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Palm Beach County Designated for Emergency and Permanent Infrastructure Work, Four More Counties Now Eligible for Permanent Repairs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State, local and tribal government agencies and certain private nonprofits in Palm Beach County can now request funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program to help pay for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or rebuilding of roads, bridges, water-control facilities, buildings, equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities.

Brevard, Duval, Flagler and St. Lucie counties, which had been previously designated for reimbursement of costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures, can now also request assistance to cover eligible repair or rebuilding of critical infrastructure. These additional designations will help pay for Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Matthew.

For more information on the Florida recovery, visit the disaster webpage for Hurricane Matthew at fema.gov/disaster/4283 or visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at floridadisaster.org. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion4.

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Palm Beach County Designated for Emergency and Permanent Infrastructure Work, Four More Counties Now Eligible for Permanent Repairs

Four More North Carolina Counties Designated for Disaster Assistance

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina homeowners, renters and business owners in Camden, Chowan, Currituck and Pasquotank counties, adversely affected by Hurricane Matthew and its impact, may apply for federal disaster assistance.

Thirty-one counties already eligible to apply for assistance, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual and Households Program, are: Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Moore, Nash, Onslow, Pender, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Tyrrell, Washington, Wake, Wayne and Wilson.

Storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred, as a result of Hurricane Matthew, beginning on October 4.

If you are a survivor, you are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible even if you have insurance. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, you may find you are underinsured. If so, you may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. It is the same number if you use 711 or Video Relay Service
Call 800-462-7585 if you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and you use a TTY
Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

If you do not have access to telephone or internet service, don’t be discouraged. North Carolina Emergency Management and FEMA are coming to you. Teams of state and FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists will soon be moving into affected communities to help you register for assistance. Additionally, you can visit a Disaster Recovery Center near you. DRCs are open in Bertie, Craven, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Greene, Harnett, Johnston, Lenoir, Pitt, Wayne and Wilson counties with more planned to open in the near future.

You may be eligible for grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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Four More North Carolina Counties Designated for Disaster Assistance

Nassau and Seminole Counties Designated for Individual Assistance

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Nassau and Seminole counties may now apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damages and losses resulting from Hurricane Matthew.

Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties are already designated for Individual Assistance.

Nassau County had earlier received a designation for Public Assistance.

To be eligible for federal aid under FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding beginning on October 3 must have occurred as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. If you preregistered with FEMA, you do not have to apply again. If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or
On the FEMA Mobile App, or by
Calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

Don’t be discouraged if you do not have access to telephone or internet service. Disaster survivor assistance specialists are helping people register for assistance in designated counties.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Survivors should contact their insurance company to file their insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help.

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Nassau and Seminole Counties Designated for Individual Assistance

Evans, Liberty and Long Counties May Apply for Disaster Assistance for Matthew Damage in Georgia

ATLANTA – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Evans, Liberty and Long counties may apply for federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Matthew damage and losses in Georgia. In addition to the three counties now eligible to apply for assistance under FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, seven counties had already received approval to apply for assistance, including Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, McIntosh and Wayne.

Damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred Oct. 4-15.

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA the following ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
Download the FEMA mobile app
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

People with disabilities are eligible to receive the same services and assistance offered to everyone in the declared disaster area, and FEMA is committed to ensuring those services are available.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation (American Sign Language interpreting, braille, assistive technology equipment, etc.) may call the appropriate helpline number for support. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should contact their insurance company to file an insurance claim and register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help from FEMA after their claims have been settled.

For updates on Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew response and recovery, follow @GeorgiaEMA and @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and visit gemhsa.ga.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4284.

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Evans, Liberty and Long Counties May Apply for Disaster Assistance for Matthew Damage in Georgia

FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center to Open Sunday in Wilson County

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina residents who suffered losses and damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew can get information about federal assistance at a disaster recovery center opening Sunday in Wilson County.

Location: DaVita Dialysis Center (Old Location)

2693 Forest Hills Rd.

Wilson, N.C. 27893

Hours: Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. (until further notice)

Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Disaster recovery centers are staffed with representatives from FEMA, North Carolina Emergency Management and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates about applications.

