TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Specialists from FEMA will be available at The Home Depot in Ocala from October 27 through November 1, offering tips and techniques for lessening the impact of disaster-related property damage.

WHERE:     The Home Depot

3300 SW 35 Terrace.
Ocala, FL 34474

WHEN:        Thursday and Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

                    Monday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                    Tuesday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FEMA Mitigation specialists will be on hand to answer questions and offer home-improvement tips to reduce damage in future disasters. Information is geared to both homeowners and general contractors on topics such as flood proofing a home, how to elevate utilities and removing and replacing wet drywall.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer policyholder questions, service claims, provide general information and offer technical assistance. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 (FEMA) and select option 2. Hours are between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability using 711 or Video Relay Service, please call 866-377-4262. Affected residents using a TTY, please call 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available.
For more information on the Florida recovery, visit the disaster webpage for Hurricane Hermine at fema.gov/disaster/4280 or visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at floridadisaster.org Follow us on Twitter @femaregion4.

Excerpt from:

Advice for Survivors on Lessening Storm Damage in Marion County

New revision will lead to improved flood maps with both current risk and future climate conditions

New Yorkers will save tens of millions of dollars in flood insurance premiums as a result of City’s flood map appeal

NEW YORK – Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced an agreement to revise New York City’s flood maps. This is the result of the de Blasio administration’s 2015 appeal of FEMA’s flood risk calculations for New York City and the region, which mapped 35,000 more homes and buildings across the city into highest flood risk areas.

FEMA’s flood maps require homeowners in the highest flood risk areas to purchase flood insurance to cover the cost of flood damage, if they have a mortgage. Revised flood maps will provide New York City residents with more precise current flood risk data, in addition to providing a new map product reflecting future conditions that account for climate change. The innovative revisions will assist New York City in making coastlines more resilient and climate-ready, while ensuring homeowners are not required to purchase more insurance than their current flood risk requires.

“We are building a stronger, more resilient city to confront climate change. Our city needs precise flood maps that reflect real risks, both today and years from now—and we have to do that fairly. We will work closely with FEMA to ensure New Yorkers in the floodplain are prepared, and that the tools to make them more resilient, like flood insurance, remain available and affordable. We are grateful to FEMA to agreeing to this partnership,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“We have been working with Mayor de Blasio and his administration throughout the appeal process to obtain additional data from city officials in order to ensure we have the most accurate maps possible,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Jerome Hatfield. “The coastal flood risk has not been updated since 1983, and this process required proper diligence and the City’s involvement, all accomplished through our partnership.”

“We applaud the administration for adopting, and keeping in place the preliminary maps for construction permitting, which will ensure the city is more resilient in the face of stronger and more frequent storms. We are committed to working together to identify the best path forward as the coastal flood hazard analysis is completed,” said FEMA Assistant Administrator for Mitigation Michael Grimm.

NYC’s Flood Map Appeal

During FEMA’s formal 90-day appeal period in the summer of 2015, New York City officials submitted technical analyses and data that revise the flood risk depicted in the preliminary Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for New York City and the region. FEMA and City officials agreed that the information submitted during the appeal period should be utilized to revise the preliminary FIS study and preliminary FIRM. This effort will be funded by FEMA, and the City will continue to work with FEMA and provide expert input in the development of revised flood maps.

New, Future-Looking Flood Maps

In addition, FEMA and the City will work together to create a new methodology to incorporate the growing risks of climate change and sea level rise onto flood maps. This ground-breaking step will be based on the best-available science, as guided by the New York City Panel on Climate Change, and will result in a new set of flood maps for planning and building purposes that better accounts for the future risk of sea level rise and coastal storm surge. This will also protect the affordability of flood insurance, which will continue to be priced against the revised FIRMs depicting current flood risk.

