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More Louisiana Residents Now Eligible for Federal Disaster Assistance, Urged to Register

Baton Rouge, La – Now that flood survivors in 26 parishes may be eligible for federal disaster assistance, their first step is to register.

Individuals and business owners in the designated parishes who had storm damage may apply for assistance two ways:

 Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

 By calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

o People who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585.

o For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

 These toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

The federal disaster declaration issued March 13 for seven Louisiana parishes has been expanded twice to include 19 additional parishes as a result of severe storms and flooding that began on March 8, 2016, and continues.

On March 17, three parishes – Allen, Ascension and Calcasieu – were added to the declaration. On March 15, the federal disaster declaration was extended to 16 additional parishes: Beauregard, Bienville, Caddo, Caldwell, De Soto, La Salle, Livingston, Madison, Natchitoches, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Union, Vernon, Washington, West Carroll and Winn. Parishes included in the original declaration are Bossier, Claiborne, Grant, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland and Webster.

Assistance provided by FEMA for homeowners and renters can include grants for rent, temporary housing and home repairs to their primary residence, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. The loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Residents and business owners should apply as quickly as they can, even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments but underinsured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

For flood insurance policyholders who may have questions, FEMA has aligned its call center to better support them with the servicing of their claims and getting answers to their questions quickly. Policyholders may call 1-800-621-3362 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and select Option 2. Call center staff are available to assist policyholders with information regarding their policy, offer technical flood guidance to aid in recovery, and respond to general as well as complicated questions about the NFIP. Policyholders with questions specifically about an insurance claim can be transferred to their insurance carrier for additional assistance.

We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information on Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

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/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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 Disaster Assistance 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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More Louisiana Residents Now Eligible for Federal Disaster Assistance, Urged to Register

Disaster Declaration Process and Cleaning Up After a Disaster

DENTON, Texas – Cleaning up after a flood? FEMA has some suggestions:
•   Check for damage. Check for structural damage before re-entering your home. If you suspect damage to water, gas, electric or sewer lines, contact authorities.
•   Remove wet contents immediately. Wet carpeting, furniture, bedding and anything else holding moisture can develop mold within 24 to 48 hours. Clean and disinfect everything touched by floodwaters.
•   Tell your local officials about your damages. This information is forwarded to the state so state officials have a better understanding of the extent of the damages.
•   Plan before you repair. Contact your local building inspections or planning office, or your county clerk’s office to get more information on local building requirements.
•   File your flood insurance claim. Be sure to provide: the name of your insurance company, your policy number and contact information. Take photos of any water in the house and damaged personal property. Make a detailed list of all damaged or lost items.
There are also questions about when Federal Assistance is available after a disaster. In simple terms, here’s the process:
A disaster happens. Local officials and first responders respond. These officials see that their communities need assistance in dealing with it. They ask the state for help. The state responds. Sometimes, the state sees that the response is beyond its resources. That’s when the state reaches out to FEMA for assistance.
Typically, before asking for a Major Disaster declaration, the state asks for a preliminary Damage Assessment. This is done by teams composed of state and federal officials. They arrive in the disaster damaged area and local officials show them the most severely damaged areas that they can access.
Among the items considered are:
•   The amount of damage
•   How widespread the damages are, and the number of insured and uninsured properties involved
•   Special needs populations
•   Other disasters the state may be working.
Governors use this information to decide whether to request a disaster declaration. Once a governor decides to request a declaration, it is processed as quickly as possible.
If the President decides there’s a need, he signs a Major disaster declaration for either Individual Assistance, Public Assistance or both, for designated counties.
Individual Assistance means:
Individuals and business owners may be eligible for rental assistance, grants for repairs, or low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)for damages to uninsured or underinsured property.
Public Assistance means:
Government entities and certain private non-profit agencies may be eligible to be reimbursed for the cost of repairs to uninsured or underinsured facilities, as well as some costs for labor and materials.
If there is a Major Disaster declaration, survivors may register for assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.
The Preliminary Damage Assessment teams often take photographs of damaged areas. After a Major Disaster declaration, photographs of your damages are accepted as documentation, in addition to your receipts.

