Federal Resources Supporting Response to Aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

Severe Flooding Affecting Areas throughout the Southeast

WASHINGTON –The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its partners continue to mobilize resources and personnel to support state, local and tribal efforts as significant flooding impacts areas throughout the Southeast United States.

At the direction of President Obama, FEMA is leading the federal government’s efforts to provide assistance and support in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew and is, on a daily basis, moving personnel and supplies into the affected areas.  

Already, there are more than 750 FEMA personnel on the ground supporting response and recovery efforts including six Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams and six Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) . Ten Urban Search & Rescue teams are also deployed and engaged in search and rescue efforts.

FEMA also prepositioned commodities throughout affected areas to ensure there are no unmet needs.  FEMA made available more than 2.8 million meals, three million liters of water, and 48,000 blankets for state, tribal and local officials to distribute to individuals should they be requested by states. 

A breakdown by state:

  • Florida: More than 71,000 meals; 341,000 liters of water;
  • Georgia: More than 579,000 meals, 649,000 liters of water; 17,000 blankets;
  • North Carolina: More than 1.9 million meals; 1.6 million liters of water; 26,000 blankets; and,
  • South Carolina: More than 250,000 meals; 390,000 liters of water; 4,500 blankets.

President Obama signed major disaster declarations Saturday for Florida and Georgia making federal funding available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for debris removal and emergency protective measures for affected areas. This is in addition to pre-disaster emergency declarations signed earlier in the week by the President for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Damage assessments are underway and additional designations and forms of assistance may be added at a later date.

Ongoing Support and Preparedness Efforts:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) deployed more than 100 personnel for Matthew response and is supporting eight FEMA mission assignments including dam inspections, flood-fight materials and temporary emergency power. USACE also continues participating in port surveys in the affected areas.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) deployed more than 500 AmeriCorps members, including FEMA Corps, to areas affected by Hurricane Matthew. These deployments include 59 teams of FEMA Corps members – 471 AmeriCorps members in total – that have been pre-staged to support FEMA’s response to affected states. An additional 90 AmeriCorps members are supporting shelter and emergency operations in Florida and South Carolina. CNCS is coordinating with local partners in each state, including governor-appointed state service commissions and voluntary organizations, to support state emergency operations and volunteer response efforts. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages producers with crops insured under the Federal crop insurance program should immediately contact their local crop insurance agent to report any damage to insured crops after the storm. For assistance with Rural Development financed housing, business or community assistance information, and to get help from the Natural Resources Conservation Service for debris removal go to: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app).

Additional disaster resource information as well as food safety, livestock and pet guidance is available at www.usda.gov.  USDA Foods’ inventories have been requested from all potentially impacted state agencies, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) staff is prepared to respond to any state requests for disaster SNAP and/or other SNAP-related needs. Additional information about USDA’s disaster assistance resources is available at: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=disaster-help.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) established Incident Support Bases or Federal Staging Areas in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia in coordination with FEMA to preposition commodities and resources close to the potentially affect areas. The U.S. Northern Command deployed Defense Coordinating Elements to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. These service members are providing DOD regional subject matter expertise, validate requirements, and conduct liaison efforts in support of response operations.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Disaster Medical Assistance Team members from Pennsylvania are providing medical support to two hospitals in Brevard County, Florida. Additionally more than 1,000 personnel from the National Disaster Medical System, U.S. Public Health Service, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response remain pre-positioned or on alert ready to assist in other communities.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security in coordination with FEMA are working to ensure that individuals and communities affected by disasters do not face unlawful discrimination as they seek disaster-assistance services. The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and both FEMA’s Office on Disability Integration and Coordination and the Office for Equal Rights issued an official memo to impacted states that there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations, sheltering, or any other life-saving initiatives related to Matthew.

U.S. Coast Guard deployed a public health and safety officer to the National Response Coordination Center to support HHS related to Zika-virus issues that may occur following the recession of flood waters.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services encourages those whose application, petition or immigration status may be impacted by Hurricane Matthew to call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TDD for the deaf and hard of hearing: 800-767-1833) to learn how to request certain types of relief. For more information, visit www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs continues to coordinate with tribes in potentially affected areas as needed. 

