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What to Expect After South Carolina Survivors Call FEMA

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency is the first step to getting federal disaster assistance.

After you apply, FEMA will send you a copy of your application and a copy of “Help After a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals and Households Program,” which will answer many of your questions.

This publication explains how FEMA’s disaster assistance program works; describes additional kinds of help you may qualify for from other federal, state and voluntary agencies; and gives you many important tips on how best to make all these programs work for you.

After You Register

If your home or its contents are damaged and you are uninsured or underinsured, verifying disaster damage is part of the process to establish the amount and type of damage you suffered.

You will get a call from an inspector who has construction background and is fully qualified to do the job. Inspectors are private contractors who wear official FEMA ID badges. If you have concerns with the legitimacy of a FEMA housing inspector, you should contact your local law enforcement as they will be able to validate their identification.

Authorized inspectors will only confirm personal detailed information that you previously provided during the registration process, such as your registration number. They never charge for an inspection.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and various insurance companies also have inspectors in the field. You may also see preliminary damage assessment teams in your area.

Inspector’s Call

After you register – either online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or visiting a disaster recovery center – a nine-digit application number is assigned. An inspector will then call to schedule an appointment to visit your damaged property – generally no longer than 10 days after registration.

Inspector’s Visit

Keep the scheduled appointment to make sure the assistance process moves quickly. The inspection should take typically 10 to 20 minutes. You – or someone who is 18 or older and lived in the household prior to the disaster – must be present for the scheduled appointment. Inspectors will review both structural and personal property damage and file a report, but they do not determine eligibility or determine the value of damage or losses.

A FEMA inspection is not an insurance inspection. If you are covered by insurance, you should contact your insurance company immediately as FEMA cannot duplicate payments.

Proof of Ownership or Occupancy

The inspector will ask for identification and proof of ownership and occupancy (for homeowners) and occupancy only (for renters). You can speed up the process by having the appropriate documents on hand:

A photo ID to prove identity, such as driver’s license or passport.
Proof of occupancy, such as a lease, rent payment receipt or utility bill.

Proof of ownership, such as a deed, title, mortgage payment book, property insurance policy or tax receipts.

After the Inspector’s Visit

You will receive a letter from FEMA containing a decision within 10 days of the inspector’s visit. If you are eligible for assistance, the letter will be followed by a check or an electronic funds transfer. The letter explains how the money can be used. You may receive a low-interest disaster loan application in the packet from the SBA. You do not have to accept a loan. However, you must complete the application and return it to SBA to remain eligible for other types of federal assistance, such as FEMA grants.

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.

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 temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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What to Expect After South Carolina Survivors Call FEMA

Three South Carolina Counties Designated for Federal Assistance After Flooding

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has amended its disaster declaration for the recent flooding in order to make survivors in Bamberg, Colleton and Greenwood counties eligible for Individual Assistance.

Survivors who sustained losses in the designated counties can apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 800-462-7585 (TTY); those who use Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Assistance can include money for temporary rental assistance and essential home repairs for primary homes, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help survivors recover from the effects of the disaster.

Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Darlington, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter and Williamsburg counties were previously designated for Individual Assistance.

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Three South Carolina Counties Designated for Federal Assistance After Flooding

Support Documentation, Improved Project

FEMA-1909
PA ID# 037-52004-00; Nashville-Davidson County
PW ID# 5593; Support Documentation, Improved Project
09/25/2015

Conclusion: On second appeal, Nashville-Davidson County (Applicant) provided adequate documentation to support reimbursement of costs associated with resident engineering services and the need to replace anaerobic digester membranes and membrane seals.

Summary Paragraph

Between April 30, 2010 and May 18, 2010, severe rainstorms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds impacted Nashville-Davidson County. The rainstorms caused the Cumberland River to overflow and submerge building 40 located at Applicant’s Metropolitan Water Services Biosolids facility. Anaerobic digesters 1, 4, and 5 located at building 40 all sustained damage from floodwater inundation. FEMA subsequently prepared Project Worksheet (PW) 5593 documenting necessary repairs to these three anaerobic digesters. In a June 3, 2011 letter, the Applicant submitted its first appeal and argued FEMA erred in estimating direct administrative cost (DAC) and resident engineering costs—the Applicant also asserted that anaerobic digester membranes and their seals were in fact not repairable as FEMA had estimated on the original PW. The total disputed amount, including associated construction management costs, totaled $1,041,873.44. The FEMA Region IV Regional Administrator, through a June 1, 2012 letter, denied the appeal in its entirety, stating the following: the request for costs associated with residential engineering services lacked adequate documentation; the request for DAC failed to document work attributable to preparing a PW; and requests for increased costs to replace membranes and their seals could not be reimbursed because the replacement was an improvement. In a letter dated August 10, 2012, the applicant submitted its second appeal, again requesting resident engineering costs and costs to replace the membranes and membrane seals—the total amount requested was $623,712 and included associated construction management costs. Upon FEMA’s subsequent request for additional information, the Applicant provided documents describing resident engineer’s services. Further, the Applicant has provided adequate documentation to substantiate the need to replace digester membranes and membrane seals.

