FEMA Outlines a Decade of Progress after Hurricane Katrina

WASHINGTON – August 2015 marks the tenth year since the devastating 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season.  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hurricane Katrina was one of the strongest storms to impact the coast of the United States, causing widespread devastation and affecting an estimated 90,000 square miles along the central Gulf Coast states. Less than a month later, Hurricane Rita and then Hurricane Wilma in October made landfall compounding an already catastrophic situation.

Ten years into the recovery, FEMA continues to support communities and families, working side-by-side with state, local, and tribal partners to finish the job of rebuilding communities that are the economic engines and lifeblood of the Gulf Coast. To date, FEMA has provided $6.7 billion to more than one million individuals and households.  FEMA provided more than $131 billion to the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida for public works projects in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to assist with recovery efforts.  

“Today, FEMA has the authority necessary to lean forward and leverage the entire emergency management team in response and recovery efforts,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  “This team includes not only government but also the private sector, non-profits, and citizens themselves.  We support survivors and this holistic approach emphasizes the importance of working as a team to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

Since 2005, FEMA has significantly improved its ability to assist communities in responding to and recovering from disasters. With the support of Congress, FEMA was provided additional authorities and tools to become a more effective and efficient agency, one that is focused on putting survivors first.  Specifically, the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) of 2006, gave FEMA clear guidance on its mission and priorities, and provided the legislative authorities needed to better partner with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments before, during, and after disasters.  These improvements include:

  • Improved ability to provide support to states and tribes ahead of a disaster. Since 2005, FEMA gained statutory authority to surge resources to states, tribes, and territories ahead of a disaster should the capacity of states, tribes or territories become overwhelmed.  This authority expedites FEMA’s ability to respond to disasters if and when a state, tribe or territory requests support and a disaster is declared by the President. 
  • Development of a National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF). PKEMRA required FEMA, along with its partners, to develop a national disaster recovery strategy to guide recovery efforts after major disasters and emergencies. The NDRF clearly defines coordination structures, leadership roles and responsibilities, and guidance for federal agencies, state, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and other partners involved in disaster planning and recovery.
  • Establishment of Incident Management Assistance Teams.  These full time, rapid response teams are able to deploy within two hours and arrive at an incident within 12 hours to support the local incident commander. The teams support the initial establishment of a unified command and provide situational awareness for federal and state decision makers crucial to determining the level and type of immediate federal support that may be required.
  • Improved Search and Rescue capability.  Since 2005, FEMA has better integrated search and rescue assets from across diverse Federal agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of the Interior. 
  • Establish the Regional Emergency Communications Coordination Working Groups (RECCWGs) to serve as the primary focal points for interoperable communications coordination among federal, state, local, tribal and territorial emergency responders. The statute charges these RECCWGs with coordinating effective multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency emergency communications networks for use during disasters and emergencies.
  • Enhanced partnerships with the private sector. As part of this effort, FEMA established the National Business Emergency Operations Center that serves as a clearinghouse for two-way information sharing between public and private sector stakeholders in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating disasters.
  • Support for the inclusion of people with access and functional needs. The Office of Disability Integration and Coordination was established to provide technical assistance and guidance for a wide range of emergency management activities, including equal access to emergency programs and services and meeting the access and functional needs of the whole community. This includes: preparedness, exercises, emergency alerting, accessible transportation and shelter accessibility guidance, assistive technology devices for accessible communication, accessible housing and grant guidance to states for accessibility, and partnership and stakeholder outreach.

For more information on FEMA’s continued work to support communities and families along the Gulf Coast, visit our Hurricane Katrina: A Decade of Progress through Partnerships website.

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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.

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FEMA Outlines a Decade of Progress after Hurricane Katrina

United Efforts in Circle Bring Completion to Home Repairs

ANCHORAGE, AK – The final six repairs to homes in Circle damaged as a result of last year’s spring breakup flooding along the Yukon River have been completed thanks to a united effort that included faith-based skilled volunteers, the State of Alaska and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

For more than six weeks, 27 Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers worked nearly 3,000 hours to complete the final repairs. Last summer, 27 Mennonite volunteers, three of whom returned to Circle this year, completed work on eight homes in the Interior Alaska community.

