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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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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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

Newton County Disaster Recovery Center to Operate as Disaster Loan Center; Harrison County Center to Close

AUSTIN, Texas – The disaster recovery centers in Harrison and Newton counties will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, coinciding with the deadline to register for federal assistance for the March tornadoes and flooding.

However, the U.S. Small Business Administration will begin operating a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the same building on Thursday, May 19 in Newton County.

The center is located at the Senior Citizen Center, 43435 State Highway 87 South, Orange, TX 77632. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center will not operate on Saturdays and Sundays and will close on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.

At the Newton County Disaster Loan Outreach Center, SBA representatives will meet individually with residents and business owners affected by the March storms. Representatives answer questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program, help complete loan applications and close approved disaster loans.

After the Harrison County recovery center closes May 18, residents whose homes or businesses were affected by the March 7-29 storms, tornadoes and flooding can get questions answered and update the status of their claims the following ways:

online at DisasterAssistance.gov
by calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585. 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.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance to “stay

in touch” with FEMA. If survivors change their addresses or phone numbers they should update FEMA with the new information. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in getting a home inspection or receiving assistance.

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Newton County Disaster Recovery Center to Operate as Disaster Loan Center; Harrison County Center to Close

Deadline to Seek Federal Aid for Texas March Floods is May 18

AUSTIN, Texas – Texans who suffered damage or loss from the March tornadoes and flooding are running out of time to register with FEMA for federal disaster assistance.

Individuals who had disaster-related damage or losses living in the counties of Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Jasper, Limestone, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Shelby and Tyler only have until Wednesday, May 18, to register for FEMA assistance.

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.

For more information on 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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Deadline to Seek Federal Aid for Texas March Floods is May 18

FEMA Aid Recipients Cautioned on Using Funds for Intended Purpose

AUSTIN, Texas – Recovery officials are cautioning Texans who have received disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use the funds for their intended purpose and to keep disaster spending receipts for three years.

Disaster assistance is to help residents meet basic disaster-related needs and funds are distributed via check or direct deposit. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.

If an applicant spends the payment on anything other than the purpose for which it is directed, he/she may be denied assistance the next time the need arises. In some cases, FEMA will ask the funds be returned.

Those receiving aid are urged to keep receipts of their disaster spending for three years to document the money was used to meet disaster-related needs. If a recipient receives an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, he or she must reimburse FEMA. Random audits confirm funds were spent properly.

Disaster assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners.

Homeowners, renters and businesses in Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Jasper, Limestone, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Shelby and Tyler counties are eligible for federal disaster assistance as a result of the severe storms in March.

The first step is to register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. Toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week and multilingual operators are available.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4266, Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Visit fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

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FEMA Aid Recipients Cautioned on Using Funds for Intended Purpose

Weekly Wrap Up: Hurricane Isaac Recovery in Mississippi

CLINTON, Miss. – The following are Hurricane Isaac recovery news items from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the previous week.

FEMA is sending out determination letters to those who registered telling them the status of their application. Those who don’t understand the letter or disagree with FEMA’s decision should visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline (800-621-FEMA) to get more information and assistance with questions.
FEMA inspectors are currently visiting the residences of disaster applicants in Mississippi to assess damages related to Hurricane Isaac. Applicants can speed up the process by having the appropriate documents, such as identification and proof of ownership or occupancy.
Public buildings and infrastructure are now eligible for reimbursement in Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Covington, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Newton, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Smith, Stone, Walthall, Wayne and Wilkinson counties for 75 percent of the cost to repair road systems and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities, parks, recreational and other key public facilities.
Disaster recovery centers are open in Adams, Clarke, Forrest, George, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl River, Pike, Stone, Walthall and Wilkinson counties.
Community relations specialists from MEMA and FEMA are going door to door in 17 designated counties to provide information about how to register for federal and state disaster assistance.

People with storm losses are encouraged to register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants also may call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

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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-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Weekly Wrap Up: Hurricane Isaac Recovery in Mississippi

FEMA Grants More Than $2.5 Million To Kentucky To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that a grant of more than $2.5 million will be awarded to the Kentucky Division of Water in support of its floodplain mapping program.

FEMA will provide $2,521,438 in federal funds toward projects to improve existing flood insurance rate maps and flood risk data, which will strengthen local communities’ ability to understand and communicate their flood risk and make informed decisions about flood risk reduction.

The Kentucky Division of Water will develop and support production of flood maps and a flood insurance study report for the Lower Kentucky Watershed, including Anderson, Boone, Bourbon, Boyle, Carroll, Casey, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Harrison, Henry, Jessamine, Kenton, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Owen, Rockcastle, Scott, Shelby, Trimble and Woodford counties. In addition, flood risk data will be developed for portions of the Licking River Watershed, including Bath, Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Elliott, Fleming, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson, Rowan and Wolfe counties. This funding will also help the following communities identify areas at risk for flooding and solutions for reducing that risk: the Lower Cumberland watershed, including Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Livingston, Lyon, Todd and Trigg counties.

Flood maps and flood risk data are being updated for communities across the country with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with states and local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into flood risk products.

Flood risks can change over time due to factors such as construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other natural or manmade changes—which is why it’s important that flood maps and flood risk data are updated periodically to reflect these changes. Additionally, the information developed for these projects will be more precise because the latest science available is applied in gathering flood risk data and creating flood maps.

Updated flood maps and flood risk data will ultimately assist local area governments in planning for future development and rebuilding efforts.

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FEMA Grants More Than $2.5 Million To Kentucky To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data

Disaster Unemployment Benefits Now Available for Residents of Harrison, Preston and Taylor Counties

Release Date: April 26, 2012
Release Number: 4059-050

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Some residents who are unemployed as a direct result of the recent storms and flooding in Harrison, Preston and Taylor counties may now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance program benefits. The deadline for filing a claim is May 21.

“The DUA program extends coverage to self-employed people, farm workers and others who have lost employment as a direct result of the disaster,” Jimmy Gianato, West Virginia state coordinating officer, said. “It is specifically designed to assist those who are otherwise ineligible for state unemployment benefits.”

The availability of benefits extends to those living or working in any of the three added counties eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance.

You may be eligible to apply for DUA if:

You were injured in the disaster and are unable to work, whether you are an employee or self-employed
Your workplace was damaged or destroyed
Your transportation to work is not available
You cannot get to your job because you must travel through the affected area
You were about to begin working, but could not because of the disaster
You derived most of your income from areas affected by the storms and flooding and your business is down as a direct result of the disaster

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but it is administered through the West Virginia Department of Labor.

To apply for DUA, go to your nearest Workforce West Virginia One Stop Office. The offices serving the three counties are in Clarksburg, Fairmont and Morgantown. Office locations are available at www.wvcommerce.org and www.workforcewv.org. By phone, find your local Workforce office address by dialing 211.

Have your Social Security number, earnings from your most recent tax year and employment history available.

Last Modified: Thursday, 26-Apr-2012 10:02:55

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