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FEMA Encourages Preparedness for the 2016 Hurricane Season

WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is calling on individuals and families across the nation to prepare for the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane season, which begins today and runs through November 30.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center seasonal outlook for 2016, released last week, states the season will most likely be near-normal, but uncertainty about the formation of Atlantic storms makes predicting this season particularly difficult. The full release is linked at www.noaa.gov/near-normal-atlantic-hurricane-season-most-likely-year.

The effects of hurricanes can stretch far beyond just coastal areas, impacting communities hundreds of miles inland. When a hurricane hits, it can bring high winds, heavy rainfall, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and even tornadoes. Storm surge produced by hurricanes poses the greatest threat to life and property along the coast. Taking action now, in advance of a storm, can save lives and enables families and communities to recover more quickly should disaster strike.

“The United States has not had a significant impact from a hurricane or tropical storm since Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “But luck isn’t a strategy when it comes to being ready. If you live in a potentially affected state, you are at risk for storm surge, extreme winds and flooding during a hurricane. Now is the time for you to learn your evacuation routes and develop a hurricane evacuation plan. Prepare now and enjoy the summer with confidence that if a storm threatens you’ll be ready.”

To prepare for these powerful storms, FEMA is encouraging families, businesses, and individuals to take the following steps to prepare:

Know Your Risk: Residents should learn what types of natural disasters are common in their state. NOAA’s historical hurricane tracks tool provides information on the severity and frequency of past hurricanes.
Know your evacuation zone: Evacuation zones are areas that may be impacted by hurricane flooding. Many communities have designated evacuation zones and routes to get citizens to safety. This information can often be found on the websites of state, county, or town emergency management offices. If a hurricane threatens a community and local officials say it’s time to evacuate, residents should evacuate immediately. Do not wait for the next forecast.
Download the FEMA app: The FEMA app contains important information on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane. The app also allows users to receive weather alerts from NOAA’s National Weather Service, lifesaving safety tips, and provides access to disaster resources should survivors need them. The app is available in the Apple App store or the Google Play store. The FEMA app is also available in Spanish.
Make a plan, build a kit and practice what to do: When a hurricane hits, communications systems can go out, transportation can be limited, and it could be days before emergency responders are able to reach communities that need help. FEMA encourages residents in potentially affected states to do the following:
- Make a Family Communication Plan: Family members should discuss how they contact one another in an emergency and check in with each other from different locations. Families should plan how to care for children or members with access and functional needs, and learn how to get in touch if cell phone, internet, or landlines don’t work. Be sure to practice your plan so everyone will know what to do in the event of an emergency.
- Emergency Supply Kit: A ‘go kit’ is a bag that contains basic items families may need, during an emergency. Kits should contain non-perishable food, water, and other supplies, such as flashlights, local maps, and a battery-powered radio, to last you and your family for at least 72 hours. Ready.gov contains a complete list of items.
- Pets: Many local shelters do not permit pets, but laws require them to accept service animals. Families should have a plan for pets should they need to evacuate.

While much attention is often given to the Atlantic Hurricane Season, there are tropical systems that can affect many other areas around the nation. To learn more about hurricane seasons in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, visit www.hurricanes.gov. To learn more on how to prepare before, during, and after a hurricane, 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.

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FEMA Encourages Preparedness for the 2016 Hurricane Season

Ascension Parish Disaster Survivors Can Get Rebuilding Tips at a Local Home Improvement Center

Baton Rouge, La. – Disaster survivors from Ascension Parish who are rebuilding after the severe storms and floods that occurred March 8 through April 8 can receive free consultations with hazard mitigation advisors from FEMA. The mitigation representatives are available at Home Depot in Gonzales Tuesday, May 31 through Saturday, June 4.
The mitigation advisors will answer questions about protecting homes from future disaster-related damage, as well as offer tips and techniques to build hazard resistant homes.

Most of the information and the free publications provided are geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Recovery topics to be covered include flood insurance, elevating utilities and rebuilding flooded homes.

The store location is:

Home Depot
2740 South Cajun Ave.
Gonzales, La.

Advisors are available Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday
9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Survivors can register for FEMA assistance through Monday, June 13 online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or may 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 telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Cuando llame al
1-800 621-3362 (FEMA) marque el 1 y escuche las instrucciones en español. Favor llamar antes del lunes 13 de junio.

