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Deadline Approaching for Tropical Storm Debby SBA Loan Applications

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Tropical Storm Debby survivors should turn in their low-interest disaster loan applications before the Sept. 4 deadline.

Survivors are encouraged to submit their applications regardless of financial condition. A loan does not have to be accepted if one is offered. However, survivors who receive loan applications must complete and return them to be eligible for other forms of assistance, such as FEMA grants that do not have to be repaid.

Disaster loan outreach centers are open until Thursday, Aug. 30, for survivors with questions regarding disaster assistance at the Hernando County Mining Association/Enrichment Center, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd. in Brooksville and Trouble Creek Square, 4444 Grand Blvd. in New Port Richey. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Survivors may obtain information on low-interest disaster loans from the SBA by calling
800-659-2955 or by visiting www.sba.gov. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-877-8339.

Applicants can sign up for Tropical Storm Debby recovery updates via email by going to www.fema.gov/disaster/4068 and clicking the subscription link. It’s a simple process that only requires a valid email address. During signup, subscribers can choose to receive updates immediately, daily or weekly.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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

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Deadline Approaching for Tropical Storm Debby SBA Loan Applications

Tropical Storm Debby Survivors Have a Week to Register for Federal Disaster Assistance

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Tropical Storm Debby survivors have a week remaining to register for federal disaster assistance.

Applications must be received by Tuesday, Sept. 4, to be considered for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Survivors who had storm-related damage to their home, vehicle, personal property, business or its inventory between June 23 and July 26 can register for assistance.

Federal disaster assistance helps eligible applicants with temporary housing, uninsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other disaster-related expenses and serious needs.

Anyone who has not registered with FEMA for disaster aid, has questions about their application or needs more information about recovery programs should call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at

800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf or hard of hearing can call (TTY) 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in many languages. Online registration is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through a smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Survivors must register with FEMA to be considered for federal disaster assistance even if they have contacted the state, their local emergency management agency, the American Red Cross or other charitable organizations.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Survivors and businesses may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) or online at www.SBA.gov. They may also apply for disaster loans at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applications are due Sept. 4.

Sign up for Tropical Storm Debby recovery updates via email by going to www.fema.gov/Disaster/4068 and clicking the subscription link. It’s a simple process that only requires a valid email address. During signup, subscribers can choose to receive updates immediately, daily or weekly.

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Tropical Storm Debby Survivors Have a Week to Register for Federal Disaster Assistance

King County Plan Accepted by the National Flood Insurance Program

SEATTLE—King County has received notification from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that their plan for how to implement the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is sufficient to protect salmon within the unincorporated portions of King County.

“We are on the path to a healthier environment, flood protection, and economic growth, through our comprehensive floodplain management program,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

King County submitted a programmatic habitat assessment of current and anticipated future impacts of regulated land-use upon Chinook and steelhead salmon and their habitats. This assessment conducted an in-depth analysis of how numerous King County regulations manage and restrict the potential for further land development within the 100-year floodplain across the county, while also promoting restoration of some natural floodplain functions and processes in some watersheds of the county. FEMA determined that the assessment was able to demonstrate that King County implements a floodplain development program that is compliant with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

This good news means that King County citizens will continue to be eligible to purchase flood insurance. The decision also allows King County to continue issuing permits for development in floodplains, as long as the projects can be shown to be in compliance with the ESA.

“We believe flood risk prevention goes hand in hand with fisheries habitat protection,” said FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper, whose agency oversees the flood insurance program. “King County is to be commended for its efforts to comply with the Endangered Species Act.”

Since 2008, as a result of a Biological Opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service, the NFIP has required participating communities in the Puget Sound area to take measures to protect critical salmon species and their habitat in order to continue participating in the program. Last September, all 122 communities in the Puget Sound area were required to enforce regulations that require all floodplain development be compliant with the ESA.

“King County continues to be a leader in overseeing development in its floodplains while balancing requirements to protect fish and wildlife,” said King County Flood Control District Chair Julia Patterson. “Our efforts save floodplain property owners time and money, while at the same time safeguarding precious habitat.”

King County’s plan for overseeing development in its floodplains is an important document, because other communities that also need to adapt their regulations could review it as an example of one programmatic approach open to them to demonstrate compliance with the Biological Opinion issued by NMFS. The King County model is complex and thorough, but smaller communities that now need to be in compliance with the ESA could apply the methodology used by King County and scale the level of effort to meet their size and needs.

