3 Months Remain Before Ellis Co, TX Flood Maps Become Final

 

DENTON, Texas –– In three months, on Monday, June 3, 2013, new flood maps for Ellis County, Texas will become effective.  Before that date, state, local and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps to understand their flood risk and consider purchasing flood insurance.

Most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of a flood. Floods can place people at risk of uninsured loss to their businesses, homes and personal property if they don’t have either a private flood insurance policy or coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary protection program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the United States and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. “Where there is rain, there could be flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Everyone lives in a flood zone.

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, residents can contact their local floodplain administrator.  

FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat:

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Participation in the NFIP can assure a faster recovery in the event of a devastating flood. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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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 us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6  and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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3 Months Remain Before Ellis Co, TX Flood Maps Become Final

New Flood Maps Show Updated Flood Risks Throughout Upper Chattahoochee River Region

ATLANTA – New flood insurance rate maps will soon go into effect in metro Atlanta for communities in the Upper Chattahoochee River Region, specifically in Cobb, Douglas, Forsyth, Gwinnett, DeKalb and Fulton counties.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have been working with county and municipal governments over the last several years to incorporate the best available data into these flood maps. The ultimate goal of the maps is to protect property owners and communities by showing the extent of flood risk in their areas. Flood maps also help to determine flood insurance rating and building requirements.

Flood maps for Cobb, Douglas, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties will be effective on March 4, 2013; maps for DeKalb County will be effective in May, and maps for Fulton County will be effective in September. Coweta County’s flood maps were effective earlier this month. If you live in an area with a new map, visit www.GeorgiaDFIRM.com to find your flood risk online. You can also contact your local floodplain manager with questions about the new maps, and to learn more about flood risks in your community.  

These updated maps are more precise than older maps because better flood hazard and risk data has been incorporated, and the latest science has been used to make them more accurate. Flood risks change over time due to construction, development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other factors. These changes send water flowing in new directions, creating flood risks that didn’t exist previously—precisely why flood maps must be updated periodically. 

The historic September 2009 flooding in North Georgia is a reminder of how devastating disasters can be.  We may not know when the next one will strike, but we can protect ourselves by knowing what risks exist in our communities, and to prepare for them. 

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on properties that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Even people living in lower risk areas can experience flooding, which is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S. In fact, about 25 percent of flood insurance claims occur in lower risk flood zones.

Regardless of flood zone, everyone should take steps to financially protect themselves from a flood disaster which affects far too many communities each year. The primary way to do this is by purchasing flood insurance. Since standard homeowner’s, business owner’s, and renter’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone. 

Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program, a voluntary program administered by the FEMA. You can purchase flood insurance policies from state-licensed property and casualty insurance agents who you deal with for other property insurance needs, or visit www.floodsmart.gov to locate an agent. 

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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New Flood Maps Show Updated Flood Risks Throughout Upper Chattahoochee River Region

FEMA, MEMA Extend Helping Hands To Students, Staff At USM

PURVIS, Miss. – On the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi, a table was set up this week in the lobby of the R.C. Cook Student Union. Behind it sat folks from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, its state counterpart MEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and a FEMA Corps young adult. They were there to bring the message to students and faculty about the help available to those affected by the recent tornadoes and flooding.

The Disaster Information Station came to be at the urging of USM alumni Governor Phil Bryant (class of ’77) and Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny L. Dupree (class of ’96). The governor asked FEMA and MEMA to reach out to the students and staff at the school who might not have the time or means to seek assistance otherwise.

“We were so excited to be able to bring our partners on campus to make sure the entire USM family is being taken care of,” said MEMA Director Robert Latham. “The university has been very proactive from the start and we appreciate its efforts.”

“We will continue to staff the station as long as there is a need,” he said.

“The Disaster Information Station on the USM campus underscores FEMA’s dedication to the whole-community nature of our mission,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Terry Quarles. “We want to make sure all those affected by the storms get the help they deserve.”

The station opened for business on Monday morning, Feb. 26 and is currently set to remain open through Friday, March 1. About 25 students and staff showed up on that first day and learned how to register for assistance and what FEMA aid might be available.

Many of these students get around by bicycle. Some lost their cars, or their living quarters were hit, or their personal belongings were damaged or destroyed.

