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Advice on Preventing Damage from Future Storms Offered at Home Improvement Store in Wise County, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – As Texans rebuild or repair their homes damaged by the May 4 through June 22 storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA specialists will be on hand in Wise County at in-store information centers to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Also, if you’re thinking of building a storm shelter or safe room, literature is available about the best options. Safe rooms built to FEMA specifications have saved thousands of lives.

Advisors will be available at the following location on dates and times noted:

Location and hours of operation

Lowe’s Home Improvement

1201 West U.S. Highway 380

Decatur, TX 76234
Aug. 7 – 11, Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday and Tuesday,7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets in English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage and cleaning up mold and mildew. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

Texans who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help service claims, provide general information regarding policies, and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation, for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at www.twitter’.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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.

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

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Advice on Preventing Damage from Future Storms Offered at Home Improvement Store in Wise County, Texas

Be a Good Neighbor – Remind Storm Survivors to Register for Assistance

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Residents of the nine Arkansas counties included in the federal disaster declaration are encouraged to remind their neighbors: “Register with FEMA for disaster aid.”

Today’s communication tools provide many high-tech ways to share information, but the most effective way to “get the word out” is still the original one: through personal contact.

Residents of Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties may be eligible for federal disaster assistance, but the amount of time to register for help is limited.

The deadline to register is Aug. 25, 2015.

“Even if you have already registered for disaster assistance with FEMA, you may know someone, a family member or a neighbor who has not applied for help. Please take a few moments to call or knock on your neighbors’ doors to see if they have applied with FEMA,” said State Coordinating Officer Scott Bass with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.

Federal disaster aid may include financial help with rental assistance, home repairs and replacing essential household items not covered by insurance. Other assistance may be available to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs.

Low-interest disaster loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters to pay for repair or replacement costs of disaster damaged primary residences, businesses and personal property. These loans cover costs not fully compensated by insurance and cannot duplicate benefits from other agencies or compensation from other organizations.

Individuals and families who suffered losses as a result of the late spring storms have until Aug. 25, 2015 to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance. They can do so online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 (FEMA). 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. Multilingual operators are available.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

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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Be a Good Neighbor – Remind Storm Survivors to Register for Assistance

Making Repairs and Rebuilding Wisely Following Texas Storm Damage

As important as it is to make home repairs as soon as possible following a natural disaster, it also is important to take some time to plan the project, consult with local officials and choose a contractor wisely.

Before You Start:

Contact the local permitting office. Follow all local and state requirements.
Check with your local building official to make sure your work is safe and meets all local and state requirements.

How to Help Reduce Future Damage:

Consider using building materials that are more resistant to flood, wind, corrosion and decay.
If siding or roof sheathing needs replacement, consider installing hurricane/seismic connectors at the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections. Adding wall-to-foundation ties may also be possible.
Windows, doors and skylights should be checked for leaks. If they need replacement, consider impact-resistant units.
Check your attic for adequate insulation. Straps should be added from rafters to wall top plates, and gable end-wall framing should be braced.
Inspect soffits to determine if structural upgrades are necessary.
If you live in a flood-prone area, elevate and appliances.

How to Select Your Contractor Carefully:

The Texas Attorney General advises watching out for home improvement scammers saying they have left over materials or say they noticed your home was damaged and can repair it. Take your time to choose your contractor.
Look for a contractor with an established physical address.
Get bids from more than one person. Make sure they are in writing and specify exactly what will be done.
Beware of a low-ball price.
Ask for references and contact them.
Make sure the contractor has the proper licenses and insurance coverage required in Texas.
Never pay the full price in advance.

For more information and tips on home repair, FEMA provides information online www.FEMA.gov/Texas-disaster-mitigation. You can also visit the nearest Disaster Recovery Center; find one online at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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Making Repairs and Rebuilding Wisely Following Texas Storm Damage

Scope of Work

Main Content

Appeal Brief | Appeal Letter | Appeal Analysis | Back

Second Appeal Brief

1909
PA ID# 125-U00B3-00; Clarksville Gas and Water
PW ID# 5451; Scope of Work
07/31/2015

Conclusion: Pursuant to the Stafford Act § 406(e) and 44 C.F.R. Parts 9 and 10, the requested scope of work is eligible for PA funding.

