PIERRE, SD – The South Dakota Office of Emergency Management (SDOEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that more than $3.4 million in disaster aid has been approved to help communities in twelve counties and three tribal nations in South Dakota recover from a series of June storms.  Those storms caused a swath of damage that stretched from southwest South Dakota through the center of the state.

According to South Dakota Director of Emergency Management Tina Titze, 26 applicants including the City of Pierre, West Central Electric Cooperative, and the Crow Creek, Lower Brule and Oglala Sioux tribal governments are receiving reimbursements for disaster costs and debris cleanup.  Federal Coordinating Officer Gary Stanley added, “Under the presidential disaster declaration FEMA reimburses applicants for not less than 75 percent of eligible recovery costs and the state of South Dakota contributes an additional 10 percent cost share.”

On July 30, 2015 President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the state making Brule, Buffalo, Fall River, Haakon, Hughes, Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, Lyman, McCook, Oglala Lakota and Stanley counties  as well as the Crow Creek Sioux, Lower Brule Sioux  and Oglala Sioux tribal nations eligible for federal disaster aid.  The presidential declaration came in response to a request from Governor Dennis Daugaard following the June storms. 

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding to local government jurisdictions and eligible private non-profits for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs incurred for disaster cleanup or emergency actions taken to protect lives or property. 

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Disaster Aid for June Storms in South Dakota Tops $3.4 Million

Drop Off Location for Household Hazardous Waste and Large

Appliances from Typhoon Soudelor Cleanup

Beginning September 11, 2015, on Fridays and Saturdays at old Kobler Air Field

SAIPAN, CNMI – A new drop-off location for household hazardous waste, large appliances (white goods) and electronics, run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, will begin on Friday, September 11.  Residents can bring their household hazardous waste, white goods and electronics damaged as a result of Typhoon Soudelor to the old Kobler Air Field (near As Gono green waste drop off station) on Fridays and Saturdays in September, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  EPA will also continue to collect household hazardous waste at the Lower Base Transfer Station, Monday to Saturday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.  Once the EPA collection operations are complete, normal disposal activities will resume and residents will be responsible for the disposal of these white goods and electronics. 

FEMA and CNMI have called on the EPA to implement a program to collect and properly manage household hazardous chemicals and materials.  This program is intended to collect materials damaged as a result of Typhoon Soudelor.  Household hazardous waste includes cleaners, pesticides, lawn and garden products, workshop and paint supplies, automotive supplies, batteries, solvents, thermometers, fluorescent lights, and flammable products such as oil, gas and propane.  Another way to identify household hazardous waste is from labels that say things like: Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison, Toxic, Flammable, or Corrosive. Improper disposal of these materials increases the risk of contaminating air, water and soil.  For example, materials placed in drains flow directly to septic tanks or sewage treatment plants or directly into the ocean, polluting the ocean and potentially harming sensitive coral reefs.

The collection area will also be accepting white goods and electronic wastes.  White goods include refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, stoves, ovens, microwave ovens, water heaters, washers and dryers. Televisions, computers and other electronics can also be dropped off. Residents may call CNMI BECQ at 670-664-8500 with drop-off questions.

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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Drop Off Location for Household Hazardous Waste and Large Appliances from Typhoon Soudelor Cleanup

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Disaster assistance applicants referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) who do not complete and submit the companion SBA disaster assistance loan application may be jeopardizing eligibility for other types of assistance.

In addition to businesses, homeowners, renters, and private, nonprofit organizations may be eligible for low interest home repair loans. The loans can be used to cover the costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not covered by insurance or other aid.

It’s essential for everyone in the Regional Educational Attendance Areas (REAAs) of Alaska Gateway, Lower Yukon, Yukon Flats, and Yukon-Koyukuk with damage from the 2013 Spring Flood to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and, if referred, apply for the SBA disaster loan. Small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in contiguous REAAs are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Here are some important facts about the SBA loan application:

  • August 26, 2013, is the last day you can register with FEMA and apply for an SBA disaster loan for physical damage.
  • March 25, 2014, is the last day a business or private, non-profit organization may apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
  • You don’t have to accept the loan if you qualify for one.
  • If you don’t qualify, you could be eligible for more assistance from FEMA and other organizations.
  • You don’t have to apply for the SBA disaster loan to qualify for FEMA awards for disaster related medical, dental, and funeral expenses.
  • SBA personnel will help you fill out the disaster loan application for free!
  • Complete the SBA application and return it as soon as possible.

There are three ways for survivors of the flooding that occured between May 17 and June 11, 2013, 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.

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SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Application: Key to FEMA Awards

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

Located at 751 Old Richardson Hwy., Suite 202 in Fairbanks, AK 99701, the center has been operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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 can also register at the DRC. Those who intend to register at the center should bring:

  • Their Social Security number
  • Current and pre-disaster address
  • Block and lot number
  • A telephone number where they can be contacted
  • Insurance information
  • Total household annual income
  • A routing and account number from their bank (only necessary if they want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into their bank account).
  • A description of 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 U.S. 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.

