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Texas Receives More Than $2.2 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

DENTON, Texas — Fire departments and cities in Texas have received more than $2.2 million in preparedness grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Since August, the grants have been awarded in 16 counties across the state, paying for everything from firefighting equipment to fire vehicles. Here’s how the grants break down by county:

Anderson County:
• City of Palestine Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $170,667

Caldwell County:
• Mic-County Volunteer Fire Department in Lockhart – communications equipment – $399,637

Collin County:
• Anna Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $28,572

Cooke County:
• Muenster Volunteer Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $78,572

Dallas County:
• Garland Fire Department – simulators and other equipment – $18,730

Fort Bend County:
• City of Stafford – firefighting equipment – $152,728

Gregg County:
• Kilgore Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $158,364

Grayson County:
• Van Alstyne Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $33,387

Harris County:
• City of Webster – thermal imaging camera – $23,620
• Eastex Freeway Volunteer Fire Department – communications equipment – $73,119

Hunt County:
• Cash Fire Department Assoc., Inc. in Greenville – $71,760

Kaufman County:
• City of Terrell Fire Department – firefighting and exercise equipment – $246,215

Kleberg County:
• Kingsville Fire Department – pumper truck – $362,728

McLennan County:
• Elm Mott Volunteer Fire and Rescue – vehicle extrication equipment – $31,429

Orange County:
• Orange County Emergency Services District #1 in Vidor – firefighting equipment – $173,993

Tarrant County:
• Richland Hills Fire Rescue – firefighting equipment – $41,214

Trinity County:
• Apple Springs Volunteer Fire Department – firefighting equipment – $53,143

Wood County:
• Quitman Fire & Rescue – firefighting equipment – $111,429

The federal grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The primary goal of the AFG is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders get critically-needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources.

For more information on the AFG program, visit http://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant.

Follow FEMA Region 6 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

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Texas Receives More Than $2.2 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

What to Expect During the FEMA Housing Inspection Process

SACRAMENTO – After residents in Lake and Calaveras Counties affected by the Valley and Butte Fires apply for federal disaster assistance for damage to their homes, the next step is a housing inspection.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspector will contact you to schedule an appointment 7-10 days after registration. The inspection is needed to verify and assess damages listed in your application. The inspection generally takes 30-40 minutes and consists of a general inspection of the home. There is no fee for the inspection.

When a FEMA housing inspector meets with you, be sure they show you proper identification. All FEMA inspectors have prominent photo ID badges. If you are not shown photo identification, then do not allow the inspection. Beware of scams and scam artists. If you suspect someone is posing as a FEMA inspector, call our toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or call your local law enforcement officials.

It is important to note that throughout the recovery process, applicants may receive a visit from more than one inspector. In addition to FEMA housing inspectors, representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as well as state and local officials may visit neighborhoods in affected areas, as well as inspectors from insurance companies.

When a FEMA Housing Inspector visits your home, someone 18 years of age or older who lived in the household prior to the disaster must be present for the scheduled appointment. The inspector will ask to see:

Photo identification.
Proof of ownership/occupancy of damaged residence such as: structural insurance, a tax bill, mortgage payment book or utility bill.
Insurance documents: home and/or auto (structural insurance/auto declaration sheet).
List of household occupants living in residence at time of disaster.
Disaster related damages to both real and personal property.

Once the inspection process is complete, your case will be reviewed by FEMA and you will receive an eligibility determination letter within a week of the inspection.

Survivors are encouraged to apply for assistance by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Online registration is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by using a web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 – deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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What to Expect During the FEMA Housing Inspection Process

Making Repairs and Rebuilding Wisely Following July’s Storm Damage in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – As important as it is to make home repairs as soon as possible following a natural disaster, it is also important to take some time to plan the project, consult with local officials and choose a contractor wisely.

Before You Start:

Contact the local permitting office. Follow all local and state requirements.
Check with your local building official to make sure your work is safe and meets all local and state codes and requirements.

How to Help Reduce Future Damage:

Consider using building materials that are more resistant to flood, wind, corrosion and decay.
If siding or roof sheathing needs replacement, consider installing hurricane/seismic connectors at the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections. Adding wall-to-foundation ties may also be necessary.
Windows, doors and skylights should be checked for leaks. If they need replacement, consider impact-resistant units.
Check your attic for adequate insulation. Straps should be added from rafters to wall top plates, and gable end-wall framing should be braced.
Inspect soffits to determine if structural upgrades are necessary.
If you live in a flood-prone area, elevate appliances such as air conditioners.

How to Select Your Contractor Carefully:

You are advised to watch out for home improvement scammers saying they have left over materials or say they noticed your home was damaged and can repair it. Take your time to choose your contractor.

Look for a contractor with an established physical address.
Get bids from more than one person. Make sure they are in writing and specify exactly what will be done.
Beware of a low-ball price.
Ask for references and contact them.
Make sure the contractor has the proper licenses and insurance coverage required in Kentucky.
Never pay the full price in advance.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY).

For more information on Kentucky’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://kyem.ky.gov.

On Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/KYEmergencyManagement. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/kyempio or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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Making Repairs and Rebuilding Wisely Following July’s Storm Damage in Kentucky

Revised Preliminary Flood Maps in St. Mary Parish in Louisiana Ready for Public View

DENTON, Texas –Homeowners, renters, and business owners in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana are encouraged to review newly revised preliminary flood maps to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

Local officials from St. Mary Parish, the state of Louisiana and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the revised preliminary maps to communities in order to help leaders and residents identify flood risks. This information can then be used to make decisions about buying flood insurance. These data also help the community move forward with any future development plans.

“We hope everyone reviews the maps to understand what their flood risks are,” said Region 6 Regional Administrator Tony Robinson. “The community’s active participation in the flood mapping process is very important.”

To view the new flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) or follow the links below:

•   To view the preliminary maps online visit: http://maps.riskmap6.com/LA/StMary/
•   To use a live chat service visit go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
•   To contact a FEMA Map Specialist call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

Once a flood risk is identified, the next step is to consider the purchase of a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Contact a local insurance agent to learn more. Visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in your area.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Revised Preliminary Flood Maps in St. Mary Parish in Louisiana Ready for Public View

Additional West Virginia County Approved For Disaster Aid

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Jackson County is now eligible to receive federal assistance for some of their costs incurred during the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides occurring July 10-14, 2015.

On August 7, 2015, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia triggering the release of Federal funds to help communities recover from the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides. The disaster declaration for Braxton, Clay, Lincoln, Logan, Nicholas, Roane, Webster, and Wood counties made state, county, and local governments, as well as certain non-profit organizations, eligible to receive reimbursement for repairing infrastructure damage caused by the storms, as well as the cost of responding to them.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Programs provide state and local governments and eligible private non-profit organizations, in the nine designated counties, with federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities such as roads, bridges, buildings and utilities.

The State, which distributes the FEMA funds to local governments and qualified non-profits, must review Public Assistance projects, along with FEMA, to ensure compliance with regulations.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

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Additional West Virginia County Approved For Disaster Aid

FEMA & Operation HOPE Renew Collaboration during September’s National Preparedness Month

WASHINGTON– The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and HOPE Coalition America (HCA), the emergency preparedness and financial recovery division of Operation HOPE, signed a memorandum of agreement yesterday renewing their 11-year collaboration to promote financial preparedness and support for recovery after emergencies and disasters. The renewal of this collaboration took place during National Preparedness Month, a nationwide, month-long effort hosted by the Ready Campaign, encouraging households, businesses, and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies.

“Being financially prepared before, during, and after a disaster can help families and communities recover faster when disaster strikes,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “This memorandum of agreement will help to make our communities more financially secure and our nation more resilient.”

The memorandum of agreement outlines a wide array of collaborative actions between FEMA and Operation HOPE, including efforts to provide pre-disaster financial education materials and information to communities, establishing and updating procedures to provide free financial guidance, and case management to survivors in the event of a major disaster or emergency, and efforts to recruit and train volunteers to provide financial preparation and recovery guidance to survivors.

“Operation HOPE helps individuals, families and small businesses regain their financial health and economic stability after a natural disaster or national emergency,” said Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and CEO John Hope Bryant. “We’re pleased to renew our partnership with FEMA and assist their efforts to help Americans be better prepared for adverse events. As such, HOPE Inside locations nationwide will now include access and resources offering HCA services.”

Over the past several years, FEMA and HCA have leveraged resources from each other to help individuals and families prepare for disasters, or recover from disasters in the shortest possible time. FEMA has also partnered with Operation HOPE to encourage individuals, families and businesses to collect and safeguard the critical documents they will need to help them start the process through the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK). The EFFAK is a resource for financial preparedness, providing step-by-step instructions on the protection of personal assets and financial information to reduce vulnerability after a disaster. This simple tool can help Americans identify and organize key financial, insurance, medical, and legal records, and is available at www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness.

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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 & Operation HOPE Renew Collaboration during September’s National Preparedness Month

First $1 Million in Federal Assistance Provided to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for January Blizzard

BOURNE, MA – State and federal officials announce the first $1 million in federal assistance has been delivered to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to help cover the costs of the severe winter storm, snowstorm and flooding on January 26-28, 2015.

The major disaster declaration issued by the President for this severe winter storm provides federal disaster funding for certain costs associated with emergency services provided during the storm and repairing damage to buildings and other public infrastructure in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester Counties. Additionally, federal disaster funds are being made available in the same counties (with the exception of Nantucket County) to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible costs of plowing and clearing snow for a 48 hour period.

“With winter just around the corner, the delivery of federal aid for last season’s historic snowfall and freezing temperatures, will provide critical assistance for state agencies, public transit, non-profits and our cities and town,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The diligent work of our emergency management officials in partnership with those impacted by this severe winter, will ensure relief as recovery, repair and future resiliency efforts continue.”

Under this disaster declaration, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) public assistance programs will reimburse state and local governments, tribal, and eligible private non-profit organizations, in the designated counties, certain costs associated with emergency response, damage to buildings and infrastructure, and plowing and clearing of snow for a 48 hour period. Projections indicate eligible costs may exceed $150 million, of which FEMA will reimburse 75 percent of the approved cost.

