Free Advice on Rebuilding Safer and Stronger 

Release Date: April 6, 2012
Release Number: 4058-022

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Residents who want to make their homes and businesses more storm resistant can get advice from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mitigation specialists at local building supply stores from April 9 through April 15 in Clarksville, Madison and Evansville.

In addition to answering questions, mitigation specialists will have information about how to rebuild safer and stronger and provide steps that may lessen storm damage in a future disaster. This ranges from creating a disaster family plan to building a “safe room” — a shelter designed to provide occupants a safe place to go when severe weather threatens.

Mitigation specialists will be in stores next week Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lowe’s Home Improvement – 1350 Veterans Parkway, Clarksville, IN 47129

Lowe’s Home Improvement – 511 Ivy Tech Drive, Madison, IN 47250

Menards – 2808 Menard Drive, Evansville, IN 47715

As people repair or rebuild, this is an ideal time for them to incorporate disaster-resistant measures. Small changes can make a big difference the next time storms strike and can lessen the damage and financial impact on individuals, communities and society as a whole. An independent study shows each dollar spent on mitigation saves society an average of $4 by reducing future losses due to disasters.

A series of free mitigation publications is available at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 480-2520. These include: Taking Shelter from the Storm, Rebuilding for a More Sustainable Future, Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting and Understanding Your Risks and Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses.

Survivors can apply for federal disaster assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number
(800) 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY (800) 462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired applicants. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call (800) 621-3362. Registration is also available online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

May 8 is the last day to register for assistance.

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 06-Apr-2012 10:11:08

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Free Advice on Rebuilding Safer and Stronger

More Than $1.5 Million Approved in Federal Disaster Assistance 

Release Date: March 30, 2012
Release Number: 4058-017

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — More than $1.5 million in federal funding has been approved to homeowners, renters and business owners since the president issued a major disaster declaration for Indiana. Individual Assistance was made available March 9 to augment state and local recovery efforts after severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes caused extensive damage Feb. 29 to March 3 in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties.

As of close of business March 29, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials report more than $1 million has been approved to fund expenses not covered by insurance or other programs. Such expenses include temporary rental assistance, repair and replacement of essential household items, and disaster-related medical, dental or funeral costs. FEMA reports 1,274 registrations have been received. Field inspectors are completing home inspections within 24 hours of registration, and 491 inspections have been completed.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reports $551,200 in low interest disaster loans have been approved to qualifying homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits.

Sellersburg Disaster Recovery Center

A Disaster Recovery Center at Ivy Tech College in Sellersburg will remain open as long as storm-impacted individuals continue to utilize its services. More than 550 Hoosiers have visited the center, where FEMA and SBA specialists assist with applications and answer questions. The center, which was opened through a FEMA-state partnership March 13, will continue operating Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice.

FEMA Mitigation community outreach events schedule

FEMA specialists spoke with some 250 Hoosiers during community outreach events in building supply store this week. Specialists are on hand to explain simple steps people can take at home to reduce damage during future storms.

Specialists are on hand through March 31 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

Lowe’s
1350 Veterans Parkway
Clarksville, Ind. 47129

Lowe’s
511 Ivy Tech Drive
Madison, Ind. 47250

Menards
2808 Menards Drive
Evansville, Ind. 47715

Specialists will be on hand April 3-7 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

Home Depot
2239 State St.
New Albany, Ind. 47150
P.C. Lumber & Hardware
150 Hunter Station Road
Sellersburg, Ind. 47172

Public Assistance for infrastructure recovery in five counties

On March 22, the president declared Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott and Washington counties eligible for Public Assistance, which means that means state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations in the designated counties are eligible to apply for federal assistance to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. The remainder is the responsibility of state and local government and, in some cases, non-profit organizations.

Public Assistance funding also covers partial or complete repair of schools and other critical functions such as public water tanks or sewer systems. Projects will be approved only if they are necessary as a direct result of storm damage during the designated timeframe.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security briefed Public Assistance applicants this week. Applicants logged onto an online briefing webinar Wednesday. State representatives met face to face with applicants during a briefing in Sellersburg Friday.

Register with FEMA

The first step for homeowners, renters and business owners to obtain federal disaster assistance is to register with FEMA. One easy way to apply is to call the telephone registration line, (800) 621-FEMA (3362). For speech-or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at (800) 621-3362. Those lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. FEMA will issue a nine-digit registration number to verify completion of each application.

