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FEMA Awards More Than $11.2 Million to Louisiana for Hurricane Isaac-related Projects

DENTON, Texas – More than a combined total of $11.2 million was recently awarded to the state of Louisiana by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for reimbursement of emergency protective measures undertaken during Hurricane Isaac, as well as to cover storm-related repairs to a pump station in Plaquemines Parish.

The projects include:

• More than $4.6 million for the State of Louisiana – Department of Health and Hospitals for emergency protective measures consisting of labor, equipment, materials and contract costs;
• More than $2.1 million to Plaquemines Parish for permanent repairs to the Scarsdale Pump Station;
• Nearly $3.4 million to Dixie Electric Membership Corporation for emergency protective measures consisting of contract costs to restore power, labor, equipment, materials and rented equipment;
• And more than $1 million to South Louisiana Electric for the emergency protective measures consisting of the use of contract personnel and equipment for the restoration of electrical service.

FEMA’s contributions, made possible by Public Assistance grants, represent a 75 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of Louisiana; the state then forwards the grant to the eligible applicant.

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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FEMA Awards More Than $11.2 Million to Louisiana for Hurricane Isaac-related Projects

FEMA’s Specialists Help Macomb and Mason County Survivors Register

AURORA, Ill. – FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews will travel to McDonough and Mason counties to meet with survivors of the April 16 – May 5 flooding to answer questions and help them register for FEMA assistance.

The dates and locations are:

McDonough County Health Department

505 E. Jackson St.

Macomb, IL 61455

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, June 3, through Saturday, June 8.

Mason County

Bath Village Offices

205 E. First St.

Bath, IL 62617

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, June 3, through Thursday, June 6.

DSA crew members will answer questions on registration, hand out flyers in several languages, assist those with damages to register for FEMA assistance and provide status updates to those who have registered. DSA Crew members, who carry federal identification, also will offer residents the opportunity to use a tablet computer to register, or, if asked, enter the data on behalf of the applicant.

FEMA mitigation specialists also will be available to provide information on how to repair or rebuild homes to limit future storm or flood damage.

Survivors also can use personal computers or phones to register. Call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585), visit DisasterAssistance.gov or use a mobile device at m.fema.gov. Information also is available by visiting the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Link:

FEMA’s Specialists Help Macomb and Mason County Survivors Register

Forget About FEMA?

CHICAGO, IL – You’ve cleaned up and started making the necessary repairs from last month’s storms and flooding. Now the bills are coming due.

Your insurance may cover some of those costs, but if you haven’t registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), you may be missing out on additional assistance you need to recover. Until you register for assistance, FEMA has no way of knowing who you are, where you are, or what you need.

Calling your insurance agent does not register you with FEMA.
Contacting county or municipal agencies does not register you with FEMA.
Receiving assistance from volunteer agencies does not register you with FEMA.

The only way to determine whether you’re eligible for federal disaster assistance is to register with FEMA by phone or online, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are also registering applicants for assistance in neighborhoods throughout the declared disaster area.

Individuals can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week.

FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives are available at all five state-federal Disaster Recovery Centers now open in Illinois. These centers are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

Cook County

Forest View Fire Department

7010 46th Street

Forest View, IL

DuPage County

Lisle Police Department

5040 Lincoln Avenue

Lisle, IL

Grundy County

Morris Fire Department

2301 Ashton Road

Morris, IL

LaSalle County

Marseilles Fire Department

205 Lincoln Street

Marseilles, IL

Fulton County

Fulton County Health Department

700 East Oak Street

Canton, IL

Anyone from a declared county in Illinois can go to any of the above Disaster Recovery Centers. Come with questions – leave with answers.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema, and youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 609-508-2238

Link:

Forget About FEMA?

Inspect Your Property Thoroughly Before You Repair Or Rebuild

TRENTON, N.J.–Repairing or rebuilding your home following Superstorm Sandy can be a complicated and expensive process, but having your home thoroughly inspected and making all necessary repairs are critical components of the recovery process.

While much of the damage from a storm such as Sandy is visible to the naked eye, hidden damage may exist that can pose a safety hazard to residents and/or compromise the integrity of the structure.

If you are living in your home while you are repairing it, are preparing to move back in and are about to begin repairs, be sure to follow these guidelines to protect your family:

Look for any external damage

Examine the foundation, roof and chimney of the structure for cracks or other damage. The presence of cracks does not necessarily mean an unsafe structure and may be unrelated to the storm. If necessary, contact a building design professional to evaluate your building and make a determination. If you have reason to believe that your home is not safe to occupy, the local building inspector could perform an inspection.

