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Pine Ridge Recovery: By The Numbers

1 First ever FEMA Individual Assistance Declaration Granted Directly to a Tribal Nation

8 Communities that hosted Disaster Recovery Centers (Pine Ridge, Oglala, Manderson, Porcupine,
Kyle, Wanblee, Allen, Martin)

25 Number of Oglala Sioux tribal members hired to support disaster recovery operations

58 SBA disaster loans approved for tribal individuals and businesses

108 Homes repaired under the Permanent Housing Construction Program.

196 New manufactured homes provided under the Permanent Housing Construction Program.

1,720 Miles of tribal road assessed by Recovery Roads Task Force

1,890 Registrations for assistance from tribal members

2,621 Individual visits to the many federal/tribal Disaster Recovery Centers

$217,684 Direct financial aid to address housing needs of disaster survivors

$219,042 Financial Aid provided from FEMA/Tribal Other Needs Assistance* Program

*ONA provides funding for personal property and other items like vehicles and tools

$943,000 Low-interest disaster loans approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration

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Pine Ridge Recovery: By The Numbers

Free FEMA Advice Available at Local Home Improvement Stores

JACKSON, Miss. – Those whose homes were damaged during the storms and tornadoes beginning March 9 can get advice and pamphlets on how to make cost-effective repairs as well as information on how to make their homes stronger and safer at several local home improvement stores.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be available at booths to answer questions. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself workers and general contractors.

Advisers will be available April 14-19 at the following locations between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.:

Lowe’s Store, 1135 Highway 6 East, Batesville, MS 38606
Lowe’s Store, 1886 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Greenville, MS 38701

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

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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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Free FEMA Advice Available at Local Home Improvement Stores

Oglala Sioux Tribal Members Valuable Part of FEMA Team

PINE RIDGE, S.D. – For six months, FEMA has had a continued presence on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, supporting the Oglala Sioux Tribe in response and recovery efforts following a series of severe storms and flooding in May 2015. As part of that team, FEMA has hired about 20 tribal members to assist in operations. FEMA frequently hires within communities impacted by disasters for the local knowledge and expertise that such individuals can bring, and at Pine Ridge that has been no exception.

Ellen Martinez is a caseworker. In this role, she partners with a FEMA Individual Assistance program specialist and serves as a liaison to tribal members who have applied for disaster aid.

“One of the challenges is that people don’t want to let their damaged home go because of all the family history there,” Martinez said. “They are used to what they have. So we need to talk to them and explain that the new home will be healthier, safer and more secure, because people struggle with letting go of what they have.”

Martinez, like many of the local hires, started as an emergency liaison, going out with FEMA inspectors to view damage of homes. She is also in the unique position of being a disaster survivor in addition to working with FEMA. Her home was damaged in the storm and she received a new manufactured home. She shares her experience with the other applicants that she works with.

“FEMA is changing people’s lives”, Martinez said. “A lot of people didn’t know what FEMA is. They just registered but they didn’t understand the process. I can help explain that to them. I like helping people. I like the look on their face when they receive a new home. They are so grateful.”

Nancy S. Hussman came to FEMA after a lengthy career of service with tribal government. That background gave her a solid understanding of how the tribe works and how to get things done, helpful in her current position as a Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL). As a VAL, she coordinates with agencies that seek to come on to the reservation and provide aid to tribal members in ways that FEMA can’t.

In addition to supporting the current disaster recovery effort, the experience gained by the tribal FEMA employees will end up serving the community in the future.

“It’s so great that FEMA has hired tribal members”, said Hussman. “When FEMA leaves there will be people who have been trained. We hope to keep a VAL department and we will be prepared to address a new disaster if we have one. And we will have one, whether it be tornado, fires or floods and we want to be better prepared. This is something that FEMA is teaching us.”

The tribal local hires have been able to help bridge the gap between federal government officials and the tribal community.

“We have been able to teach the FEMA people about our culture,” said Martinez. “How people look at things differently on the reservation. We’ve been able to show them how to approach tribal members as someone from off the reservation.”