Summary Paragraph

Beginning on April 30, 2010, severe storms, tornadoes, heavy rains, high winds, flooding, and flash flooding caused the creek bed of Sycamore Creek to erode and the Applicant’s gas pipes to become exposed. During the final review of Project Worksheet (PW) 5451, FEMA denied funding for the directional boring method used by the Applicant to restore its natural gas pipes because it determined that the process was not the most cost effective method and there was no regulatory requirement for it. Instead, FEMA obligated PW 5451 to excavate the embankment areas, remove the pipes, relocate the pipes, and backfill the embankment areas. In the first appeal letter, the Applicant asserted that there was no conclusive evidence that the pipes were not damaged, the existing pipes could not have been reused, and natural gas regulations require operators to bury pipes in a safe manner that would prevent the pipes from becoming uncovered. The Applicant also asserted that, due to winter weather and time constraints, directional boring was the only method that would prevent future exposure. The Region IV Regional Administrator (RA) denied $559,964.86 in additional funding to complete the project as it was neither necessary nor cost effective, and the Applicant failed to provide a regulatory justification for the additional work performed during the restoration of its gas pipes located below Sycamore Creek. In the second appeal, the Applicant asserts that simply replacing the lost creek bed material to pre-disaster condition was not possible because this method does not comply with federal natural gas line regulations and is prohibited by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation requirements. In addition, the Applicant claims the only available option was to utilize directional boring due to winter weather and time constraints. Pursuant to the Stafford Act § 406(e) and 44 C.F.R. Parts 9 and 10, the requested scope of work is eligible for PA funding.

Authorities and Second Appeals

Stafford Act § 406, 42 U.S.C. § 5172.
44 C.F.R. Parts 9 and 10.
44 C.F.R. § 206.201(m).
44 C.F.R. § 206.205(b)(2).
PA Guide, at 116, 127, 128.

Headnotes
- The Stafford Act § 406(e)(1) authorizes FEMA to reimburse the costs to repair, restore, or replace a damaged facility to its predisaster design, function, and capacity in accordance with applicable codes and standards.
- Pursuant to Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (44 C.F.R.) Parts 9 and 10, FEMA must consider and comply with Federal laws, regulations, and Executive Orders that have EHP implications.
  - Regarding PW 5451, FEMA EHP reviewed and approved a scope of work that utilized the directional boring method.
  - The scope subsequently was changed utilizing the open cut method for repair and a new EHP review was not conducted.
  - FEMA is not authorized to provide funding for the revised scope that was neither reviewed nor approved by an EHP reviewer.

As the project is otherwise eligible for PA funding, FEMA is authorized to provide funding for the original scope of work utilizing the directional boring method.

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Scope of Work

California to receive FEMA funding to battle Rocky Fire in Lake County

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California to combat the Rocky Fire burning in Lake County.

On August 1, 2015 the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the Rocky Fire burning in Lake County. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 704 homes in and around the community of Lower Lake and other nearby communities. Mandatory evacuations were taking place for approximately 450 people. The fire started on July 29, 2015 and has burned in excess of 47,000 total acres of federal, state, and private land.

The Regional Administrator for FEMA’s Region IX office determined that the Rocky Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster and approved the State’s request on August 2, 2015.

The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) through FEMA to assist in fighting fires which threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps; equipment use; repair and replacement; tools; materials; supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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California to receive FEMA funding to battle Rocky Fire in Lake County

Disaster Recovery Center to Relocate in Hidalgo County for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Hidalgo County will relocate to a new location on Monday, Aug. 3, for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 22.

Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

The recovery center serves survivors from any of the 47 counties designated for Individual Assistance who need one-on-one help. State and federal professionals will be available to assist eligible survivors to get help as quickly as possible.

New location and hours of operation

Hidalgo County WIC Building (Off 495 and Ferguson next to the Fire Department)

1903 N. Knights Dr. (For GPS use Fir Street.)

Pharr, TX 78577

Monday, Aug. 3, noon to 6 p.m.

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday,

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Closed Sunday

People who had storm damage can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll-free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available. Registration deadline is Aug. 27.

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 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.

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it. Some of the services may include:

Guidance regarding disaster recovery
Clarification of any written correspondence received
Housing Assistance and Rental Resources information
Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance
Status of applications being processed by FEMA

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. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

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Disaster Recovery Center to Relocate in Hidalgo County for Texas Flood Survivors

Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Wise County for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open on Monday, Aug. 3, at noon in Wise County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 22.

