Resolve to be Ready in Florida, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready in Florida, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

ATLANTA — This year was characterized by extremely active and devastating weather events across the country; flooding in the Southeast as a result of Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Isaac, wildfires across the Midwest, and Hurricane Sandy which devastated parts of the Northeast and was the second-largest Atlantic storm on record.

As 2012 comes to a close and people make resolutions for the new year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) are encouraging everyone to Resolve to be Ready in 2013 by committing to emergency preparedness.

“While Florida is known as the most hurricane-prone state in the nation, there are an abundance of severe weather threats that require all Floridians to be prepared year-round,” said FDEM Director Bryan W. Koon. “Making emergency preparedness a resolution for your family or business is a great way to get motivated and be prepared for whatever 2013 may bring to the Sunshine State.”

As we have seen in 2012, including the recent severe weather affecting many parts of the country during the holidays, disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, and being prepared is one of the most effective things we can do to protect our homes, businesses and loved ones.  Resolve to be Ready in 2013 is a nationwide effort to increase awareness and encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the new year. 

“Resolve to be Ready is one new year’s resolution you’ll want to keep,” said FEMA Region IV Administrator Phil May. “There are simple steps you can take to prepare for emergencies, such as putting together an emergency supply kit and creating a family emergency plan. Taking these steps will help keep you and your family safe, and could be the most important pledge you make.”

By making a resolution to take a few simple steps in advance, people can minimize the impact of an emergency on their families, homes and businesses.  To take the pledge, visit www.ready.gov/resolve or www.listo.gov, which includes free information, checklists and guidelines about how to put together a kit and make a plan.

Here are a few important tips to get you started:

  • Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area and learn what you need to do to get ready for them. One way you can do this is by signing up to receive information on your mobile device.  Here are a few agency websites that offer timely information:
  • Make a family emergency plan so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones when a disaster strikes. Think about how you would reach your kids at school or your spouse at work. If you had to evacuate, where would you go? Thinking this through in advance will make a big difference.
  • Build two emergency supply kits – one for home and one for the car – that include water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or are stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.
  • Get Involved.  Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community. Contact your local Citizen Corps.

Spread the word to your loved ones and encourage them to Resolve to be Ready in 2013. Anyone can learn more by visiting Ready.gov or Listo.gov.  

To learn more about severe weather in Florida, and to Get A Plan!, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org or www.kidsgetaplan.com, and follow FDEM on Twitter at @FLSERT, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT and on Google+ at FLSERT.

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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Resolve to be Ready in Florida, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready in Tennessee, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready in Tennessee, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

ATLANTA — This year was characterized by extremely active and devastating weather events across the country; flooding in the Southeast as a result of Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Isaac, wildfires across the Midwest, and Hurricane Sandy which devastated parts of the Northeast and was the second-largest Atlantic storm on record.

As 2012 comes to a close and people make resolutions for the new year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) are encouraging everyone to Resolve to be Ready in 2013 by committing to emergency preparedness.

“The right time to get ready for any emergency is right now,” said TEMA Director Jim Bassham.  “Don’t wait until tomorrow and then decide to get your emergency plans in place. Take the time now to get an emergency kit together so you and your family are ready today for tomorrow’s disaster.”

As we have seen in 2012, including the recent severe weather affecting many parts of the country during the holidays, disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, and being prepared is one of the most effective things we can do to protect our homes, businesses and loved ones.  Resolve to be Ready in 2013 is a nationwide effort to increase awareness and encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the new year. 

“Resolve to be Ready is one new year’s resolution you’ll want to keep,” said FEMA Region IV Administrator Phil May. “There are simple steps you can take to prepare for emergencies, such as putting together an emergency supply kit and creating a family emergency plan. Taking these steps will help keep you and your family safe, and could be the most important pledge you make.”

By making a resolution to take a few simple steps in advance, people can minimize the impact of an emergency on their families, homes and businesses.  To take the pledge, visit www.ready.gov/resolve or www.listo.gov, which includes free information, checklists and guidelines about how to put together a kit and make a plan.

Here are a few important tips to get you started:

  • Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area and learn what you need to do to get ready for them. One way you can do this is by signing up to receive information on your mobile device.  Here are a few agency websites that offer timely information:
  • Make a family emergency plan so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones when a disaster strikes. Think about how you would reach your kids at school or your spouse at work. If you had to evacuate, where would you go? Thinking this through in advance will make a big difference.
  • Build two emergency supply kits – one for home and one for the car – that include water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or are stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.
  • Get Involved.  Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community. Contact your local Citizen Corps.