Disaster survivors may register the following ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation (American Sign Language interpreting, Braille large print, etc.) while visiting a recovery center may call the appropriate Helpline number for support. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4285; or visit the North Carolina Emergency Management website at ncdps.gov/. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4.

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Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center to Open Sunday in Wilson County

Second FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Nash County

Location: The Imperial Centre
270 Gay St.
Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804

Regular hours:

Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Representatives from North Carolina Emergency Management, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the disaster recovery center, or DRC, to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors seeking disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to questions about disaster aid and registration assistance. Survivors may go to the most convenient center, not necessarily one in their county.

Disaster survivors may register the following ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may also call 800-621-3362 . Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need

disability-related communication aids. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in American Sign Language at

http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546

Second FEMA/State DRC to Opens in Nash County

If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center. Some of the services available at a DRC may include:

Status FEMA application
Disaster recovery guidance
Clarification of written correspondence received
Housing assistance and rental resources information
Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance
Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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Second FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Nash County

Tips for Cleaning Your Home after Hurricane Matthew

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

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

Always wear protective clothing including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, rubber or plastic gloves and waterproof boots or shoes.
Before entering your home, look outside for damaged power lines, gas lines and other exterior damage.
Take photos of your damage before you begin clean up and save repair receipts.
Your home may be contaminated with mold, which raises the health risk for those with asthma, allergies and breathing conditions. Refer to the Center for Disease Control for more info on mold: www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/pdf/flyer-get-rid-of-mold.pdf.
Open doors and windows so your house can air out before spending any length of time inside.
Turn off main electrical power and water systems and don’t use gas appliances until a professional can ensure they are safe.
Check all ceilings and floors for signs of sagging or other potentially dangerous structural damage.
Throw out all foods, beverages and medicines exposed to flood waters or mud including canned goods and containers with food or liquid.
Also, throw out any items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected (mattresses, carpeting, stuffed animals, etc.).
Beware of snakes, insects, alligators and other animals that may be on your property or in your home.
Remove all drywall and insulation that has been in contact with flood waters.
Clean all hard surfaces (flooring, countertops, appliances, sinks, etc.) thoroughly with hot water and soap or detergent.

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

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

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

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

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Tips for Cleaning Your Home after Hurricane Matthew

Federal Resources Supporting Response to Aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

Severe Flooding Affecting Areas throughout the Southeast

WASHINGTON –The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its partners continue to mobilize resources and personnel to support state, local and tribal efforts as significant flooding impacts areas throughout the Southeast United States.

At the direction of President Obama, FEMA is leading the federal government’s efforts to provide assistance and support in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew and is, on a daily basis, moving personnel and supplies into the affected areas.

Already, there are more than 750 FEMA personnel on the ground supporting response and recovery efforts including six Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams and six Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) . Ten Urban Search & Rescue teams are also deployed and engaged in search and rescue efforts.

FEMA also prepositioned commodities throughout affected areas to ensure there are no unmet needs. FEMA made available more than 2.8 million meals, three million liters of water, and 48,000 blankets for state, tribal and local officials to distribute to individuals should they be requested by states.

A breakdown by state:

Florida: More than 71,000 meals; 341,000 liters of water;
Georgia: More than 579,000 meals, 649,000 liters of water; 17,000 blankets;
North Carolina: More than 1.9 million meals; 1.6 million liters of water; 26,000 blankets; and,
South Carolina: More than 250,000 meals; 390,000 liters of water; 4,500 blankets.

President Obama signed major disaster declarations Saturday for Florida and Georgia making federal funding available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for debris removal and emergency protective measures for affected areas. This is in addition to pre-disaster emergency declarations signed earlier in the week by the President for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Damage assessments are underway and additional designations and forms of assistance may be added at a later date.

