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Two South Carolina Counties Now Designated for Individual Assistance

Multilingual operators are available.

For those who do not have access to telephone or internet service, don’t be discouraged. Disaster survivor assistance specialists will soon be helping people register for assistance. Additionally, disaster recovery centers are planned to open in the near future in impacted counties.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Survivors should contact their insurance company to file their insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

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

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 on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 for the latest road conditions.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Continued here:

Two South Carolina Counties Now Designated for Individual Assistance

Six More North Carolina Counties Now Designated for Disaster Assistance

RALEIGH, N.C. – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Dare, Duplin, Gates, Hyde, Jones, and Pender counties may apply for federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Matthew damages and losses in North Carolina.

The 17 counties already eligible to apply for assistance, under FEMA’s Individual and Households Program, are: Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Greene, Harnett Hoke, Johnston, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Wayne and Wilson counties.

Storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred, as a result of Hurricane Matthew, beginning on October 4^th.

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
Download the FEMA Mobile App
Phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call
800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
Multilingual operators are available.

For those who do not have access to telephone or internet service, don’t be discouraged. North Carolina Emergency Management and FEMA are coming to you. Teams of State and FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists will soon be moving into affected communities to help people register for assistance. Additionally, disaster recovery centers are planned to open in the near future in affected counties.

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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.

The latest updates on road closures can be found at ReadyNC.org or by calling 5-1-1. Residents can also get real-time traffic and weather on the ReadyNC mobile app. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306. Follow us on Facebook at NCEmergencyManagement and Twitter @NCEmergency or @femaregion4.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800)877-8339.

Link:

Six More North Carolina Counties Now Designated for Disaster Assistance

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Hillsborough County for Hurricane Hermine

TALLAHASSEE—A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Hillsborough County to help survivors affected by Hurricane Hermine’s severe storms and flooding that severely impacted the state between Aug. 31 and Sept. 11, 2016.

The location of the center is:

Keysville Recreation Center

9390 Edison Rd

Lithia, FL 33547

Open Monday – Saturday

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed Sundays

Disaster Recovery Centers serve as one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors seeking one-on-one help. Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and various state agencies will be at the center to answer questions Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Sundays.

FDEM and FEMA officials continue to work closely with local officials in hard-hit areas to identify suitable sites for additional centers. Survivors can also locate the center by visiting the DRC locator. Downloading the FEMA App to their mobile device will allow survivors to:

Apply for disaster assistance
Get directions to the nearest Disaster Recovery Center
Find shelter locations
Get weather alerts
Subscribe to disaster safety tips

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who need to register for assistance, may visit online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille Large Print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the appropriate Helpline number above to receive support.

FEMA encourages survivors to register as soon as possible. Those who may have registered with their county emergency management office, the American Red Cross or other community organizations are reminded to also register with FEMA.

Disaster assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters, and private non-profit organizations. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog.

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Hillsborough County for Hurricane Hermine

Federal, State, and Local Teams Continue Assessments in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In response to Hurricane Matthew, joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams continue to document damages to homes, businesses and public facilities that will be used to inform determinations for additional federal disaster assistance.

PDA teams bring together local emergency management, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and FEMA. They visit areas identified by the state to document the extent of damage caused by the hurricane. PDA teams are currently deployed in Flagler and Putnam counties. Tomorrow, a PDA team will also be in Indian River County to assess infrastructure damage.

PDA teams document information that includes:

concentration of damages;
number of primary residences affected;
damage to public infrastructure; and
amount of insurance coverage.

The information is provided to the state. The teams do not visit every home or business and the PDA process does not guarantee federal assistance. The information is used by FEMA to determine which counties may be eligible for federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance.

Other FEMA teams are canvassing areas hit by Hurricane Matthew in Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam and Brevard counties. They visit homes, businesses, organizations and high-traffic locations in affected areas. They also meet with local officials and community leaders to provide additional eyes and ears to gather information on where damages exist. They report that information back to the PDA teams for further review.

All FEMA personnel carry identification and will not ask for personal information such as a social security number or banking information, and they will not ask for money. Anyone who suspects that someone is trying to impersonate a FEMA worker should call FEMA’s Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or the Florida Attorney General’s consumer protection hotline at 866-966-7226.

For more information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Matthew visit fema.gov/disaster/4283, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog or #FLRecovers.