“Due to the extraordinary nature of the winter storm and its costs, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) along with the FEMA are working tirelessly to maximize federal disaster assistance to eligible applicants,” said MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz.

“FEMA continues to support the Commonwealth to ensure that applicants receive all of the assistance for which they are eligible,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry. “Funding for hazard mitigation efforts, statewide, is also available.” Hazard mitigation funding is for cost-effective measures that would prevent or reduce the threat of future damages.

The Commonwealth, which distributes the FEMA funds to local governments and qualified non-profits, must review public assistance projects, along with FEMA, to ensure compliance with regulations.

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First $1 Million in Federal Assistance Provided to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for January Blizzard

FEMA Extends Deadline to Request Hurricane Sandy Claims Review

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended the deadline for flood insurance policyholders to submit their Hurricane Sandy Claims for review. The last day to submit claims is now Oct. 15, 2015.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that any additional flood insurance proceeds up to $20,000 will not be treated as duplicative. Federal agencies cannot provide disaster assistance for losses covered by insurance. HUD’s announcement stated that “this will eliminate the need for HUD grantees to reclaim assistance from these households or to repay those funds through non-federal sources. To date, three out of four National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claimants have received less than $20,000 in additional compensation from FEMA and will not face any possible repayment.”

Roy Wright, FEMA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation, encouraged policyholders to call FEMA and request a review if they believe their claims were underpaid for any reason. As of Sept.14, nearly 14,000 policyholders have requested reviews of their Sandy flood insurance claims.

“FEMA remains committed to making sure that every policyholder gets every dollar they are owed under their flood insurance policy. Already, thousands of policyholders have contacted us to have their claims reviewed and we have begun providing funds to those who were due additional payments on their claim,” Wright said.

“We are hopeful that HUD’s action to provide relief to the vast majority of those who are concerned about potential duplicative benefits will encourage even more policyholders who may have been initially reluctant to enter the process to do so,” Wright said. “In light of HUD’s decision to simplify this review and provide relief, we are extending the claims review deadline until October 15th. We hope by extending the deadline we are addressing any remaining concerns some may have about entering the claims review process. The review process we have established is designed to be simple, fair, and accessible without paid legal assistance. FEMA is dead set on restoring trust in this important program and no one should be discouraged from having their claim reviewed.”

Policyholders can call the NFIP’s Hurricane Sandy claims center at 866-337-4262 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Monday through Friday to request a review. It is important to have your policy number and insurance company name when you call.

Policyholders also can go online to www.fema.gov/hurricane-sandy-nfip-claims to download a form requesting a review. The downloaded form can be filled out and emailed to FEMA-sandyclaimsreview@fema.dhs.gov or faxed to 202-646-7970 to begin the review process. For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use 711 or VRS, please call 866-337-4262. For individuals using a TTY, please call 800-462-7585 to begin the review process.

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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.

Next Meeting of the FEMA National Advisory Council

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be holding the next FEMA National Advisory Council (NAC) public meeting in Washington, D.C., from September 16-18, 2015.

WHAT: NAC Meeting

WHERE: Gallaudet University
Kellogg Conference Center
800 Florida Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002

WHEN: September 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (EDT)
September 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EDT)
September 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (EDT)

During the meeting, the NAC will meet with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Deputy Administrator Joe Nimmich, and senior agency leadership to receive program briefings, and discuss the progress and potential recommendations of its three subcommittees: Preparedness and Protection, Response and Recovery, and Federal Insurance and Mitigation. The full agenda can be found on the FEMA NAC website at www.fema.gov/national-advisory-council.

There will also be remarks from Dr. Carol Erting, Provost of Gallaudet University, and Chris Geldart, Director of the District of Columbia’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (DC HSEMA).

Members of the public are invited to provide public comments after the subcommittee report- outs between 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. EDT on Thursday, September 17, 2015. Directions on how to submit public comments can be found on the NAC webpage.

The NAC was established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. The NAC advises the FEMA Administrator on all aspects of emergency management, and incorporates federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and non-profit and private sector partners’ input into the development and revision of FEMA plans and strategies.

For those planning to attend in person and for additional information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meeting, please contact the Office of the NAC by email at FEMA-NAC@fema.dhs.gov.

More information on the NAC is available at www.fema.gov/national-advisory-council.

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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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Next Meeting of the FEMA National Advisory Council

Preliminary Flood Maps in Willacy County and Cameron County in Texas Ready for Public View

DENTON, Texas – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Willacy County and Cameron County in Texas are encouraged to look over newly-released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

Local officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the revised preliminary maps to communities in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks in their area. Residents and business owners can use this information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and other building decisions. Community leaders can use this information to identify how the community should move forward with any development.

“We have worked with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to the county and hope that everyone reviews the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “It is very important to have the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process.”

To view the revised flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator who may be located at City Hall or the local county government building. You can also visit http://msc.fema.gov/portal or http://maps.riskmap6.com. To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

Once a flood risk is identified, the next step is to consider the purchase of a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in your area.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6, and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Preliminary Flood Maps in Willacy County and Cameron County in Texas Ready for Public View

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