Spread the word to your loved ones and encourage them to Resolve to be Ready in 2013. Anyone can learn more by visiting Ready.gov or Listo.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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Resolve to be Ready in Tennessee, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready in Alabama, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready in Alabama, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

ATLANTA — This year was characterized by extremely active and devastating weather events across the country; flooding in the Southeast as a result of Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Isaac, wildfires across the Midwest, and Hurricane Sandy which devastated parts of the Northeast and was the second-largest Atlantic storm on record.

As 2012 comes to a close and people make resolutions for the new year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) are encouraging everyone to Resolve to be Ready in 2013 by committing to emergency preparedness.

“In Alabama we have learned being ready is no longer an option, it is truly a must,” says AEMA Director Art Faulkner. “Alabama has a very unique weather pattern so people can no longer look at the calendar and say they will be prepared this month and not the next, we all must be prepared daily.”

As we have seen in 2012, including the recent severe weather affecting many parts of the country during the holidays, disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, and being prepared is one of the most effective things we can do to protect our homes, businesses and loved ones.  Resolve to be Ready in 2013 is a nationwide effort to increase awareness and encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the new year. 

“Resolve to be Ready is one new year’s resolution you’ll want to keep,” said FEMA Region IV Administrator Phil May. “There are simple steps you can take to prepare for emergencies, such as putting together an emergency supply kit and creating a family emergency plan. Taking these steps will help keep you and your family safe, and could be the most important pledge you make.”

By making a resolution to take a few simple steps in advance, people can minimize the impact of an emergency on their families, homes and businesses.  To take the pledge, visit www.ready.gov/resolve or www.listo.gov, which includes free information, checklists and guidelines about how to put together a kit and make a plan.

Here are a few important tips to get you started:

  • Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area and learn what you need to do to get ready for them. One way you can do this is by signing up to receive information on your mobile device.  Here are a few agency websites that offer timely information:
  • Make a family emergency plan so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones when a disaster strikes. Think about how you would reach your kids at school or your spouse at work. If you had to evacuate, where would you go? Thinking this through in advance will make a big difference.
  • Build two emergency supply kits – one for home and one for the car – that include water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or are stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.
  • Get Involved.  Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community. Contact your local Citizen Corps.

Spread the word to your loved ones and encourage them to Resolve to be Ready in 2013. Anyone can learn more by visiting Ready.gov or Listo.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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Resolve to be Ready in Alabama, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready in Kentucky, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Resolve to be Ready in Kentucky, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

ATLANTA — This year was characterized by extremely active and devastating weather events across the country; flooding in the Southeast as a result of Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Isaac, wildfires across the Midwest, and Hurricane Sandy which devastated parts of the Northeast and was the second-largest Atlantic storm on record.

As 2012 comes to a close and people make resolutions for the new year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) are encouraging everyone to Resolve to be Ready in 2013 by committing to emergency preparedness.

“Although local, state and federal governments are ready to assist the public during times of emergencies and disasters, preparedness starts at home.  In the event of large scale disasters, it may take time to respond immediately,” said KYEM Director John W. Heltzel.

“The severe weather and tornadoes that destroyed much of West Liberty last March and other past disasters have taught us many valuable lessons which we continue to learn from,” continued Heltzel. “One of the most important lessons is the value of individual and family preparedness.”

As we have seen in 2012, including the recent severe weather affecting many parts of the country during the holidays, disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, and being prepared is one of the most effective things we can do to protect our homes, businesses and loved ones.  Resolve to be Ready in 2013 is a nationwide effort to increase awareness and encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the new year. 

“Resolve to be Ready is one new year’s resolution you’ll want to keep,” said FEMA Region IV Administrator Phil May. “There are simple steps you can take to prepare for emergencies, such as putting together an emergency supply kit and creating a family emergency plan. Taking these steps will help keep you and your family safe, and could be the most important pledge you make.”

By making a resolution to take a few simple steps in advance, people can minimize the impact of an emergency on their families, homes and businesses.  To take the pledge, visit www.ready.gov/resolve or www.listo.gov, which includes free information, checklists and guidelines about how to put together a kit and make a plan.

Here are a few important tips to get you started:

  • Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area and learn what you need to do to get ready for them. One way you can do this is by signing up to receive information on your mobile device.  Here are a few agency websites that offer timely information:
  • Make a family emergency plan so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones when a disaster strikes. Think about how you would reach your kids at school or your spouse at work. If you had to evacuate, where would you go? Thinking this through in advance will make a big difference.
  • Build two emergency supply kits – one for home and one for the car – that include water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or are stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.
  • Get Involved.  Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community. Contact your local Citizen Corps.

