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Begin Flood Cleanup as Soon as Possible

It’s not too early to begin cleaning up from Louisiana’s severe storms and floods that began Aug. 11.

Flood-damaged items like carpeting, bedding, furniture and other household items can be serious health hazards as well as eyesores. Here are some tips to dispose of these items safely and jumpstart your recovery:

File an Insurance Claim then Register with FEMA

Contact your insurance company and file a claim. Get your company’s contact information online at the Louisiana Department of Insurance: www.ldi.la.gov/onlineservices/ActiveCompanySearch.
If you have flood insurance questions call 800-621-3362 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and select option 2. Call center staff are available to assist with information regarding your policy, offer technical flood guidance to aid in recovery and answer other flood insurance questions. You can be transferred to your insurance carrier for additional assistance if you have further questions.
Register for federal disaster assistance. If you had severe storm or flood damage in Acadia, Ascension, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Point Coupee, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington and West Feliciana parishes you may apply for FEMA help online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Survivors who use TTY may call 800-462-7585.

Start Cleaning Up Now

Mold may be a serious health risk so don’t wait for a visit from FEMA or your insurance company before you start cleaning up. FEMA inspectors and insurance claims adjusters will still be able to verify flood damage.
Because mold may be a serious health risk, it’s important to remove flood-damaged valuables from your home. Take lots of pictures before your insurance adjuster visits.
Be sure to consult with your local officials for instructions before setting out debris. If you don’t have local emergency management contact information, it can be found online at gohsep.la.gov/about/parishpa.
Place debris curbside. Debris cannot be collected on private property.
Do not prop up debris against trees and utility poles or place in the vicinity of fire hydrants and utility boxes. That makes it more difficult for cleanup crews to collect.
Debris should be separated into the following six categories:
- Household garbage such as discarded food, packaging and papers.
- Construction debris such as building materials, carpeting, furniture and mattresses.
- Vegetation debris such as tree branches and leaves.
- Household hazardous waste such as batteries, paints and cleaning supplies.
- White goods such as refrigerators, washers/dryers, water heaters and air conditioners.
- Electro nics such as televisions, stereo equipment and computers.
Go online to this link to see a graphic that explains how to sort debris:

www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/images/110554

Other tips to speed up debris collection include:
- Try to combine debris piles with your neighbors.
- Secure refrigerator and freezer doors with duct tape.
- Limit curbside household garbage to two 32-gallon containers or eight trash bags.
- Get more and tips on flood clean up, repairing, and rebuilding at www.fema.gov/Louisiana-disaster-mitigation.

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Begin Flood Cleanup as Soon as Possible

Louisiana: Keep in Touch and Update Info with FEMA to Avoid Delays

BATON ROUGE, La. –You may find yourself frequently moving if you’re a survivor of Louisiana’s recent severe storms and floods.

If you’ve had any changes to your contact information it’s important to let FEMA know so the disaster assistance process stays on track.

FEMA may need to contact you to schedule an inspection or to get additional information to help process your application. That’s why it’s important to let them know as soon as possible if you’ve moved or have a new phone number.

You may update contact information two ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
By calling 800-621-3362
- People who use TTY may call 800-462-7585
- Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may call 800-621-3362.

If you had storm or flood damage in Louisiana you may also use those resources to apply for FEMA help if you haven’t done so already. Survivors in Acadia, Ascension, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Point Coupee, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington and West Feliciana parishes may be eligible.

It’s important to note that FEMA disaster assistance checks cannot be forwarded. If you cannot access your home address, you can request the postal service to hold your mail. You can also have the funds sent via direct deposit to your financial institution.