“I think the FEMA staff have been receptive and they are learning about our culture,” said Hussman. “And that means a lot to our people. Because in general, many people are leery of the government. But FEMA has hired tribal members and because of that people have welcomed us into their homes and we have been able to do inspections and provide assistance.”

The newest members of the FEMA team have played an integral role, serving both the agency and their tribal community.

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Oglala Sioux Tribal Members Valuable Part of FEMA Team

Homeowners and Owners of Second Homes Have Every Reason to Buy Flood Insurance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After five years of drought, many owners of homes and second homes in California may shrug off the suggestion of buying flood insurance. El Niño and the recent wildfires may change the minds of many.

In California, El Niño means extremely heavy rainfall that could lead to devastating flooding, especially in areas affected by prolonged drought and recent wildfires.

The winter of 1997 was one of the strongest El Niños on record. The rains were so unrelenting in California that they led to mudslides, causing houses to crumble off disintegrating cliffs and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

This winter’s El Niño is expected to be as strong or even stronger. El Niño conditions will be strongest between January and late March, and could linger through May.

While flood insurance cannot prevent damage to a home, it is a good investment for protecting it. Property owners can purchase up to $250,000 in building coverage and up to $100,000 for contents.

Especially vulnerable are the areas where wildfires hit. Burn scars leave the ground unable to absorb water, creating conditions ripe for flash flooding and mudflow for up to five years until the vegetation is restored.

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and covers a general and temporary condition of rapid and unusual accumulation of surface water displaced over two acres or two properties as defined in the standard NFIP policy.

Since there is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance coverage becomes effective, property owners are urged to speak with their local insurance agent soon.

For additional information on the NFIP or to find an agent, call 800-427-2419 or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

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.

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 have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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Homeowners and Owners of Second Homes Have Every Reason to Buy Flood Insurance

Contact FEMA if Insurance for Living Expenses Expires

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Disaster survivors whose insurance provided Additional Living Expenses (ALE) that are expiring are encouraged to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency if they registered with the agency and still have a temporary housing need.

This temporary housing assistance is available to eligible FEMA applicants who lost or sustained damage to their homes due to the wildfires in Calaveras and Lake counties from Sept. 9 through Oct. 30, 2015.

Fax or mail a letter to FEMA explaining the situation and provide a document with expiration of ALE from insurance and provide an update of the permanent housing plan. FEMA’s fax number is 800-827-8112. Those who have questions can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. For those who use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

The mailing address is:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 or @Cal_OES and at Facebook.com/FEMA or Facebook.com/California OES.

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Contact FEMA if Insurance for Living Expenses Expires

FEMA Specialists Blanketed Fire Ravaged Areas of California with Help

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The day after President Obama issued a major disaster declaration in Calaveras and Lake counties, Calif., FEMA teams were already on the ground and fanned out providing information and helping survivors register for assistance from the disastrous wildfires.

Beginning Sept. 23, more than 61 Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) specialists divided into teams and went door-to-door, store-to-store and into high-traffic areas – wherever survivors might be. DSA specialists provided survivors with information, registered them for disaster assistance on the spot and also referred them to additional resources when needed.

This boots-on-the-ground technique allowed DSA team members to reach survivors in remote mountainous areas, and as a result, DSA specialists registered more than 45 percent of the 3,497 survivors who applied for assistance, a high mark for the FEMA DSA program.

“I’m very proud of the dedicated DSA teams,” said Timothy Scranton, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for the disaster. “DSA provides support to disaster survivors directly in the communities where they live and work. This is a value-added service we can bring after a disaster to expedite the recovery process.”

But these specialists do more than registration. They keep alert to conditions, needs and activity in affected areas and report their findings to the appropriate individuals.

“They become an extra pair of eyes and ears in determining where issues exist,” Scranton added.

At the height of this operation, DSA specialists worked in the two counties, handing out flyers, providing information to people displaced by the wildfires, and followed up with the survivors to check the status of their applications.

The fires wiped out phone service in many areas. DSA specialists allowed survivors to use their FEMA-issued cell phones to check their registration or make other important calls.

“It can be stressful not to be able to pick up the phone and make a call,” said Tony Nguyen, Disaster Survivor Assistance branch director. “Making our cell service available is another way to help survivors recover.”