Authorities and Second Appeals

Stafford Act § 406 (a)(1)(A), 42 U.S.C. § 5172.
44 C.F.R. § 13.22.
44 C.F.R. § 206.203(d)(1).
OMB Circular A-87 Attachment A (C)(1)(j)(a), 2 C.F.R. § 225 Appendix A (C)(1)(j)(a)
PA Digest, at 48.
PA Guide, at 36, 40, 79, 59, 110, and 139.

Headnotes

OMB Circular A-87 provides that allowable costs must meet the cost principles of being necessary; allocable to Federal awards; and adequately documented.
- The Applicant provided documentation to demonstrate that the resident engineering costs are necessary, allocable, and adequately documented for PW 5593.
PA Digest, at 48, provides that “[s]pecial services[,] which are not required on every restoration project, include engineering surveys, soil investigations, services of a resident engineer, and feasibility studies. These services must be specifically described and must be shown to be necessary for completing the eligible scope of work.”
- This project is part of 19 separate PWs associated with flood recovery efforts of a complex nature, and could require the use of resident engineering services.
PA Digest, at 110, federal funding for improved projects is limited to the federal share of the estimated cost of the original project or the federal share of the actual costs of completing the improved project, whichever is less. The balance of funds is a non-federal responsibility.
- The applicant provided adequate documentation to separate improved costs from the original estimate.

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Support Documentation, Improved Project

FEMA Assistance Will Not Change Social Security, Medicare Benefits

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance grants do not count as income. Survivors who receive federal disaster assistance as a result of the wildfires will not pay additional income taxes or see any reduction in their Social Security checks or any other federal benefits.

Grants for temporary housing, essential home repairs, replacement of personal property or other disaster-related needs do not count as income. Donations from charitable organizations will not affect Social Security payments or Medicare benefits.

“We understand the concerns of senior citizens and other survivors and want them to know that disaster assistance will not affect other benefits they may be receiving,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy J. Scranton. “The assistance we provide will not affect taxes or social security. Anyone with questions can call the FEMA helpline or visit one of our disaster recovery centers.”

Disaster recovery centers (DRCs) are open in Calaveras and Lake counties:

The Calaveras County DRC in San Andreas:
891 Mountain Ranch Rd.
San Andreas, CA

Hours of operation until further notice:
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Lake County DRC in Middletown:
21256 Washington St.,
Middletown, CA

Hours of operation until further notice:
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Tuesday, Oct. 6
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on Social Security, contact the Social Security Administration by calling 800-772-1213 or by visiting www.SocialSecurity.gov.

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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.
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 SBA.gov. (Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.).

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FEMA Assistance Will Not Change Social Security, Medicare Benefits

FEMA Phones and Help Available at Disaster Recovery Centers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Many survivors of the recent wildfires in Lake and Calaveras counties have lost both landline and cellular telephone service. The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants them to know that two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have operational phone lines and are staffed with FEMA representatives who are ready to help residents register for disaster assistance.

Two DRCs are currently open in Calaveras and Lake counties:

The Calaveras County DRC in San Andreas:

891 Mountain Ranch Rd.

San Andreas, CA

Hours of operation until further notice:

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Lake County DRC in Middletown:

21256 Washington St.

Middletown, CA

Hours of operation until further notice:

Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Tuesday, Oct. 6

8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The DRCs serve as one-stop-shops for survivors. Specialists from the state of California, FEMA, the Small Business Administration and voluntary organizations are working at the DRCs to answer questions, help survivors apply for federal assistance and provide referrals to community groups. Although a visit to the DRC is not required to be able to register, a face-to-face interaction with specialists may be beneficial.