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 http://twitter.com/femaregion6 , and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Disaster Declaration Process and Cleaning Up After a Disaster

Three months later: More than $75 million approved for Missouri flood survivors

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Almost three months ago, heavy rains brought flooding and storms to cities along the Mississippi, Missouri and Meramec Rivers. Since that time, more than $75 million has been approved in the form of disaster grants to individuals and families, flood insurance payments, and low-interest loans to renters, homeowners and businesses.

It isn’t too late to receive assistance. The deadline to register for federal assistance is Monday, March 21, 2016. Those who register with FEMA can be referred to national and locally-active voluntary, faith-based and non-governmental agencies when federal assistance cannot meet all of their needs.

A few milestones from the Missouri flood disaster:

$11,828,408 in FEMA grants to nearly 2,300 individuals and families for emergency home repairs, repair or replacement of essential personal property, rental assistance, and help with funeral, medical, dental, legal and other disaster-related expenses.
$11,649,800 in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans to more than 270 homeowners, renters and businesses.
$52,118,027 in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payments.
More than 1,700 survivors visited 15 disaster recovery centers to get one-on-one counseling on survivor assistance, flood insurance, mitigation methods, low-interest loans and other information.
FEMA floodplain management specialists fielded 335 technical assistance calls and questions from NFIP participating communities.
FEMA floodplain management specialists worked with the state on substantial damage software and inspection training for local officials in NFIP participating communities.

In all, Individual Assistance was extended to 33 counties. The counties receiving IA were Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA web pages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

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).

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.

Douglas County Added to Oregon Disaster Declaration

SALEM, OR – Federal disaster assistance has been extended to public entities in Douglas County as a result of the severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and landslides and mudslides occurring Dec. 6-23, 2015, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.

Douglas County joins Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill counties under the disaster declaration signed by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2016. FEMA’s Public Assistance program offers supplemental financial assistance on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities in designated counties. The program also provides an opportunity for mitigation projects that protect damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for certain hazard mitigation measures.

“The addition of Douglas County to the declaration is due to the work and collaboration of many agencies and individuals,” said Clint Fella, state coordinating officer at Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management. “We are pleased that Douglas County will benefit from this assistance.”

The state of Oregon, which administers the Public Assistance program, will conduct briefings with local officials in these counties and affected tribal governments, to provide information on the assistance available and how to apply.

“By assisting local, state and tribal governments and looking for ways to reduce future damages, state and federal disaster assistance has an impact on every individual in these communities,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont.

FEMA reimburses 75 percent of eligible costs covered in the declaration.

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Douglas County Added to Oregon Disaster Declaration

Apply Now for 2016 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is accepting applications for the 2016 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards through March 28.

The awards highlight innovative local practices and achievements by recognizing individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions toward making their communities safer, stronger, better prepared and more resilient.

Emergency management is most effective when the entire community is engaged and involved. Everyone, including faith-based organizations, voluntary agencies, the private sector, tribal organizations, youth, people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, and older adults can make a difference in their communities before, during, and after disasters.

FEMA will review all entries and select the finalists. A panel of representatives from the emergency management community will then select winners in each of the following categories:

Outstanding Citizen Corps Council
Community Preparedness Champions
Awareness to Action
Technological Innovation
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness
Preparing the Whole Community
Outstanding Inclusive Initiatives in Emergency Management (new category)
Outstanding Private Sector Initiatives (new category)
Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team Initiatives
Outstanding Citizen Corps Partner Program
America’s PrepareAthon! in Action (new category)

To be considered for this year’s awards, all submissions must be received by March 28, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, and must feature program activities taking place between January 1, 2015, and March 28, 2016. Applications should be submitted to citizencorps@fema.dhs.gov. Winners will be announced in the fall of 2016 and will be invited as FEMA’s honored guests at a recognition ceremony.