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Federal, State, and Local Teams Continue Assessments in Florida

Survivors in Greene, Hartnett and Sampson Counties May Apply for Disaster Assistance

RALEIGH, N.C. – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Greene, Harnett and Sampson counties may apply for federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Matthew damage and losses in North Carolina.

The fourteen counties already eligible to apply for assistance under FEMA’s Individual and Households Program are Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Hoke, Johnston, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt, Robeson, Wayne and Wilson counties.

Storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred beginning October 4^th.

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
Download the FEMA Mobile App
Phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call

800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use TTY may call 800-462-7585.
The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
Multilingual operators are available.

For those who do not have access to telephone or internet service, don’t be discouraged. North Carolina Emergency Management and FEMA are coming to you. Teams of State and FEMA survivor assistance specialists will be moving into affected communities soon to help people register for assistance. Additionally, disaster recovery centers are being planned and will open in the near future in affected counties.

Survivors should also contact their insurance company to file an insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800)877-8339.

More here:

Survivors in Greene, Hartnett and Sampson Counties May Apply for Disaster Assistance

Four More North Carolina Counties May Apply for Disaster Assistance

RALEIGH, N.C. – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Bertie, Johnston, Wayne and Wilson counties may apply for federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Matthew damage and losses in North Carolina.

The 10 counties already eligible to apply for assistance under FEMA’s Individual and Households Program are Beaufort, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Hoke, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt and Robeson counties. Bertie, Johnston, Wayne, and Wilson counties were added Oct. 11.

Storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred beginning Oct. 4 and continuing.

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
Download the FEMA Mobile App
Phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call
800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

If you need immediate assistance, dial 2-1-1.

For those who do not have access to telephone or internet service, don’t be discouraged. FEMA is coming to you. Teams of FEMA survivor assistance specialists will be moving into affected communities soon to help people register for assistance. Additionally, disaster recovery centers are being planned and will open in the near future in affected counties.

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The latest updates on road closures can be found at ReadyNC.org or by calling 5-1-1. Residents can also get real-time traffic and weather on the ReadyNC mobile app.

Follow us on Facebook at NCEmergencyManagement and Twitter @NCEmergency or @femaregion4.

Link –

Four More North Carolina Counties May Apply for Disaster Assistance

Federal Government Continues to Ramp Up Resources and Support to Affected States

Residents Urged to Stay off of Flooded Roads, Clean up Begins in Some Areas

WASHINGTON –The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its partners continue to mobilize additional resources and personnel to support state and local efforts as record rains and flooding remains a significant concern for public safety. Local and federal officials are also working to clear debris from major roads, ensure coastal ports are safe to re-open and support efforts to restore power in affected areas.

At the direction of President Obama, FEMA is leading the federal government’s efforts to provide assistance and support in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Recovery efforts are under way in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina and response efforts continue in North Carolina, including thousands of water rescues supported by federal responders and assets in the state.

There are more than 800 FEMA personnel on the ground supporting response and recovery efforts including Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams; and seven Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs). There are three active Urban Search & Rescue teams with seven additional teams on standby, if needed. To date, USAR teams have conducted 75 rescues.

FEMA is transporting prepositioned commodities to affected areas as requests are submitted. More than 5.2 million meals, 3.7 million liters of water, and 72,000 blankets for state, were made available for state, tribal and local officials to distribute to individuals should they be requested by states. Thus far, states have received the following commodities:

Florida: More than 3 million meals; 800,000 million liters of water;
Georgia: More than 580,000 meals, 649,000 liters of water; 17,200 blankets;
North Carolina: More than 1.39 million meals; 1.85 million liters of water; 49,000 blankets;
South Carolina: More than 267,000 meals; 400,000 liters of water; 4,400 blankets.

The National Business Emergency Operation Center (NBEOC) continues to coordinate with more than 375 national businesses about the effects of Hurricane Matthew and flooding. Businesses are encouraged to use established social media hashtags to report public safety concerns, share local access areas that remain close or inaccessible, and the status of reopening business hours. The hashtags are: Florida: #FLOpen4Biz; Georgia: #GAOpen4Biz; South Carolina: #SCOpen4Biz; and North Carolina: #NCOpen4Biz.

On Saturday, October 8, President Obama signed major disaster declarations for Florida and Georgia making federal funding available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for debris removal and emergency protective measures for affected areas. Damage assessments are underway and additional designations and forms of assistance may be added at a later date.