Thoroughly check your electrical system

Floodwater contaminants can create serious fire hazards if electrical wiring and equipment have been submerged in water. Even with professional cleaning and drying, sediments and toxins are difficult to remove. It is not always necessary to replace all of the wiring, but it is recommended that you have a qualified electrical contractor evaluate the condition of:

Circuit breakers and fuses
All electrical wiring systems
Light switches, thermostats, outlets, light fixtures, electric heaters and ceiling fans
Furnace burner and blower motors, ignition transformers, elements and relays for furnaces
Hot water tanks
Washing machines, dryers, furnaces, heat pumps, freezers, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, vacuums, power tools, exercise equipment and similar pieces
Electronic equipment, including computers and home entertainment systems

Keep generators outside

If your building is without power and you plan to install a backup system, use generators or other fuel-powered machines outdoors only. Such machines emit deadly carbon monoxide fumes which are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you if they are used indoors.

Conduct a thorough inspection for mold

Flooding causes dampness where mold, mildew and various organisms thrive. It can grow unnoticed in hidden areas such as above ceilings, behind walls, in attics and basements or crawl spaces.

Exposure to mold can pose a health risk, particularly for infants, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions such as allergies or asthma.

Because mold feeds on cellulose, which is a component of many building materials, it can break down studs and joists, causing extensive property damage.

Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from mold spores that may be released while you are cleaning, and be sure to follow directions when using cleaning products.

The New Jersey Department of Health has released Mold Guidelines for New Jersey Residents recovering from Superstorm Sandy. To receive a copy of Mold Guidelines for New Jersey Residents, call (609) 826-4950 or download a copy online at nj.gov/health/er/hurricane_recovery_resources.shtml.

Avoid Scam Artists

As you plan long-term repair and rebuilding projects, be aware that natural disasters can bring out criminals who prey on disaster victims by offering fraudulent services. The state Division of Consumer Affairs in the Attorney General’s Office licenses home improvement contractors, which is intended to provide protection for homeowners. For assistance filing a complaint, or to check on the complaint history of a business, call the DCA Consumer Service Center at (973) 504-6200.

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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Inspect Your Property Thoroughly Before You Repair Or Rebuild

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Fulton County

CHICAGO, IL — A federal/state Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, in Canton for residents of Fulton County to meet face-to-face with disaster recovery specialists, officials said today.

The DRC, operated jointly by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. The location is:

Fulton County Health Department

700 E Oak St

Canton, IL 61520

Disaster recovery officials work closely with community leaders to find DRC locations that provide safe and easy access for all survivors. More centers will open as sites are identified and approved.

DRC services include help with applying for disaster assistance and finding out about other disaster programs available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local agencies, and voluntary organizations. Residents must apply with FEMA even if they already provided damage information to local officials, other agencies or organizations.

SBA low-interest disaster loans may be available for homeowners, renters, businesses and private non-profit organizations of all sizes to repair or replace real estate, contents and/or personal property damaged in the severe storms and flooding. SBA customer service representatives will be present to answer questions and accept completed loan applications. Information and assistance from SBA is also available at 1-800-659-2955, (TTY) 1-800-877-8339 or online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m.to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week until further notice.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at 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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Media Contact: Dick Gifford, 609-508-2238

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Fulton County

FEMA’S 2012 Community Resilience Innovation Challenge Recipients Announced – California, Hawaii, and American Samoa Organizations among Winners to…

Oakland, Calif.—Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IX Office is pleased to announce that four of the 30 recipients selected to receive funding under the FEMA 2012 Community Resilience Innovation Challenge program reside in California, Hawaii and American Samoa, all within the Region IX area of responsibility.

Recipients of the award include:

Special Needs Population and Home Bound Patients Registry

American Samoa Department of Health – Pago Pago, American Samoa

Roadmap to Preparedness

United Policyholders – San Francisco, CA

Tribal Emergency Response Crossing Boarders Coordination Project

Smith River Rancheria – Smith River, CA

Hawaii Emergency Preparedness System of Support (HiPSS)

University of Hawaii, Office of Research Services – Honolulu, HI

“We applaud each of these organizations for being a model of excellence in keeping disaster preparedness in the forefront of a geographic area with a very unique set of risks,” said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward. “It’s a fine example of how each of us can have a voice in making our communities more resilient.”

The Community Resilience Innovation Challenge program focuses on building local community resilience to man-made and natural disasters, with an emphasis on innovation, collaboration with community stakeholders, sustainability, repeatability and measurable benefits to the community.

The funding comes from The Rockefeller Foundation and is administered by the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation who acted as a third-party intermediary to encourage local communities to engage in creative activities that enhance disaster resilience. Funding levels ranged to a maximum award level of $35,000, and applications were open to most local, state, and tribal agencies and governments; business entities; associations; organizations and groups. Over 1,900 applications were received across the country.