“The City’s OneNYC resiliency program requires the best-available climate science and accurate flood maps,” said Daniel Zarrilli, Senior Director, Climate Policy and Program and Chief Resilience Officer, New York City Mayor’s Office. “FEMA’s decision to redraw New York City’s flood maps, and to work with us to produce innovative, climate-smart flood maps, allows us to begin separating the calculation of annual insurance premiums against current risk from the necessary long-term planning and building we need to do as a city to do adapt to rising seas and climate change.  All homeowners should consider purchasing flood insurance to protect their homes and families.  Thanks to FEMA for agreeing to this important partnership.”

Flood Insurance Rates / Building Code Requirements

Until the new flood maps are issued, flood insurance rates in New York City will continue to be based on the prior effective FIRMs saving coastal households tens of millions of dollars per year, in aggregate. For those outside of the highest risk areas on those maps, flood insurance will remain less expensive; both FEMA and the City encourage residents to purchase this affordable flood coverage because we know that there is flood risk outside of the highest risk areas. Until new flood maps are developed that both accurately reflect current flood risk and also provide an assessment of future climate conditions for long-term planning purposes, the city’s building code will continue to reflect the 2015 preliminary FIRMs to ensure that new buildings are better able to withstand flood risk from rising sea levels and coastal storm surge, and so that recovery from Hurricane Sandy can continue without interruption.

FloodHelpNY.org

Conveying flood risk accurately to affected residents is among FEMA and the City’s top priorities. As the maps are being revised, it is crucial that New Yorkers remain aware of their current and future flood risk. To ensure residents keep their home and finances safe, the City has launched a consumer education campaign directing residents to FloodHelpNY.org, a one-stop shop for flood risk information. Once the revised flood maps come in effect, additional extensive outreach and education programs will be provided for all communities.

Other Resources

www.nyc.gov/floodmaps

www.region2coastal.com

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Link: 

Mayor De Blasio and FEMA Announce Plan to Revise NYC’s Flood Maps

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

BATON ROUGE, La. —Local home-improvement stores and FEMA have teamed up to provide free information to survivors repairing or rebuilding their homes safer and stronger following Louisiana’s August severe storms and floods.

FEMA mitigation specialists will provide information at the following area Doug Ashy Building Materials, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Stine Lumber stores Monday, Oct. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 29. They will be available to answer questions and offer home-improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is aimed at people who prefer “do-it-yourself” projects and general contractors.

Mitigation specialists are in this Doug Ashy Building Materials store 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday:

Lafayette Parish

  • 302 E. Texas Ave., Rayne, La.

Mitigation specialists are in this Home Depot store 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday:

East Baton Rouge Parish

  • 10300 Coursey Blvd. Baton Rouge, La.

Mitigation specialists in these Lowe’s stores 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday:

East Baton Rouge Parish

  • 9460 Cortana Blvd. Baton Rouge, La. 
  • 10303 S. Mall Drive, Baton Rouge, La.

Lafayette Parish

  • 120 East Gloria Switch Road, Lafayette, La.
  • St. John the Baptist 300 W. Airline Highway, Laplace, La.

Mitigation specialists are in this Stine Lumber store 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday:

Lafayette Parish

  • 6501 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Broussard, La.

Free reference booklets, in English and Spanish, with information on protecting your home from flood damage, are available at all locations. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

Survivors who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Additional information on Louisiana’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4277, twitter.com/femaregion6, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog and http://www.fema.gov/louisiana-disaster-mitigation.

Two female FEMA employees handing mitigation information to a resident at local hardware store.

September 30, 2016 – St. Martin Parish — FEMA partnered with local hardware stores to provide an opportunity for customers to talk face-to-face with experienced personnel about building requirements, regulations and preventive measures to mitigate damages to property and life. FEMA is emphasizing alertness among communities that have been affected by past severe flood August 14, 2016 and future natural disasters to be ready for all types of emergencies. ( In the photo: local resident, Mrs. Jeanne Heller and Mrs. Cynthia H. Rawles from FEMA Mitigation division ) Photo by: Rossyveth Rey-Berríos/FEMA

Download Original

 

Continued here: 

Louisiana Flood Survivors Can Get FEMA Rebuilding Advice

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida residents returning to or repairing homes damaged by Hurricane Matthew should keep in mind that safety should always be their first consideration when inspecting and cleaning up buildings damaged by flood waters.