Location and hours of operation

Stage Theatre

1009 Halsell St.

Bridgeport, TX 76426

Monday, Aug. 3, noon to 6 p.m.

After Monday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday

The DRC will cease operations, Saturday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m.

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 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.

Guidance regarding disaster recovery
Clarification of any written correspondence received
Housing Assistance and Rental Resources information
Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance
Status of applications being processed by FEMA

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Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

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Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Wise County for Texas Flood Survivors

Portlight Strategies and FEMA Partner to Address Disability Accessibility and Disaster Preparedness

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Portlight Strategies (Portlight) announced an agreement that will increase preparedness awareness for people with disabilities in the event of natural or man-made disasters. The agreement aligns with FEMA’s commitment to inclusive emergency management by partnering with disability organizations and community leaders who serve the whole community at the local level.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we are also reinforcing our commitment to serving the whole community before, during and after disasters,” said Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator. “By having preparedness plans and thinking ahead, individuals, families and communities will be ready to respond to these events when they occur.”

The new partnership will bolster working relationships with state, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers to encourage including people with disabilities in planning. It will also provide information so people understand the disaster risks in their area. By evaluating their own individual needs and making an emergency plan that ﬁts those needs, people can be better prepared.

Some key highlights from the agreement show that FEMA and Portlight will:

Participate in training events and natural and simulation exercises, drills, and discussions focused on emergency preparedness and lessening the impact of disasters;
Share operational practices that work well and that may be adapted to make improvements in service delivery and support community resilience and accessibility for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs; and
Share research-based emergency management data and information and training experience and expertise before, during, and after disasters.

“We’re excited about this next important step in our relationship with FEMA and the ways it will enhance our ability to serve the disability community in times of disaster,” said Paul Timmons Jr., Portlight Co-founder and Board Chair. “It embodies our philosophy that there must be nothing about us without us.”

The primary mission of Portlight Strategies, Inc. (Portlight) is to provide disaster relief and recovery services specifically for people with disabilities and to facilitate accessible services—compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)—from all providers, whether governmental or non-governmental.

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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 FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, 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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Portlight Strategies and FEMA Partner to Address Disability Accessibility and Disaster Preparedness

By the Numbers: More than $306 Million Flows to Texas Two Months After Flooding Disaster

AUSTIN, Texas – Federal dollars are flowing into Texas communities recovering from the May 4 through June 22 storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and floods.

To date, more than $306 million in federal grants, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans, and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims have been approved.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), partners in the state’s recovery, provide the following summary of disaster assistance efforts as of close of business July 29:

NUMBER ACTIVITY

$202.7 million NFIP claims paid to Texans

$57.7 million SBA low-interest disaster loans

$45.8 million Housing, Other Needs grants

1,034 FEMA Registrations

24,534 Home inspections completed

48,223 Survivor visits by Disaster Survivor Assistance teams

11,266 Twitter followers on FEMA Region 6 site

7,787 Visits to Disaster Recovery Centers (fixed and mobile)

5,000 Volunteers contributed 52,000 hours to disaster recovery activities

4,650 National Flood Insurance Program claims closed to dat

3,941 Calls to date by Texans to the National Flood Insurance Center hotline

795 Number of federal workers in Texas assisting with disaster recovery

264 Billboard and outdoor electronic signs displaying FEMA information

91 Total number of counties designated for Public Assistance

47 Total number of counties designated for Individual Assistance

24 Mobile Registration Intake and Mobile Disaster Recovery centers opened during disaster

18 Disaster Recovery Centers (fixed) opened during disaster

The deadline to register with FEMA is Aug. 27. To register for assistance, Texans can apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing-impaired. Both numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time daily, until further notice. More information is available online at www.fema.gov or at www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

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By the Numbers: More than $306 Million Flows to Texas Two Months After Flooding Disaster

Advice on Preventing Damage from Future Storms Offered at Home Improvement Store in Bastrop County, Texas

FEMA specialists will be on hand in Bastrop County at in-store information centers to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Also, if you’re thinking of building a storm shelter or safe room, literature is available about the best options. Safe rooms built to FEMA specifications have saved thousands of lives.

Advisors will be available at the following location on dates and times noted:

Location and hours of operation

Lowe’s Home Improvement

719 Hwy 71 W
Bastrop, TX 78602
July 30 – Aug. 4 Thursday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday and Tuesday 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

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Advice on Preventing Damage from Future Storms Offered at Home Improvement Store in Bastrop County, Texas

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