Background of Winners in Region IX:

Department of Health, American Samoa Government:

Project Name: ‘Special Needs Population and Home Bound patients Registry’

Summary: The Special Needs Population and Home Bound patients Registry would collect data on address, illnesses/handicaps, special equipment/medications, types of care needed, etc. and identify the closest health centers to special needs populations. The data collected on registry will enable community health centers to determine what type of care would be needed during disasters in their communities.

United Policyholders:

Project Name: ‘Roadmap to Preparedness’

Summary:United Policyholders (UP) is a California-based non-profit organization that is an information resource and a voice for insurance consumers (not companies) in all 50 states. The goal of the Roadmap to Preparedness Program is to give renters and homeowners the tools and resources to make sound choices in building an insurance safety net and being disaster ready. With this grant they will educate consumers through many channels including community and employer-sponsored events, website resources, printed materials, webinars, incentive activities, and quizzes.

Smith River Rancheria:

Project Name: ‘Tribal Emergency Response Crossing Borders Coordination Project’

Summary: The Smith River Rancheria lies on the California-Oregon Border. The Tribal Emergency Crossing Borders Coordination Project will seek to educate and network efforts across the State line in order to create a network of prepared communities in the event of a natural disaster.

University of Hawaii, Office of Research Services:

Project Name: ‘Hawaii Emergency Preparedness System of Support (HiPSS)’

Summary: The Hawaii Emergency Preparedness System of Support (HiEPSS) will increase community resilience by transforming the most vulnerable members into leaders and subject matter experts to empower, strengthen and unify whole communities. The impact of the project will be measured by the numbers of individuals who are trained, become prepared, or become trainers, and first responders.

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FEMA’S 2012 Community Resilience Innovation Challenge Recipients Announced – California, Hawaii, and American Samoa Organizations among Winners to…

Reach Out For Help When Disaster-Related Stress Strikes

PURVIS, Miss. – Mississippians facing the loss of their homes, businesses or cherished possessions after the recent tornadoes may be struggling also with the emotional impact of the disaster. It is not uncommon for those living through a disaster to suffer anxiety, sorrow and depression. These emotions can emerge days, weeks or even months later.

Everyone has a different way of coping. Many find that talking about what has happened with trusted friends or family helps them move forward. Seeking and accepting help from counseling services also can be effective and health-restoring.

Brochures and other information are available at the MEMA/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, at:

Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12th Ave., Hattiesburg
Lamar Park, 226 Pinewood Drive, Hattiesburg

Pine Belt Mental Health Resources, with offices in nine Mississippi counties, operates a crisis-counseling hotline: 601-544-4641. See the PBMHR website at www.pbmhr.com

A Disaster Distress Helpline is run by the federal government under the Department of Health and Human Services. Trained crisis counselors are on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-985-5990. TTY is 800-846-8517. You can text the helpline as well: “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

You can reach the Mississippi Department of Mental Health for information and referrals to certified service providers online at http://www.dmh.ms.gov.

Some of the most common signs of stress include:

Difficulty communicating or sleeping.
Depression, sadness or feelings of hopelessness.
Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol.
Limited attention span and poor performance at work or school.
Headaches and stomach problems, flu-like symptoms, disorientation or confusion.
Reluctance to leave home (temporary agoraphobia).
Mood swings and frequent bouts of crying.
Overwhelming feelings of guilt and self-doubt.

Disaster-related anxiety can be especially acute among older adults, particularly those living alone and somewhat isolated from friends and family. It is not unusual for seniors to become withdrawn, agitated and disoriented in the wake of terrifying events. Family and others should be on the lookout for these and other stress-related problems and try to address them immediately.

Children also can be severely affected by a disaster. Some simple ways to help calm their anxieties include:

Keeping routines as consistent as possible and answer questions openly and honestly at a level a child can understand.
Allowing your kids to talk about the disaster. Listen to their concerns and questions. Let them know it is OK to feel angry or sad.
Reassuring them that they are loved and will be cared for.
Providing a peaceful household to the extent possible under the circumstances.
Limiting their exposure to frank adult discussions and lurid news reports about the disaster.

For more information, visit www.ready.gov/coping-with-disaster or http://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth.

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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Reach Out For Help When Disaster-Related Stress Strikes

Seek and Destroy Mold – The Spoiler – Fast

PURVIS, Miss. – As Mississippians clean up from the recent storms, tornadoes, and flooding, some will have to deal with mold before returning home. Mold can be a health hazard; it can also cause structural damage.

It’s important to recognize mold and to remove it safely before moving back into or repairing a residence.

Mold needs three things to spread: a food source (paper, wood, leaves etc.), moisture, and a place to grow. People can have severe reactions to mold. Those with asthma, allergies and other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold. People with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to infections caused by mold.

Mold also can cause structural damage. When wood gets wet and moldy and then dries, it can warp. Walls can crack and the building can weaken.