The U.S. Department of Interior’s United States Geological Survey deployed more than 40 teams to the affected areas to collect the 393 surge sensors and gauges that identify high water marks. USGS has additional crews making flood measurements and repairing stream gauges damaged by river flooding. Information on all sensors and gages is available at: http://stn.wim.usgs.gov/error.html.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service is continuing to monitor and evaluate conditions at their parks. More than half a dozen national parks remain closed, each is assessing the ability to open to the public. Anyone planning to visit a park in the impacted states is encouraged to verify a park’s open status on its website.

Additionally, the Department of the Interior’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security continues to coordinate readiness to help with security.  Two 25-person Quick Response Teams composed of U.S. Park Police and National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are assisting with protection for urban rescue teams and security for mobile field hospitals. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report 16 National Wildlife Refuges and other facilities remain closed with damage assessments of those facilities underway.

The Department of Justice has 500 federal law enforcement officers from across the country on standby and ready to deploy, as required.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) activated the Regional Emergency Operations Center in Atlanta, Georgia and deployed liaisons to the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta, and the state operational centers in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.  All EPA regional programs have contacted their state counterparts and offered technical assistance concerning waste and debris disposal, water infrastructure, and fuel waiver issues. EPA deployed eight teams lead by Federal On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) to conduct oil and hazardous materials assessment activities in the Florida coastal counties of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, and Brevard.

The Federal Aviation Administration is warning drone operators to stay clear of hurricane rescue and response aircraft to preserve the safety of first-responders.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) divisions in the southern region continue working with contact permitting agencies & commercial motor vehicle law enforcement agencies in their states to assist with necessary emergency waivers and permits.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) deployed staff to Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to support FEMA efforts to establish Joint Field Offices and Disaster Response Centers.  GSA assessment teams are preparing to survey potential damage to federal facilities and will ensure any necessary repairs are undertaken quickly.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) activated its Unaccompanied Minors Registry (UMR). Family members can go to https://umr.missingkids.org or call 1-800-THE-LOST to find unaccompanied children who may have been separated from parents or caregivers because of the floods, by entering basic information and/or a photo. 

The National Guard continues to move north following the storm’s path. More than 9,000 National Guard personnel from nine states are conducting search and rescue, security, infrastructure assessment, route clearance, and communications in support of hurricane recovery efforts.  The National Guard provides support to civil authority of the state under direction of the governor.

The American Red Cross continues supporting a massive shelter operation in the affected areas. More than 13,400 people stayed the night in 248 Red Cross and community evacuation shelters in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The Red Cross has more than 2,700 trained disaster workers on the ground in addition to 133 pre-positioned response vehicles and 97 trailer loads filled water, ready-to-eat meals, shelter and kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies and comfort kits, insect repellant, gloves, masks, shovels, rakes, coolers and more. For Hurricane Matthew shelter locations, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-768-8048. The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations as Hurricane Matthew has forced the cancellation of many blood drives. Residents who are in an unaffected area, are encouraged to give blood or platelets, to help patients in the affected areas with great need. Go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration deployed about a dozen personnel from division offices to assist with the storm response.  Bridge and road inspectors will make damage assessments in affected areas are beginning.

The Department of Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) advises that the latest guidance for taxpayers affected by Matthew will be available at https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/news-releases-for-current-month.

For up-to-date information about U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities can be found at:  http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/31765/va-facilities-across-the-southeast-prepare-for-hurricane-matthew/.

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance teams are deployed to Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas and are working with local authorities to coordinate relief efforts. Updates on the status operations throughout the Caribbean are available on travel.state.gov and on individual Embassy websites.  U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad are encouraged to enroll their travel plans on the agency’s website, travel.state.gov, using the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and to read the “Country Specific” information also found on the site.

