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Flood Hazard Information Being Updated for Southeast Coastal Communities

ATLANTA – People living in coastal communities throughout the Southeast will have a more accurate picture of their flood risk as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and other flood hazard information are being updated in these areas.

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., with coastal areas being particularly vulnerable. Nearly 40 percent of the nation’s population lives in coastal communities, so it is important that people know their flood risk and take steps to protect themselves and their property.

Flood risks change over time because of construction, development, environmental changes, shoreline erosion, and other natural or manmade factors. These changes send water flowing in new directions, creating flood risks that did not exist previously — precisely why flood maps are updated periodically.

Throughout the next several years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Office in Atlanta, along with regional, state and local partners throughout the Southeast, will update the effective FIRMs for coastal areas using more recent data and the latest scientific engineering tools. Click here to see a list of the organizations that will be involved in this effort with FEMA.

To see the progress, visit the FEMA Region IV Coastal Analysis and Mapping website at www.southeastcoastalmaps.com. This site provides information on the status of coastal mapping projects in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as well as other flood hazard information.

Updated FIRMs for coastal communities in Mississippi, including Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties, were completed in 2007. Visit the Mississippi webpage for more information.

Community planners and local officials use flood hazard information to improve local planning activities. Builders and developers use the information to make decisions on where to build and how construction can affect flood risk. Insurance agents, insurance companies, real estate agents and lending institutions use the information for insurance rating purposes and to help residents better understand how flood hazards affect their property. Property owners and renters can use flood hazard information to help make better financial decisions about protecting their properties.

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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Flood Hazard Information Being Updated for Southeast Coastal Communities

Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Now Closes on Saturday

BATON ROUGE, La. —Hurricane Isaac survivors in Iberville Parish have more time to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Plaquemine. At the request of the parish, the center will remain open one extra day, and close at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

Iberville Parish Utility Department
59805 Bayou Rd.
Plaquemine, LA 70764

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 13.

Recovery centers have opened in many affected parishes to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured losses to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Now Closes on Saturday

FEMA Announces 2012 Individual and Community Preparedness Award Winners

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the recipients of the 2012 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards. These Awards recognize the innovative practices and achievements of individuals, Citizen Corps Councils, and non-profit, faith-based, and private sector organizations working throughout the nation to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to manage any disaster or emergency event.

“It has been shown time and time again that after a disaster, the very first responders are our neighbors,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “The award recipients promote preparedness across America’s communities – the bedrock of our national resiliency. I commend each and every one of the awardees for their service and innovation. They serve as a model for communities everywhere.”

Each applicant demonstrated their ability to engage the Whole Community through partnerships, achievements, and activities that took place from January 2011 to June 2012. For example, the American Red Cross Gateway to the Golden State Region chapter trained more than 16,000 individuals in lifesaving skills, such as disaster preparedness, CPR, and basic first aid, and developed a cadre of more than 200 bilingual volunteers. The Texas State Citizen Corps Program trained Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers who were integrated into the response to the Bastrop Complex Fire last fall and North Texas tornadoes earlier this year.

Other awardees participated in emergency planning activities and established creative methods to address the needs of their communities. For example, North Dakota State University developed two Smartphone applications, one to address the needs of individuals and families affected by local flooding and one with information for residents stranded during a winter storm.

The Second Annual John D. Solomon Preparedness Award is being presented to Florida’s Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) for collaborative work as a team of nearly 500 disaster preparedness and response organizations, engaging in efforts that reach the business community, children and youth, under-served populations, faith-based organizations, first responders, and individuals with access and functional needs, and more. The John D. Solomon Preparedness Award is named for the late creator of the groundbreaking blog, In Case of Emergency, Read Blog: A Citizen’s Eye View Of Public Preparedness. John’s body of work was striking in its reporting, analysis, engagement and impact, in preparing the public, informing professionals, and effecting change in the public and private sectors. Administrator Fugate once stated that he “set the standard for what it meant to be part of our nation’s emergency management team.”

All winners will be invited, as FEMA’s honored guests, to a community roundtable event in Washington, D.C. During the roundtable the honorees will share their innovative and successful approaches to community preparedness with emergency management leadership.

FEMA congratulates the following awardees:

Outstanding State Citizen Corps Council Initiatives

Texas Citizen Corps (TX)

Outstanding Local Citizen Corps Council Initiatives

New York City Citizen Corps Council (NY)

Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Initiatives

CERT Program and Volunteers, City of Newport Beach (CA)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness

Chinatown Community Development Center (CA)

Preparing the Whole Community

American Red Cross Gateway to the Golden State (CA)

Promising Partnerships

Partners in Preparedness (NY)

Awareness to Action

American Red Cross of the Poconos (PA)

Innovative Use of Technology

North Dakota State University Agriculture Communication (ND)

Volunteer Integration

West Pierce County Fire and Rescue CERT Program (WA)

Community Preparedness Heroes

Michael Parker (CA)
Mohamed Ali (WA)
Scott Ellis (NJ)

Second Annual Recipient of the John D. Solomon Preparedness Award

Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) (FL)

The award winners were selected by a panel of leaders representing the Whole Community, including the National Emergency Management Association, the International Association of Emergency Managers, Target, the American Red Cross and FEMA.

For a description of the award categories, please see the Application Guide.

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FEMA Announces 2012 Individual and Community Preparedness Award Winners

Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Closes Friday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Time is running out for Hurricane Isaac survivors in Iberville Parish to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Plaquemine. The center closes at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

Iberville Parish Utility Department
59805 Bayou Rd.
Plaquemine, LA 70764

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 12.

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Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Closes Friday

Survivors With Lapsed Flood Insurance Can Still Get FEMA Help

CLINTON, Miss. – Hurricane Isaac survivors in Mississippi who let their flood insurance policies lapse may be able to receive federal disaster assistance.