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We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s 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 emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information at gohsep.la.gov, 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). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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

FEMA offers a number of free online resources for home and property owners. To get started, go to fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities or fema.gov/louisiana-disaster-mitigation.

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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Ascension Parish Disaster Survivors Can Get Rebuilding Tips at a Local Home Improvement Center

FEMA Offers Advice for Texans on Lessening Storm Damage in Harris and Waller Counties

– In Harris County, at Lowe’s in Houston and The Home Depot in Baytown; ACE Hardware in Waller (Waller County)

AUSTIN, Texas – A team of specialists from FEMA will visit Lowe’s and The Home Depot in Harris County and ACE Hardware in Waller County to offer tips and techniques to lessen the impact of disaster-related property damage.

Specialists will be available at the following locations:

Where: Lowe’s, 4645 Beechnut St., Houston, Texas 77096

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday May 26-28

7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31

Where: The Home Depot, 4915 Garth Rd., Baytown, Texas 77521

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday May 26-28

7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31

Where: Ace Hardware, 2906 Hwy. 290, Waller, Texas 77484

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday May 26-27

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 28

7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 31

FEMA Mitigation specialists will be on hand to answer questions and offer home improvement tips to reduce damage in future disasters. Information is geared to both do-it-yourselfers and general contractors on topics such as storm shelters and safe rooms.

Booklets are available in English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage and other natural disasters. Survivors who need an accommodation to access Braille or large print can let FEMA representatives know. American Sign Language interpreters can be made available, if requested, by calling Everett Sedgwick at 202-870-4129. More information on how to strengthen homes, businesses and communities can be found at fema.gov/what-mitigation and fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer policyholder questions, service claims, provide general information and offer technical assistance. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 (FEMA), select option 2, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Texans can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims are settled.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Download the FEMA fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

FEMA Offers Advice for Texans on Lessening Storm Damage in Harris and Waller Counties

Disaster Recovery Centers Closing This Weekend in Shepherd and La Grange

AUSTIN, Texas – The disaster recovery centers in Shepherd in San Jacinto County and La Grange in Fayette County will close this weekend.

Location: Shepherd Community Center

10251 Hwy. 150

Shepherd, Texas 77371

Closing: 6 p.m. Friday, May 27

Location: La Grange Fire Station

244 N. Franklin

La Grange, Texas 78945

Closing: 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the centers close, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by the April 17-24 storms and flooding can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

visit DisasterAssistance.gov
phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to stay in touch. If survivors change their addresses or phone numbers they should update FEMA with the information. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in getting a home inspection or receiving assistance.

Disaster survivors can also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269 or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at dps.texas.gov/dem/. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Survivors may also download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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Disaster Recovery Centers Closing This Weekend in Shepherd and La Grange

Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Closing This Weekend in Katy, Houston

AUSTIN, Texas – Two mobile disaster recovery centers in Katy and Houston, both in Harris County, will close this week.

Location: Lone Star College-University Park

Energy & Manufacturing Institute

11521 Compaq Center West Dr.

Houston, Texas 77070

Closing: 2 p.m. Friday, May 27

Location: Katy Park

24927 Morton Rd

Katy, Texas 77493

Closing: 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28

Mobile disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the centers close, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by the storms and flooding that occurred April 17-24 can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

online at DisasterAssistance.gov
by phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster survivors can also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

Survivors may also download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Closing This Weekend in Katy, Houston

March Flood Survivors: Stay in Touch With FEMA to Keep Recovery Going

RIDGELAND, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourage survivors of the March storms and flooding in Mississippi to keep their recovery process on track by calling the FEMA helpline. The deadline to register with FEMA was May 24, but survivors can still call to check on the status of their applications, appeal decisions, update contact information, or ask questions about the process.

The FEMA helpline number is 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 and video relay service). Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call 800-462-7585 (TTY).

Disaster survivors who registered before the deadline and discover that their insurance has not covered all losses have up to a year to submit additional documentation to FEMA. Assistance may be available for expenses not covered by insurance.

Applicants receiving temporary rental assistance will need to update their permanent housing plan and may need to document the need for continuing rental assistance. FEMA expects all families who receive temporary rental assistance to return to their damaged home when it is repaired or to locate and occupy affordable housing without FEMA rental assistance when possible to do so.