Cal OES Contact: 916-607-7657

FEMA Contact: 510-207-4011

FEMA Contact: 202-805-7147

SBA Contact: 916-878-1494

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FEMA Phones and Help Available at Disaster Recovery Centers

Unique Wildfire Mitigation Efforts in Bastrop County Trim Risks

During September, National Preparedness Month, the Austin Joint Field Office is releasing a series of stories highlighting FEMA’s support of Texas communities as they take steps to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property.

AUSTIN, Texas – On Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, a firestorm engulfed Bastrop County, Texas, destroying 1,688 homes, burning more than 34,000 acres, and claiming two lives. The Bastrop County Complex Fire was the most devastating wildfire in Texas history and steps are being taken to protect residents and prevent history from repeating itself.

Reducing the amount of vegetative debris that fuels wildfires is one action the county is taking to minimize the fire threat, said Michael Fisher, Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator. As dead vegetation and trees accumulates on the ground, it creates a continuous source of fuel. When ignited, the resulting fire burns hotter, spreads faster, lasts longer and covers more ground. When fuel is reduced, fires are less intense.

Fisher said the county decided to reduce this understory fuel using non-traditional mechanical means as opposed to prescribed burning. According to Fisher, it’s a unique approach that’s never been used.

The county received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to fund the mitigation project.

“We targeted nearly 4,000 acres, which we are developing into a north project and a south project,” says Fisher. “For each project, we identified the line, area or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wild land or vegetative fuels.”

Fisher said the developed areas feature a mix of houses located on small, medium and large lots. While homes in those neighborhoods have varying degrees of fire resistance and space that can be defended, the adjacent areas have a history of large destructive fires and a high-density concentration of understory fuel.

The north project cost is just over $1.6 million; FEMA contributed more than $1.2 million. The south project cost is $2.1 million; FEMA contributed almost $1.6 million. The HMGP grant has a two-year performance period so Fisher says the county is focusing on what it can do in that time period.

With the funds, the county has designed a mechanical thinning process that uses skid steers, which are low-impact machines with a mulching head on the front with teeth. Operators grind up the understory and remove undesirable species growing under the tree canopy. In a wildfire outbreak, the fire stays on the ground and does not rise into the trees.

Fisher said the project has sparked excitement, curiosity and some reservations among residents. Most of the acreage targeted for mitigation is private property. According to Fisher, the most challenging part of the project has been getting homeowner buy-in, but the county has succeeded in gaining right of entry from each property owner.

What could have been another potential hurdle has become a windfall for a resident amphibian and surrounding habitat.

The project sites are home to the endangered Houston toad, protected by the Endangered Species Act. Both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were consulted before work began. Toads in the project area have been captured and given to a biologist for safekeeping until it is deemed safe to return them to their habitat.

“We are learning that thinning out the forest actually creates a better environment for the Houston toad,” says Fisher. “In addition to mitigating wildfires in the neighborhoods, the project is helping to create a healthy forest because it returns the ecosystem back to the way it was intended.”

Fisher says Bastrop is happy to tell its story. “If we don’t get it right, we’ll tell that story, too. Disasters are non-traditional. Sometimes it takes a non-traditional approach to do what needs to be done in terms of mitigation. You can’t be timid.”

The website www.co.bastrop.tx.us has additional information about nontraditional wildfire mitigation.

To learn more about how cities and towns across Texas are building stronger, safer communities visit Best Practice Stories | FEMA.gov.

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Unique Wildfire Mitigation Efforts in Bastrop County Trim Risks

Arkansas Awarded More Than $2.7 Million for the Replacement of the Bella Vista Lake Dam

DENTON, Texas – The state of Arkansas has been awarded more than $2.7 million for the replacement of the Bella Vista Lake Dam in Bentonville. This comes in the aftermath of the 2011 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

The storms and ensuing flooding overtopped the entire length of the Bella Vista Lake Dam resulting in extensive erosion; a loss of support beneath the dam’s concrete slope cover; and damage to much of the structure’s other sections of concrete.

The funding, which is made possible by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program, covers the demolition, removal and disposal of the original dam, as well as the materials and labor required to build the replacement dam.

To date, FEMA has obligated more than $50.1 million for the 2011 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Arkansas.

The funding represents a 75 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of Arkansas; the state then disburses the grant to the eligible applicant.