Ongoing Support and Preparedness Efforts:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) deployed more than 100 personnel for Matthew response and is supporting eight FEMA mission assignments including dam inspections, flood-fight materials and temporary emergency power. USACE also continues participating in port surveys in the affected areas.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) deployed more than 500 AmeriCorps members, including FEMA Corps, to areas affected by Hurricane Matthew. These deployments include 59 teams of FEMA Corps members – 471 AmeriCorps members in total – that have been pre-staged to support FEMA’s response to affected states. An additional 90 AmeriCorps members are supporting shelter and emergency operations in Florida and South Carolina. CNCS is coordinating with local partners in each state, including governor-appointed state service commissions and voluntary organizations, to support state emergency operations and volunteer response efforts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages producers with crops insured under the Federal crop insurance program should immediately contact their local crop insurance agent to report any damage to insured crops after the storm. For assistance with Rural Development financed housing, business or community assistance information, and to get help from the Natural Resources Conservation Service for debris removal go to: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app).

Additional disaster resource information as well as food safety, livestock and pet guidance is available at www.usda.gov. USDA Foods’ inventories have been requested from all potentially impacted state agencies, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) staff is prepared to respond to any state requests for disaster SNAP and/or other SNAP-related needs. Additional information about USDA’s disaster assistance resources is available at: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=disaster-help.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) established Incident Support Bases or Federal Staging Areas in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia in coordination with FEMA to preposition commodities and resources close to the potentially affect areas. The U.S. Northern Command deployed Defense Coordinating Elements to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. These service members are providing DOD regional subject matter expertise, validate requirements, and conduct liaison efforts in support of response operations.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Disaster Medical Assistance Team members from Pennsylvania are providing medical support to two hospitals in Brevard County, Florida. Additionally more than 1,000 personnel from the National Disaster Medical System, U.S. Public Health Service, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response remain pre-positioned or on alert ready to assist in other communities.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security in coordination with FEMA are working to ensure that individuals and communities affected by disasters do not face unlawful discrimination as they seek disaster-assistance services. The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and both FEMA’s Office on Disability Integration and Coordination and the Office for Equal Rights issued an official memo to impacted states that there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations, sheltering, or any other life-saving initiatives related to Matthew.

U.S. Coast Guard deployed a public health and safety officer to the National Response Coordination Center to support HHS related to Zika-virus issues that may occur following the recession of flood waters.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services encourages those whose application, petition or immigration status may be impacted by Hurricane Matthew to call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TDD for the deaf and hard of hearing: 800-767-1833) to learn how to request certain types of relief. For more information, visit www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs continues to coordinate with tribes in potentially affected areas as needed.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s United States Geological Survey deployed more than 40 teams to the affected areas to collect the 393 surge sensors and gauges that identify high water marks. USGS has additional crews making flood measurements and repairing stream gauges damaged by river flooding. Information on all sensors and gages is available at: http://stn.wim.usgs.gov/error.html.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service is continuing to monitor and evaluate conditions at their parks. More than half a dozen national parks remain closed, each is assessing the ability to open to the public. Anyone planning to visit a park in the impacted states is encouraged to verify a park’s open status on its website.

Additionally, the Department of the Interior’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security continues to coordinate readiness to help with security. Two 25-person Quick Response Teams composed of U.S. Park Police and National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are assisting with protection for urban rescue teams and security for mobile field hospitals.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report 16 National Wildlife Refuges and other facilities remain closed with damage assessments of those facilities underway.

The Department of Justice has 500 federal law enforcement officers from across the country on standby and ready to deploy, as required.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) activated the Regional Emergency Operations Center in Atlanta, Georgia and deployed liaisons to the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta, and the state operational centers in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. All EPA regional programs have contacted their state counterparts and offered technical assistance concerning waste and debris disposal, water infrastructure, and fuel waiver issues. EPA deployed eight teams lead by Federal On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) to conduct oil and hazardous materials assessment activities in the Florida coastal counties of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, and Brevard.