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King County Plan Accepted by the National Flood Insurance Program

FEMA Urges Residents in the Florida Keys and Coastal Areas to Take Steps to Prepare

FEMA and Federal Partners Continue to Monitor Tropical Storm Isaac

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners, through the FEMA Regional Headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., and Denton, Texas, continue to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac and remain in close coordination with local officials and emergency management partners in Florida, and other southeastern and Gulf Coast states. According to NOAA’s National Weather Service at 11:00 a.m., Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to strengthen and become a hurricane tomorrow as the storm approaches the Florida Keys and parts of Florida.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Florida Keys (including the Dry Tortugas), the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach southward to Ocean Reef, and for Florida Bay. A Hurricane Watch also is in effect for the Florida east coast from Golden Beach southward to Ocean Reef. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Florida east coast from Sebastian Inlet southward to Ocean Reef, and for Lake Okeechobee. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Florida east coast north of Sebastian Inlet to Flagler Beach, and for the Florida West Coast north of Bonita Beach to Tarpon Springs.

“As Tropical Storm Isaac moves closer to Florida, local residents need to be prepared,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “FEMA and its federal partners remain in close coordination with states and tribal governments across the Southeast as Tropical Storm Isaac continues to move out of the Caribbean. Residents in this area should make sure to listen to local officials for updates and information. Check your family plans and emergency supplies, review your evacuation routes and remember that evacuation orders come from local officials. Visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov for more information. FEMA stands ready to support states and tribal governments, if necessary.”

Today, FEMA deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team to the Louisiana emergency operations center, and on Thursday, the Agency deployed a liaison to the Florida emergency operations center to assist the state with coordination and any potential requests for assistance. Other teams have been identified and will be mobilized as needed and requested. FEMA has distribution centers in Atlanta, Ga., and Denton, Texas, and in coordination with U.S. Northern Command, has prepositioned supplies closer to potentially affected areas if needed. At all times, FEMA maintains commodities including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories, to support states if needed and requested.

While tropical storms are unpredictable, FEMA encourages those in the possible path of the storm to prepare now. This includes putting together a family emergency plan and emergency kit. Some of the items in a basic emergency kit include: one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation; at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food; battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio; flashlight and extra batteries; and First Aid kit. Having a kit can help area residents better weather the storm. Additional preparedness information can be found at Ready.gov and Listo.gov.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends coastal residents include food safety as part of their preparedness plans. Power outages and flooding that often result from weather emergencies compromise the safety of stored food, and planning ahead can minimize the risk of food borne illness. USDA food safety tips include having a cooler on hand to keep refrigerator food cold in case of power outage, and to group food together in the freezer; this helps the food stay cold longer. Additional food safety preparedness tips can be found at USDA Food Safety Inspection Service’s website www.fsis.usda.gov.

FEMA encourages residents to familiarize themselves with the terms that are used to identify a severe weather hazard. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. A Hurricane Watch, in this case, means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 24-36 hours. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours.

As is always the case, local officials make decisions on issuing evacuation orders, so FEMA advises residents to remember to listen to the direction of their local officials, and to learn where evacuation routes and sheltering locations are located, in case evacuation orders are given.

Original source –

FEMA Urges Residents in the Florida Keys and Coastal Areas to Take Steps to Prepare

FEMA and Federal Partners Continue to Monitor Tropical Storm Isaac

FEMA Continues to Urge Residents in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Coastal Areas to Take Steps to Prepare

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners, through the FEMA Regional Headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. and Caribbean Area Office, continue to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac in the eastern Caribbean Sea, and have been in close coordination with Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency, Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. NOAA’s National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and tropical storm conditions are possible over these areas within 36 hours. FEMA and its federal partners urge residents of the commonwealth and territory to closely monitor the storm and to follow the direction of local officials as potential severe weather approaches.

FEMA has activated an Enhanced National Watch in Washington, DC, as well as the Regional Response Coordination Center that supports Caribbean activities, to proactively support any potential needs or requests from Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Florida. In advance of the storm, FEMA proactively deployed Incident Management Assistance Teams to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to coordinate with local officials and to support emergency managers should additional support be requested, or needed. Additionally, FEMA has liaisons in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands emergency operations centers, to further strengthen coordination. These assets supplement federal resources and personnel that are staged, year-round, at FEMA’s Caribbean Area Office and Caribbean Area Distribution Center located in Puerto Rico.

Today, FEMA also deployed a liaison to coordinate with the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Other teams have been identified and will be mobilized as needed and requested. FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico, and supplies are also available on the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“FEMA continues to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac and remains in close contact with state, commonwealth and territorial officials in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All residents in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands should be paying close attention to this storm and listening to their local officials for key updates and information,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “In addition to strong winds, tropical storms can also bring heavy rains and flooding. Now is the time to prepare your families, homes or businesses, so if you haven’t already, visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov to learn how.”