Follow FEMA Region 6 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

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Arkansas Awarded More Than $2.7 Million for the Replacement of the Bella Vista Lake Dam

Washington Wildfire Survivors Urged to Act Now on Flood Insurance

SEATTLE – Flood risk is higher this year as a direct consequence of the wildfires that burned thousands of acres in eastern and central Washington. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging residents in areas affected by the wildfires to consider purchasing flood insurance now.

When fire burns away trees and other vegetation, healthy roots that soak up rainwater are lost. Heavy rains on burn scars can cause flash flooding or debris flows that can severely damage homes and businesses.

While properties burned in the blazes face the highest risk of wildfire-related flooding, the risk also increases for homes downstream or below scorched areas. Such conditions are one reason flooding is America’s most common natural disaster.

Yet, most homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

A flood insurance policy is the best option for property owners and renters to safeguard their homes and belongings from flood losses. Most flood insurance is written through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is administered by FEMA. The NFIP offers flood insurance to property owners and renters in communities that participate in the program.

Due to the waiting period, NFIP policies become effective 30 days after the premium is paid.

Less than half of the floods in the U.S. result in a federal disaster declaration, while NFIP pays claims even if a disaster is not declared. What’s more, one out of every four claims paid is from an area at medium-to-low risk of flooding.

Most Washingtonians can obtain flood insurance from the agent who handles their homeowners or renters insurance policy, or they can go to the NFIP website at www.floodsmart.gov to get a list of the agents in their area who sell the policies. The interactive website also offers an easy way to get the estimated annual cost of flood insurance for a specific address.

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Washington Wildfire Survivors Urged to Act Now on Flood Insurance

FEMA Encourages Families and Communities to Participate in National PrepareAthon! Day

WASHINGTON –Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging individuals, families, workplaces, schools, and organizations across the nation to take part in National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30th, 2015. Extreme weather is occurring more often across the United States, which is increasing the costs of natural disasters. According to a recent survey conducted by FEMA, fewer than half of Americans have discussed and developed an emergency plan with their household.

As part of National Preparedness Month and National PrepareAthon! Day, FEMA is encouraging everyone to develop and practice their family emergency plan to prepare for disasters that are known threats in their communities.

“The first step in preparing yourself and your family is learning the type of disasters that can happen where you live,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Your family may not be together when disaster strikes. Developing an emergency communication plan doesn’t cost a thing, and the time you’ve invested beforehand will make it easier for your family to reconnect.”

National PrepareAthon! Day is part of America’s PrepareAthon!, a nationwide grassroots campaign for action to increase community preparedness and resilience through hazard-specific group discussions, drills, and exercises. The campaign offers easy-to-implement preparedness guides, checklists, and resources to help individuals, organizations, and communities prepare for the types of disasters that are relevant to their area. People can take these simple steps to increase their preparedness:

Create a family emergency communication plan. Visit ready.gov/prepare and download Be Smart. Take Part: Create Your Family Emergency Communication Plan. Collect the information you need, decide on the places you will meet in case of an emergency, share the information with your family, and practice your plan.
Sign up for local text alerts and warnings and download weather apps. Stay aware of worsening weather conditions. Visit ready.gov/prepare and download Be Smart: Know Your Alerts and Warnings to learn how sign up for local alerts and weather apps that are relevant for hazards that affect your area.
Gather important documents and keep them in a safe place. Have all of your personal, medical, and legal papers in one place, so you can evacuate without worrying about gathering your family’s critical documents at the last minute. Visit ready.gov/prepare and download Be Smart: Protect Your Critical Documents and Valuables for a helpful checklist.
Create an emergency supply kit. Be prepared for bad weather by creating an emergency supply kit for each member of your family. Visit ready.gov/build-a-kit for more ideas of what to include in your kit.

Visit the America’s PrepareAthon! website, ready.gov/prepare for more information, to sign up, and to register your participation.

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FEMA Encourages Families and Communities to Participate in National PrepareAthon! Day

FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Calaveras County

SACRAMENTO – The Calaveras County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in San Andreas is opening Monday September 28 at noon, to help survivors impacted by the Butte Fire. Regular hours will begin Tuesday September 29. The DRCs are operated by the California Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the county and local agencies.

DRC Location:
Calaveras County Government Center
891 Mountain Ranch Road San Andreas, CA 95249
Hours of operation until further notice:
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, State of California, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are among those represented to explain assistance programs and help survivors register.

Survivors with losses are encouraged to register for assistance before going to the disaster recovery center by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Online registration is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by using a web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Businesses and residents can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (Deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339).

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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FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Calaveras County

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