FEMA advises anyone in the impacted areas looking to help or assist with response and recovery efforts can get involved by contacting their American Red Cross chapter or their local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) chapter to connect to many organizations working on the ground that are in need of volunteers. To get in touch with the local VOAD in the affected areas, visit:

For additional info, imagery, graphics and b-roll, see our Hurricane Matthew web page: http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-matthew.

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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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Federal Resources Supporting Response to Aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

Federal Aid Programs for the State 0f Florida Declaration

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of Florida.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  Emergency protective measures assistance is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis including direct federal assistance (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
  • Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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.

Stay informed on FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

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Federal Aid Programs for the State 0f Florida Declaration

Federal Aid Programs for the State of North Carolina Emergency Declaration

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s emergency disaster declaration issued for the State of North Carolina.

Assistance for State and Affected Tribal and Local Governments Can Include as Required:

  • FEMA is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.
  • Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding. 

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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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Federal Aid Programs for the State of North Carolina Emergency Declaration

Federal Family and Partners Support States and Tribes Responding to Hurricane Matthew

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) along with other federal agencies, state, tribal, and local governments, the private sector, and voluntary agencies’ response efforts continue as Hurricane Matthew affects the East Coast.

At the direction of the President, FEMA is leading the federal government’s effort to provide assistance and support in preparation and response to Hurricane Matthew. Currently, FEMA has a Regional Response Coordination Center activated in Atlanta, as well as the National Response Coordination Center at FEMA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., to help coordinate any requests for assistance from states and tribes potentially affected by Hurricane Matthew. These centers bring together partners from the federal family to closely coordinate federal resources that may be requested from the affected state and tribal governments.

The President declared emergencies in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, making federal assistance available to mobilize equipment and resources necessary to prepare for and respond to Hurricane Matthew in the anticipated impacted areas. These pre-disaster emergency declarations make available direct federal assistance to save lives and protect property. Evacuation and shelter-in-place warnings along coastal counties in these states remain in effect.  FEMA continues to encourage residents to heed the directions of your state, tribal and local officials in your area.

FEMA deployed ten Urban Search & Rescue task force teams to Florida and Georgia to support search and rescue missions. Additional teams from around the country are ready to deploy to affected states and tribes as necessary. FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) are on the ground in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. These teams are in place to support preparation and anticipated response activities, and ensure there are no unmet needs. Incident Support Bases (ISB) are staffed and operational in Albany, Georgia and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. ISBs are established to pre-position commodities and resources closer to potentially affected areas. As of this morning, there were more than 476,000 liters of water, more than 536,000 meals, more than 25,000 blankets, and more than 20,000 cots at the ISBs in Ft. Bragg and Albany, Georgia. Additional supplies continue to arrive from FEMA’s distribution centers around the country.

The National Business Emergency Operations Center is activated in the NRCC and is coordinating with potentially affected states to work with private sector companies, preparing for landfall and coordinating on evacuation orders, potential transportation impacts, and access/re-entry permits ahead of the storm.

Ongoing Support and Preparedness Efforts:

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is conducting daily coordination calls with industry, impacted states and the leadership of the Electricity Sub-Sector Coordinating Council to discuss preparations for the storm and plans for timely restoration.  As the preparation and response efforts for electric power change as the storm shifts, updates for each state can be viewed at http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/10/f33/2016_SitRep_1_Matthew.pdf.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) established an Incident Support Base at Fort Bragg in coordination with FEMA to preposition commodities and resources close to the potentially affect areas.  The U.S. Northern Command deployed Defense Coordinating Elements to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. These service members will provide DOD regional subject matter expertise, validate requirements, and conduct liaison efforts in support of response operations.

The U.S. Coast Guard continues to assess and advise the status of ports in Florida along the storm’s path.  Advisories are being issued for additional northern locations in Georgia and South Carolina.