The Federal Aviation Administration is warning drone operators to stay clear of hurricane rescue and response aircraft to preserve the safety of first-responders.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) divisions in the southern region continue working with contact permitting agencies & commercial motor vehicle law enforcement agencies in their states to assist with necessary emergency waivers and permits.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) deployed staff to Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to support FEMA efforts to establish Joint Field Offices and Disaster Response Centers. GSA assessment teams are preparing to survey potential damage to federal facilities and will ensure any necessary repairs are undertaken quickly.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) activated its Unaccompanied Minors Registry (UMR). Family members can go to https://umr.missingkids.org or call 1-800-THE-LOST to find unaccompanied children who may have been separated from parents or caregivers because of the floods, by entering basic information and/or a photo.

The National Guard continues to move north following the storm’s path. More than 9,000 National Guard personnel from nine states are conducting search and rescue, security, infrastructure assessment, route clearance, and communications in support of hurricane recovery efforts. The National Guard provides support to civil authority of the state under direction of the governor.

The American Red Cross continues supporting a massive shelter operation in the affected areas. More than 13,400 people stayed the night in 248 Red Cross and community evacuation shelters in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The Red Cross has more than 2,700 trained disaster workers on the ground in addition to 133 pre-positioned response vehicles and 97 trailer loads filled water, ready-to-eat meals, shelter and kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies and comfort kits, insect repellant, gloves, masks, shovels, rakes, coolers and more. For Hurricane Matthew shelter locations, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-768-8048. The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations as Hurricane Matthew has forced the cancellation of many blood drives. Residents who are in an unaffected area, are encouraged to give blood or platelets, to help patients in the affected areas with great need. Go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration deployed about a dozen personnel from division offices to assist with the storm response. Bridge and road inspectors will make damage assessments in affected areas are beginning.

The Department of Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) advises that the latest guidance for taxpayers affected by Matthew will be available at https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/news-releases-for-current-month.

For up-to-date information about U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities can be found at: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/31765/va-facilities-across-the-southeast-prepare-for-hurricane-matthew/.

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance teams are deployed to Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas and are working with local authorities to coordinate relief efforts. Updates on the status operations throughout the Caribbean are available on travel.state.gov and on individual Embassy websites. U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad are encouraged to enroll their travel plans on the agency’s website, travel.state.gov, using the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and to read the “Country Specific” information also found on the site.

FEMA advises anyone in the impacted areas looking to help or assist with response and recovery efforts can get involved by contacting their American Red Cross chapter or their local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) chapter to connect to many organizations working on the ground that are in need of volunteers. To get in touch with the local VOAD in the affected areas, visit:

For additional info, imagery, graphics and b-roll, see our Hurricane Matthew web page: http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-matthew.

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

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Federal Resources Supporting Response to Aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

Hurricane Matthew Unified Response Efforts Underway

Hurricane Matthew Unified Response Efforts Underway

FEMA and the Federal Family Coordinating with Partners to Support Impacted Communities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners continue to mobilize resources and personnel to support state, local and tribal efforts in the southeast U.S. as the possibility of dangerous conditions and flooding continues in some areas.

At the direction of President Obama, FEMA is leading the federal government’s effort to provide assistance and support in preparation and response to Hurricane Matthew. The President declared emergencies in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, making federal assistance available to mobilize equipment and resources necessary to prepare for and respond to Hurricane Matthew in the anticipated impacted areas. These pre-disaster emergency declarations make available direct federal assistance to save lives and protect property.

As of this morning, more than 680 FEMA staff are deployed to impacted states in support of response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Matthew and thousands more remain on alert to support recovery efforts, as needed. This includes six Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSAT) deployed to help federal, state, local and tribal partners gather detailed information on the affected communities during the critical days and weeks following this storm. DSAT teams address immediate and emerging needs of disaster survivors including: on-the-spot needs assessments, requests for disability related accommodations and access to partners offering survivor services.

Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) are positioned in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. IMAT teams support preparation and anticipated response activities, and ensure that there are no unmet needs. Additionally, FEMA has ten Urban Search & Rescue teams on the ground to support any search and rescue efforts. Two teams are in Florida, four teams are in South Carolina, three teams are in Georgia, and one team is in North Carolina.