Survivors who received their policies through a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant but let their policies lapse are ineligible for federal disaster loans or grants to be used for home repairs. However, FEMA is reaching out to them because they are eligible for grants that would pay for a temporary place to stay if their primary residence is uninhabitable as a result of the storm.

Some insurance policies are issued under a FEMA Group Flood Insurance Policy, which are funded by a portion of a survivor’s FEMA grant money. Once policies expire after three years, renters and homeowners are required to purchase and maintain flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program to continue their insurance protection.

Only survivors who have maintained their NFIP policies can be considered for home repair disaster grants or loans if the property had damages during Hurricane Isaac. However, all survivors are eligible to be considered for grants that would pay for temporary housing assistance.

Survivors with uninsured or underinsured damages can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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Survivors With Lapsed Flood Insurance Can Still Get FEMA Help

$18.1 Million Approved In Disaster For Hurricane Isaac

CLINTON, Miss. – In nearly six weeks since Hurricane Isaac struck Mississippi, more than $18 million in state and federal aid has been approved to help those affected.

MEMA and FEMA provide the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Oct. 6:

Nearly 5,900 households have received FEMA grants that assist with housing and personal property loss.
Nearly $11.5 million has been approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance, home repair and replacement costs.
Almost $2.1 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Nearly $4.6 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to assist homeowners, renters and businesses with the cost of repairing or replacing lost or damaged structures and personal property.
Approximately 18,800 home inspections have been completed.
There have been nearly 9,600 visits to 16 disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.

More than 24,200 survivors in designated counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance. Many people sought housing assistance from FEMA because their primary home was unlivable or inaccessible.

FEMA specialists are available this week to answer recovery questions at locations in Copiah, Jefferson, Jones and Lamar counties. The disaster recovery centers in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Pearl River counties will close permanently at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12.

For survivors who have needs not met by federal assistance, the FEMA helpline (800-621-3362) serves as a good source of information referring survivors to state and local organizations and partner agencies such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors also can call 2-1-1 to be connected to volunteer or faith-based organizations that may be able to help them with resources and needs.

Survivors have until Wednesday, Oct. 31 to register for disaster assistance. They should register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Businesses that need help may contact the SBA directly at the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY) 800-877-8339, send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply.

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$18.1 Million Approved In Disaster For Hurricane Isaac

Disaster Recovery Centers Remain Open Through Friday

CLINTON, Miss. – This is the final week for Mississippians to visit the four remaining FEMA disaster recovery centers. Although the centers will close, Mississippians can continue to register over the phone or online through Oct. 31.

The centers, closing at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, are located at:

Hancock County Resource Center, 454 Highway 90, Waveland, MS 39576.
Harrison County, County Farm Road 361 Shelter, 15035 County Farm Road, Gulfport, MS 39503.
Jackson County Fairgrounds, 4761 Vega Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567.
Pearl River County, Mississippi National Guard Armory, 1251-B Highway 11 South, Picayune, MS 39466.

You can register, have questions answered, or track your claim:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Smart Phone at m.fema.gov.
Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585
Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362.

The toll-free numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Be sure to contact FEMA if you change your mailing address, phone number or e-mail address, if you receive an insurance settlement, or discover additional damage.

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Disaster Recovery Centers Remain Open Through Friday

Free Crisis Counseling Can Help Hurricane Isaac Survivors Cope

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisianians who survived Hurricane Isaac — or saw neighbors or family experience loss — may suffer emotional stress as real as the hurricane’s physical destruction.

To help people experiencing post-disaster emotional stress, free crisis counseling is available in the parishes designated for Individual Assistance under the major disaster declaration. The program, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), is open to any child or adult in designated parishes.

“FEMA funds this important program because counseling can help people understand and process their emotional reactions to the disaster,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall of FEMA. “The right support can help most survivors regroup and move on with their lives.”

Those who have suffered losses may be likely to experience at least one of several emotional responses, including anger, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, nightmares, depression, inability to concentrate, hyperactivity, or increased alcohol or drug use. Children are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress after a disaster. Their stress symptoms may include excessive fear of the dark, crying, fear of being alone, and constant worry.

Trained counselors are provided by the network of state Human Services authorities and districts. Calls to the crisis lines are free of charge, as are face-to-face follow-up sessions for adults and children whose needs cannot be fully served through phone counseling.

Participating districts/authorities, the parishes they serve and their phone numbers are:

Florida Parishes Human Services Authority
Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington
1-800-272-8367
Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority
Jefferson
504-832-5123
Metropolitan Human Services District
Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard
504-826-2675
South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority
Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, Terrebonne
1-877-500-9997

Statewide resources include:

DHH-Office of Behavioral Health Louisiana Spirit Crisis Line: 1-866-310-7977
Louisiana Behavioral Health Partnership: 1-800-424-4399
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 1-800-985-5990

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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Free Crisis Counseling Can Help Hurricane Isaac Survivors Cope

Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Closes Saturday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Time is running out for Hurricane Isaac survivors in Iberville Parish to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Napoleonville. The center closes at 6 p.m. on Oct. 6.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

St. Gabriel Community Center
1400 Gordon Simon Leblanc Dr.
St. Gabriel, LA 70776
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Closes Saturday

Jefferson Parish Disaster Recovery Center Closes Monday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Time is running out for Hurricane Isaac survivors in Jefferson Parish to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Grand Isle. The center closes at 6 p.m. on Monday, Columbus Day.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

Grand Isle Multiplex
3101 LA Hwy 1
Grand Isle, LA 70358

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Monday. Closed Sunday.

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Jefferson Parish Disaster Recovery Center Closes Monday

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