Ongoing Support and Preparedness Efforts:

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance teams are deployed to Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas and are working with local authorities to coordinate relief efforts. Updates on the status operations throughout the Caribbean are available on travel.state.gov and on individual Embassy websites. U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad are encouraged to enroll their travel plans on the agency’s website using the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and to read the “Country Specific” information also found on the site.

The National Guard continues support to states impacted by Hurricane Matthew. Additional Guard members are now activated in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia to assist with high water transport. The number of total Guard personnel on duty is expected to drop from more than 8,000 Sunday to approximately 7,500 today.

The American Red Cross continues supporting a massive shelter operation in the affected areas. Nearly 7,000 people stayed the night in 156 Red Cross and community shelters in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The American Red Cross has more than 3,000 trained disaster workers on the ground in addition to 149 pre-positioned response vehicles and 100 trailer loads filled water, ready-to-eat meals, shelter and kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies and comfort kits, insect repellant, gloves, masks, shovels, rakes, coolers and more. For Hurricane Matthew shelter locations, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-768-8048. The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations as Hurricane Matthew has forced the cancellation of many blood drives. Residents who are in an unaffected area, are encouraged to give blood or platelets, to help patients in the affected areas with great need. Go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) deployed more than 500 AmeriCorps members, including FEMA Corps, to areas affected by Hurricane Matthew. These deployments include 59 teams of FEMA Corps members – 471 AmeriCorps members in total – that have been pre-staged to support FEMA’s response to affected states. An additional 90 AmeriCorps members are supporting shelter and emergency operations in Florida and South Carolina. CNCS is coordinating with local partners in each state, including governor-appointed state service commissions and voluntary organizations, to support state emergency operations and volunteer response efforts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages producers with crops insured under the Federal crop insurance program to immediately contact their local crop insurance agent to report any damage to insured crops after the storm. For assistance with Rural Development financed housing, business or community assistance information, and to get help from the Natural Resources Conservation Service for debris removal, visit here. Additional disaster resource information as well as food safety, livestock and pet guidance is available at www.usda.gov. USDA Foods’ inventories have been requested from all potentially impacted state agencies, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) staff is prepared to respond to any state requests for disaster SNAP and/or other SNAP-related needs. Additional information about USDA’s disaster assistance resources is available here.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues to engage in dam safety inspections throughout South Carolina, testing more than 80 privately-owned dams at the state’s request. USACE also continues to support damage assessments to coastal regions.

U.S. Northern Command continues to support seven Incident Support Bases and Federal Staging Areas in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia to support federal and state resources needed for response. Additionally, Defense Coordinating Officers and Defense Coordinating Elements remain in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, along with a Defense Coordinating Officer in Virginia. Dual-status commanders are designated in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Members of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Disaster Medical Assistance Team from Pennsylvania continue providing medical support to a hospital in Brevard County, Florida, assisting with a surge in demand for emergency department services. More than 700 personnel from the National Disaster Medical System, U.S. Public Health Service, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response remain pre-positioned or on alert ready to assist in other communities as needed. HHS agencies, continue to promote public health messaging and staying healthy after the storm at www.phe.gov/hurricanematthew and www.cdc.gov.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with FEMA, issued an official memo to impacted states regarding immigration enforcement activities. The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), in coordination with FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination and FEMA’s Office for Equal Rights, issued a notice to ensure that individuals and communities affected by the disaster do not face unlawful discrimination in the provision of federally assisted services. Additionally, CRCL and FEMA ODIC holding daily calls of the Interagency Coordinating Council on Individuals with Disabilities (ICC) to share information and resources with interagency partners on any issues impacting individuals with disabilities in the affected states.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services encourages those whose application, petition or immigration status may be impacted by Hurricane Matthew to call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TDD for the deaf and hard of hearing: 800-767-1833) to learn how to request certain types of relief. For more information, visit here.

The U.S. Coast Guard continues working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA, local port authorities, and other partners to reopen the Georgia ports of Savannah and Brunswick. The teams are surveying channel depths to ensure safe navigation for commercial vessels.

The Coast Guard also continues to assist in search and rescue efforts and remains poised to assist in future rescue efforts from those affected by Hurricane Matthew to ensure the safety of individuals that may be in distress from this storm.