FEMA has made available more than 1,427,000 meals, more than 958,000 liters of water, and more than 48,000 blankets for state, tribal, and local officials to distribute to individuals. These points of distribution are centralized locations established by state or local officials where supplies are delivered.

A breakdown by state:

Florida: More than 71,000 meals; 341,000 liters of water;

Georgia: More than 535,000 meals, 617,000 liters of water; 17,000 blankets;

North Carolina: More than 570,000 meals; 26,000 blankets; and,

South Carolina: More than 250,000 meals; 4,500 blankets.

The National Business Emergency Operations Center is activated in the NRCC and is coordinating with potentially affected states to work with private sector companies, preparing for landfall and coordinating on evacuation orders, potential transportation impacts, and access/re-entry permits ahead of the storm.

Ongoing Support and Preparedness Efforts:

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance teams are deployed to Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas and are working with local authorities to coordinate relief efforts. Updates on the status operations throughout the Caribbean are available on travel.state.gov and on individual Embassy websites. U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad are encouraged to enroll their travel plans on the agency’s website, travel.state.gov, using the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and to read the Country Specific Information also found on the site.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) deployed a Team Leader and Assistant Team Leader to FEMA Region IV. Two Assistant Team Leaders and one Power Subject Matter Expert have been deployed to the FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC). Also, USACE deployed Team Leaders to FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The USACE deployed Emergency Power assets, including Planning & Response Teams (PRT) and Emergency Command & Control Vehicles (ECCV), to Florida and North Carolina. Two companies from the 249th Engineer Battalion and four Temporary Emergency Power PRTs are coordinating response requirements under a FEMA pre-declaration for Emergency Power.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages those whose application, petition or immigration status may be impacted by Hurricane Matthew to call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TDD for the deaf and hard of hearing: 800-767-1833) to learn how to request certain types of relief. For more information, visit www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations.

The U.S. Coast Guard continues to assess and advise the status of ports along the storm’s path. Advisories are being issued for northern locations in Georgia and South Carolina.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has deployed more than 450 AmeriCorps members, including FEMA Corps, to areas affected by Hurricane Matthew. These deployments include 54 teams of FEMA Corps members – 425 AmeriCorps members in total – that have been pre-staged to support FEMA’s response to affected states. An additional 45 AmeriCorps members are supporting shelter and emergency operations in Florida and South Carolina. CNCS is coordinating with local partners in each state, including governor-appointed state service commissions and voluntary organizations, to support state Emergency Operations and volunteer response efforts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has disaster resource information as well as food safety, livestock and pet guidance is available at www.usda.gov. USDA Foods’ inventories have been requested from all potentially impacted state agencies, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) staff is prepared to respond to any state requests for disaster SNAP and/or other SNAP-related needs.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) established an Incident Support Base at Fort Bragg in coordination with FEMA to preposition commodities and resources close to the potentially affect areas. The U.S. Northern Command deployed Defense Coordinating Elements to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. These service members are providing DOD regional subject matter expertise, validate requirements, and conduct liaison efforts in support of response operations.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is conducting daily coordination calls with industry, impacted states and the leadership of the Electricity Sub-Sector Coordinating Council to discuss preparations for the storm and plans for timely restoration. As the preparation and response efforts for electric power change as the storm shifts, updates for each state can be viewed at here.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has almost 700 personnel pre-positioned and more than 450 on alert ready to support communities with medical, veterinary or fatality management needs from the storm’s impact. Personnel include members of the National Disaster Medical System, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response staff, and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and they form eight Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, two National Veterinary Response Teams, a Public Health Service Rapid Deployment Force team, a disaster mortuary assessment personnel and an Incident Response Coordination Team. Information from HHS agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about protecting health before and after disasters can be found on www.phe.gov/hurricanematthew.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), in coordination with FEMA’s Office on Disability Integration and Coordination and FEMA’s Office for Equal Rights, issued a notice reminding its recipients of federal financial assistance who are engaged in emergency management to ensure that individuals and communities affected by disasters do not face unlawful discrimination in the provision of federally assisted services to disaster survivors. Additionally, CRCL issued a memo to impacted states regarding immigration enforcement activities. This memo notifies the public that there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations or sheltering related to the hurricane, including the use of checkpoints for immigration enforcement purposes in impacted areas during an evacuation. This memo can be found here.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs is coordinating with tribes in potentially affected areas as needed.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service is continuing to monitor and evaluate conditions at their parks as the storm moves further north. With more than a dozen national parks closed, each is assessing the ability to re-open to the public. Anyone planning to visit a park in the impacted states is encouraged to verify a park’s open status on its website.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s United States Geological Survey (USGS) is preparing to collect the 393 surge sensors and gages deployed in advance of Hurricane Matthew along the East Coast to provide data that will assist water managers in determining the peak and duration of storm surge. This includes Storm Surge Sensors (190), Wave Sensors (79), Barometric Pressure Sensors (92), and Rapid Deployment Gage’s (32). The information supports disaster recovery efforts and critical weather forecasts for the National Weather Service and FEMA. The information collected will be distributed live on the USGS website to help federal and state officials gauge the extent and the storm’s damage as it passes through each area. This is the largest deployment of surge sensors by the USGS and surpasses the total deployments for Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy.

