One Week to Register for Disaster Assistance

Aurora, Ill. – Only one week remains for Illinoisans affected by the storms and flooding that took place from April 16 to May 5 to register for FEMA assistance. The deadline is Wednesday, July 24, 2013.

Some residents may have disqualified themselves for disaster assistance because of misinformation. Those who have received FEMA assistance in the past or have insurance should register anyway. Failure to register by the deadline will prevent possible eligibility for this disaster. 

“We urge everyone who experienced storm damage during that period to register with FEMA to determine their eligibility for recovery of uninsured losses,” said W. Michael Moore, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for the Illinois disaster declaration.

All it takes is one call to FEMA’s toll-free registration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA registration lines. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

Applicants also may register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362. It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register with FEMA

For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

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 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: 571-408-1835

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One Week to Register for Disaster Assistance

Protect Against Future Storm Damage

AURORA, Ill. – As thousands of structures in Illinois are being rebuilt or repaired due to damage from this spring’s severe weather, state and federal emergency management officials are urging homeowners and business owners to take steps that will minimize damage from future storms.

“We know that disasters of this kind will occur again, but Illinoisans do not need to continue experiencing the same losses,” said W. Michael Moore, the federal official in charge of disaster recovery. “In addition to gaining a safe, more damage-resistant home or business, strengthening a structure might someday save a life. It also could enhance a property’s value and save money by reducing insurance premiums.”

Illinoisans living in flood-prone houses are encouraged to raise electrical components as well as ventilating and cooling equipment above potential flood levels. Electrical system components, including fuse and breaker boxes, meters, switches, and outlets are easily damaged by floodwater. If inundated for even a short period, an electrician or the local municipal building department should be consulted.

“There is no better time to do this than when your home is being repaired and the disaster is fresh on your mind,” added Moore.

Rebuilding to make structure more disaster resistant is called hazard mitigation.

Homeowners and business owners should discuss with their contractors the following hazard mitigation measures:

  • Installation of appropriate roof bracing.
  • Installation of storm shutters.
  • Bolting walls to the foundation.
  • Installation of masonry ties, which help to secure brick walls to the wood structure.
  • Elevating basement furnaces.
  • Replacement of a weak garage door, which can create entry for wind that can easily lift an unstrapped roof.
  • Elevating the entire structure above potential flood levels.

Information on how to help protect your home is available free at any of the FEMA/state Disaster Recovery Centers, or at one of the Mitigation Outreach events at home improvement stores.

Individuals and families living in one of the designated counties for Individual Assistance may be eligible for help if the damage occurred between April 16 and May 5. They should register with FEMA to begin the process.

They can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

The deadline to register for FEMA disaster assistance is Tuesday, July 9.

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 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

 

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Protect Against Future Storm Damage

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Blanket Illinois’ Flood Damaged Areas

CHICAGO, IL – Only two days after President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for 11 Illinois counties, FEMA teams were out providing information to those affected recently by severe storms and flooding.

More than 10 FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) are canvassing areas hit by the disaster to provide information and give residents an opportunity to register for disaster assistance. DSAT members can also provide referrals to additional resources when unmet needs remain.

These teams 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 in determining where issues exist.

“FEMA is providing support to disaster survivors directly in the communities where they live and work,” said W. Michael Moore, the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in Illinois. “This is a value-added service that we bring after a disaster for responders as well as survivors to expedite the recovery process.”

While FEMA DSATs are offering in-person service, it’s important that Illinoisans remain vigilant about protecting their personal information. For example, residents should always ask for identification. Federal and state officials always have ID clearly visible. If someone represents themselves as a federal or state employee, but does not produce identification, ask to see it.

DSAT members may offer residents the opportunity to use a tablet computer to register, or ask to enter information on their behalf.  Illinois residents will not be required to share personal information unless they wish a DSAT member to enter the data for them. Residents are reminded to ask for federal identification before providing personal information.

If residents prefer to use personal computers or phones to register, they can call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585), visit DisasterAssistance.gov or use a mobile device at m.fema.gov. For more information, go to: fema.gov/disaster/4116.

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 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

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FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Blanket Illinois’ Flood Damaged Areas