“I think the fact that MDS had been there in 2013 helped pave the way for us,” said Mennonite Disaster Service team leader Harold Miller. “We were not new to the community and the quality of our work had been established, so we just really only finished what had already been started.”

Circle’s First Chief Jessica Boyle and Second Chief Tanya Carrol welcomed the rebuilding help.

“I think the Mennonites are the best thing that’s happened to this community since the flood,” Boyle said. “I don’t think a lot of people’s homes would have gotten repaired if they were not involved. They are master carpenters. These guys are craftsmen and they did more than I ever expected.”

According to Miller, the MDS mission is to restore hope. Miller said it took volunteers along with FEMA and the State of Alaska to make it happen in Circle.

Unlike other communities affected by the 2013 floods which are only accessible by air or barge, a 160-mile-long road connects Circle with Fairbanks. This allowed FEMA to transport construction supplies, equipment and other materials directly to the area. The state and FEMA also arranged for local lodging and in-state air travel for the volunteers.

“It was a real pleasure working with FEMA and the State of Alaska to get the needed materials and having them arrive in a timely manner,” Miller said. “I sincerely hope that any future disasters bring together the same partnerships to provide healing to those families whose homes have been damaged.”

In addition to leaving behind habitable homes for survivors, the Mennonites also left behind a reminder of the friendships made and the mission that brought them to the small, self-reliant community of about 90 people, primarily Athabascan Natives. The Mennonites presented homeowners and the community with a collection of handmade quilts symbolizing the unity of effort that came together in Circle.

Photos from Circle are available on the FEMA Multimedia Library at http://www.fema.gov/media-library. A video by FEMA videographer Adam DuBrowa on Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers in Circle is available on the FEMA Multimedia Library or link to the following for this news release:  https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/97269

For more information on the Mennonite Disaster Service, please visit http://www.mds.mennonite.net/home/.

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United Efforts in Circle Bring Completion to Home Repairs

Volunteers Complete Repairs to Flooded Homes in Hughes and Emmonak

ANCHORAGE, AK – Volunteers with the Disciples of Christ have returned home after repairing nine homes in Alaska that were damaged by last year’s spring breakup flooding along the Yukon River.  Last summer, the volunteers completed repairs to seven homes in Hughes. This July, a team of 11 volunteers, three of whom returned for a second season, finished construction on two homes in Emmonak.

“It went really well,” said Disciples of Christ Volunteer Team Leader, David Bell. “We were able to get on the ground and start working right away. Before we knew it, everything was completed.”

Bell attributed much of the success to preparations made by the State of Alaska and the Federal Emergency Management Agency before volunteers arrived. Because Emmonak is not connected to Alaska’s road system, the agency flew in building materials ordered by the eligible homeowners, along with construction tools and safety gear for the teams. The agency also arranged for local lodging and in-state air travel for the volunteers.

“Our goal was to ensure survivors could occupy their repaired homes before the onset of winter. By doing so, we not only provided them a safe and secure place to live, but also helped sustain the culture and fabric of the community,” said State Coordinating Officer, Bryan Fisher. “The Disciples of Christ have been exceptional partners in this effort.”

Following flooding that occurred along the Yukon River in May 2013, six communities needed assistance from the State of Alaska and FEMA in repairing or rebuilding homes, including Emmonak and Hughes. To date, all repairs and rebuilds have been completed in Emmonak, Fort Yukon and Hughes with work in Alakanuk, Circle and Galena still underway and slated to be completed this summer.

The western Alaskan village of Emmonak, located less than 10 miles from the Bering Sea and 490 air miles from Anchorage, has over 750 residents, predominantly Yupik Natives. Many of the locals live a subsistence lifestyle, relying on fishing and hunting during the summer and fall months to feed their families.

Hughes, a small Koyukon Athabascan community of less than 90 people, is located in central, Interior Alaska on the banks of the Koyukuk River about 210 air miles from Fairbanks. Like Emmonak, most locals in Hughes practice a traditional, subsistence lifestyle.