Residents are urged to contact their insurance company to file their flood insurance claims. For flood insurance policyholders who may have questions, FEMA has streamlined its process to better service claims and answer questions. Policyholders may call 800-621-3362 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and select Option 2. Call center staff are available to assist policyholders with information regarding their policy, offer technical flood guidance to aid in recovery, and respond to general as well as complicated questions about the NFIP. Policyholders with questions specifically about an insurance claim can be transferred to their insurance carrier for additional assistance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. The loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information on Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

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

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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Louisiana: Keep in Touch and Update Info with FEMA to Avoid Delays

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Yale Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Yale Fire burning in Spokane County, Washington.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 12:16 a.m. PDT on August 22, 2016.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 250 primary homes in and around the community of Valleyford, population 2,450. The fire was also threatening businesses, park facilities, and power transmission lines in the area. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations were issued for approximately 1,000 people. The fire started on August 21, 2016, and had burned in excess of 2,000 acres of state and private land. There are 28 other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state. At the time of the authorization, the fire was zero percent contained.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Washington’s eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

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FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Yale Fire

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Wellesley Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Wellesley Fire burning in Spokane County, Washington.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator, Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 12:15 p.m. PDT on August 22, 2016.

The fire started on August 21, 2016, and had burned in excess of 250 acres of state and private land. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 225 primary homes in and around the communities of Orchard Prairie and Pasadena Park, total estimated population 11,145. The fire was also threatening the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railways, businesses, electrical transmission and distribution lines, and a recreational space in the area. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations were issued for approximately 900 people. There are 28 other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state. At the time of the authorization, the fire was zero percent contained.

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FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Wellesley Fire

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Two Parishes for Louisiana Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – Disaster recovery centers will open Sunday, August 21, in Tangipahoa and St. Helena parishes to help Louisiana flood survivors. The centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day until further notice.

The centers are at the following addresses:

Former Parish Tourism Building

42271 S. Morrison Blvd.

Hammond, La. 70443

St. Helena Environmental Health Unit

53 N. 2nd St.

Greensburg, La. 70441

Survivors may locate centers near them at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. That information is also available on the FEMA mobile app. Survivors may register at any open DRC, even out of state.

To register, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Representatives from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), volunteer groups and other agencies are at the centers to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

Disaster Survivor Assistance 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 and landlords, private nonprofits, 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 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4263.

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The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Two Parishes for Louisiana Survivors

Federal Assistance to Louisiana Flood Survivors Tops $56 Million

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today more than $56 million dollars has been approved in federal support within the first week of the president’s major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana.

FEMA approved more than $39 million to help survivors with temporary rental assistance, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs. Disaster survivors can register for assistance and get help with other available resources several ways. Residents who sustained disaster-related losses can apply for assistance by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). Residents who use 711 relay or Video Relay Service (VRS), can call 1-800-621-3362. Additionally, disaster survivor assistance teams are on the ground at shelters and going door to door to address immediate and emerging needs of disaster survivors including: on-site registration, applicant status checks, on-the-spot needs assessments and access to partners offering survivor services. Also, disaster recovery centers (DRCs) are scheduled to open in the next several days to provide information to survivors.

Additionally, $10.5 million in advance payments was approved through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide expedited relief to policyholders who sustained flood-related damages. These advance payments award up to 50 percent of the estimated covered loss to allow policyholders the ability to proceed with the recovery efforts while working with their adjusters.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved more than $3.5 million in low interest loans to Louisiana survivors and businesses to assist with uninsured and underinsured flood-related losses. The SBA currently has two business recovery centers open, one in Livingston parish and one in Tangipahoa parish. An additional four business recovery centers to be open on Monday, one in Ascension parish, two in East Baton Rouge parish, and one in Lafayette parish.

FEMA obligated nearly $2 million through the public assistance program for work undertaken to save lives, protect public health and safety, and protect public and private property.

The U.S. Department of Transportation made $2 million in emergency relief funds immediately available through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help repair roads and bridges in the affected areas. The funds will also help stabilize structures to prevent further damage and set up detours until permanent repairs are completed.

