No flood insurance? Now is the time to buy

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It is time to buy flood insurance, if you don’t already have it. Available to everyone, businesses, homeowners and renters alike, it is the only insurance that will help you recover from flooding and mudflows.

Citing a strong El Niño and other factors, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts wetter than average conditions for central and southern California, along with warmer than normal temperatures from December through February. There is a 30-day waiting period between purchasing flood insurance and the time the insurance goes into effect.

Residents living in the vicinity of the recent wildfires are especially vulnerable to runoff flooding this rainy season because wildfires dramatically alter the terrain and ground conditions.

Normally, vegetation absorbs rainfall, reducing runoff. But wildfires leave the ground charred, barren, and unable to absorb water. That enhances the chances of flash flooding and mudflows. Flood insurance covers mudflows, but not mudslides.

Just because your property is outside a high flood risk zone doesn’t mean there is no risk. But it does mean you can buy flood insurance at a lower price, because the risk is lower.

Information about flood insurance is available at the Disaster Recovery Centers in Lake and Calaveras counties: 891 Mountain Ranch Rd., San Andreas; Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St., Middletown, and 14860 Olympic Dr., Clear Lake.

Flood insurance is for everyone, not just survivors of the wildfires. It is easy to find out how much flood insurance will cost by going to FloodSmart.gov. Fill in the blanks in the red box on the right side of the screen, “How Can I Get Covered”. You will be taken to a table of flood insurance options and costs for your address. Contact information for local agents is available on the website.

Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling  800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The deadline to register is Nov. 23, 2015.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov, Twitter@Cal-OES Facebook.com/CaliforniaOES or FEMA.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter@femaregion9 and at Facebook.com/FEMA.

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.

 

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No flood insurance? Now is the time to buy

FEMA Assistance Will Not Change Social Security, Medicare Benefits

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance grants do not count as income. Survivors who receive federal disaster assistance as a result of the wildfires will not pay additional income taxes or see any reduction in their Social Security checks or any other federal benefits.

Grants for temporary housing, essential home repairs, replacement of personal property or other disaster-related needs do not count as income. Donations from charitable organizations will not affect Social Security payments or Medicare benefits.

“We understand the concerns of senior citizens and other survivors and want them to know that disaster assistance will not affect other benefits they may be receiving,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy J. Scranton. “The assistance we provide will not affect taxes or social security. Anyone with questions can call the FEMA helpline or visit one of our disaster recovery centers.”

 

Disaster recovery centers (DRCs) are open in Calaveras and Lake counties:

The Calaveras County DRC in San Andreas:
891 Mountain Ranch Rd.
San Andreas, CA

Hours of operation until further notice:
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Lake County DRC in Middletown:
21256 Washington St.,
Middletown, CA

Hours of operation until further notice:
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Tuesday, Oct. 6
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on Social Security, contact the Social Security Administration by calling 800-772-1213 or by visiting www.SocialSecurity.gov.

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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.
The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters 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 Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at SBA.gov. (Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.).

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FEMA Assistance Will Not Change Social Security, Medicare Benefits

FEMA Phones and Help Available at Disaster Recovery Centers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  – Many survivors of the recent wildfires in Lake and Calaveras counties have lost both landline and cellular telephone service. The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants them to know that two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have operational phone lines and are staffed with FEMA representatives who are ready to help residents register for disaster assistance.

Two DRCs are currently open in Calaveras and Lake counties:

The Calaveras County DRC in San Andreas:

891 Mountain Ranch Rd.

San Andreas, CA

Hours of operation until further notice:

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

 

The Lake County DRC in Middletown:

21256 Washington St.

Middletown, CA

Hours of operation until further notice:

Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Tuesday, Oct. 6

8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

The DRCs serve as one-stop-shops for survivors. Specialists from the state of California, FEMA, the Small Business Administration and voluntary organizations are working at the DRCs to answer questions, help survivors apply for federal assistance and provide referrals to community groups.  Although a visit to the DRC is not required to be able to register, a face-to-face interaction with specialists may be beneficial.    

Cal OES Contact: 916-607-7657

FEMA Contact: 510-207-4011

FEMA Contact: 202-805-7147

SBA Contact: 916-878-1494

 

 

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FEMA Phones and Help Available at Disaster Recovery Centers

FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Lake County

SACRAMENTO – The Lake County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Middletown will be open Monday September 28, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., to help survivors impacted by the Valley Fire. Regular hours will begin Tuesday September 29. The DRCs are operated by the California Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the county and local agencies.

DRC Location:
Middletown Senior Center
21256 Washington St., Middletown, CA 95461
Hours of operation until further notice:
Tuesday – Tuesday 8 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, State of California, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are among those represented to explain assistance programs and help survivors register.

Survivors with losses are encouraged to register for assistance before going to the disaster recovery center by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Online registration is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by using a web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.  Businesses and residents can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (Deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339).