Photos of Disciples of Christ volunteers repairing homes in Emmonak, taken by team leader David Bell, are available on the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s website or link to the following for this news release:  

http://ready.alaska.gov/riverwatch/Emmonak

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Volunteers Complete Repairs to Flooded Homes in Hughes and Emmonak

More Bang for the Buck – Inexpensive Disaster Rebuilding Tips

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Repairing damage after a disaster can be expensive.  In cases of severe damage, the costs can be staggering.

However, many projects can be done for little or no money.  Most can make a big difference in helping minimize damage from the next disaster and provide the extra bonus of lowering utility and home-maintenance costs year-round.

Here are some ideas:

Cut it short.  When replacing drywall, leave a ½-inch to 1-inch gap between the bottom of the drywall sheeting and the top level of the floor.  (If adding carpet be sure the gap is above the carpeted level). Cover the gap with baseboard. Cost:  Free for this technique. Drywall and baseboard costs are separate. Benefit:  Water won’t come in contact with the drywall in a low-level flood (this includes interior liquid spills, like in a kitchen). When water meets drywall, it wicks up into the wallboard which can lead to mold if left untreated.

Power up.  Raise electrical outlets. Check first to see what local codes allow. Most don’t have restrictions on the height of an outlet above the floor.  Consider moving outlets up at least 1 foot above the minimum flood level or 24 inches above floor level. Cost: Free, if done after drywall has been removed.  If drywall is still in place, costs can vary. Benefit: Helps keep water from seepage or a low-level flood from infiltrating and damaging an electrical outlet, which can cause damage to an electrical system and normally requires an electrician to repair/replace.

Show your numbers. Add visible address numbers to the house exterior and to the street curb or mailbox.  Though it seems like a small task, it will make a difference if there is an emergency.  Large numbers are best. Cost: Most house numbers sold at home- improvement stores are 6 inches tall and cost about $2 each.  Benefit: Missing or barely visible house numbers can cause dangerous delays for emergency responders. The larger the numbers, the easier they are to see at night and during bad weather.

Put on a strip:  Install weather stripping on outside doors and windows to help seal out air and even water.  Weather stripping should seal well when a door or window is closed. Closing the gaps can save up to 15 percent in heating and cooling costs and can help minimize the intrusion of low-level water.  Cost: Weather stripping supplies and techniques range from simple to more complex but most are easily installed as do-it- yourself projects. Benefit:  Relatively easy to install, effective weather seal, durable, comes in a variety of colors. Vinyl stripping holds up well and resists moisture; metal stripping (bronze, copper, stainless steel and aluminum) lasts for years.  Both are affordable.

Caulk it up: Use caulk to seal all exterior openings, such as holes where wires, cables and pipes enter or exit a structure (winds of 74 mph can blow water up a wall about 4 feet). Caulk now comes in many types that are non-toxic and specifically designed for a number of different home-repair jobs. Cost:  All-purpose caulk, suitable for most jobs, is less than $2 a tube; for doors and windows, less than $4 a tube. Benefit: Helps prevent heat loss around windows and doors. In severe storms, a well-sealed exterior helps keep wind-driven rain and flooding from getting inside. Some caulks are designed for use in high-moisture areas.  Caulk can be used indoors or outdoors; some types can last up to 20 years.

Window well … cover it: Add a clear plastic cover over exterior window wells to help keep out debris, leaves, animals and excess water – both from the window cavity (well) and a structure’s interior.  Most covers are made from a polycarbonate plastic and specially designed for window-well areas. Cost:  Prices vary, depending on size and style, starting at $17 each and are available at most local home-improvement stores. Benefit:  Weather resistant, generally not affected by sunlight or temperature extremes.

They are easy to install and relatively maintenance free.  Many can be custom-made to fit openings of special sizes and/or shapes.

Elbow a way around: Add an elbow or drain sleeve to the bottom of downspouts to help divert water away from a structure.

Elbows can come in aluminum or flexible heavy plastic tubing and are made to fit round or square downspouts.

The flexible variety is especially good if water needs to be diverted some distance away from a structure. Cost:  Aluminum elbows start at about $4 each; metal elbows run about $6 each.  Flexible gutter elbows (heavy plastic tubing) range in size from 8 to 18 inches and costs start at $4. Benefits:  Keeps rainwater from eroding foundations and from finding its way into crawl spaces or basements.