More information about the awards is available at ready.gov/preparedness-awards.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6 , and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Apply Now for 2016 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards

Free FEMA advice available at Crawford County stores

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Two home improvement stores in Crawford County are teaming up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide local residents with free information, tips, flyers and brochures to prevent and lessen damage from disasters.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be available over the next five days to answer questions and offer home improvement tips on making homes stronger and safer against disasters. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Advisers will be available March 17-21 at the

Lowe’s at 760 Eagles Court, Sullivan, MO 63080
- Hours:
  - Thursday through Saturday and Monday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  - Sunday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Advisers will be available March 17- 19 and March 21 at the

Meek’s Lumber and Hardware at 10875 N. Service Road West, Bourbon, MO 65441
- Hours:
  - Thursday, Friday and Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
  - Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.
  - Closed Sunday.

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets on protecting your home from flood damage. More information about strengthening property can be found at www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

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For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA webpages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

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Free FEMA advice available at Crawford County stores

Louisianans in Seven Parishes Encouraged to Apply for Federal, State Disaster Assistance

Louisianans in Seven Parishes Encouraged to Apply for Federal, State Disaster Assistance

Baton Rouge, La. – Louisiana homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained property damage as a result of the ongoing severe storms and flooding are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as they may be eligible for federal and state disaster assistance.
The presidential disaster declaration of March 13 makes federal Individual Assistance available to eligible applicants in Bossier, Claiborne, Grant, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, and Webster parishes.
“Governor John Bel Edwards and our team at the GOHSEP are doing everything we can to make sure people impacted by the storms receive the assistance they need. We realize the tremendous burden some face because of the flooding,” said GOHSEP Director Jim Waskom. “Our prayers are with everyone dealing with hardship. We need those of you with damage to take a moment and register with FEMA to help us start the recovery process.”

People who had uninsured and underinsured storm damage in the seven designated parishes can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

“FEMA wants to help Louisiana residents begin their recovery as soon as possible, but we need to hear from them in order to do so,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Gerry Stolar.

Eligible 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 such as the American Red Cross, 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.

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. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Louisianans in Seven Parishes Encouraged to Apply for Federal, State Disaster Assistance

President Declares Disaster for the State of New Jersey

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of New Jersey to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of January 22-24, 2016.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state, tribal, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and snowstorm in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties.

Federal funding is available to the state, tribal, and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance for a continuous 48 hour period during or proximate to the incident period in Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties.

Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the State of New Jersey.

Seamus K. Leary has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Leary said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, 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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President Declares Disaster for the State of New Jersey

Free Legal Aid Offered to Arkansas Storm Survivors

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas residents who need legal advice as a result of the severe storms in late December – January can get free help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its local partners.

Free legal assistance on topics related to the storm recovery is provided by the Arkansas Bar and the Young Lawyers’ Section, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Arkansas Emergency Management Agency, the Center for Arkansas Legal Services, and Legal Aid of Arkansas.

The service is available to individuals affected by the storms in Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Faulkner, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Little River, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties.

The toll-free number for the Young Lawyers’ Disaster Legal Services in Arkansas is 800-609-5668. Legal aid providers and pro bono attorneys are available to assist with almost any legal issue that arises from a presidentially-declared disaster including:

Help with disaster-related health, property, life insurance claims, etc.;
Replacement of wills and other important legal documents lost or destroyed in the disaster;
Help with home repair contracts and contractors;
Counseling on mortgage and foreclosure problems;
Consumer protections for issues like price gouging and avoiding contractor scams in the rebuilding process;
Assistance securing FEMA benefit claims;
Employment law; and
Civil Rights.

Additional information is available by calling Disaster Legal Services Helpline at 800-609-5668.

FEMA’s Disaster Legal Services (DLS) program provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals who, prior to or because of the disaster, are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster-related needs. DLS is provided only to survivors of presidentially declared major disasters and is limited to cases that will not produce a fee. All information is confidential.

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Free Legal Aid Offered to Arkansas Storm Survivors

President Declares Major Disaster for Lousiana

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Louisiana to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding beginning on March 8, 2016, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Bossier, Claiborne, Grant, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, and Webster parishes. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by a severe storms and flooding in the Bossier, Claiborne, Grant, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, and Webster parishes.

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

Gerard M. Stolar has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Stolar said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, 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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President Declares Major Disaster for Lousiana

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