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.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters 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 Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website 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 Opens in Lake County

New Jersey, FEMA Identify 769 Rental Units In Atlantic, Monmouth, Ocean Counties

TRENTON, N.J. — The state of New Jersey and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have identified 769 homes and apartments currently available for rent in Atlantic, Monmouth and Ocean counties. 

Households that qualified for FEMA assistance may use their FEMA rental assistance for the security deposit and rent for these units. Households that earlier told FEMA they did not need housing may request FEMA assistance to move to rental housing if their housing situation has changed.

FEMA lists available units at www.fema.gov/housingportal. Rental availabilities are also listed at www.socialserve.com where you can select the New Jersey link to do a search.

The number of available units is in constant change as units are occupied and new listings are added. Here are the details of available housing on Dec. 27 shown by county and community: 

Atlantic County—250 units

Absecon—21, Atlantic City—28, Brigantine—2, Egg Harbor City—5, Egg Harbor Township—6, Estell Manor—1, Galloway—60, Hammonton—7, Lindenwold—12, Linwood—3, Margate City—27, Mays Landing—20, Northfield—2, Pine Hill—2, Pleasantville—12, Somers Point—30, Tavistock—1, Ventnor City—11.

Within Atlantic County there are 66 one-bedroom units, 70 two-bedroom units, 99 three-bedroom units and 15 four-bedroom units.

Monmouth County—353 units

Allentown—2, Asbury Park—24, Atlantic Highlands—7, Avon By The Sea—3, Belmar—12, Bradley Beach—9, Cliffwood—5, Colts Neck—3, Cream Ridge—3, Eatontown—31, Englishtown—8, Farmingdale—9, Freehold—21, Hazlet—3, Highlands—2, Howell—3, Keansburg—9, Keyport—25, Lake Como—1, Lincroft—2, Long Branch—36, Manalapan—7, Manasquan—1, Marlboro—3, Matawan—25, Middletown—5, Millstone Township—3, Monmouth Beach—2, Monmouth County—1, Morganville—7, Neptune—17, North Middletown—3, Oakhurst—1, Ocean—25, Ocean Grove—10, Red Bank—9, Roosevelt—1, Rumson—3, Spring Lake—10, Tinton Falls—2.

Within Monmouth County there are 141 one-bedroom units, 124 two-bedroom units, 69 three-bedroom units and 19 four-bedroom units.

Ocean County—166 units

Barnegat—7, Brick—22, Cream Ridge—4, Forked River—4, Jackson—19, Lakehurst—1,  Lakewood—30, Lavallette—1, Little Egg Harbor—1, Little Egg Harbor Township—5, Long Beach—1, Manahawkin—2, Manchester—9, Manchester Township—4, Point Pleasant Beach—4, Seaside Heights—3, Toms River—37, Tuckerton—2, Waretown—1, West Creek—7, Whiting—2.

Within Ocean County there are 38 one-bedroom units, 78 two-bedroom units, 43 three-bedroom units and 7 four-bedroom units.

Landlords with available units may list them at www.socialserve.com or call 877-428-8844. To request FEMA housing assistance, visit a disaster recovery center or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or 711/VRS.

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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New Jersey, FEMA Identify 769 Rental Units In Atlantic, Monmouth, Ocean Counties

R.I. Disaster Recovery Centers to Close

WARWICK, R.I. – The State-FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Westerly and Middletown will close permanently on Friday, December 7, at 6 p.m. The Recovery Center in Westerly will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center starting on Monday. Hours and locations are

  • Disaster Recovery Center, Middletown Police Station (Community Room), 123 Valley Road, Middletown, R.I. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Friday, December 7. Permanently closed after Friday.
  • Disaster Recovery Center, Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, R.I. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Friday, December 7. Permanently closed after Friday.
  • S.B.A. Disaster Loan Outreach Center, Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, R.I. Opens Monday, December 10. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

Rhode Islanders affected by Hurricane Sandy do not need to visit a Recovery Center to register for or receive  disaster aid. Registration for federal disaster assistance remains open until January 14, 2013.

Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362). The phone line is open 24 hours a day seven days a week. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service.  Rhode Islanders with questions about federal disaster assistance or their registration may call 800-621-3362 and select the “help” option.

The Disaster Recovery Centers are staffed with specialists from various federal, state and local agencies and organizations who can provide information about federal disaster assistance and other recovery programs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low interest disaster recovery loans to homeowners, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to cover disaster recovery costs not covered by insurance. Homeowners and renters alike may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace furniture, appliances, cars and clothing damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other assets. 

Specialists at the S.B.A. Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Westerly starting Monday can answer questions about disaster recovery loans and provide assistance with applications.

 

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

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

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, 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.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

 

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R.I. Disaster Recovery Centers to Close