Thousands of National Guard soldiers and airmen are activated for state duty to assist with hurricane response preparation and plans for recovery. These guardsmen will be available to conduct operations including evacuations, search and rescue, engineering missions, aerial sling-load drops, distribution and supply of water, meals, cots, tarps, sandbags, and security and shelter support.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has eight Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, two National Veterinary Response Teams, a Public Health System Deployment Force team, disaster mortuary assessment personnel and an Incident Response Coordination Team. In addition, the department is promoting health related preparedness actions during disasters and evacuations. HHS’s website, www.phe.gov/hurricanematthew, provides public health and medical information for emergency preparedness, response and recovery from across the department and shares resources for state health department and emergency management websites. Center for Disease Control (CDC) is also featuring a hurricane page on www.cdc.gov.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) deployed hundreds of storm surge sensors and rapid deployment gages, including approximately 80 sensors along Florida’s east coast to provide data that will assist water managers in determining the peak and duration of storm surge as it approaches Florida. The information supports disaster recovery efforts and critical weather forecasts for the National Weather Service and FEMA.  The information collected will be distributed live on the USGS Flood Viewer to help federal and state officials gauge the extent and the storm’s damage as it passes through each area.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) deployed staff to the FEMA NRCC and Regional Response Coordination Center to support the IMAT teams in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. In addition, liaisons are deployed to monitor and inspect USACE-operated dams. Non-federal dams are being inspected at the request of state partners.

The American Red Cross (ARC) is supporting a massive shelter operation in the affected areas. More than 27,000 people stayed the night in nearly 200 Red Cross and community emergency evacuation shelters in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The Red Cross has also prepositioned workers, shelter supplies, ready-to-eat meals, clean-up and comfort kits to support the response efforts. For Hurricane Matthew shelter locations visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-768-8048. The American Red Cross has a tool called Safe and Well to keep track of friends and loved ones during and after the storm. 

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs is coordinating with tribes in potentially affected areas as needed.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service is continuing to monitor and evaluate conditions at their parks as the storm moves further north.  Each national park is assessing the ability to open to the public. Anyone planning to visit a park in the impacted states is encouraged to verify a park’s open status on its website.

The United States Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance teams are deployed to Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas and are working with local authorities to coordinate relief efforts. Updates on the status operations throughout the Caribbean are available on travel.state.gov and on individual Embassy websites.  U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad are encouraged to enroll their travel plans on the agency’s website, travel.state.gov using the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and to read the Country Specific Information also found on the site.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), in coordination with FEMA’s Office on Disability Integration and Coordination and FEMA’s Office for Equal Rights, issued a notice reminding its recipients of federal financial assistance who are engaged in emergency management to ensure that individuals and communities affected by disasters do not face unlawful discrimination in the provision of federally assisted services to disaster survivors. Additionally, CRCL issued a memo to impacted states regarding immigration enforcement activities. This memo notifies the public that there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations or sheltering related to the hurricane, including the use of checkpoints for immigration enforcement purposes in impacted areas during an evacuation. This memo can be found at: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/10/06/ice-cbp-joint-message-regarding-hurricane-matthew.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) liaisons are in close contact with nuclear plants in the storm’s expected path. The NRC activated its regional incident response center in Atlanta and deployed regional-based inspectors to three plants on NRC-licensed facilities in potentially affected areas.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) activated its Unaccompanied Minors Registry (UMR). Family members can go to //umr.missingkids.org or call 1-800-THE-LOST to find unaccompanied children who may have been separated from parents or caregivers because of the floods, by entering basic information and/or a photo.

For additional info, imagery, graphics and b-roll, see our Hurricane Matthew web page:
http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-matthew

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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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Federal Family and Partners Support States and Tribes Responding to Hurricane Matthew

FEMA Approves $2.1 Million for Deweyville School’s Temporary Classrooms

AUSTIN, Texas—Federal officials today announced more than $2.1 million had been approved to install and lease for 18 months the Deweyville Elementary School’s temporary modular classrooms.

The school was devastated by the severe storms and flooding in March. The 11 modular classrooms, which serve students in grades K-5, were available at the start of this school year while the district begins rebuilding a permanent facility.

The funding represents the federal share—75 percent—of the $2.87 million project. The district was one of 64 applicants in 21 counties that were eligible to be reimbursed for disaster-related costs under FEMA’s Public Assistance program.