The National Weather Service is forecasting total rain accumulations of two to four inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches possible in parts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. FEMA urges residents in affected areas to avoid walking or driving through flooded areas. Be aware that water can rise rapidly and flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Don’t put yourself at risk, follow the instructions of local officials, and if they give the order to evacuate – evacuate.

At this time, it is still too early to know whether the storm could pose an immediate threat to the U.S. Coast. History shows that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly, so FEMA encourages coastal residents to monitor weather conditions, follow the direction of local officials, and visit Ready.gov to learn about a few simple steps they can take now to be prepared.

Originally posted here:

FEMA and Federal Partners Continue to Monitor Tropical Storm Isaac

Louisiana – Seven Years After Hurricanes Katrina And Rita

Beyond Recovery; Building Resilient Communities

NEW ORLEANS – In support of Louisiana’s recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided approximately $19.1 billion over the past seven years to help communities and families throughout the state rebuild and improve their capabilities to protect against future hazards.

“Since 2005, FEMA has remained committed to this state’s post-Katrina recovery. The Louisiana that we celebrate today with our local and state partners represents the ‘whole community’ and the progress than can occur when people work together,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Executive Director Joseph Threat.

To assist in rebuilding disaster-damaged public infrastructure, FEMA’s Public Assistance Program has provided approximately $11.5 billion for the restoration of roughly 23,669 Katrina and Rita recovery projects throughout Louisiana. Such FEMA aid has enabled significant impacts across various public sectors, including approximately:

$3.9 billion for education and learning facilities
$1.1 billion for public safety facilities
$5.4 billion for general infrastructure (e.g., roads, transportation, parks and sewerage and water facilities)
$1.1 billion for health care facilities

“This unprecedented level of progress has contributed to a recent recovery milestone – the opening of FEMA’s Region 6 Baton Rouge Processing Center. As part of the normal disaster recovery cycle, the opening of this processing center will further assist Louisiana in her final stage of recovery. For hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the center’s current focus is supporting state efforts to finalize remaining hazard mitigation projects,” added Threat.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program services individuals and public entities impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita by providing grants to communities and state agencies for projects that are designed to save lives and protect properties. Specifically, in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMA has made more than $1.8 billion in HMGP funding available to the state of Louisiana.

Regarding individuals and families, after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, hundreds of thousands of Louisiana residents needed help rebuilding their lives. To aid these residents, FEMA provided approximately $5.8 billion in Individuals and Households Program grants to 915,884 individuals and families statewide. These dollars were used as housing assistance for rent, repairs and replacement housing, as well as other needs assistance for such things as furniture, clothing and replacement vehicles.

FEMA also housed more than 92,000 households in travel trailers, park models and mobile homes across Louisiana to combat the largest housing shortage ever seen in the agency’s history. Units were located on private properties, at industrial sites, in commercial mobile home parks and across 111 FEMA built and maintained group sites throughout the state.

“Another major recovery milestone was reached this year when, in July, the last FEMA temporary housing unit was removed from this state, marking the first time since 2005 that there have been no FEMA temporary housing units in Louisiana. This means thousands of families once devastated by Katrina are now living in more permanent housing,” said Threat.

For more information about Louisiana’s ongoing recovery efforts, visit FEMA’s website dedicated to the seventh anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita: www.fema.gov/la7year .

All data is as of Aug. 9, 2012.

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

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Louisiana – Seven Years After Hurricanes Katrina And Rita

Hurricane Andrew 20th Anniversary Is A Reminder To Prepare For Emergencies

ATLANTA— August 24 marks 20 years since Hurricane Andrew made landfall in South Florida, devastating Homestead, Florida City and parts of Miami.

When Andrew struck, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinated across the entire federal government to deploy response assets, move personnel, equipment and supplies. FEMA provided more than $290 million in federal assistance to more than 108,000 people affected by the storm in Florida, and provided more than $746 million to help rebuild public infrastructure. At the time, Hurricane Andrew was the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.

“Hurricane Andrew was a life-changing event for many people,” said FEMA Region IV Administrator Phil May. “As the Federal Coordinating Officer for the disaster, I saw the destruction first hand as FEMA worked with disaster survivors and community officials throughout the area. We knew we had years of recovery ahead of us given the severe impact that this storm had on South Florida communities, and it was clear the government couldn’t do it alone. At FEMA we often highlight the importance of working together as a team in emergency management—storms like Andrew remind us how critical that team really is. Federal, state and local partners, the private sector, the faith-based and non-profit groups, and especially the public–everyone rolled up their sleeves and worked together to help people recover from the storm.”

