants from FEMA. If approved, and the loan is not accepted, survivors may find themselves ineligible for some forms of federal assistance.

Many Texans who register for disaster assistance with FEMA will receive an automated call from SBA with information on how to complete the loan application process. These low-interest SBA loans are the major source of funding for disaster recovery.

SBA provides low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes (including landlords) and to homeowners, renters and eligible private nonprofit organizations that sustained disaster damage. There is no cost to apply for a loan.

Assistance from FEMA is limited to help jump-start the recovery; it may not cover all damage or property loss. Completing the SBA loan application may make FEMA assistance available to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle, or pay for storage costs.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. The rates are locked in for the life of the loan.

  • Businesses of all sizes can qualify for up to $2 million in low-interest loans to help cover physical damage.
  • Small businesses and most private nonprofits suffering economic impact due to the severe weather and flooding can apply for up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury under SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
  • Eligible homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 for home repair or replacement of primary residences, and eligible homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property, including a vehicle. 

Applicants may apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are available online at SBA.gov/disaster, from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339.

SBA representatives are also available at disaster recovery centers to provide information about disaster loans, the application process or help completing an SBA application. To find the nearest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

Completed applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX  76155

The 19 counties affected by the May storms are Austin, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Eastland, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Stephens, Travis, Tyler, Waller and Washington.

# # #

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.

Originally from: 

Low-interest Disaster Loans Help Fuel Texas Recovery

PHILADELPHIA – FEMA Region III is deploying an Incident Management Assistance Team and Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams to West Virginia to provide support and guidance on the Federal Disaster Declaration Process and PDAs in response to current flooding and severe weather.  

These teams will participate in joint PDAs with the State of West Virginia, local officials, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to assess damages and the impact to communities. PDAs, which are an information gathering process, are the first step in helping a governor determine whether the scope of damage is beyond what the state is capable of handling and if additional assistance is necessary.

Information is jointly compiled and reviewed by the state, at which point, the state may decide that a request for federal assistance is warranted. The PDAs will include Clay, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Webster, and other counties.

FEMA Region III and our partners at the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) want to encourage individuals and families to take steps to be safe during severe weather and flooding events. If drivers encounter water on roadways, turn around, don’t drown.

Residents in potentially affected areas should continue to monitor local radio or television stations for updated emergency information, and follow the instructions of state, local, and tribal officials. If you are in need of emergency assistance, please dial 9-1-1.

When severe weather hits, the first responders are local emergency and public works personnel, volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and numerous private interest groups. The individuals within these organizations provide emergency assistance to protect the public’s health and safety and services to meet immediate needs. For additional safety information, check with your local officials and media sources through social and traditional media accounts.

To learn more about what to do before, during and after severe weather, visit www.Ready.gov.

FEMA’s support of State and Local response and recovery operations are in direct accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Act. For additional information on flood preparedness, visit www.fema.gov/ or www.dhsem.wv.gov.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

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Visit source: 

FEMA In Close Coordination with the State of West Virginia As Severe Weather Continues

AUSTIN, Texas – Renters displaced by the May storms and flooding may be eligible for federal disaster assistance, including grants from FEMA and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

FEMA offers eligible renters grants for rental assistance. These grants help pay for temporary housing while a damaged home or apartment is being repaired.

Eligible renters may receive grant under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program. These grants help uninsured or underinsured survivors with expenses and serious needs caused by the May storms including:

  • child care

  • moving and storage expenses

  • disaster-related funeral and burial expenses

  • disaster-related dental and medical expenses, such as wheelchairs, canes and prescription drugs

  • repair or replacement of storm-damaged personal property, including furniture and appliances, as well as job-related tools and equipment required by the self-employed

  • primary vehicles, and approved second or modified vehicles damaged by the disaster

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans with rates that remain the same for the life of the loan. Renters may be eligible to borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property, including automobiles.

Applicants may apply online for an SBA loan using the electronic loan application at the secure website DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela.

Texans can register for disaster assistance the following ways:

  • online at DisasterAssistance.gov

  • phone 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. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

  • at a disaster recovery center.To find the nearest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

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 Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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 fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Originally from:  

FEMA Offers Assistance for Renters, Too

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