Questions about U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans should be directed to SBA at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, FEMA and SBA have approved more than $13.8 million in total state and federal assistance for renters, homeowners and businesses in Mississippi as a result of the March storms and flooding.

Nearly $6.3 million in low-interest SBA disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.
More than $7.5 million in MEMA/FEMA Individual Assistance, including:
- More than $6 million for housing assistance, including money for repairing or rebuilding homes and temporary rental assistance.
- Nearly $1.5 million to help cover other disaster-related expenses such as repairing or replacing lost personal property and disaster-related medical, dental and funeral costs.
- Nearly 900 displaced households have received financial rental assistance.

For more information on Mississippi’s disaster recovery, visit msema.org and fema.gov/disaster/4268.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service). TTY users can call 800-462-7585.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money to help business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters rebuild and recover after a disaster. SBA low interest disaster loans repair and replace property losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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March Flood Survivors: Stay in Touch With FEMA to Keep Recovery Going

Holiday Hours Announced for Federal/State Disaster Recovery Centers

AUSTIN, Texas – All federal/state disaster recovery centers assisting Texans affected by the April storms and flooding will close on Memorial Day.

Holiday weekend hours will be:

Friday, May 27: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 28: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 29: Closed

Monday, May 30: Closed (Memorial Day)

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Outreach Center at Deweyville Senior Center in Newton County will also be closed on Memorial Day. Its normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Specialists at the disaster recovery centers provide information on the types of assistance available to homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage from the severe storms and flooding in March and April.

Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance. Survivors can get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or register for assistance after a recovery center closes by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the March storms at fema.gov/disaster/4266; for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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Holiday Hours Announced for Federal/State Disaster Recovery Centers

Texans Have 30 Days Left to Register for April Flood Disaster Aid

AUSTIN, Texas – Texans who suffered damage or loss from the April storms and flooding have only 30 more days to register with FEMA for disaster assistance.

The registration deadline is Friday, June 24 for residents with disaster-related damage or loss in 12 Texas counties. Those counties are Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Parker, San Jacinto, Waller and Wharton.

Texans can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Texans Have 30 Days Left to Register for April Flood Disaster Aid

Crisis Counseling Available to Disaster Survivors in Gregg, Harrison and Marion Counties

AUSTIN, Texas – Crisis counselors are available to help Texans affected by disaster-related stress in Gregg, Harrison and Marion counties.

For survivors who are having trouble coping or those feeling hopeless, angry or sad—all telltale signs of stress—the Texas crisis counseling hotline will connect them with the help they may need. The toll-free number is 800-832-1009 and the line is answered 24 hours a day.

Crisis counseling services are part of a grant program that assists individuals and communities recovering from the effects of the March 7-29 storms, tornadoes and flooding. Mental health specialists are available to provide emotional support and help survivors develop recovery options as well as direct them to other individuals and agencies for more extensive help.

Experts suggest several ways to relieve the symptoms of stress after a disaster:

get back to a daily routine as soon as possible;
maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep;
get physical exercise every day, even if it is just walking; and
spend extra time with children and older friends or family who may feel more vulnerable or confused by the disruption and changes.

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

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Crisis Counseling Available to Disaster Survivors in Gregg, Harrison and Marion Counties

FEMA Announces Emergency Food and Shelter Program Jurisdiction Allocations

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the Emergency Food and Shelter Program allocations for jurisdictions to assist organizations dedicated to feeding, sheltering, and providing critical resources to our nation’s hungry and homeless. Total funding of $120 million was awarded and made available by Congress for the National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) to support social service agencies in cities and counties across the country.

A state-by-state list of the eligible jurisdictions and award amounts is available at www.efsp.unitedway.org.

A National Board, chaired by DHS/FEMA, with representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide, governs the EFSP. Selected by the National Board, United Way Worldwide serves as Secretariat and Fiscal Agent to the National Board.

EFSP funding is allocated to qualifying jurisdictions based on thresholds involving population, unemployment and poverty levels both nationally and locally. Grants are then awarded to non-profit community and government organizations that are chosen by local boards in the qualifying jurisdictions. This year’s award to the National Board brings the total aid disbursed in the EFSP’s 33-year history to more than $4.19 billion.

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Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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FEMA Announces Emergency Food and Shelter Program Jurisdiction Allocations

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