Many Residents Missing Out on FEMA Help

BATON ROUGE, La. — Many residents of parishes covered by last month’s presidential disaster declaration might be eligible for federal assistance, but have yet to seek help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Some homeowners and renters who would qualify for assistance miss out on aid because they are mistaken or misinformed about applying, or are returning to damaged dwellings. All you need to do is register with FEMA to get the process started.

To seek aid, call 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. seven days a week. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use TTY call 800-462-7585, and those who use 711 or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362. You may also apply online with any computer, smartphone or tablet at www.DisasterAssistance.gov   

Some survivors who already have cleaned up and made repairs themselves think they cannot apply for assistance. Others worry that accepting money from FEMA might affect their Social Security checks or that a FEMA grant would be taxed as income by the IRS. Neither is the case.

Still others might hesitate in accepting taxpayer money because they feel their neighbors need it more.

Sometimes survivors assume that once they collect their insurance claims they are no longer eligible for federal help, even if the insurance payment fell short of covering the damages.

Perhaps the most common reason, however, that people do not apply for FEMA assistance is their mistaken assumption that once they alert local, county or state officials to their damages they automatically are registered with FEMA. They are not.

Register with FEMA at 800-621-3362 or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.   

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Many Residents Missing Out on FEMA Help

FEMA Seeks Applicants for Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Subcommittee of the FEMA National Advisory Council

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is accepting applications for individuals to serve on the new Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, or IPAWs, subcommittee of the National Advisory Council (NAC).

As mandated in the IPAWs Modernization Act of 2015, the subcommittee will develop and submit recommendations for an improved integrated public alert and warning system to the NAC. The subcommittee will consider common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures to ensure standards and operating procedures exist for a national public alert warning system.

Currently IPAWS is a modernization and integration of the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. Federal, state, local, tribal and territorial alerting authorities use IPAWS as a way to alert and warn the public about serious emergencies using the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and other public alerting systems from a single interface. 

The IPAWS subcommittee will be comprised of federal officials from FEMA, the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Commerce and the National Council on Disability, in line with Congressional mandated membership guidelines.

The FEMA Administrator and the NAC will appoint members from applicants representing the following disciplines to ensure a variety of expert perspectives are reflected in the subcommittee:

  • Local, state and tribal government officials;
  • Emergency managers and first responders;
  • Vendors, developers and manufacturers of communications systems;
  • Broadcasting, cable or satellite industry officials;
  • National organizations representing either people with disabilities, functional needs, the elderly, or limited English proficiency; and
  • Consumer privacy advocates.

Subcommittee appointment terms will begin in 2017 and end upon the termination of the IPAWS Subcommittee in April 2019.  The IPAWS Subcommittee will meet approximately four times a year, twice in person and twice via webinar.

Individuals interested in serving on the NAC’s IPAWS Subcommittee are invited to apply for appointment by submitting a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to the Office of the National Advisory Council, by fax, email, or mail. Letters of recommendation may also be provided, but are not required. Applications and/or nominations must also include the following information: the applicant’s full name, home and business phone numbers, preferred e-mail address, home and business mailing addresses, current position title and organization, and the discipline area of interest (i.e., emergency management). Applications will be accepted until October 6, 2016.

Members selected for the council serve without compensation from the federal government.  However, consistent with the charter, members receive travel reimbursement and per diem, under applicable federal travel regulations. Registered lobbyists, current FEMA employees, Disaster Assistance Employees, Reservists, FEMA contractors, and potential FEMA contractors will not be considered for subcommittee membership.

For more information on the NAC, IPAWS Subcommittee and application procedures visit:  www.fema.gov/national-advisory-council.

 

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Background: In 2007, FEMA began modernizing the nation’s public alert and warning system by integrating new technologies into the existing alert systems.  The new system, known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) became operational in 2011. Today, IPAWS supports over 700 local, state, tribal, and federal users through a standardized message format. IPAWS enables public safety alerting authorities such as emergency managers, police and fire departments to send the same alert and warning message over multiple communication pathways at the same time to citizens in harm’s way, helping to save lives. For more information on FEMA’s IPAWS, go to: www.fema.gov/ipaws.  For more preparedness information, go to www.ready.gov.

Background: The NAC consists of up to 35 members, all of whom are experts and leaders in their respective fields. The members of the NAC are appointed by the FEMA Administrator and are composed of federal, state, tribal, local, and private-sector leaders and subject matter experts in law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, hospital, public works, emergency management, state and local governments, public health, emergency response, standard settings and accrediting organizations, representatives of individuals with disabilities, infrastructure protection, cyber security, communications, and homeland security communities.