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Fairbanks Disaster Recovery Center to Close on Sundays

HUNT VALLEY, Md.  – Residents in Somerset County affected by Hurricane Sandy can get first-hand information about disaster assistance and resources available to them directly from Federal Emergency Management Agency and Maryland Emergency Management Agency specialists at a Disaster Recovery Center.

The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the following location beginning Tuesday, December 18, 2012:

The Lower Somerset County Ambulance & Rescue Squad Building

#2 Mill Lane

Crisfield, MD 21817

Federal assistance can include grants to individuals for rental assistance and essential home repairs. Specialists can direct survivors to agencies that may be able to meet specific needs. Information is also available on rebuilding safer and stronger.

“You can register with FEMA by phone or online, so it isn’t necessary to go to a disaster recovery center,” Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Lapinski said. “However, if you want to speak with someone in person about assistance programs, eligibility or submitting documents to support a claim, we’re there for you.” 

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the centers to assist survivors in completing their low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions about the loan program available to homeowners and renters as well as businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations. For many people, a completed SBA loan application is necessary to be considered for some types of federal financial disaster assistance. People with home-based businesses or rental property affected by the storm may also be eligible for SBA loans.

Before going to a center, people with storm losses are encouraged to register with FEMA in any of the following ways:

  • Online www.disasterassistance.gov
  • By phone 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.
  • Tablet or smart phone m.fema.gov

For more information about this disaster, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4091 or www.mema.maryland.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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Disaster Recovery Center Offers Resources to Sandy Survivors

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, FEMA announced the extension of the Preferred Risk Policy eligibility under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until further notice, as the Agency completes a study and analysis of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012.
 
FEMA announced today that until an implementation plan for the new flood insurance law is put into place, customers holding existing preferred risk policies can continue to renew at the lower cost rate, beyond the previously designated two-year period.
 
“By extending the eligibility period until further notice, home and building owners’ preferred risk policies will continue at a lower cost rate,” said FEMA Federal Insurance and Mitigation Associate Administrator, David Miller. “As we continue to evaluate how best to implement the recent National Flood Insurance Program legislation, we encourage property owners to take advantage of this extended low rate. This way, families and businesses can continue to protect their property financially from one of the most common and costly natural disasters: flooding.”

Beginning with the first renewal effective on or after January 1, 2013, existing preferred risk policies will not be transitioned into full-risk rating. Instead, they will continue to be issued as preferred risk policies at each renewal, until further notice. Additionally, the preferred risk policy discounted rate will be available to property owners and renters whose buildings are found to be in Special Flood Hazard Area following map revisions that became effective on or after October 1, 2008. In order to be eligible for the preferred risk policy, the building must also meet certain loss-history requirements.  If there are two claims, or disaster relief payments for flood of $1,000 or more, or three losses of any amount, the structure is ineligible for a preferred risk policy.
 
Premiums for all preferred risk policyholders are being increased an average of 13 percent to maintain a revenue neutral program that also accounts for the expected increase in participation and policies issued under the preferred risk rate. This increased rate remains below the average full-risk premium that would otherwise be incurred among these policy holders. 
 
For more information on FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, and to identify your flood risk, visit 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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FEMA Extends Preferred Risk Policies for Homeowners

ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that a grant of more than $2.5 million will be awarded to the Kentucky Division of Water in support of its floodplain mapping program.

FEMA will provide $2,521,438 in federal funds toward projects to improve existing flood insurance rate maps and flood risk data, which will strengthen local communities’ ability to understand and communicate their flood risk and make informed decisions about flood risk reduction.

The Kentucky Division of Water will develop and support production of flood maps and a flood insurance study report for the Lower Kentucky Watershed, including Anderson, Boone, Bourbon, Boyle, Carroll, Casey, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Harrison, Henry, Jessamine, Kenton, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Owen, Rockcastle, Scott, Shelby, Trimble and Woodford counties.  In addition, flood risk data will be developed for portions of the Licking River Watershed, including Bath, Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Elliott, Fleming, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson, Rowan and Wolfe counties.  This funding will also help the following communities identify areas at risk for flooding and solutions for reducing that risk: the Lower Cumberland watershed, including Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Livingston, Lyon, Todd and Trigg counties.

Flood maps and flood risk data are being updated for communities across the country with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with states and local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into flood risk products.

Flood risks can change over time due to factors such as construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other natural or manmade changes—which is why it’s important that flood maps and flood risk data are updated periodically to reflect these changes. Additionally, the information developed for these projects will be more precise because the latest science available is applied in gathering flood risk data and creating flood maps.

Updated flood maps and flood risk data will ultimately assist local area governments in planning for future development and rebuilding efforts.

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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FEMA Grants More Than $2.5 Million To Kentucky To Update Flood Maps And Flood Risk Data