The U.S. Department of Energy continues working with energy partners in affected areas as power restoration continues. Requirements for restoration vary state-by-state and with local jurisdictions, which may cause delays for some communities and neighborhoods.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development deployed housing assessment teams in each affected state. The teams are compiling damage data on all of HUD’s Multifamily and Public Housing apartments.

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s United States Geological Survey deployed more than 40 teams to the affected areas to collect the surge sensors and gages that identify high water marks. USGS has additional crews making flood measurements and repairing stream gages damaged by river flooding. USGS is placing employee safety as the top priority. Access issues in some locations and continued significant flooding are impacting field work efforts. Information on all sensors and gages is available online.

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service reports that nine Atlantic coast national parks in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina remain closed in the wake of Hurricane Matthew as the NPS continues to determine the extent of damage caused by the storm’s wind and water. The NPS has deployed its Eastern Incident Management Team to Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve to coordinate and oversee the assessment and recovery operations at all of the affected parks.

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that 20 wildlife refuges are closed and each will remain so until it is safe for staff to return.

The Department of Justice deployed 77 federal law enforcement personnel in the affected states, with an additional 50 personnel on stand-by for assignment, if necessary.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to conduct oil and hazardous material field assessments. In Florida, EPA completed more than 100 field assessments, reporting no hazardous materials. Additionally, EPA is working with affected states to incorporate debris assignments.

The Federal Communications Commission continues monitoring the status of communications networks and coordinating with providers and government partners on communications status and restoration throughout the affected areas.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) divisions in the southern region continue working with contact permitting agencies & commercial motor vehicle law enforcement agencies in their states to assist with necessary emergency waivers and permits.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) deployed staff to Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to support FEMA efforts to establish Joint Field Offices and Disaster Response Centers. GSA assessment teams are preparing to survey potential damage to federal facilities and will ensure any necessary repairs are undertaken quickly.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) activated its Unaccompanied Minors Registry (UMR). Family members can go to https://umr.missingkids.org or call 1-800-THE-LOST to find unaccompanied children who may have been separated from parents or caregivers because of the floods, by entering basic information and/or a photo.

The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration deployed about a dozen personnel from division offices to assist with the storm response. Bridge and road inspectors will make damage assessments in affected areas are beginning.

The Department of Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) latest guidance for taxpayers affected by Hurricane Matthew.

Up-to-date information about U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities is available.

FEMA advises anyone in the impacted areas looking to help or assist with response and recovery efforts can get involved by contacting their American Red Cross chapter or their local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) chapter to connect to many organizations working on the ground that are in need of volunteers. To get in touch with the local VOAD in the affected areas, visit:

For additional info, imagery, graphics and b-roll, see our Hurricane Matthew web page: www.fema.gov/hurricane-matthew.

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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.

Original article:

Federal Government Continues to Ramp Up Resources and Support to Affected States

FEMA Urges Residents to Watch Out for Dangers When Returning Home & for Possible Flooding Threat

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges people dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew to stay vigilant as they begin to clean up the damage done, while others still face a serious flooding threat.

Dangers could exist for residents who are returning home in the form of debris, downed power lines and lingering floodwaters. During this process, people are urged to listen to their state, tribal and local officials and only go back when they say it’s safe. High water could be deeper than it looks and also hide ground that’s washed away. Drivers are encouraged to avoid flooded areas at all costs – turn around, don’t drown. Just two feet of moving water can sweep away a vehicle.

National Weather Service experts say the remnants of Matthew have moved further away from the East Coast and the storm is no longer causing direct impacts. However, significant-to-potentially record flooding could happen for several areas along and east of the I-95 corridor in the Carolinas, with river flooding persisting well into next week. An extensive and significant freshwater flood event continues to unfold as a result of 10 to 18 inches of rain, mainly from Savannah, Ga., to southeast Virginia.

“Now is the time to really pay attention and be careful – whether you are still dealing with flooding or are assessing the damage from Matthew,” said FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate. “If you explicitly follow the directions from your state, tribal and local officials and use common sense to avoid dangerous situations, everyone’s recovery efforts will move along more quickly and safely.”

People who have flood insurance through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and whose property suffered flood damage are encouraged to contact their local insurance agency or company to file a flood insurance claim. When calling, they should have their policy number and a telephone number/email address where they can be reached. They can find their insurance company’s toll-free phone number here.