DSA teams have provided disaster assistance information to survivors in Calaveras and Lake counties since Sept. 23. Here is a snapshot of their efforts:

Homes visited – 5,279
Survivor interactions – 6,370
Survivor registrations – 1,462
Referrals to other agencies such as American Red Cross and SBA– 1,209
Businesses visited – 600
Community locations where DSA help was provided – 165

Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The deadline for survivors to register is Nov. 23, 2015.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or http://beta.fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9

and at Facebook.com/FEMA.

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 are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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FEMA Specialists Blanketed Fire Ravaged Areas of California with Help

Five Disaster Prep Hacks You Need to Know

CHICAGO –Disasters can happen with little or no warning, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be ready for them. Use these five life hacks to help you better prepare for whatever the unexpected may be:

1. Take small steps toward building your emergency supply kit. Pick up a couple of extra bottles of water and cans of non-perishable food the next time you’re at the grocery store. When you buy replacement batteries for the remote control, set aside a few extras along with a flashlight. Small purchases such as these will eventually help you create a robust emergency supply kit that could be vital to survive on your own after an emergency. If you’re wondering what supplies you might need to stock up on, reference Ready.gov’s Recommended Supply List.

3. Get and stay connected with the ones you love. If your family members aren’t together in an emergency and telephone circuits are jammed, does everyone know what to do? If the answer is no, go to Ready.gov’s Family Communications Plan to help you get started collecting and sharing the important information your family may need in the event of an emergency. Make sure everyone knows where to go and who to contact so you never have to worry about your family’s safety after a disaster.

3. Make your smartphone a lifesaving tool. FEMA’s App can be downloaded to keep you aware of impending severe weather for up to five locations across the U.S., along with customized information to stay safe and other readiness resources to help you prepare for potential disasters.

4. Get smart… Everyone lives in a flood zone – but do you know whether your home is located in a high- or low- to moderate-flood risk area? If not, FEMA’s FloodSmart page has a One-Step Flood Risk Profile tool where you can enter your address and find out. Learn about all of the disaster risks unique to your community—and any location you may visit or spend time—so you’re not caught unaware if something were to occur. Visit America’s PrepareAthon! page and get educated about the specific hazards in any area you choose.

5. Then act the part! Once you know the type of disasters most common to your community, take steps to reduce your risk. Talk to your insurance agent and verify you’re fully covered – did you know homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage? What about the fact that sewer backup damage is typically covered by a rider added to your homeowner’s coverage? You can also mitigate disaster risks by taking other simple steps like storing important papers in a safe place, elevating mechanicals off the floor of your basement to avoid potential flood damage and caulking exterior openings where electrical wires and cables enter your home to keep water from getting inside. Learn more about risk reduction techniques by visiting FEMA’s Protecting Homes webpage.

For even more readiness information follow FEMA Region V at twitter.com/femaregion5 and www.facebook.com/fema. Individuals can always find valuable preparedness information at www.Ready.gov.

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: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

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Five Disaster Prep Hacks You Need to Know

Washington Wildfire Survivors Urged to Act Now on Flood Insurance

SEATTLE – Flood risk is higher this year as a direct consequence of the wildfires that burned thousands of acres in eastern and central Washington. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging residents in areas affected by the wildfires to consider purchasing flood insurance now.

When fire burns away trees and other vegetation, healthy roots that soak up rainwater are lost. Heavy rains on burn scars can cause flash flooding or debris flows that can severely damage homes and businesses.

While properties burned in the blazes face the highest risk of wildfire-related flooding, the risk also increases for homes downstream or below scorched areas. Such conditions are one reason flooding is America’s most common natural disaster.

Yet, most homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

A flood insurance policy is the best option for property owners and renters to safeguard their homes and belongings from flood losses. Most flood insurance is written through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is administered by FEMA. The NFIP offers flood insurance to property owners and renters in communities that participate in the program.

Due to the waiting period, NFIP policies become effective 30 days after the premium is paid.

Less than half of the floods in the U.S. result in a federal disaster declaration, while NFIP pays claims even if a disaster is not declared. What’s more, one out of every four claims paid is from an area at medium-to-low risk of flooding.