Block that splash: Place splash blocks directly under the lower end of a downspout to stem soil erosion and divert water away from a structure. Choose blocks large enough to handle the volume of water that could come through a downspout in a heavy rainstorm. Also, place the block high enough and at enough of an angle to divert water at least 3 feet from the foundation Cost:  Plastic or fiberglass splash blocks range from $6 to $20 each. Concrete blocks average about $15 but can run as high as $45, depending on the size. Benefit: Saves damage to a structure’s foundation and helps to keep water from channeling underground (below slabs, for example) and through to the interior.

Shape up and out:  Landscaping is an effective, easy way to keep overland water at bay and make a property more attractive.  Add fill dirt with a binding material (like clay) around a foundation and angle away from the structure.  Cover with low-growing vegetation or ornamental materials, such as shredded bark or lightweight lava rock. Avoid heavier rock or landscaping gravel (unless required for drainage) to keep it from flying around and causing damage in a high-wind event. Cost: A 2 cubic foot bag of wood bark or mulch will cost about $4.  (Sometimes, communities offer free mulch after large-scale tree removal projects). The amount of bark required will depend on the coverage area.  Many low-growing, spreading plants can be purchased for less than $50. Benefit: Helps keep overland flooding from reaching a foundation and leaking inside. Foliage helps hold soil in place, naturally enhances drainage and increases curb appeal.

This list is only a sampling of do-it-yourself ideas. A variety of publications are available to provide additional information. These can be found online, at your local library or any home building store.

Before beginning any project, visit your local government’s building department to determine if a project is permissible and compliant with local laws, ordinances and codes. Building officials also can advise which projects require permits, as well as any rules and regulations that will apply and any fees associated with obtaining a permit.

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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.

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

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit  www.fema.gov or http://www.ema.alabama.gov/.  For the joint Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/AlabamaEMA. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/AlabamaEMA   or www.twitter.com/femaregion4

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More Bang for the Buck – Inexpensive Disaster Rebuilding Tips

Hundreds of Volunteers Return to Repair and Rebuild Homes

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The first teams of skilled volunteers arrived in Alaska earlier this week to continue rebuilding efforts in four Interior communities affected by the 2013 floods. The State of Alaska has been working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure a speedy recovery on all fronts, which includes bringing volunteers to the state.

“We anticipate more than 500 men and women will spend their two-week vacations installing windows, doors, roofs, plumbing and other essential components,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Willie G. Nunn. “The collective focus is to get displaced families home, make damaged residences safe and secure for occupancy, and complete our mission by September.”

According to State Coordinating Officer Bryan Fisher, this is the first housing disaster in 20 years that required two building seasons in Alaska due to the severity.

“The safety of survivors has always been our priority whenever responding to a disaster,” Fisher said. “In 2013, the volunteer groups helped us immensely by ensuring the majority of those affected were able to return home before winter.”

Following the disaster and during the gap in construction seasons, the state provided temporary housing in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Galena for those unable to return home.

Nunn stated that 116 homes were repaired or rebuilt by survivors and skilled volunteers in 2013. The work last summer was conducted in six rural Alaskan communities including Alakanuk, Circle, Emmonak, Fort Yukon, Galena and Hughes. This summer, 48 homes will be repaired or rebuilt in Alakanuk, Circle, Emmonak and Galena. The primary agencies involved with rebuilding these communities this summer are the Disciples of Christ, Lutheran Ministries, Mennonite Disaster Service, Samaritan’s Purse and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.

While many volunteers are paying their own way, the state and FEMA have partnered to help with in-state travel costs, as well as meals and accommodations while staying in affected communities. Faith-based organizations in Fairbanks and Anchorage are providing lodging, meals and local transportation for the teams before they travel to their designated communities.

Follow the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Twitter @AlaskaDHSEM and on Facebook. You can also follow the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Twitter @femaregion10.

FEMA recovery photos and videos can be found online by visiting www.fema.gov/disaster/4122, selecting “Blog, Newsroom, Videos and Photos,” and clicking on either “Photos” or “Videos” under the Multimedia Library section.
 