Providing survivors with housing solutions remains a top priority and FEMA is actively supporting Louisiana’s Disaster Housing Task Force to help displaced Louisiana residents find access to housing. FEMA activated its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, at the request of the state, to make participating hotels or motels available to provide short-term lodging for eligible survivors who are currently residing in a personal vehicle, hotel or motel, shelter, or place of employment.

FEMA, the state, and private sector organizations are working to identify additional rental resources near the affected areas. Residents can access this information at lahousingsearch.org.

For those looking for ways to help in the community, cash donations offer voluntary agencies flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources and provides money to the local economy to help businesses recover.

In addition to these efforts, the federal government is providing the following support:

FEMA has more than 1,800 personnel on the ground, including six Incident Management Assistance Teams, one Urban Search and Rescue team that completed their mission today, and Mobile Emergency Response Support personnel. FEMA also provided the state more than 603,000 liters of water, 535,000 meals, 12,500 cots and 12,500 blankets for distribution. FEMA and the state are conducting joint federal/state preliminary damage assessments in Assumption and St. Charles parishes over the next several days.

The National Guard activated more than 2,900 National Guardsmen to assist with emergency flood response. Guardsmen have rescued more than 19,000 residents and 2,600 pets, and continue assisting with distribution of water, meals, cots, tarps and are providing additional security and shelter support.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in 12 parishes to provide low to moderate-income households who do not already receive supplemental assistance with buying groceries following a disaster. Residents in those areas who already receive Supplemental Nutritional Assistance benefits will not need to register in order to receive this assistance. Residents affected by the flooding are urged to pre-register for the program at: https://dsnap.dcfs.la.gov/CustomerPortal/CPLogon.jsp.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is expediting federal assistance to provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes. HUD granted a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages. Additionally, HUD is re-allocating existing federal resources such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs to give the state and communities the flexibility to redirect millions of dollars of funding to address critical needs, including housing and services for disaster survivors toward disaster relief.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) deployed two National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Disaster Medical Assistance Teams consisting of approximately 80 NDMS members to Baton Rouge. In addition, U.S. Public Health Service commissioned corps officers and a 30-person command and control unit. They are among 200 staff deployed to support the response effort. HHS is operating a Federal Medical Station capable of housing 250 patients on the Louisiana State University campus and is providing care for 200 patients. The HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration activated its Disaster Distress helpline. This toll-free, multi-lingual crisis support service is available everyday by calling 1-800-985-5990 or texting ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746 for Louisianans who are experiencing emotional distress.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) deployed team leaders and subject matter expert personnel to assist the state and local government with debris removal and flood response operations. USACE also provided St. John Parish with HESCO Barriers. The state provided sand and coordinated with the National Guard for installation.

The American Red Cross (ARC) operational priorities continue to focus on providing food, shelter and relief supplies to survivors and working closely with local authorities to assess what and where the current needs are. Approximately 3,100 people remain housed in 20 ARC community shelters. Since the flooding began last week, ARC has provided more than 36,000 overnight stays in shelters and served more than 171,000 meals and snacks with feeding partners. The Red Cross Shelter Finder app displays open Red Cross shelters and their locations on an easy to use map interface. Survivors can also find the location of the nearest shelter by texting SHELTER and their Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). The American Red Cross activated its Safe and Well program to allow survivors to let family members know they are safe and for family members to search for loved ones.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children activated its Unaccompanied Minors Registry (UMR). Family members can go to http://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 U.S. Northern Command activated a Defense Coordinating Element to support FEMA’s Regional Response Coordination Center in Denton, Texas with Department of Defense resources. The personnel are heavily involved in assisting relief efforts on the ground.

The U.S. Coast Guard supported Louisiana with air and surface rescue operations.

The Corporation for National Community Service deployed more than 330 AmeriCorps members, including FEMA Corps and AmeriCorps Disaster Response Teams, to support shelter operations, survivor call centers and disaster survivor assistance teams.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is in daily contact with local cooperators, the National Weather Service and River Forecast Centers to give status updates on stream gages and coordinate flood response efforts.