“Most of these young people could not get to a regular FEMA Disaster Recovery Center,” Quarles said, “So we brought a little version of a DRC to them.”

FEMA Corps member Reilly Bean, who had been deployed to Nassau County in New York for Hurricane Sandy before coming south, was able to give advice and guidance to some of his Generation-Y contemporaries.

Not all the visitors on Monday were looking for help. Some were offering it, looking for ways to pitch in. The people manning the station were able to direct them to volunteer organizations in Hattiesburg.

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 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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FEMA, MEMA Extend Helping Hands To Students, Staff At USM

Waterbury Complex Funding Progressing

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – The process of determining the federal government’s share of funding for rebuilding the Waterbury State Office Complex is progressing but will not be complete at the end of February.

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State of Vermont had hoped to announce how much of the cost of reconstructing the Waterbury campus – flooded by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 – would be eligible for FEMA reimbursement on February 28.

“As part of our ongoing partnership with the state, we are exploring all potential funding solutions within the bounds of federal law and policy,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry, the head of FEMA’s Vermont field office.

The Waterbury State Office Complex consists of 47 buildings – including the Vermont State Hospital – that sustained varying levels of damage when the complex was inundated by floodwaters from the nearby Winooski River.

“This is a complex project and we are working at all levels to secure the maximum funding possible to allow the state to start rebuilding,” Landry said. “We are nearly there but it will take some additional time and we don’t want to leave money on the table by moving too fast.”

Officials have said the funding of repairs to the complex will come from a combination of insurance proceeds, FEMA funding, and state funding.

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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.

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Waterbury Complex Funding Progressing

FEMA Awards $1.5 Million to St. John Parish for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – St. John Parish will receive a $1.5 million federal grant to reimburse the cost of repairing sewer and storm pumps damaged by Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Wednesday.

Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, Hurricane Isaac produced high winds, rain and flooding throughout the state, hitting St. John Parish particularly hard. Sewer and storm pumps at 12 locations in the parish required repair following the hurricane. The $1,501,415 FEMA Public Assistance grant helps reimburse costs for those repairs and provides additional assistance to strengthen the pumps against future damage.

“Slow-moving events like Hurricane Isaac affect the infrastructure people depend on for safety during the storm,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This grant helps put St. John Parish a little closer to normal following the storm and places the parish in a better position to withstand the next storm.”

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the nearly $215.6 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana, it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Awards $1.5 Million to St. John Parish for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

2 Disaster Recovery Centers in NY extend operations

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York will be able to visit the disaster recovery centers at the Recreation Center and Ice Arena, 700 Magnolia Blvd., Long Beach, NY, 11561, and at the Freeport Recreation Center, 130 East Merrick Rd., Freeport, NY, 11520 for an extended period of time.

The deadline to register for federal disaster assistance has been extended to Mar. 29, 2013. In light of this extension, the State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will maintain operations at the centers to continue providing necessary assistance to disaster survivors.

Survivors have several ways to register:

  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app.
  • By phone, 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  • The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST seven days a week until further notice.

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

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2 Disaster Recovery Centers in NY extend operations

Funding For Railroads Damaged By Irene Tops $22 Million

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – While the destruction of large parts of Vermont’s road system by Tropical Storm Irene received much attention, the state’s railroad network was also heavily damaged.

Now, federal and state officials say that more than $22 million has been put into repairs of damaged railroad tracks, bridges, and other infrastructure, including almost $20 million worth of Federal Emergency Management Agency funding.

“Vermont’s roads took a significant hit during Irene, but many residents may not have been aware how much of the rail infrastructure was also damaged or destroyed,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry, the head of FEMA’s mission in Vermont. “Restoring these bridges and rail lines has been an important part of the recovery effort.”

“The Rail Division of the Vermont Agency of Transportation did a remarkable job restoring service immediately after Irene, and their work in making permanent repairs to the rail system has been a success story that deserves recognition,” said Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Joe Flynn.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program has approved funding for a total of 80 projects related to the repair or replacement of damaged rail infrastructure, including 16 for bridges and 64 for the repair of damage to various segments of track, including the rail bed and associated culverts.