Anyone with additional questions about filing a claim or their NFIP policy can call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 and press option “2.” For a TTY line, call 800-462-7585. The line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT Monday to Friday.

Shelters are open across the affected areas. Download the FEMA mobile app for shelter information, disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips, in English and in Spanish. The app provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.

After the Hurricane – Safety and Preparedness Tips as you Return to Your Home and Begin Cleaning Up

Don’t walk through flooded areas. It only takes six inches of moving water to knock you off your feet. If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 for help.
Avoid standing water. It can hide dangerous toxins and chemicals.
Do not enter a flood-damaged home or building until you’re given the all clear by authorities. If you choose to enter a flood-damaged building, be extremely careful. Water can compromise the structural integrity and its foundation. Make sure the electrical system has been turned off, otherwise contact the power company or a qualified electrician.
Photograph the property damage in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.
Take steps to prevent further damage to the affected property (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.
Because mold may be a serious health risk, it’s important to remove flood-damaged objects.
When setting out debris for curbside pickup, follow the instructions of local officials.
Debris should be separated into the following six categories:
- Household garbage such as discarded food, packaging and papers.
- Construction debris such as building materials, carpeting, furniture and mattresses.
- Vegetation debris such as tree branches and leaves.
- Household hazardous waste such as batteries, paint and cleaning supplies.
- White goods such as refrigerators, washers/dryers, water heaters and air conditioners.
- Electronics such as televisions, stereo equipment and computers.
- More information on debris removal is available here.

Tips for Mosquito Control

For people living in areas affected by Hurricane Matthew, especially when it comes to flooding, mosquitos may be a problem in the coming days. Prevention is important because mosquitos carry diseases and can spread illness.

The Centers for Disease & Prevention provides critical tips for mosquito prevention:

Use insect repellant, especially Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellants, which are proven safe and effective when used as directed.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Control mosquitos inside and outside your home by:
- Using screens on winds and doors and repairing holes to keep mosquitos outside.
- Use air conditioning when available. Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air-conditioned or screened rooms are not available, or if sleeping outdoors.
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, or throw items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots or trash containers. Mosquitos lay eggs near water.
- More information can be found here.

For more information about Hurricane Matthew, including resources deployed, photos and b-roll go to: www.fema.gov/hurricane-matthew.

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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.

Originally from:

FEMA Urges Residents to Watch Out for Dangers When Returning Home & for Possible Flooding Threat

FEMA Urges Residents to Heed Direction of Local Officials Regarding Flooding; Exercise Caution When Returning Home

WASHINGTON –The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges residents returning home or in affected areas to listen to state, local and tribal officials as dangerous flooding following Hurricane Matthew impacts areas throughout the Southeast United States. People returning home should exercise extreme caution as emergency crews respond to affected areas and avoid driving through flooded roadways.

National Weather Service experts predict that Matthew should move well east of the North Carolina coast by this afternoon and should weaken over the next 48 hours. However, an extensive and significant freshwater flood event is unfolding over northeastern South Carolina into central and eastern North Carolina. Between six to 12 inches of rain, with isolated amounts up to 20 inches, have been reported mainly from Savannah to eastern North Carolina. An additional one to three inches are possible across eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia. Numerous rivers are expected to reach moderate to major flood levels from northeast South Carolina into central and eastern North Carolina later today. The rivers will be slow to recede, with the flooding continuing through the week.

For people who evacuated and are returning today, do so only when authorities indicate it is safe. Watch out for debris and downed power lines and avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Flood waters may be electrically-charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.

You are also advised to photograph damaged property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim and do what is possible to prevent further damage to property (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof).

“Flash floods are the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States,” said FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate. “As people head back home to assess damage it is vital they do not drive through flooded roadways, avoid downed power lines, and stay off the roads to let first responders do their work. Turn around, don’t drown.”

Shelters remain open across the impacted states. You can download the FEMA mobile app for shelter information, disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips, in English and in Spanish. The app provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.

After the Hurricane – Safety and Preparedness Tips as you Return to Your Home

· Listen to local officials for updates and instructions. Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

· Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.

· When you return to the impacted area, watch out for debris and downed power lines.

· Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.

· Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

· Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.

· Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.

File an Insurance Claim then Register with FEMA (or for Federal Assistance)

· Contact your insurance company and file a claim. Get your company’s contact information online at the Department of Insurance for the state where the damage occurred.