 

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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FEMA Seeks Applicants for Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Subcommittee of the FEMA National Advisory Council

Applying for Federal Disaster Assistance Usually Takes Two Steps

BATON ROUGE, La. – Are you a homeowner or renter whose home is uninhabitable or who lost valuables because of Louisiana’s recent severe storms and floods? It takes two steps to get possible federal help for these losses.

Step one: Apply for FEMA help.

Step two: Return a completed application for a low-interest disaster loan if you were referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after applying with FEMA.

FEMA cannot make you whole, but it may help your recovery move forward by providing grants for basic repairs to make your home safe, sanitary and secure. They may also temporarily help with a place for you and your family to stay while you build your own recovery plan.

The SBA may contact you with information about low-interest disaster loans for homeowners and renters after you apply for FEMA help. There’s no obligation to accept a loan offer, but you’ll miss out on the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors if you don’t complete an application.

You may also miss out on FEMA grants to replace certain household items, repair or replace a damaged vehicle, and moving and storage costs. The only way FEMA can consider you for this help is if you submit a completed SBA disaster loan application.

If you’re a homeowner or renter who had severe storm or flood damage in Louisiana, you may still register for federal help by going online to disasterassistance.gov or by downloading and using the FEMA app. You may also call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Information about low-interest SBA disaster loans and application forms are available online at SBA.gov/disaster. You may also call 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. If you use TTY, call 800-877-8339.

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Applying for Federal Disaster Assistance Usually Takes Two Steps

FEMA, SBA continue recovery efforts for West Virginia storm survivors

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – It has been more than 10 weeks since disaster assistance personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed to West Virginia in response to President Obama’s major disaster declaration of June 25, 2016. The president’s signature on the decree made federal assistance available to eligible survivors of the June 22-29 severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides in 12 counties.

Although the deadline for registering for individual financial assistance from FEMA has passed, the recovery continues and FEMA disaster recovery specialists remain on the scene. Survivors of the June storms and flooding, who have registered for FEMA assistance, still have access to the agency for information about temporary housing, help with insurance claims, questions about filing an appeal, and other disaster services and resources.

Registered individuals have access to FEMA’s toll-free Helpline, seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT. Call 800-621-3362 (TTY users should call 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available.

Applicants receiving temporary rental assistance and who have a need for continuing housing assistance must apply to FEMA for approval. FEMA will evaluate the information to determine if the applicant qualifies for ongoing federal rental assistance, based on financial need. Contact the FEMA Helpline for information on how to apply.

FEMA urges registered individuals to “keep in touch” and notify FEMA of address or phone number changes, initiate appeals or reschedule inspection appointments. It is important to keep all contact information current to avoid delays in getting assistance.  

As of the Sept. 7 deadline, 8,974 West Virginia homeowners and renters have applied to FEMA for disaster assistance. To date more than $33.3 million in individual housing assistance grants and nearly $6.4 million in other needs assistance have been approved for residents of the 12 designated counties: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster.

Disaster assistance for individuals may include grants to help homeowners and renters with temporary housing and essential home repairs. Other needs assistance provides funding for repair or replacement of furnishings and other personal property, transportation and other disaster-related needs such as transportation and childcare. Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare and other federal and state programs. Grants do not have to be repaid to the federal government.

Since the June 25 disaster declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), one of FEMA’s partners in disaster recovery, has approved 735 low-interest disaster loans totaling nearly $47.7 million. SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters who have applied for FEMA assistance, as well as to businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations. SBA disaster loans may cover the cost of repairing, rebuilding or 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. (TTY users should call 800-877-8339). Individuals and businesses may also email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. 

The State’s and FEMA’s 15 area Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) served 9,531 visitors between June 28 and Aug. 31, while FEMA-contracted housing inspectors have completed more than 7,200 inspections of disaster-damaged properties to verify damage.

Other help available to individuals:

  • Free disaster legal assistance is available to storm survivors. This service offers counseling on insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, home-repair contracts, and the replacement of lost or damaged legal documents and other legal matters. Call the toll-free hotline 877-331-4259.
  • If you or someone you know is struggling with post-disaster stress, you are not alone. Help is as near as your phone. Call the Help for West Virginia Helpline at 844-435-7498. In addition, you can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
  • Contact West Virginia 211 ( for help finding food, childcare, crisis counseling, and many other resources available in your community.
  • West Virginians seeking information about disaster-related services and unmet needs, as well as volunteering and donating, should visit the state’s Help for West Virginia Disaster website wvflood.com.
  • Individuals who wish to help with flood response and recovery may sign up with West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) at www.volunteerwv.org or wvvoad.org.
  • Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by calling the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

 

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FEMA, SBA continue recovery efforts for West Virginia storm survivors

Mandatory Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System

FEMA, FCC, in Coordination with State Broadcasters and Emergency Managers, test the EAS

 

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a mandatory nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, September 28, at 2:20 p.m. EDT to verify the delivery and broadcast, and assess the readiness for distribution of the national level test message.