The Federal Communications Commission continues to monitor communication outages and is working closely with affected carriers to ensure services are restored.

The U.S. Department of Justice deployed personnel to assist in evacuation, deconstruction and debris removal operations in the affected areas.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deployed specialist personnel to monitor and assess the impacts of the flood. They are maintaining close communication with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

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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 Assistance to Louisiana Flood Survivors Tops $56 Million

FEMA Awards $262,420 Grant to the City of Lansing

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $262,420 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the City of Lansing, Mich., for the acquisition and demolition of four flood-prone homes.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding for mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disasters,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “This project will help to eliminate future structural losses in Lansing by permanently removing these four buildings from the floodplain and will also greatly reduce the financial impact on individuals and the community.”

“I strongly encourage our communities to seize the opportunity for hazard mitigation assistance to enhance the safety of Michigan’s residents,” said Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. “With federal aid, our communities can initiate projects to save lives and protect public property and health.”

HMGP provides grants to state, local and tribal governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $349,893 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $87,473, will be provided by the City of Lansing.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/fema, twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

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FEMA Awards $262,420 Grant to the City of Lansing

For Houston Family, Deep Faith—and Help From FEMA Partners—Drives Recovery from Storms

HOUSTON—Floodwaters drove Carol Lowrey, her son David and family friend Wanda Simons to seek refuge in a hotel after the April floods inundated their neighborhood. For 22 days, they shared a hotel room while the two women worked at restoring order to the chaos of their lives.

They divided the responsibilities. Carol took care of her 44-year-old son who is paralyzed as a result of spina bifida, a birth defect affecting the spinal column. Wanda worked the phones and the hotel computer, arranging for contractors and navigating the Medicare maze. She battled the insurance company that insisted, to the women’s dismay, the wheelchair-accessible van customized for David was a total loss. They knew it wasn’t. And Wanda began building a spreadsheet, cataloging what they lost and estimating the cost.

“We had to document everything. We had lists of stuff,” Carol Lowrey recalled.

With a ballooning “to do” list and mounting debt, it was clear the family was in crisis and needed help. As longtime friends from Believers Fellowship Baptist Church in nearby Spring, Harris County, Carol and Wanda continue to find support in their church family and federal disaster assistance programs.

A presidential disaster declaration can trigger activation of FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, which may prompt a governor to request implementation of the Immediate Disaster Case Management Program. This is a time-limited partnership administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. It pairs a disaster survivor with a case manager, or single point of contact, who helps determine the client’s unmet disaster-related needs. From that point, the case manager develops an individualized recovery plan and provides links to a broad range of resources, including funding and technical assistance, to support a more rapid recovery.

Storms unleashed heavy rains and flooding on Harris County for eight continuous days in April, prompting nearly 21,000 affected households to seek disaster assistance.

In the days and weeks afterward, disaster survivors were encouraged to call 211, a toll-free number sponsored by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to connect them with needed services.

Carol, who is 68, and Wanda, 64, were directed to the Immediate Disaster Case Management Program by FEMA’s disaster survivor assistance teams canvassing their neighborhood on May 11, the day after the family returned home from the hotel.

“We focus on being that single-source resource,” said Thelma Gutierrez, the program’s branch director in Houston and case manager for the Lowrey household. “Chaos comes with the disaster and we help (survivors) develop a plan, set tangible goals and help restore a sense of normalcy.”

Survivor needs range from basic to critical. With lives in turmoil, small stressors become overwhelming and can cause a survivor to become immobilized. The result: Nothing gets done. Addressing those challenges is tantamount to eating an elephant. Case managers help survivors through it, one small bite at a time.

“You have to understand who your client is and what their needs are,” Gutierrez said. “We look for resources that do not add an additional burden to the client.”