· If you have flood insurance questions call 800-621-3362 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT and select option two. Call center staff are available to assist with information regarding your policy, offer technical flood guidance to aid in recovery and answer other flood insurance questions. You can be transferred to your insurance carrier for additional assistance if you have further questions.

· For those in Georgia and Florida who have been affected by Hurricane Matthew, you can pre-register for federal disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT. Survivors who use TTY may call 800-462-7585.

Communications

If you live in areas affected by Hurricane Matthew or know someone in those areas, social media sites like Facebook or Twitter are good way to let friends and family know you’re safe or to inquire about your loved ones.

However, the National Coordinating Center recommends keeping your calls to the minimum and to using several alternative communication methods as networks in the area may become congested. People in the emergency area should still call 9-1-1 if they need emergency services.

Please keep in mind a few recommended best practices for placing calls during a large emergency:

Limit non-emergency phone calls.
Keep all phone calls brief.
For non-emergency calls, try text messaging, also known as short messaging service (SMS) when using your wireless phone.
If possible, to reduce congestion, try a variety of communications services if you are unsuccessful in getting through with one.
Wait 10 seconds before redialing a call. On many wireless handsets, to re-dial a number, you simply push “send” after you’ve ended a call to redial the previous number.

To report a missing child, please contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-866-908-9570. Anyone who finds an unaccompanied child who may have been separated from his/her parents or caregivers because of the hurricane can enter basic information and/or a photo into the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Unaccompanied Minors Registry (UMR): http://umr.missingkids.org or call 1-866-908-9570.

For more information about Hurricane Matthew, including resources deployed, imagery, and b-roll go to: http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-matthew

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

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

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FEMA Urges Residents to Heed Direction of Local Officials Regarding Flooding; Exercise Caution When Returning Home

Hurricane Matthew Unified Response Efforts Underway

Hurricane Matthew Unified Response Efforts Underway

FEMA and the Federal Family Coordinating with Partners to Support Impacted Communities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners continue to mobilize resources and personnel to support state, local and tribal efforts in the southeast U.S. as the possibility of dangerous conditions and flooding continues in some areas.

At the direction of President Obama, FEMA is leading the federal government’s effort to provide assistance and support in preparation and response to Hurricane Matthew. The President declared emergencies in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, making federal assistance available to mobilize equipment and resources necessary to prepare for and respond to Hurricane Matthew in the anticipated impacted areas. These pre-disaster emergency declarations make available direct federal assistance to save lives and protect property.

As of this morning, more than 680 FEMA staff are deployed to impacted states in support of response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Matthew and thousands more remain on alert to support recovery efforts, as needed. This includes six Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSAT) deployed to help federal, state, local and tribal partners gather detailed information on the affected communities during the critical days and weeks following this storm. DSAT teams address immediate and emerging needs of disaster survivors including: on-the-spot needs assessments, requests for disability related accommodations and access to partners offering survivor services.

Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) are positioned in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. IMAT teams support preparation and anticipated response activities, and ensure that there are no unmet needs. Additionally, FEMA has ten Urban Search & Rescue teams on the ground to support any search and rescue efforts. Two teams are in Florida, four teams are in South Carolina, three teams are in Georgia, and one team is in North Carolina.

FEMA has made available more than 1,427,000 meals, more than 958,000 liters of water, and more than 48,000 blankets for state, tribal, and local officials to distribute to individuals. These points of distribution are centralized locations established by state or local officials where supplies are delivered.

A breakdown by state:

Florida: More than 71,000 meals; 341,000 liters of water;

Georgia: More than 535,000 meals, 617,000 liters of water; 17,000 blankets;

North Carolina: More than 570,000 meals; 26,000 blankets; and,

South Carolina: More than 250,000 meals; 4,500 blankets.

The National Business Emergency Operations Center is activated in the NRCC and is coordinating with potentially affected states to work with private sector companies, preparing for landfall and coordinating on evacuation orders, potential transportation impacts, and access/re-entry permits ahead of the storm.