The Department of Justice has 500 federal law enforcement officers from across the country on standby and ready to deploy, as required.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) activated the Regional Emergency Operations Center in Atlanta, Georgia and has deployed liaisons to the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta, and the Florida State Emergency Operation Center in Tallahassee. All EPA regional programs have contacted their state counterparts and offered technical assistance concerning waste and debris disposal, water infrastructure, and fuel waiver issues. The Agency has received a mission assignment to support the State of Florida for oil and hazardous substance assessments in the coastal areas of the state, and are assembling teams to deploy from the Atlanta regional office.

The Federal Aviation Administration worked closely with airports and the air carriers that serve the affected area to prepare and is ready to restore air traffic control service in support of recovery efforts. At FAA facilities in the hurricane’s path, fuel tanks were topped off for air traffic control equipment, radars immobilized and other navigation facilities so they could withstand high wind speeds. The FAA is also warning drone operators to stay clear of hurricane rescue and response aircraft to preserve the safety of first-responders.

The Federal Communications Commission is monitoring the status of communications networks and is prepared to work with affected providers to support restoration efforts as necessary.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) divisions in the southern region have been instructed to contact permitting agencies & commercial motor vehicle law enforcement agencies in their states to prepare for either emergency waivers from permits, or to be prepared to expedite permit issuance to support relief transportation efforts.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) deployed staff to Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to support FEMA efforts to establish Joint Field Offices (JFO) and Disaster Response Centers (DRC). GSA assessment teams are standing by to survey potential damage to federal facilities and will ensure any necessary repairs are undertaken quickly.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) activated its Unaccompanied Minors Registry (UMR). Family members can go to here or call 1-800-THE-LOST to find unaccompanied children who may have been separated from parents or caregivers because of the floods, by entering basic information and/or a photo.

The National Guard continues to move north following the storm’s path. More than 9,000 National Guard personnel from nine states (AL, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN) are conducting search and rescue, security, infrastructure assessment, route clearance, and communications in support of hurricane recovery efforts. The National Guard provides support to civil authority of the state under direction of the governor.

The American Red Cross is supporting a massive shelter operation in the affected areas. More than 18,000 people stayed the night in 183 Red Cross and community evacuation shelters in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The Red Cross has more than 2,200 trained disaster workers on the ground in addition to 95 pre-positioned response vehicles and 94 trailer loads filled water, ready-to-eat meals, shelter and kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies and comfort kits, insect repellant, gloves, masks, shovels, rakes, coolers and more. For Hurricane Matthew shelter locations, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-768-8048. The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations as Hurricane Matthew has forced the cancellation of many blood drives. If you’re in an unaffected area, please give blood or platelets, so we can continue to help patients in need. Go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is coordinating with affected state Departments of Transportation in anticipation of requests for Emergency Relief funds to repair highways and bridges that get damaged by the storm. FHWA has deployed about a dozen personnel from division offices to assist with the storm response. Bridge and road inspectors will make damage assessments once the storm has passed.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) is operating its SafeStor program on the M/V Cape Decision in Charleston, South Carolina, as shelter for local emergency vehicles in the region. A total of seven agencies, including the Charleston Sheriff’s Department, have a total of 53 emergency service vehicles loaded on the Cape Decision’s massive cargo hold to weather out the passage of Hurricane Mathew. MARAD’s SafeStor program provides safe shelter for emergency equipment and personnel and allows affected areas to be up and running as soon as possible in order.