The EAS test is made available to radio, television, cable, and direct broadcast satellite systems and is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The message of the test will be similar to the regular monthly test message of EAS, normally heard and seen by the public:  “This is a national test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test.”

Significant coordination and regional testing has been conducted with the broadcast community and emergency managers in coordination and preparation for this EAS national test. The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster. Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems is also a way to assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure required for the distribution of a national message and determine what technological improvements need to be addressed.

Receiving preparedness tips and timely information about weather conditions or other emergency events can make all the difference in knowing when to take action to be safe. FEMA and partners are working to ensure you can receive alerts and warnings quickly through several different technologies no matter where you are–at home, at school, at work, or in the community. The FEMA App, which can be downloaded on both Android and Apple devices, is one way to ensure you receive both preparedness tips and weather alerts of your choice. Download the FEMA App today.

More information on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) is available at www.ready.gov/alerts.

 

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Background: In 2007, FEMA began modernizing the nation’s public alert and warning system by integrating new technologies into the existing alert systems.  The new system, known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) became operational in 2011. Today, IPAWS supports over 700 local, state, tribal, and federal users through a standardized message format. IPAWS enables public safety alerting authorities such as emergency managers, police and fire departments to send the same alert and warning message over multiple communication pathways at the same time to citizens in harm’s way, helping to save lives. For more information on FEMA’s IPAWS, go to: www.fema.gov/ipaws.  For more preparedness information, go to www.ready.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.

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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Mandatory Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System

Disaster Recovery Center in Iberville Parish Closing Friday

BATON ROUGE, La. – The disaster recovery center at the following address is closing at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16:

Iberville Parish

Location: East Iberville Gym
3285 Highway 75
St.Gabriel, LA 70776

With survivors returning home to repair and rebuild, the number of visits to this disaster recovery center has declined, leading to the facility’s closure.  

Survivors can still visit any disaster recovery center and may locate other centers near them by going online to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers, calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading the FEMA mobile app.

To register with FEMA, go online with any computer, smartphone or tablet to DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline, or download the FEMA mobile app. Help is available in most languages and the FEMA Helpline is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.

Disaster recovery centers are staffed by representatives from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, National Flood Insurance Program specialists, volunteer groups and other agencies. These representatives are available to provide information about disaster assistance, flood insurance, personal and property risk reduction and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing many affected areas and are able to register people for FEMA assistance. Sometimes these teams will remain in certain locations convenient to the community, such as a library or mayor’s office. When residents require further assistance the teams may refer them to a disaster recovery center nearby.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids. Each disaster recovery center has assistive technologies for people with disabilities.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for businesses of all sizes including landlords, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

For more information, applicants may contact the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, download the FEMA mobile app, or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4277.  

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Disaster Recovery Center in Iberville Parish Closing Friday

Oswego County Fire Department Awarded New Fire Truck

New York, NY – The Fulton Fire Department will be purchasing a new, well-equipped fire truck to replace a 26-year-old truck that has been out of service since January of this year, as well as no longer compliant with National Fire Protection Association standards 

“Without this federal grant, we would not have been able buy this equipment,” said David Eiffe, the department’s Assistant Fire Chief.  “Our older equipment has often been inoperable, forcing us to borrow a truck from a neighboring volunteer fire department.  We can’t serve our city that way; the NFPA standards are there for a reason.”

The funds for the truck come from an Assistance to Firefighters Grant, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  “The truck will cost $450,000,” said Dale McShine, Director of Grant and Preparedness for FEMA’s Region II.  The federal share will amount to $428,572, and we are very pleased to play such an important role in the safety of Fulton’s citizens.”

Fulton has a population of some 12,000 citizens.  Its fire department, with 36 career firefighters, responds to a total of some 2,200 fire, emergency medical service calls, and car and industrial accidents, each year, said Chief Eiffe.  “This new truck will be able to carry 750 gallons of water and pump 1,750 gallons per minute.  It’s also equipped with a foam system that is highly effective in putting out house fires.”