Ongoing Support and Preparedness Efforts:

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance teams are deployed to Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas and are working with local authorities to coordinate relief efforts. Updates on the status operations throughout the Caribbean are available on travel.state.gov and on individual Embassy websites. U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad are encouraged to enroll their travel plans on the agency’s website, travel.state.gov, using the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and to read the Country Specific Information also found on the site.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) deployed a Team Leader and Assistant Team Leader to FEMA Region IV. Two Assistant Team Leaders and one Power Subject Matter Expert have been deployed to the FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC). Also, USACE deployed Team Leaders to FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The USACE deployed Emergency Power assets, including Planning & Response Teams (PRT) and Emergency Command & Control Vehicles (ECCV), to Florida and North Carolina. Two companies from the 249th Engineer Battalion and four Temporary Emergency Power PRTs are coordinating response requirements under a FEMA pre-declaration for Emergency Power.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages those whose application, petition or immigration status may be impacted by Hurricane Matthew to call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TDD for the deaf and hard of hearing: 800-767-1833) to learn how to request certain types of relief. For more information, visit www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations.

The U.S. Coast Guard continues to assess and advise the status of ports along the storm’s path. Advisories are being issued for northern locations in Georgia and South Carolina.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has deployed more than 450 AmeriCorps members, including FEMA Corps, to areas affected by Hurricane Matthew. These deployments include 54 teams of FEMA Corps members – 425 AmeriCorps members in total – that have been pre-staged to support FEMA’s response to affected states. An additional 45 AmeriCorps members are supporting shelter and emergency operations in Florida and South Carolina. CNCS is coordinating with local partners in each state, including governor-appointed state service commissions and voluntary organizations, to support state Emergency Operations and volunteer response efforts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has disaster resource information as well as food safety, livestock and pet guidance is available at www.usda.gov. USDA Foods’ inventories have been requested from all potentially impacted state agencies, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) staff is prepared to respond to any state requests for disaster SNAP and/or other SNAP-related needs.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) established an Incident Support Base at Fort Bragg in coordination with FEMA to preposition commodities and resources close to the potentially affect areas. The U.S. Northern Command deployed Defense Coordinating Elements to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. These service members are providing DOD regional subject matter expertise, validate requirements, and conduct liaison efforts in support of response operations.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is conducting daily coordination calls with industry, impacted states and the leadership of the Electricity Sub-Sector Coordinating Council to discuss preparations for the storm and plans for timely restoration. As the preparation and response efforts for electric power change as the storm shifts, updates for each state can be viewed at here.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has almost 700 personnel pre-positioned and more than 450 on alert ready to support communities with medical, veterinary or fatality management needs from the storm’s impact. Personnel include members of the National Disaster Medical System, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response staff, and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and they form eight Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, two National Veterinary Response Teams, a Public Health Service Rapid Deployment Force team, a disaster mortuary assessment personnel and an Incident Response Coordination Team. Information from HHS agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about protecting health before and after disasters can be found on www.phe.gov/hurricanematthew.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), in coordination with FEMA’s Office on Disability Integration and Coordination and FEMA’s Office for Equal Rights, issued a notice reminding its recipients of federal financial assistance who are engaged in emergency management to ensure that individuals and communities affected by disasters do not face unlawful discrimination in the provision of federally assisted services to disaster survivors. Additionally, CRCL issued a memo to impacted states regarding immigration enforcement activities. This memo notifies the public that there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations or sheltering related to the hurricane, including the use of checkpoints for immigration enforcement purposes in impacted areas during an evacuation. This memo can be found here.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs is coordinating with tribes in potentially affected areas as needed.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service is continuing to monitor and evaluate conditions at their parks as the storm moves further north. With more than a dozen national parks closed, each is assessing the ability to re-open to the public. Anyone planning to visit a park in the impacted states is encouraged to verify a park’s open status on its website.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s United States Geological Survey (USGS) is preparing to collect the 393 surge sensors and gages deployed in advance of Hurricane Matthew along the East Coast to provide data that will assist water managers in determining the peak and duration of storm surge. This includes Storm Surge Sensors (190), Wave Sensors (79), Barometric Pressure Sensors (92), and Rapid Deployment Gage’s (32). The information supports disaster recovery efforts and critical weather forecasts for the National Weather Service and FEMA. The information collected will be distributed live on the USGS website to help federal and state officials gauge the extent and the storm’s damage as it passes through each area. This is the largest deployment of surge sensors by the USGS and surpasses the total deployments for Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy.