Spread the word to your loved ones and encourage them to Resolve to be Ready in 2013. Anyone can learn more by visiting Ready.gov or Listo.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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See the article here:

Resolve to be Ready in Kentucky, Commit to Emergency Preparedness in 2013!

Several Resources Available to Help Business Owners Recover from Sandy

NEW YORK ­­­­– Getting local businesses back up and running is a key part of a community’s recovery after a disaster. Several of FEMA’s federal, state, local and private sector partners have programs in place to support New York businesses after Hurricane Sandy:

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has low-interest loans available for businesses and most private nonprofits for up to $2 million dollars for physical property losses. Small businesses and most private nonprofits can also apply for economic injury loans for up to

$2 million. Interested businesses can apply at any of the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, SBA Business Recovery Centers, online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or contact the SBA at 800-659-2955.

NYC Economic Development Corporation established a Hurricane Sandy Emergency Loan Fund to support NYC small businesses with their recovery and clean-up efforts. This loan program will provide $10 million in low-interest loans to businesses, ranging from

$5,000 – $25,000 for each loan. Funds can be used to replace or repair damaged assets, or to make up for working capital losses incurred due to business interruption. For additional details and information on how to apply, businesses should visit: http://www.nybdc.com/HurricaneSandySmallBusinessReliefFund.html.

Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency’s Emergency Sales Tax Relief Program gives an exemption of State and County Sales Tax of 8.625 percent to small businesses in Suffolk County on purchases up to $100,000 for building materials or replacing damaged equipment.  Businesses can visit: www.suffolkIDA.org or call 631-853-4802 for additional information or to fill out an application.

National Grid Hurricane Sandy Relief Program provides grants up to $250,000 to National Grid commercial, industrial or multi-family residential gas customers that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Eligible customers can use program funds for energy infrastructure repairs or replacement, rehabilitation of buildings, and costs associated with replacement of machinery or equipment necessary for the operation of the businesses. Funding consideration will be based on documented financial need and impact to the community. To determine eligibility and for additional information, customers should contact National Grid at 855-496-9359.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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Several Resources Available to Help Business Owners Recover from Sandy

Disaster Recovery Centers Resume Normal Hours after Holiday

NEW YORK – Starting today Wed., Dec. 26, all Disaster Recovery Centers have resumed normal operating hours. Next week, recovery centers will host storm survivors until noon New Year’s Eve, will not be open on New Year’s Day and will return to business as usual Wed.,Jan. 2, 2013.

Since Nov. 1, New York Disaster Recovery Centers have offered information and help to more than 107,000 people affected by Hurricane Sandy. Individuals may visit any of the centers to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration or seek assistance in a variety of other ways. 

County by county and borough by borough, New York Disaster Recovery Centers currently are located at:

Nassau

Recreation and Ice Arena

700 Magnolia Blvd.

Long Beach, NY 11561

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

  

Sacred Heart Parish

RR station parking lot

127 Long Beach Rd.

Island Park, NY 11558

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Cedar Creek Park

Merrick Rd. East

Seaford, NY 11783

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Marjorie Post Community Center

477 Unqua Rd.

Massapequa, NY 11758

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Young Israel

Gymnasium

859 Peninsula Blvd.

Woodmere, NY 11598

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fri.

Closed Sat.

 

Freeport Recreation Center

130 E. Merrick Rd.

Freeport, NY 11520

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Manhattan

Southbridge Towers 

Store No. 10

66 Frankfort St. New York, NY  10038

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

.

Queens

Fort Tilden Park

415 State Rd.

Breezy Point, NY 11697

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Community Church of the Nazarene

1414 Central Ave.

Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

American Legion

209 Cross Bay Blvd.

Broad Channel, NY 11693

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Storefront

1001 Beach 20th St.

Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Arverne by the Sea

68-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

Arverne, NY 11692

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Richmond

Kia in Staten Island

1976 Hylan Blvd.

Staten Island, NY 10306

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Suffolk

Town Hall West

401 Main St.

Islip, NY 11751

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Mastic Recreation Community Center

15 Herkimer St.

Mastic, NY 11950

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Lindenhurst Library

1 Lee Ave.

Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Kings

Holy Family R.C. Church

9719 Flatlands Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11236

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Coffey Park

85 Richards St.

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Knights of Columbus Hall

2882 Gerritsen Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11229

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Social Security Building

Gravesend

10 Bouck Court

Brooklyn, NY 11223

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Jewish Community Center

YM-YWHA

3300 Coney Island Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11235

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

MCU parking lot

1904 Surf Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11224

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

To find the nearest recovery center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, check out the Disaster Recovery Center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals can find a recovery center – and register for FEMA help – online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or downloading the FEMA app. They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Original article – 

Disaster Recovery Centers Resume Normal Hours after Holiday

Grant Will Help Sandy Survivors with Unmet Needs

NEW YORK—New York State survivors of Hurricane Sandy whose disaster-related needs cannot be met with existing federal and state assistance will now have access to case management services to identify additional resources for their recovery.