The Chief said also that, in addition to saving taxpayers money that was needed for repairs of his outdated trucks, the new truck will contribute to the safety of our citizens for at least 15 years. 

The Fulton Fire Department has two fire stations, on the east and west sides of the Oneida River.  The new equipment will be located in the west-side station. 

Assistance to Firefighter Grants provide support to numerous firehouses throughout FEMA’s Region II, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.  The program provides critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

Tania Hedlund, FEMA’s Region II Chief for Grants, reports that in fiscal year 2014, the Region awarded 273 grants totaling $95.6 million.

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Oswego County Fire Department Awarded New Fire Truck

Volunteer Organizations Aid Louisiana’s Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – September 11 marks the National Day of Service and Remembrance enacted by Congress in 2009 to inspire Americans to engage in charitable activities. The observance was started after 9-11 to create one of the largest days of charitable acts with citizens coming together the way they did after the attack.

In Louisiana, voluntary agencies have been very active and will continue to provide a wide range of assistance to the many who have experienced damage, including flood debris clean-up, shelter, food, clothing, counseling, home repairs and reconstruction, and help for other unmet needs on a case-by-case basis. Louisiana disaster survivors can call 2-1-1 or visit http://www.louisiana211.org/  to request help with clean-up or other available services.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (http://gohsep.la.gov/) partner with a variety of nonprofit groups to provide assistance to disaster survivors. These organizations have had a key role in the disaster response here. They are financed through charitable donations, not by the federal government, and their volunteers do much of the work.

FEMA’s Voluntary Agency Liaisons assist these volunteer, faith-based and community organizations with coordinating federal programs and managing resources. They can identify special-needs populations and help survivors avoid duplication of benefits. Liaisons also guide and promote long-term recovery to restore normalcy to the affected communities.

Volunteer agencies continue to help storm and flood victims in all affected parishes, regardless of their federal-declaration status. If you want to know more about the work of the national and local volunteer groups you may visit www.nvoad.org or lavoad.org.

Applying with FEMA is a separate process from registering with a volunteer organization. If you suffered damages and losses from the August 11-31 weather events you should apply for FEMA assistance as soon as possible. Apply at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services call 800-621-3362 to register. You can find the FEMA mobile app at www.Ready.gov.

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Volunteer Organizations Aid Louisiana’s Recovery

Disaster Recovery Center to Open in West Baton Rouge Parish for Louisiana Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – A disaster recovery center is opening Saturday, Sept. 10, in West Baton Rouge Parish to assist Louisiana flood survivors. The center is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.

The disaster recovery center is operating at the following address and hours:

West Baton Rouge Parish

Location:  LSU Center at the 4-H Compound

                  210 Turner Drive

                  Port Allen, LA 70767

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday through Sunday)

Survivors may locate other centers near them by visiting fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers, calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading the FEMA mobile app.

To register with FEMA, go online with any computer, smartphone or tablet to DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline, or download the FEMA mobile app. Help is available in most languages and the FEMA Helpline is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.

Disaster recovery centers are staffed by representatives from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), National Flood Insurance Program specialists, volunteer groups and other agencies. These representatives are available to provide information about disaster assistance, flood insurance, personal and property risk reduction and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing many affected areas and are able to register people for FEMA assistance if needed. Sometimes these teams will remain in certain locations convenient to the community, such as a library or mayor’s office. When residents require further assistance the teams may refer them to a disaster recovery center nearby.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids. Each disaster recovery center has assistive technologies for people with disabilities. To arrange to have an ASL interpreter at the DRC when you visit, call 225-382-1739.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for businesses of all sizes including landlords, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

For more information, applicants may contact the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, download the FEMA mobile app, or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4277.  

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Disaster Recovery Center to Open in West Baton Rouge Parish for Louisiana Survivors

Harris County, Texas, Flood Maps Become Final in January

DENTON, Texas –– New flood maps become effective in Harris County on Jan. 6, 2017. Residents are encouraged to look at them so they can determine the need to buy flood insurance. By knowing their risks, individuals and communities can make informed decisions about building and development.

Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover the effects of flooding. Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their homes, personal property and businesses. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy, or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is a voluntary program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).                                                     

Residents with federal mortgages must have flood insurance if the structures are in flood hazard areas. Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. Not all flooding events result in a major disaster declaration. Even when disasters are declared, there are limits to financial assistance.                                                                                             

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, contact your local floodplain administrator. “We all need to learn what our risks are and prepare for them,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Floods can happen anywhere.”

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat. 

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to examine the benefits of joining the program. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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

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Harris County, Texas, Flood Maps Become Final in January

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