Below are a few simple guidelines to follow that will make the clean-up and salvage process safer and easier:

  • Always wear protective clothing including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, rubber or plastic gloves and waterproof boots or shoes.

  • Before entering your home, look outside for damaged power lines, gas lines and other exterior damage.

  • Take photos of your damage before you begin clean up and save repair receipts.

  • Your home may be contaminated with mold, which raises the health risk for those with asthma, allergies and breathing conditions. Refer to the Center for Disease Control for more info on mold: www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/pdf/flyer-get-rid-of-mold.pdf.

  • Open doors and windows so your house can air out before spending any length of time inside.

  • Turn off main electrical power and water systems and don’t use gas appliances until a professional can ensure they are safe.

  • Check all ceilings and floors for signs of sagging or other potentially dangerous structural damage.

  • Throw out all foods, beverages and medicines exposed to flood waters or mud including canned goods and containers with food or liquid.

  • Also, throw out any items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected (mattresses, carpeting, stuffed animals, etc.).

  • Beware of snakes, insects, alligators and other animals that may be on your property or in your home.

  • Remove all drywall and insulation that has been in contact with flood waters.

  • Clean all hard surfaces (flooring, countertops, appliances, sinks, etc.) thoroughly with hot water and soap or detergent.

Before returning to your home, make sure you have the following items among your clean-up and salvage supplies: government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, etc.) and proof of address; bottled water and non-perishable foods; first aid kit; cleanser or hand cleaning gel; hygiene products and toilet paper; insect repellent and sunscreen; flashlights and extra batteries; camera or cell phone to document damage; a list of important phone numbers; and plenty of cash (ATMs may not work).

It’s also smart to create a back-up communication plan with family and friends in case you’re unable to call from your home or other areas affected by the hurricane.

If you haven’t done so already, report your damage from the hurricane to your insurance company and local emergency manager.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog. For imagery, video, graphics and releases, see www.fema.gov/hurricane-Matthew.

See the article here:  

Tips for Cleaning Your Home after Hurricane Matthew

DENTON, Texas –– New flood maps become effective for portions of Lubbock County on Friday Feb. 3, 2017. Residents are encouraged to examine them so they can determine their need to buy flood insurance. When the risks are known, individuals and community leaders can make informed decisions about building and development.

Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover the effects of flooding. Anyone without flood insurance runs the risk of uninsured losses to their homes, personal property and businesses. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy, or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is a voluntary program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Residents with federal mortgages must have flood insurance if the structures are in flood hazard areas. Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events.

Your local floodplain administrator can tell you if your community participates in the NFIP. He or she can also help you review the new flood maps. “We have to know what our risks are in order to prepare for them,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Floods can happen anywhere.”

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat. 

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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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 us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov

Credit – 

Lubbock County Texas Flood Maps Become Final

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 4th.

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.

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.

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

BATON ROUGE, La. – Sixty days have passed since torrential rains caused historic flooding in Louisiana. The August storms dumped an estimated seven trillion gallons of rainwater across southern Louisiana—more than four times the amount of water contained in Lake Pontchartrain.

Even before the flood waters subsided, members of federal, state, and voluntary agencies quickly responded to provide disaster assistance. Signs of recovery are visible as disaster assistance funds and other forms of relief continue to reach survivors.

Assistance to Individuals

To date, more than 150,000 individuals and families have registered for FEMA disaster assistance. Survivors can register with FEMA by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading the FEMA mobile app.

  • Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) specialists continue to visit affected neighborhoods to help survivors register for assistance.
  • These specialists have met face-to-face with more than 117,000 individuals and registered more than 4,000 applicants.
  • Survivors have also had the option to visit Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) for registration and other assistance from representatives of FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other organizations. More than 58,000 survivors have been assisted by DRC staffers.
  • Survivors can locate a DRC near them by going online to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers, calling the FEMA helpline, or downloading the FEMA mobile app.

Survivors have been given more than $695 million in disaster assistance through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.

  • Of that number, more than $558 million in housing assistance has gone to helping survivors find temporary housing solutions and rebuild their homes. This money has contributed to a variety of beneficial programs, including:

  • Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA), which allows eligible survivors to stay in hotel rooms billed directly to FEMA. Currently, 2,503 applicants are taking advantage of TSA.

  • Rental Assistance, which allows eligible survivors to receive funding to pay for temporary rental housing. More than $120 million in rental assistance has been approved.

  • Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs), specialized housing units that serve as a last-resort option for survivors who cannot find other viable housing solutions. To date, 448 applicants are licensed in to MHUs. 

  • An additional $136 million was given out for Other Needs Assistance, which helps survivors cover the costs of necessary items and services such as transportation, medical and dental expenses, clothing and funeral costs.

Public Assistance

More than $187 million in disaster assistance has been awarded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program for flood-related costs such as:

  • emergency response operations;

  • road reconstruction;

  • police vehicles; and

  • debris removal

The Public Assistance program is helping the state of Louisiana and local jurisdictions to fund debris removal operations. The flooding generated an estimated 4 million cubic yards of debris; to date, 88 percent of that has been removed.

SBA Assistance

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than 12,500 low-interest disaster loans totaling $916 million. While these loans cannot duplicate benefits from insurance or other federal aid, they are available to businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters.

NFIP Claims

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid out $776 million on more than 29,000 claims. FEMA recommends homeowners and renters invest in flood insurance; residents do not have to live in a floodplain to be eligible for flood insurance and its benefits.

USDA Assistance

To date, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has given out more than $48 million through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households received another $30 million in disaster-related benefits.

AmeriCorps Assistance

Members of AmeriCorps have assessed nearly 400 flood-damaged homes and performed muck-and-gut operations on 339 of those homes, removing nearly 15,000 cubic yards of debris.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Nearly 700 applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance were approved for more than $595,000. This assistance goes directly to survivors who lost their jobs due to the flooding.

Crisis Counseling

More than 1,400 households have taken advantage of disaster-related crisis counseling, meeting with counselors in shelters, DRCs and via community outreach.
Grant funding has also been requested for the Crisis Counseling Regular Services Program, which would allow survivors to receive crisis counseling for the nine months following the disaster declaration. 
 

View original post here:

Sixty Days Later: Signs of Recovery as Work Continues

RALEIGH, N.C. — Disaster survivors in Beaufort, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Hoke, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt, and Robeson Counties are encouraged to register for federal disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Individuals, including homeowners, renters, and business owners, in the above designated counties who suffered loss or damages due to Hurricane Matthew may register for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by downloading the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), the number is also 1-800-621-3362.  For people using TTY, the number is 1-800-462-7585.

These toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice; operators are standing by to assist survivors in multiple languages.

The President declared a major disaster October 10, 2016 for the above North Carolina counties to assist individuals and households as they recover from the effects of Hurricane Matthew beginning October 4, 2016 and continuing.

Grant assistance provided by FEMA for homeowners and renters can include funds to help with rent, temporary housing and home repairs to their primary residences, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as personal and necessary items, moving and storage expenses, transportation,  medical and dental expenses, or funeral and burial and reinternment costs caused by the disaster. Other relief programs include crisis counseling and legal assistance.

Survivors should also contact their insurance company to file an insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or 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.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Original article:  

North Carolina Residents Encouraged to Register for Federal Assistance

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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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.

Originally from:

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

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