The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that more than $9.6 million in federal funds has been made available for the Disaster Case Management program, which is fully funded by FEMA and administered by the state in partnership with nonprofit, community-based agencies.

Through this program, disaster survivors will have a single point of contact for a broad range of services to help identify resources to meet their needs.

“It’s going to take the whole community working together to help New Yorkers with their recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “Disaster case management is an integral part of helping survivors become self-sufficient. This grant brings together the resources of the state and federal government, in coordination with local communities, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, to match the needs of survivors with the services available within their communities.”

Case managers will assist disaster survivors in developing a goal-oriented plan for their recovery, match survivors’ essential needs to available resources in the area and monitor their progress toward reaching recovery goals. Services are available to any survivor with disaster-caused unmet needs.

At the request of the state, the program is operating in Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties and offering case management services for up to 24 months.

The State of New York is working with FEMA on a request for additional disaster case management assistance in the five boroughs of New York City.

Survivors who have unmet needs are encouraged to call 2-1-1 for information on services available in their area and referrals to case management services.  For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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Grant Will Help Sandy Survivors with Unmet Needs

FEMA’s Partners Helping Fund Housing Repairs in NYC

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is just one part of the disaster recovery team. A variety of local, state and federal resources are available to help New Yorkers repair or rebuild their homes.

FEMA has approved $700 million in housing assistance for individuals and families. The assistance can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

To be considered for eligibility, Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York should register before the Jan. 28, 2013 deadline.

Individuals can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate

24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

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The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York has made $1 billion in Disaster Relief Funding available to 340 community based lenders to help rebuild in the states of New York and New Jersey. The funding is available to be used as immediate “gap financing.” The $1 billion CLP commitment can be used for any residential lending activity for households whose incomes are at or below 115 percent of the area median income.

The funds can be used for Public/Private infrastructure projects, such as roads, utilities and sewers. For more information, visit: www.fhlbny.com/.

______________________________________________________________________________

Community Development Corporation of Long Island is offering an emergency home repair loan fund that is available to assist homeowners with loans up to $5,000 for homeowners whose incomes are under 120 percent of the area median income, roughly at or below $129,000 for a family of four. For more information, visit: www.cdcli.org/.

______________________________________________________________________________

Governor Cuomo’s Disaster Homeownership Repair and Rebuilding Fund.

This is a grant and does not require repayment. 

The grant can provide up to an additional $10,000 for survivors who have already qualified for FEMA housing assistance and received the maximum grant of $31,900, and the FEMA award did not cover the full cost of making essential repairs.

This funding cannot duplicate assistance received from other governmental agencies or insurance.

The survivors eligible for this assistance will be referred from FEMA to the state and contacted directly.

For more information on this program, visit: http://scoem.suffolkcountyny.gov/OEM/DisasterHomeownershipRepairandRebuildingFund.aspx.

For more information about how New York State can help you, call: (855) 697-7263.

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

To expand housing options for families displaced by Hurricane Sandy, HUD is allowing local public housing agencies to increase their rent payment standard up to 120 percent of the published “Fair Market Rent” (FMR), thereby giving low-income families more options in finding available housing. For families impacted by Hurricane Sandy, HUD is granting a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures of FHA-insured home mortgages. For more information on HUD, visit hportal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD.

Home Affordable Modification Program

Homeowners struggling to stay in their homes may be eligible to apply for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in order to lower their monthly mortgage payments and make them more affordable.

Homeowners should contact their mortgage servicer as soon as possible to begin the HAMP evaluation process.

In order to help with the housing crunch, homeowner eligibility has been widened to include:

  • Homeowners who are applying for a modification on a home that is not their primary residence, but the property is currently rented or the homeowner intends to rent it.
  • Homeowners who previously did not qualify for HAMP because their debt-to-income ratio was 31 percent or lower.
  • Homeowners who previously received a HAMP trial period plan, but defaulted in their trial payments.
  • Homeowners who previously received a HAMP permanent modification, but defaulted in their payments, therefore losing good standing. 