The Department of Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) advises taxpayers to prepare in advance of Hurricane Matthew and stands ready to help after the storm. IRS will monitor the storm’s impact as the October 17 tax filing deadline approaches for those in the impacted areas who filed an extension to file their 2015 tax returns. The latest guidance available here.

Veterans Affairs facilities from Florida through South Carolina are implementing their emergency preparedness plans which includes closing many clinics and suspending non-emergency care services in medical centers. For up-to-date information about VA facilities, visit here.

The National Weather Service expects Matthew to continue to move along the coast and be near the coast of North Carolina by tonight. Areas as far north as southern Virginia may experience high winds and dangerous flooding. Meanwhile, some residents in Florida and Georgia are beginning to return to their communities and face different risks from downed trees, power lines, and standing water. FEMA has advised residents to listen to local officials and follow all suggested safety measures in their area.

For additional info, imagery, graphics and b-roll, see our Hurricane Matthew web page: http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-matthew.

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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.

Original post:

Hurricane Matthew Unified Response Efforts Underway

FEMA Urges Residents in Affected States to Continue to Take Hurricane Matthew Seriously, Be Prepared and Ready for Severe Flooding

Over 3 Million People Still Under Hurricane Warning, Residents Advised to Heed Instructions from Local Officials

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges residents to be prepared for severe, potentially record historic flooding as Hurricane Matthew continues to impact the eastern Carolinas. Hurricane Matthew remains a dangerous storm and FEMA urges residents in affected states to heed instructions from state, local, and tribal officials. As of 8 a.m. Eastern Time, over three million residents remained under a Hurricane Warning.

For residents in Georgia and the Carolinas, dangerous flooding continues in many areas and may worsen throughout the day into Sunday, particularly along and east of the I-95 corridor. Flash flood warnings are in effect for significant portions of the Carolinas and the threat will continue for several more days. Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous and almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. If residents encounter flood waters, remember – turn around, don’t drown.

Residents should listen for local warnings and information and return home only when authorities indicate it is safe. Upon returning home, FEMA advises residents to be aware of emergency workers working on damaged infrastructure and assisting people in damaged areas. Residents should stay off the roads and out of the way.

“Residents need to stay focused on staying safe and be prepared,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “This hurricane is still very dangerous and its effects can be deadly even after it passes. Take flooding seriously, avoid downed power lines, and return home only when local officials say it is safe to do so.”

Shelters are open across the impacted states. Download the FEMA mobile app for shelter information, disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips, in English and in Spanish. The app provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.

Residents in areas affected by Hurricane Matthew can use social media sites like Facebook or Twitter to reconnect with loved ones.

Earlier in the week, President Barack Obama declared emergencies for requested counties in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina authorizing FEMA to provide support and resources necessary to save lives and protect property.

Safety and Preparedness Tips

Get to know the terms that are used to identify severe weather and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued:

For a hurricane:

A Hurricane Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 74 miles-per-hour poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 74 miles-per-hour or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

For a tropical storm:

A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 39 miles-per-hour or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 39 miles-per-hour or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less.

For flooding:

A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding.
A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

To learn more about what to do before, during and after severe weather, visit www.Ready.gov.

After the Hurricane

Listen to local officials for updates and instructions. Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
When you return to the impacted area, watch out for debris and downed power lines.
Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.
Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.
Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.

For more information about Hurricane Matthew, including resources deployed, imagery, and b-roll go to: http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-matthew

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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 Urges Residents in Affected States to Continue to Take Hurricane Matthew Seriously, Be Prepared and Ready for Severe Flooding

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