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Hundreds of Volunteers Return to Repair and Rebuild Homes

Multiple Sources Fund Sandy Recovery Efforts

Multiple Sources Fund Sandy Recovery Efforts

Main Content

Release date:

February 12, 2014

Release Number:

SRFO-NJ MA-001

LINCROFT, N.J. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency receives money from two different and distinct sources to help communities pay for damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

FEMA’s primary source of funding is the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), which was established by the Stafford Act. The DRF is regularly replenished to ensure that money for disaster relief and recovery is always available.

The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, also known as the Sandy Disaster Relief Act, budgeted $60 billion for relief and recovery efforts. Out of those funds, $5.4 billion was allocated directly to FEMA, and a total of $57.2 billion went to nine areas, including FEMA:

  • $9.7 billion to the National Flood Insurance Program.
  • $3.9 billion to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  • $19.8 billion for transportation, housing and urban development through the Federal Highway Administration (not connected to either the Department of Transportation or HUD).
  • $5.4 billion to the Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Authority Emergency Relief for assistance and recovery for the four major New Jersey-New York transit overseers: Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Port Authority of NY-NJ, NJ Transit and NYC DOT ferries.
  • $6.5 billion to the Department of Homeland Security.
  • $4 billion for energy and water (restoring navigation channels, beaches; assisting with dredging, sustainability and flood control efforts).
  • $1.35 billion to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • $1.166 billion to Interior and Environment to repair damaged Department of the Interior facilities and restore wetlands.

The remaining money has been allocated as follows:

  • $725 million for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (provides health services, case management, domestic violence services, child welfare/youth services and funding for the reconstruction and repair of health and child care facilities, damaged Head Start facilities, and damaged Social Security Administration buildings and equipment.)
  • $651 million for financial services (includes additional funding for the Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program and $7 million for the repair of damaged federal buildings)
  • $513.25 million for commerce, justice and science. Most of this money will go to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help improve severe weather forecasting.
  • $287 million to the Department of the Interior to repair national parks, lands and facilities.
  • $235 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs to repair the Manhattan VA hospital and other VA facilities damaged by Sandy.
  • $218 million for agriculture (emergency conservation and restoration efforts)
  • $161 million to the Small Business Administration. This will provide immediate funding for the Disaster Loan Program to repair and rebuild disaster-damaged private property for homeowners, renters, and businesses, as well as grants to assist affected small businesses.
  • $100 million to the Department of Health and Human Services (Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for disaster response and recovery efforts. Includes funding for the Social Services Block Grants program, repairs to Head Start facilities, and replacement of equipment at the National Institute of Health)
  • $88.335 million to the Department of Defense to repair military bases, armories and other installations.
  • $32 million to Amtrak to repair damaged infrastructure only. None of this money will go to Administration-requested offsets for operating revenue losses or towards construction of a long-planned Hudson River tunnel.
  • $24.2 million to the National Guard for repairs to various buildings.
  • $14.6 million to the Federal Aviation Administration to repair control towers, navigation and power systems.
  • $6 million to the Department of Agriculture to replenish food banks and soup kitchens via the Commodity Assistance Program

Last Updated:

February 13, 2014 – 12:13

State/Tribal Government or Region:

New Jersey

Related Disaster:

New Jersey Hurricane Sandy

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Multiple Sources Fund Sandy Recovery Efforts

Alaskans Encouraged to Prepare for Extreme Winter Threats

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska’s winters can bring deep cold, high winds, floods, avalanches and more. The key to surviving any unexpected weather hazard is preparation, according to state and federal emergency management officials.

“We urge all Alaskans to plan ahead for the dangerous threats our winters bring,” said State Coordinating Officer Bryan Fisher of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “Advance preparation is key to remaining self-reliant and ensuring the safety of our families during hazardous situations.”

Every part of Alaska is vulnerable to natural disasters. Wind-driven waves from intense storms crossing the Bering Sea produce coastal flooding that can drive large chunks of sea ice inland, destroying buildings near the shore.