For more information visit: http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/programs/lower-payments/Pages/hamp.aspx

_____________________________________________________________________________

The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing low-interest disaster loans of up to $200,000 for qualified homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate. In addition, renters and homeowners may get up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. For more information, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing low-interest disaster loans of up to $200,000 for qualified homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate. In addition, renters and homeowners may get up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. For more information, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

Continue reading – 

FEMA’s Partners Helping Fund Housing Repairs in NYC

Give Your Loved Ones The Gift Of Emergency Preparedness

TRENTON, N.J. — With the holidays fast approaching, New Jersey residents might want to consider giving gifts that will help protect their family members and friends during a future emergency. Supplies for an emergency preparedness kit can make unique — and potentially life-saving — holiday gifts.

Excellent emergency preparedness gifts include:

  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
  • A quality flashlight and extra batteries.
  • Solar-powered cell phone charger.
  • Smoke detector and/or carbon monoxide detectors.
  • First aid kit.
  • Fire extinguisher and fire escape ladder.
  • Enrollment in a CPR or first aid class.
  • Books, coloring books, crayons and board games for the kids, in case the power goes out.
  • Personal hygiene comfort kit, including shampoo, body wash, wash cloth, hairbrush, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant.
  • A waterproof pouch or backpack containing any of the above items, or with such things as a rain poncho, moist towelettes, work gloves, batteries, duct tape, whistle, food bars, etc.

Holiday shoppers might also consider giving a winter car kit, equipped with a shovel, ice scraper, emergency flares, fluorescent distress flags and jumper cables. For animal lovers, a pet disaster kit with emergency food, bottled water, toys and a leash is also a good gift.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency urge Garden State residents to give at least one of these practical gifts – either as a present under the  tree or as a stocking stuffer. It might just save the life of a friend or family member. For more information, preparedness tips or other gift ideas, visit www.Ready.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.

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.

Visit site – 

Give Your Loved Ones The Gift Of Emergency Preparedness

Disaster Recovery Centers Change Hours for Holidays

TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey disaster recovery centers will continue to provide assistance for Hurricane Sandy survivors during the holiday season.

The centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The Hoboken center will be closed all day on Christmas Eve. All centers will be closed Christmas Day. Normal hours will resume Wednesday, Dec. 26.

The centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. They will be closed New Year’s Day. Normal hours will resume Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013.

Survivors can visit any of the centers to meet with Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster specialists, receive assistance about low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration and find information about other disaster assistance programs.

Non-holiday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The centers are currently located at:

Bergen County

Bergen County Plaza

1 Bergen Plaza

4th Floor

Hackensack, NJ 07652

Essex County

Willing Heart Community Care Center

555 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Newark, NJ 07103

Hudson County

City Hall

94 Washington St.

Hoboken, NJ 07030

Bayonne City Museum

229 Broadway

Bayonne, NJ 07002

Jersey City Museum

350 Montgomery St.

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Middlesex County

Sayreville Senior Center

423 Main St.

Sayreville, NJ 08872

Woodbridge Health Center

2 George Frederick Plaza

Woodbridge, NJ 07095

Monmouth County

Belmar Municipal Building

601 Main St.

Belmar, NJ 07719

Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center

945 Highway 36

Leonardo, NJ 07737

Long Branch Fire Station No. 4

199-205 Union Ave.

Long Branch, NJ 07740

Union Beach Municipal Building

650 Poole Ave.

Union Beach, NJ 07735

Ocean County

Bay Head Fire Station No. 1

81 Bridge Ave.

Bay Head, NJ 08742

Dec. 24 hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The center’s regular hours of 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. will change to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 26

Bell Crest Plaza Store Front 4C

953 Fischer Blvd.

Toms River, NJ 08753

Brick Township Civic Center

270 Chambers Bridge Road

Brick, NJ 08723

Harvey Cedars Bible Conference Center

12 Cedars Ave.

Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008

Little Egg Harbor Senior Center

641 Radio Road

Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08087

Old Township Building

775 East Bay Ave.

Stafford, NJ 08050

Passaic County

Passaic County Department of Health

317 Pennsylvania Ave.

Paterson, NJ 07503

Union County

Gregorio Recreation Center

330 Helen St.

Linden, NJ 07036

Plainfield Senior Citizen’s Service Center

400 East Front St.

Plainfield, NJ 07060

To find the nearest recovery center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, visit the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

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.

More here: 

Disaster Recovery Centers Change Hours for Holidays

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