Registration is also possible in the following ways:

May 8 is the last day to register for assistance.

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 30-Mar-2012 17:17:49

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More Than $1.5 Million Approved in Federal Disaster Assistance

FEMA Mitigation Specialists Offer Rebuilding Advice 

Release Date: March 27, 2012
Release Number: 4058-016

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In the wake of disasters, people often wonder whether there is a way to protect themselves and their property from devastating loss. The answer is yes!

Mitigation specialists from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at Menards, 2808 Menards Drive, Evansville, Ind., this week to offer free information and answer questions about rebuilding.

The FEMA team will be in the store beginning March 29 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday April 1.

In addition to answering questions, mitigation specialists will have information about how to rebuild safer and stronger and provide steps that may lessen storm damage in a future disaster. This ranges from creating a disaster family plan to building a “safe room” — a shelter designed to provide occupants a safe place to go when severe weather threatens.

As people repair or rebuild, this is an ideal time for them to incorporate disaster-resistant measures. Small changes can make a big difference the next time storms strike and can lessen the damage and financial impact on individuals, communities and society as a whole. An independent study shows each dollar spent on mitigation saves society an average of $4 by reducing future losses due to disasters.

A series of free mitigation publications is available at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 480-2520. These include: Taking Shelter from the Storm, Rebuilding for a More Sustainable Future, Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting and Understanding Your Risks and Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses.

Survivors can apply for federal disaster assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY (800) 462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired applicants. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call (800) 621-3362. Registration is also available online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

May 8 is the last day to register for assistance.

Federal disaster aid was made available on March 9 to the State of Indiana to supplement state and local recovery efforts for homeowners, renters and business owners in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes during the period of Feb. 29 to March 3, 2012 in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties.

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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 28-Mar-2012 10:03:39

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FEMA Mitigation Specialists Offer Rebuilding Advice

Disaster Assistance Includes Right of Appeal 

Release Date: March 23, 2012
Release Number: 4058-013

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS —Some Indiana residents who have registered for disaster assistance may have received letters saying their applications are denied. They should know that they have the right to appeal that decision.

Applicants who received denial letters should make sure they understand why they were denied. A denial may be due to various reasons. A visit to the Disaster Recovery Center in Sellersburg or a call to the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362 can help provide a better explanation.

Many find their circumstances have changed from the time they registered for assistance. They may have discovered additional damage to their property, or that they need housing help after all. Displaced renters may find upon returning that their residences are unlivable. Whatever the reason, applicants have the right to appeal a denial within 60 days from the date of the determination letter.

Applicants must explain in writing why they believe the initial FEMA response was wrong and provide new or additional information and documents to support the appeal. They should also include their FEMA registration number and disaster number in the letter, along with their full name and address of the damaged home.

Appeals can be mailed to:

FEMA-Appeals Officer
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 1005
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

They may also be faxed to: 1-800-827-8112.

A video titled “You can Appeal” provides additional information at www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6506.

Federal disaster aid was made available on March 9 to the State of Indiana to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes during the period of Feb. 29 to March 3, 2012 in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties.

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 12:17:17

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Disaster Assistance Includes Right of Appeal

Federal Disaster Specialists Will Be In Holton For One Day Saturday 

Release Date: March 22, 2012
Release Number: 4058-012

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS – Disaster recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the Holton Fire Department in Holton from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for one day on Saturday, March 24.

Staff and services will be available to provide assistance to individuals who suffered damage from severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from Feb. 29 through March 3.

Holton Fire Department
38 South Marion St.
Holton, IN 47023

Specialists from FEMA will be on hand to answer questions about registration for disaster assistance and about hazard mitigation and provide information and contacts for other programs. SBA specialists will answer questions about the SBA low-interest disaster loan program, explain the application process, issue applications and help individuals complete their applications.

Individuals impacted by the storms should register with FEMA before meeting with specialists. One easy way to apply is to call the telephone registration line, (800) 621-FEMA (3362). For speech- or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at (800) 621-3362. These lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Registration is also possible in the following ways:

Assistance is available for impacted individuals and businesses in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties. May 8 is the last day to register for assistance.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Mar-2012 14:24:24

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Federal Disaster Specialists Will Be In Holton For One Day Saturday

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