High winds, especially across Alaska’s Arctic coast, can combine with loose snow to produce a blinding blizzard and life threatening wind chills. Extreme cold and ice fog can last a week or more at a time.

Heavy snow can impact the interior and is common along the southern coast. Heavy snow accumulation in the mountains builds glaciers, but can also cause avalanches or collapse building roofs throughout the state.

“Although there are just three steps to preparing for emergencies, folks tend to put off getting them done,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont of FEMA. “One easy approach is to make preparation a family project for just an hour or two over a couple of weekends.”

The three easy steps to prepare for winter disasters in Alaska are:

Step 1 – Make a Plan: 

  • Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another and what each of you will do in case of an emergency.
  • Decide on an emergency plan together. Keep information handy that isn’t easy to remember and store it in a safe place. Make a game or song to help younger children memorize important information.
  • Pick one friend or relative for each person to call to help your family get connected if you become separated.  An out-of-town contact is best because long-distance phone service is less likely than local service to be affected by an emergency.
  • Know where you will meet. Pick a meeting place for when family members are at home and find out the evacuation locations for work, school, day care and other place family members often go.
  • Write down important information for all family members – name, social security number, date of birth and important medical information. Collect telephone numbers for doctors and pharmacies, along with critical health, homeowner and/or rental insurance information.

Step 2 – Get a kit of emergency supplies: 

  • You may need to rely on your own supplies for at least seven days, maybe longer. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately, especially in rural parts of Alaska. Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewer and telephones could be cut off for days or longer.
  • Remember to include unique family needs like pet supplies, infant formula and medicines. Store these items in easy-to-carry bags or bins. Consider two kits – one for home and a second lightweight, portable kit to keep in your car.
  • Both kits should include a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. Thoroughly check and update your family’s emergency supply kit for winter weather.

Step 3 – Stay informed: 

  • Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected during Alaska’s winters are the same regardless of the type of emergency. However, it’s important to stay informed about the emergency that may affect your family.
  • Listen to a NOAA weather radio or local news broadcasts for critical information about changing weather conditions.
  • Follow instructions from local authorities. Above all, stay calm, be patient and think before you act.

With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected during Alaska’s unpredictable winters. Learn more at http://ready.alaska.gov and http://www.ready.gov.

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Alaskans Encouraged to Prepare for Extreme Winter Threats

NFIP Substantial Damage: What Does It Mean for Alaska’s Disaster Survivors?

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – As survivors of Alaska’s 2013 Spring Floods continue the process of rebuilding their lives and property, there is an issue many could face: “substantial damage,” as defined by the National Flood Insurance Program.

It’s common to think substantially damaged merely describes a structure that has sustained a large amount of damage by a flood or any other source such as fire, tornado or earthquake.

In reality, substantial damage is a specific term that applies to a damaged structure in a Special Flood Hazard Area – or floodplain – for which the total cost of repairs is 50 percent or more of the structure’s market value before the disaster occurred, regardless of the cause of damage.

For example, if a structure’s market value before the damage was $200,000 and repairs are estimated to cost $120,000, that structure is “substantially damaged.” Land value is excluded from the determination.

It’s important to know the percentage of structural damage because that information helps property owners decide whether to repair or replace a damaged dwelling, and whether additional work will be needed to comply with local codes and ordinances, such as elevating a house in a floodplain.

The decision about a structure being substantially damaged is made at a local government level, generally by a building official or floodplain manager.

For communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, substantial damage determinations generally are required by local floodplain management ordinances. These ordinances must be in place for residents of a community to purchase flood insurance.

To calculate substantial damage, the local official makes a visual inspection of a house, making notes of the impacts to the structure itself and, when possible, to the interior. These notes, coupled with other information such as property valuations and estimated costs to repair, are used to calculate the percentage of flood damage to the structure.

Once a determination on the percentage of damage is made, local officials then share that information with the property owners if their structure is substantially damaged.

If a building in a floodplain is determined to be substantially damaged, it must be brought into compliance with local floodplain management regulations:

  • Owners who decide to rebuild may need to elevate their structures, or change them in some other way to comply with those local floodplain regulations and avoid future flood losses.
  • Owners of non-residential structures may be allowed to flood proof their buildings instead of elevating.