Total estimated project costs to date are as follows:

 

Project

Cost

Est. federal share

 

 

 

16 Bridges

$18,272,212

$16,444,990

 

 

 

Repairs to rail beds and small structures

$3,740,920

$3,366,829

 

 

 

Total estimated project costs to date:

$22,013,132

$19,811,819

For projects related to Tropical Storm Irene, FEMA’s Public Assistance program pays 90 percent of the eligible costs and the applicant is responsible for the remaining 10 percent.

To date, FEMA has provided Vermont with more than $23 million in grants to individuals and households for losses related to Irene, and another $133 million in grants to cover the cost of emergency services related to the disaster, and for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities such as roads, buildings and utilities.

FEMA has also obligated nearly $13 million for hazard mitigation efforts including home buyouts to remove damaged or destroyed homes from harm’s way.

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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.

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Funding For Railroads Damaged By Irene Tops $22 Million

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for San Bernardino County

OAKLAND, Calif. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is joining the city of Fontana, the city of Ontario, the city of Rancho Cucamonga, and San Bernardino County, Calif., to update flood hazard risk information.  FEMA released preliminary flood maps which will help community officials, individuals and business owners identify flood risks, and when finalized be used for flood insurance, land use and development decisions.  The revised maps are digital, incorporating the latest available technology to identify flood risk based on detailed engineering models, decades of rainfall and storm gauge information, and current topographic data.

Flooding is the most common disaster in the United States.  Individuals and business owners in the areas along the San Sevaine Channel and East Etiwanda Creek are urged to look at the preliminary maps to become familiar with their flood risks.  These maps can help make informed decisions about flood insurance options and flood protection measures.

If individuals and business owners believe the preliminary flood maps contain errors, they may submit appeals by sharing additional scientific or technical information through their community officials for FEMA review.  Once all appeals are resolved, FEMA will make any necessary updates and notify community officials of any further changes.  Floodplain administrators in each community have copies of the maps available for public viewing.

For more information about flood insurance, premium estimates or to find a local agent, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

For specific questions about flood maps and FEMA’s flood hazard mapping program, call 877-FEMA-MAP (877-336-2627), email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com or visit http://msc.fema.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.

 

 

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FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for San Bernardino County

Prompt Return Of SBA Disaster-Loan Application Speeds Aid Process

PURVIS, Miss. – Some people who have registered for federal assistance were sent an application for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration, and many are wondering why they got one.

Although nobody is required to accept an SBA loan, filling out the application is an important step in being considered for certain forms of disaster assistance. There is no need to actually take out a loan.

“The SBA disaster loans are the primary source of long-term recovery aid,” according to SBA spokesman Jack Camp. “The application gives us and FEMA the information we need to get the proper aid for each applicant.”

“We encourage anyone who received an SBA loan application to return it as soon as possible,” Camp said. “Filling out the loan application carries no obligation to accept a loan, but it does help speed the disaster-assistance process.”

SBA representatives are on duty at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers to help individuals complete and submit disaster-loan applications and answer any questions. The locations of the centers are available at fema.gov. Click on the link “Apply for Assistance” and then “Disaster Recovery Center locations.”

The SBA toll-free number is (800)-659-2955; TTY is (800)-877-8339. Help is also available by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or on the Web site at www.sba.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.

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 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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Prompt Return Of SBA Disaster-Loan Application Speeds Aid Process

New Jersey Recovery From Hurricane Sandy: By The Numbers

TRENTON, N.J. — Disaster assistance to New Jersey survivors of Hurricane Sandy by the numbers as of Feb. 21:

  • $361.7 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
  • $314.1 million for housing assistance
  • $47.6 million for other needs
  • $495.7 in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
  • $169.6 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and some nonprofit organizations that serve the public
  • $54.6 million in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
  • 8 million cubic yards of debris have been collected (96 percent)
  • 256,777 people contacted FEMA for help or information
  • 122,643 housing inspections completed
  • 76,036 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers

Survivors can register online and check on the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, via web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov until midnight March 1. They also can call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. Recovery assistants remain available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Survivors can ask questions about their SBA disaster home or business loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Additional resources are available online at FEMA.gov/SandyNJ and SBA.gov/Sandy.

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 Recovery From Hurricane Sandy: By The Numbers

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