“We learned a lot from Hurricane Andrew and today our team is stronger than ever,” said May. “Over the years, the emergency management community has evolved and improved the way it communicates and leverages resources to prepare for the next emergency or disaster. We’ve expanded our relationships with the private sector, our coordination with our state emergency management partners is better, and we communicate more effectively with the public. Weather forecasting technology has also improved to give us more lead time before a storm. But the most critical members of the team are still the public. The better prepared individuals and families are, the safer our communities will be across the country.”

Hurricane Andrew’s anniversary is a reminder that now is the time to get ready for disasters and other emergencies. Next month marks the ninth annual National Preparedness Month, and this year’s slogan is “Pledge to Prepare”. Individuals, families, and organizations in all sectors can support this effort and find resources on emergency preparedness by ‘pledging’ on the National Preparedness Coalition Online Community. The goal this year is to transform awareness into action by encouraging all Americans to take specific steps to ensure that their homes, workplaces and communities are ready for disasters and emergencies of all kinds.

“Preparedness is important not just for governments and first responders, but for the public. I encourage everyone to pledge to prepare and visit www.Ready.gov for more information.”

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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Hurricane Andrew 20th Anniversary Is A Reminder To Prepare For Emergencies

FEMA Mitigation Specialists to Answer Questions in Hernando County

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a home improvement store are teaming up this week to provide information on cleaning up and rebuilding homes after Tropical Storm Debby.

FEMA mitigation specialists can answer questions at Home Depot in Hernando County from Wednesday, Aug. 22, to Sunday, Aug. 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Monday, Aug. 27, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The address is 4765 Commercial Way in Spring Hill.

Mitigation specialists offer suggestions on cleaning mold and mildew. They also provide information on flood insurance.

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FEMA Mitigation Specialists to Answer Questions in Hernando County

Columbia, Suwannee County Disaster Recovery Centers Becoming SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The disaster recovery centers in Lake City and Live Oak will become disaster loan outreach centers operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration Monday, Aug. 27, to assist Tropical Storm Debby survivors.

Homeowners, renters and business owners who visit the center may talk with SBA representatives about low-interest disaster loans, get help filling out loan applications and submit completed applications. Federal Emergency Management Agency staff will also be there to answer questions about federal disaster assistance.

A disaster recovery center typically meets the more immediate concerns of storm survivors, while a disaster loan outreach center focuses on funds needed for long-term rebuilding and recovery.

Disaster recovery center hours will remain 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Saturday, Aug. 25. They will be closed this Sunday.

The disaster recovery centers will become disaster loan outreach centers on Monday, Aug. 27, and remain at the Westfield Shopping Center, 484 S.W. Commerce Drive in Lake City and Suwannee Coliseum Exhibition No. 2, 1302 11th St. SW in Live Oak. The hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice.

Completing and submitting SBA disaster loan applications is important because it may pave the way for additional disaster assistance. There are valid reasons for applying, even if you think you won’t need or qualify for a loan.

SBA can offer temporary loans to help cover immediate expenses until insurance is settled.
SBA can offer loans with terms of up to 30 years and interest rates as low as 1.938 percent.
SBA disaster loans can be used by a homeowner to repair or replace their primary residence.
Homeowners and renters can replace damaged household contents and vehicles with SBA disaster loans.
Business owners can apply to SBA for disaster loans for physical damages or economic losses.

Homeowners, renters and businesses may apply for an SBA loan online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; or obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY) or online at www.sba.gov.

Help is always available by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in most languages. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585.

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Columbia, Suwannee County Disaster Recovery Centers Becoming SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers

Help Available for Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – There are a number of ways for Tropical Storm Debby survivors to get help as they recover from Tropical Storm Debby.

Information and assistance is available in the following ways:

Anyone who has questions about a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the agency’s programs for individuals, can call the toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in most languages. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the TTY line at 800-462-7585.

Information on recovery programs also is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov and www.FloridaDisaster.org.

Survivors and businesses may obtain information on low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration by calling 800-659-2955 or online at www.sba.gov. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the TTY line at 800-877-8339.

The Florida Volunteer and Donation Hotline can connect survivors with a local volunteer agency: 800-FL-HELP-1 (800-354-3571).

Survivors who can’t afford an attorney and run into legal difficulties due to the storm may call the Florida Disaster Legal Services hotline at 866-550-2929 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Assistance is available in Spanish.

Survivors have until Sept. 4 to register for federal disaster assistance by calling FEMA.

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Help Available for Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

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