The Deweyville school project includes setting the modular units on foundations and elevating them; connecting the units with ADA-compliant paths, ramps and walkways; installing railings, canopies and parking areas, as well as the cost of leasing the units for 18 months. 

Under FEMA’s PA program, the agency obligates funding for eligible projects directly to the state.  Following the state’s review process and upon receipt of appropriate documentation, the state will provide funds to the school district to reimburse completed work

For more information on Texas’ recovery from the March storms, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4266; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion6.

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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.

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FEMA Approves $2.1 Million for Deweyville School’s Temporary Classrooms

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Florida Emergency Declaration

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s emergency disaster declaration issued for the State of Florida.

Assistance for State and Affected Tribal and Local Governments Can Include as Required:

  • FEMA is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.

  • Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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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Federal Aid Programs for the State of Florida Emergency Declaration

FEMA Urges Residents to Know Their Evacuation Routes, Take Direction from State, Local, and Tribal Officials Ahead of Potential Landfall by Hurricane…

WASHINGTON – FEMA, through its regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is monitoring Hurricane Matthew and remains in close coordination with state emergency managers and tribal officials, as well as our federal partners at the National Weather Service forecast offices. FEMA is urging residents in potentially affected states – from Florida to the Mid-Atlantic – to familiarize themselves with evacuation routes now, prepare, and to take direction from state, local, and tribal officials.

Matthew is a major hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale with sustained winds near 145 miles per hour (MPH) and while some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next couple of days, this storm is expected to remain a powerful hurricane. According to the National Weather Service, the current forecast models for impact to the United States vary greatly from direct landfall to remaining offshore along the East Coast. Direct hurricane impacts are possible in Florida later this week.

“The time to prepare is now. Residents in potentially affected areas should learn their evacuation routes and monitor weather conditions,” said FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate. “Storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. Residents and visitors in areas from Florida through the mid-Atlantic in potentially at risk areas, including inland areas, should continue to monitor local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information. Follow instructions of state, local and tribal officials, and make sure you’re taking steps to prepare your home, family or business.”

FEMA liaisons are already deployed to the state emergency operation centers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina to assist state responses, as needed. FEMA has additional personnel deployed in Florida and an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) is at the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center. Today, FEMA also deployed additional IMATs to Atlanta to support preparation activities and ensure there are no unmet needs. Additional teams from around the country are ready to deploy to affected states and tribes as necessary.

There have been no requests for federal assistance at this time, however FEMA stands ready to assist additional states and tribes, as needed and requested.

At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories. Two Incident Support Bases have been identified in Albany, Georgia, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to pre-position commodities and resources closer to potentially affected areas.

FEMA encourages residents in potentially affected states to download the FEMA mobile app for disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips, in English and in Spanish. The app provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.

 

Safety and Preparedness Tips

Hurricane Matthew has potential for life-threatening rain, wind and storm surge. Those in potentially affected areas should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have a plan for their pets.

Individuals should visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to learn these and other preparedness tips for tropical storms or hurricanes. If the storm is expected to affect your area, know your evacuation zone and follow the direction of local or tribal officials if an evacuation is ordered for your area.

Create a household inventory: For insurance purposes, be sure to keep a written and visual (i.e., videotaped or photographed) record of all major household items and valuables, even those stored in basements, attics or garages. Create files that include serial numbers and store receipts for major appliances and electronics. Have jewelry and artwork appraised. These documents are critically important when filing insurance claims.

Other steps to take right now to protect property are:

  • Make sure your sump pump is working, and then install a battery-operated backup, in case of a power failure. If you already have a battery backup, install fresh batteries. Installing a water alarm will also let you know if water is accumulating in your basement.
  • Clear debris from gutters and downspouts. Clear storm drains in the street or near your home of leaves and debris.
  • Move electronics, valuables, and important documents to a safe place.
  • Roll up area rugs, where possible, and store them on higher floors or elevations. This will reduce the chances of rugs getting wet and growing mold.
  • Shut off electrical service at the main breaker if the electrical system and outlets will be under water.
  • If you incur expenses due to protecting your home in preparation for coming storms and flooding – such as purchasing sandbags – you may be able to file a claim against your National Flood Insurance Program flood policy for reimbursement. Call your insurance agent to discuss your coverage and learn more.