The Department of Justice has 500 federal law enforcement officers from across the country on standby and ready to deploy, as required.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) activated the Regional Emergency Operations Center in Atlanta, Georgia and has deployed liaisons to the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta, and the Florida State Emergency Operation Center in Tallahassee. All EPA regional programs have contacted their state counterparts and offered technical assistance concerning waste and debris disposal, water infrastructure, and fuel waiver issues. The Agency has received a mission assignment to support the State of Florida for oil and hazardous substance assessments in the coastal areas of the state, and are assembling teams to deploy from the Atlanta regional office.

The Federal Aviation Administration worked closely with airports and the air carriers that serve the affected area to prepare and is ready to restore air traffic control service in support of recovery efforts. At FAA facilities in the hurricane’s path, fuel tanks were topped off for air traffic control equipment, radars immobilized and other navigation facilities so they could withstand high wind speeds. The FAA is also warning drone operators to stay clear of hurricane rescue and response aircraft to preserve the safety of first-responders.

The Federal Communications Commission is monitoring the status of communications networks and is prepared to work with affected providers to support restoration efforts as necessary.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) divisions in the southern region have been instructed to contact permitting agencies & commercial motor vehicle law enforcement agencies in their states to prepare for either emergency waivers from permits, or to be prepared to expedite permit issuance to support relief transportation efforts.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) deployed staff to Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to support FEMA efforts to establish Joint Field Offices (JFO) and Disaster Response Centers (DRC). GSA assessment teams are standing by to survey potential damage to federal facilities and will ensure any necessary repairs are undertaken quickly.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) activated its Unaccompanied Minors Registry (UMR). Family members can go to here or call 1-800-THE-LOST to find unaccompanied children who may have been separated from parents or caregivers because of the floods, by entering basic information and/or a photo.

The National Guard continues to move north following the storm’s path. More than 9,000 National Guard personnel from nine states (AL, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN) are conducting search and rescue, security, infrastructure assessment, route clearance, and communications in support of hurricane recovery efforts. The National Guard provides support to civil authority of the state under direction of the governor.

The American Red Cross is supporting a massive shelter operation in the affected areas. More than 18,000 people stayed the night in 183 Red Cross and community evacuation shelters in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The Red Cross has more than 2,200 trained disaster workers on the ground in addition to 95 pre-positioned response vehicles and 94 trailer loads filled water, ready-to-eat meals, shelter and kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies and comfort kits, insect repellant, gloves, masks, shovels, rakes, coolers and more. For Hurricane Matthew shelter locations, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-768-8048. The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations as Hurricane Matthew has forced the cancellation of many blood drives. If you’re in an unaffected area, please give blood or platelets, so we can continue to help patients in need. Go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is coordinating with affected state Departments of Transportation in anticipation of requests for Emergency Relief funds to repair highways and bridges that get damaged by the storm. FHWA has deployed about a dozen personnel from division offices to assist with the storm response. Bridge and road inspectors will make damage assessments once the storm has passed.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) is operating its SafeStor program on the M/V Cape Decision in Charleston, South Carolina, as shelter for local emergency vehicles in the region. A total of seven agencies, including the Charleston Sheriff’s Department, have a total of 53 emergency service vehicles loaded on the Cape Decision’s massive cargo hold to weather out the passage of Hurricane Mathew. MARAD’s SafeStor program provides safe shelter for emergency equipment and personnel and allows affected areas to be up and running as soon as possible in order.

The Department of Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) advises taxpayers to prepare in advance of Hurricane Matthew and stands ready to help after the storm. IRS will monitor the storm’s impact as the October 17 tax filing deadline approaches for those in the impacted areas who filed an extension to file their 2015 tax returns. The latest guidance available here.

Veterans Affairs facilities from Florida through South Carolina are implementing their emergency preparedness plans which includes closing many clinics and suspending non-emergency care services in medical centers. For up-to-date information about VA facilities, visit here.

The National Weather Service expects Matthew to continue to move along the coast and be near the coast of North Carolina by tonight. Areas as far north as southern Virginia may experience high winds and dangerous flooding. Meanwhile, some residents in Florida and Georgia are beginning to return to their communities and face different risks from downed trees, power lines, and standing water. FEMA has advised residents to listen to local officials and follow all suggested safety measures in their area.

For additional info, imagery, graphics and b-roll, see our Hurricane Matthew web page: http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-matthew.

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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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Hurricane Matthew Unified Response Efforts Underway

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