Forty case managers, most of them bilingual, were deployed to the April disaster, along with five strike team leaders and a staff of 15 management and support staff. They developed a community profile, assessed the need and identified local resources. Outreach teams notified city officials, community organizations and media outlets about the program. Most clients were referred to the program by FEMA, others transferred from voluntary organizations active in disaster and long-term recovery groups.

As of Aug. 4, the Immediate Disaster Case Management Program has served 2,746 individuals and families since launching in Texas June 5.

For the Lowrey household, and David in particular, the needs are critical. Visits to the chiropractor are three times a week, dental visits four times a year. There are annual visits to the urologist, neurosurgeon, pulmonologist and David’s primary care physician; annual check-ups accompany those visits.

Floodwaters damaged the electrical equipment in the customized van used to transport David to medical appointments. The night the family was rescued from their home by boat, floodwaters already up the front steps and licking at the door, Carol and Wanda took only David’s essentials, including medicines and a CPAP machine that delivers pressurized air to aid his breathing.

In the months since the floods, the Lowrey household has received rental assistance from FEMA and reimbursement for the hotel stay. The Immediate Disaster Case Management Program identified organizations that replenished some of David’s supplies, including furniture, durable and consumable medical supplies such as gloves and disposable wipes. They also provided a much-needed compassionate ear.

On a blistering summer day, the Lowrey family sat together for an interview in the cramped, second-floor master bedroom now serving as the main living space. The first floor of the house is gutted and under construction, and the family is restricted to the upstairs rooms. David hasn’t kept any medical appointments or attended church since the storms. Carol and Wanda can’t lift him or his 350-pound wheelchair.

There are many hurdles to overcome in getting their lives back to normal, but their deeply held faith keeps this family going. They believe God will not give them any more than they can handle.

The Immediate Disaster Case Management services are available to survivors of April 17–30 floods, who reside in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Hidalgo, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Waller or Wharton counties. Survivors of May 22–June 24 storms and flooding in Brazoria, Brazos, Washington or any of the above counties may also access Immediate Disaster Case Management services.

For more information about the Immediate Disaster Case Management Program, visit SETexasFloodAssistance2016.com or call 855-742-5881. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-735-2989 (English) or 800-662-4954 (Spanish).

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For Houston Family, Deep Faith—and Help From FEMA Partners—Drives Recovery from Storms

FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Combat Blue Cut Fire in San Bernardino County, California

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

On August 16, 2016, the State of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Blue Cut Fire. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse up to 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 600 primary homes in and around the communities of Phelan, Pinion Hills, and Wrightwood, total estimated population 30,000.

The President’s Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible costs covered by the grant can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Combat Blue Cut Fire in San Bernardino County, California

West Virginia survivors get two-week extension for FEMA registrations

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — The deadline for West Virginia storm survivors to register for federal assistance has been extended 14 days to Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted the extension at the request of West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, citing a continued flow of new applications for federal assistance in the wake of the June 22-29 severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

FEMA disaster grants are available to homeowners and renters in the 12 storm-impacted counties named in the presidential disaster declaration of June 25: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster. Nearly 9,000 applications from West Virginia survivors have been received by FEMA to date.

Disaster assistance for individuals may include grants to help homeowners and renters with temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and serious disaster-related needs. 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.

One of FEMA’s federal partners in disaster recovery, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), would also extend to Sept. 7, 2016 its deadline for filing physical disaster loan applications.

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses, homeowners and renters. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

If your SBA loan application is approved, you may be eligible to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples

include elevating utilities, water heaters and furnaces, and installing retaining walls and sump pumps. Applicants may be eligible for an SBA loan increase, for mitigation purposes, of up to 20 percent of their physical damages.

The application/registration process is quick and easy. FEMA encourages all survivors who sustained disaster-related damage or losses to apply – before the Sept. 7 deadline – by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362 (TTY users should call 800-462-7585) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov . The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

You may also register at any of the five Disaster Recovery Centers located in Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties. An easy-to-use DRC Locator is available at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm .

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West Virginia survivors get two-week extension for FEMA registrations

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