For more information about how or why a substantial damage determination was made, property owners should contact their local building official.

All property owners should check with local building officials to determine if permits for repair are required before beginning the work. Depending on local codes and ordinances, there can be serious consequences for not complying with the permitting process.

Property owners who have a flood insurance policy and a substantially damaged building in a Special Flood Hazard Area may be able to use additional funds from their flood insurance policy (up to $30,000) to help defray the costs of elevating, relocating or demolishing a structure.

For more information on this provision – also known as Increased Cost of Compliance – contact your insurance agent.

For more information on general flood insurance, contact your local floodplain administrator, the National Flood Insurance Program at 800-427-4661 or your local insurance agent. Information also is available at www.fema.gov and www.floodsmart.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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NFIP Substantial Damage: What Does It Mean for Alaska’s Disaster Survivors?

Galena Disaster Recovery Center to Close Sundays

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The state and federal Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Galena has new hours of operation.

Located in the Galena Interior Learning Academy at 359 Challenger Road, the center has been operating Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays.

Starting Sunday, July 28, 2013, the center will no longer operate on Sundays. It will, however, remain open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

The center is staffed by disaster recovery specialists who can provide information and answer questions about flood-related assistance for individuals, households, and businesses affected by the 2013 spring floods.

Those with losses due to flooding between May 17 and June 11, 2013, in the Regional Educational Attendance Areas (REAAs) eligible for Individual Assistance are encouraged to register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. The eligible REAAs are Alaska Gateway, Lower Yukon, Yukon Flats, and Yukon-Koyukuk.

Registration by mobile device is also available at www.m.fema.gov.  Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use TTY can call 800-462-7585 (TTY).  Multilingual registration can be done by phone.

Staff at the recovery centers can review and update applicant information and address individual questions and concerns.

Affected individuals who have not yet registered by phone or online can also register at the DRC. If you intend to register at the center, please bring:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Current and pre-disaster address
  • Block and lot number
  • A telephone number where you can be contacted
  • Insurance information
  • Total household annual income
  • A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account). Look up your bank routing number.
  • A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster.

FEMA disaster assistance may include awards to help pay for housing, replace personal property and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. Assistance may also include low-interest federal disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

SBA offers disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations for their uncompensated losses. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace their disaster-damaged property and/or economic losses.

There are three ways to apply for an SBA disaster loan:  After registering with FEMA, go online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 (deaf and hard-of-hearing call 1-800-877-8339); or, visit the DRC for one-on-one service. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

View original article: 

Galena Disaster Recovery Center to Close Sundays

State, FEMA Galena Disaster Recovery Center Has New Hours

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The state and federal Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Galena to assist individuals, households and businesses affected by the 2013 spring floods, has new hours of operation.

Located in the Galena Interior Learning Academy, 359 Challenger Road, the center provides
face-to-face help, currently from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Starting Sunday, July 21, 2013, the new hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 12 noon Sunday.

The center is staffed by disaster recovery specialists who can provide information and answer questions about flood-related assistance.

Those with 2013 spring flooding losses are encouraged to register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Registration by mobile device is also available at www.m.fema.gov.  Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use TTY can call 800-462-7585 (TTY).  Multilingual registration can be done by phone.

Staff at the recovery centers can review and update applicant information and address individual questions and concerns.

Those individuals unable to register by phone or online may register at the DRC. If you intend to register at the center, please bring:

 

  • Your Social Security number
  • Current and pre-disaster address
  • Block and lot number
  • A telephone number where you can be contacted
  • Insurance information

Total household annual income

  • A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account). Look up your bank routing number.
  • A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster.

FEMA disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for housing, replace personal property and reimburse medical, storage and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or charities. Assistance may also include low-interest federal disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

SBA offers disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations for their uncompensated losses. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace their disaster-damaged property and/or economic losses.

There are three ways to apply for an SBA disaster loan:  After registering with FEMA, go online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 (deaf and hard-of-hearing call 1-800-877-8339); or, visit the Disaster Recovery Center for one-on-one service. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

Originally from – 

State, FEMA Galena Disaster Recovery Center Has New Hours

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