There is the potential for flooding with this storm. Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous and almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas, at bridges and at highway dips. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. If you encounter flood waters, remember – turn around, don’t drown.

Get to know the terms that are used to identify severe weather and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued:

For a hurricane:

  • A Hurricane Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 74 MPH poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. 
  • A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 74 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

For a tropical storm:

  • A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 39 MPH or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
  • A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 39 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less.

For flooding:

  • A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding.
  • A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
     

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

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.

Visit source: 

FEMA Urges Residents to Know Their Evacuation Routes, Take Direction from State, Local, and Tribal Officials Ahead of Potential Landfall by Hurricane…

FDEM and FEMA Teams Canvassing Hurricane-Stricken Areas in Florida

Atlanta, Ga.–Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are working in hurricane-stricken neighborhoods to help Florida hurricane survivors register for assistance.

The teams are made up of disaster specialists from the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They are canvassing areas to give residents an opportunity to register for disaster assistance and to quickly identify and address immediate and emerging needs. The teams can also provide application updates and referrals to additional resources when needs remain.

These mobile team members can be identified easily by their photo identifications and FDEM or FEMA clothing. Florida residents are reminded to ask for photo identification before providing personal information.

Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by Hurricane Hermine from August 31 to September 11, 2016, in Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Hillsborough, Leon, Levy, Pasco, and Pinellas counties are eligible to register for federal assistance.

In addition to the registration opportunity offered by recovery teams, survivors can register for assistance by the following methods:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • By calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, which is video relay service accessible. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call TTY 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Assistance is available in multiple languages.
  • Business owners can find an electronic loan application on the U.S. Small Business Administration’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Questions can be answered by calling the SBA disaster customer service center at 800-659-2955/ (TTY) 800-877-8339 or visiting sba.gov/disaster.

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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FDEM and FEMA Teams Canvassing Hurricane-Stricken Areas in Florida

Florida Survivors Urged to Register for Disaster Assistance

ATLANTA, Ga.– Homeowners, renters and business owners in Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Hillsborough, Leon, Levy, Pasco and Pinellas counties who were affected by Hurricane Hermine are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as they may be eligible for disaster assistance.

The September 28 presidential disaster declaration makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and businesses from the hurricane and associated severe storms and flooding in Florida.

Individuals and businesses in the designated counties can begin the disaster assistance process by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362, which is video relay service accessible. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice.

Assistance may include grants for temporary housing, rental assistance and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed personal property, and medical and dental expenses. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration may also be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Florida residents should register with FEMA even if they have insurance, but only if their property was damaged by the floods or high winds. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured 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. Federal disaster aid does not affect other government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicaid, and is not considered taxable income. Only one person per household is eligible to register. Survivors must use the name that appears on their Social Security cards when registering with FEMA.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

  • 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 receive mail
  • Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

The declaration also authorizes Public Assistance 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 Hurricane Hermine in the counties of Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla.

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

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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Florida Survivors Urged to Register for Disaster Assistance

College Students May Qualify for Disaster Assistance

BATON ROUGE, La. – Students at Louisiana colleges or universities in areas affected by the August flooding may be eligible for FEMA disaster grants to help with damage to or losses of personal vehicles, clothing, text books and school supplies.

Disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available up to $40,000 for personal property loss of vehicles, furniture and other personal items.

Students do not need to be permanent residents of the designated parishes to be eligible for assistance. However, the property damage or loss must have occurred in a flooded area.

To apply:

  • Call FEMA’s toll-free registration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY at 800-462-7585; for 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.
  • Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Disaster recovery centers are open in various locations throughout designated parishes that were flooded. Representatives of FEMA and other agencies can provide information about disaster assistance, flood insurance, personal and property flood-risk reduction and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.

Locate a center by visiting fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers, calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading the FEMA mobile app.

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College Students May Qualify for Disaster Assistance

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