Most Washingtonians can obtain flood insurance from the agent who handles their homeowners or renters insurance policy, or they can go to the NFIP website at www.floodsmart.gov to get a list of the agents in their area who sell the policies. The interactive website also offers an easy way to get the estimated annual cost of flood insurance for a specific address.

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Washington Wildfire Survivors Urged to Act Now on Flood Insurance

Flood Insurance Can Provide Peace of Mind for Texans

Main Content

Release date:

August 20, 2015

Release Number:

FS-013

Flood insurance can save Texas homeowners and renters thousands of dollars in repairs. It also can provide peace of mind considering that flooding is the most frequent natural disaster in the United States.

Flood Insurance in Texas:

Flooding comes from a variety of sources in Texas, such as rainstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes.
Last year, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) paid out more than

$58.5 million in claims for Texans. So far this year, the agency has paid out more than quadruple that amount – exceeding $277.6 million, as of Aug. 19.

Nearly 600,000 Texas households had flood insurance as of May 31, according to the NFIP. While that number may seem large, it is a small percentage of the 8.9 million total Texas households.

Costs Add up Quickly:

Just three inches of floodwater in a home will require replacing drywall, baseboards, carpet, furniture and other necessary repairs that can cost $22,500 in a 2,000-square foot house.
The deeper the floodwater, the higher the repair costs – 12 inches of water in a 2,000-square foot house can cost $50,000 or more.

Common Misconceptions:

Understanding the value of flood insurance is important, yet many people remain uninsured, in part due to common misconceptions.
Many policyholders believe their insurance covers all hazards and flood insurance isn’t needed. However, standard homeowner policies do not cover flooding.
A federal disaster declaration is not necessary to make a claim on an NFIP flood insurance policy.
Homes located outside flood-prone areas need flood insurance, too. Nationally, 25 percent of the total structures that flood each year belong to policyholders whose properties are not in high-risk areas.

Obtaining Flood Insurance:

There is normally a 30-day waiting period when purchasing a new policy. Flood insurance is sold through private insurance companies and agents and is backed by the federal government.

Flood insurance is available to homeowners, business owners and renters in communities that participate in the NFIP and enforce their local flood plain management ordinances. To determine if a community participates in NFIP, go online to www.floodsmart.gov
Homeowners in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) must buy flood insurance if they have a mortgage from a federally regulated lender.
An interactive guide to determine flood risk is available online at www.floodsmart.gov. This site also provides additional information on the NFIP and a list of insurance agents in a homeowner’s area who sell NFIP flood coverage.

Costs and Coverage:

Flood insurance premiums average about $700 per year for homeowners.
Homeowners can insure their homes for up to $250,000 and contents for up to $100,000.
A number of factors determine rates for renters. Renters can cover their belongings in amounts up to $100,000.
Nonresidential property owners can insure a building and its contents for up to $500,000 each.

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Last Updated:

August 20, 2015 – 15:02

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Flood Insurance Can Provide Peace of Mind for Texans

FEMA Offers Resources for Property Owners Rebuilding After Disaster

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – FEMA offers a wide range of free resources for Arkansas homeowners who are either rebuilding after the spring storms or preparing for the next time disaster strikes.

FEMA maintains an extensive online library, including bilingual and multimedia resources, which describe the measures contractors or do-it-yourselfers can take to reduce risks to property. FEMA publications can be viewed online and downloaded to any computer.

For rebuilding information, go to www.fema.gov and click on “Plan, Prepare and Mitigate.” There are numerous links to resources and topics including “Protecting Homes,” “Protecting Your Business” and “Safe, Strong and Protected Homes and Communities.” There are also links to information about disaster preparedness.

The decision to rebuild stronger, safer and smarter may save lives and property in a future disaster.

http://www.fema.gov/protect-your-property – offers a comprehensive overview of available publications to help protect your home or business against hazards including earthquakes, fire, flood, high winds and others.

http://www.fema.gov/small-business-toolkit/protect-your-property-or-business-disaster – provides links to resources for protecting your community, your business and places of worship, and offers helpful links like these:

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FEMA Offers Resources for Property Owners Rebuilding After Disaster

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