Quick action can minimize health risks and damage caused by mold – and stop its spread:

Open windows and doors and use fans to dry out the building. If possible, use wet vacuums to remove water and use dehumidifiers in closed spaces.
Remove baseboards and soaked drywall to a foot above the watermark and discard. Drain walls by drilling holes or pulling non-porous paneling away from the studs. Check the inside of wallsfor mold.
Wash hard, non-absorbent surfaces (metal, glass, solid wood, plastic) with non-ammonia detergent and hot water. Scrub rough surfaces such as concrete. Disinfect all cleaned surfaces with a solution of water and bleach; rinse with water after 10 minutes.
Remove absorbent materials that have been wet for more than 48 hours and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. That includes carpets and padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation, leather, wood, paper, food and clothing.
When in doubt throw it out!

If the area to be cleaned is larger than 10 square feet or if assistance is required to complete cleanup, consult a professional contractor.

The basic rule is: if you can see or smell mold, eliminate the excess moisture then, cleanup and remove the mold.

Be safe during cleanup:

Never mix bleach with ammonia; the fumes are toxic.
Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.
Air out the working area by opening doors and windows and using fans.
Protect your lungs. Use an N-95 respiratory mask that can be purchased at most hardware stores for about $10.

For more information, see:

Mississippi Department of Health: http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/_static/43,0,230,331.html

Centers for Disease Control: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/

Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/mold/cleanupguidelines.html

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Seek and Destroy Mold – The Spoiler – Fast

Help Available For Sandy Survivors Stressed By Holidays

TRENTON, N.J. — The holiday season can create its own stress. This stress can be especially trying for those recovering from Hurricane Sandy.

Free help is available just a phone call away for New Jersey survivors who feel overwhelmed during the holidays.

The New Jersey Disaster Mental Health Helpline at 877-294-4357 or TTY 877-294-4356 is open from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Hours for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All calls are free and confidential.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency also supports a Disaster Mental Health Helpline run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration where counselors are available 24 hours a day including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The number is 800-985-5990.

Rest, exercise and healthy eating help the body deal with stress. But disaster-induced mental distress may include:

Sleeping too much or too little.
Stomach aches or headaches.
Worrying a lot of the time; feeling guilty but not sure why.
Lack of energy or always feeling tired.
Severe disorientation or confusion.
Overwhelming sense of guilt.
Depression, sadness and feelings of hopelessness.
Increased use of substances like drugs or alcohol.

Disaster survivors may doubt that happiness will ever be possible again. Talking about those feelings with friends or counselors can help.

Talking to someone can help survivors keep perspective. Eventually, these out-of-balance times will improve. In the meantime, it is important to connect with others.

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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Help Available For Sandy Survivors Stressed By Holidays

Free Crisis Counseling Offers Holiday Hope for Louisiana Youth and Adults

BATON ROUGE, La. — Holidays can bring great joy — and great stress — for everyone, from toddlers to seniors. But for families disrupted by Hurricane Isaac, this year’s holiday season may bring added anxiety for children if they lost their homes, pets or treasured possessions.

While the support of their families can help many children work through their fears and sense of loss, the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remind parents and other caregivers that free crisis counseling is available now and well into next year.

The counseling is available in the parishes designated for Individual Assistance under the major disaster declaration. The program, funded by FEMA and administered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), is open to any adult or child in designated parishes.

Children are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress after a disaster. Stress symptoms for all children may include excessive fear of the dark, fear of being alone, crying and constant worry. In addition to their feelings of loss, younger children may believe they somehow caused the hurricane. Depending on their developmental stage, those youngsters may not be able to express their emotions through words, so counselors who use therapies that do not rely on talking may be a better fit.

“Parents are the experts on their own children – they know when something’s out of line,” said Tom Davis, associate professor of psychology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. “Three months after a disaster, if my child was still having difficulties, with symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, not wanting to talk about it and always being in startle mode, I would consider counseling.”

Davis specializes in work with children’s issues, particularly child anxiety. He suggests parents and family members remember that children take their cues from the adults in their lives.

“If we’re talking about how bad things are, kids pick up on that,” Davis said. “Kids see how others respond to negative events, and model that fear, that anxiety, that worry.”

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

The health department team encourages parents to help children through the season by listening and talking about their feelings, while reassuring them they are loved and that it’s OK to have these feelings. Children are resilient, and with reassurance, guidance and love, they will be able to take a life-changing event and develop the coping mechanisms to assist them in the future.

To learn more, call the DHH-Office of Behavioral Health Louisiana Spirit Crisis Line at 1-866-310-7977 or the Louisiana Behavioral Health Partnership at 1-800-424-4399.

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Free Crisis Counseling Offers Holiday Hope for Louisiana Youth and Adults

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