Duluth, Minn.  – September is National Preparedness Month, a great time to organize and update your emergency plans and supplies. Disasters can happen with little or no warning.  If   you currently don’t have supplies on hand, now is the perfect time to prepare so you can care for yourself and family before, during and after any emergency.

You can start by planning for the types of disasters that can happen in the area where you live. Create a personalized emergency plan and kit based on the requirements of your family. For example, if you have infants, you will need to include items such as diapers, formula and a few toys in your kit.  And don’t forget to include your pets when making your emergency plans.   

Being prepared in case of an emergency does not have to cost a lot of money. Make a checklist of the most important items your family will need.  Next, budget emergency preparedness items as a normal expense. Shop the sales and use coupons when you can.  Try to buy one item from your list each time you go to the grocery store.  The reward of knowing you are prepared before disaster strikes makes it all worthwhile. 

It’s also important to remember you need to be prepared for all seasons. FEMA has many tools to help you plan, including videos and social media links. The following are just a few examples:

Winter is just around the corner, which can bring many types of unforeseen weather emergencies.

www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6746

Spring weather is always unpredictable. Severe storms, tornadoes and flooding can occur without much warning.

www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/7626

In the summer, weather conditions may seem perfect for outside activities everyone must be aware of dangerous health issues related to extreme heat and high humidity.

www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/8966

Most people spend a lot more time on the road than they realize so no matter what the season.  An emergency kit for your car should be part of your emergency plan.

www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/5546

Pre-planning will help you and your family better survive a disaster. For more information and ideas, log on to www.ready.gov. And remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest information: www.facebook.com/fema, www.twitter.com/fema.

 

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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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Be Prepared, All Year Long

DULUTH, Minn. — State agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofits in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Lake, Meeker, Pine, Rice, Sibley and St. Louis counties along with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe have just a few days remaining to file their official requests for federal public assistance to help recover from severe storms and flooding on June 14-21, 2012.

 

The deadline to file a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) is August 5, 2012.

 

Filing such a request with the State is the first step in the process of applying for federal reimbursements under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program. Applicants must file RPAs within 30 days of a presidential disaster declaration. President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for public assistance on July 6.  

 

PA grants are obligated to the State to reimburse applicants for expenses they incurred while taking emergency measures to protect lives and property such as debris removal, search and rescue operations and sandbagging. Expenses for repairs to flood-damaged facilities such as roads, bridges, utilities and other public infrastructure may also be covered.

 

Although the program is oriented to public entities, private nonprofit organizations may apply directly to FEMA via the RPA for uninsured costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures. Additionally, nonprofits may qualify for FEMA assistance to make infrastructure repairs if they provide critical services such as communications, power, water, emergency response or medical treatment.

 

For details about FEMA’s PA program, visit: www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.

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Follow FEMA online at 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.

 

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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August 5th is the Deadline for 13 Minnesota Counties and Three Tribal Nations to Request Federal Public Assistance

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance briefing is scheduled for Montgomery County, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The briefing will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1 in Conshohocken.  

Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus

1175 Conshohocken Road

Conshohocken, PA 19428

At the briefing, officials from state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations will receive information about applying for federal assistance to recover from Hurricane Sandy during the period from October 26 to November 8, 2012.  

FEMA manages the Public Assistance program, approves grants and provides technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants and managing each project funded under the program.

Federal funding is also available through the Public Assistance program on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures in all counties of the Commonwealth.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

 

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Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Briefing for Montgomery County

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance briefings are scheduled for Dauphin County, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The briefings will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30 in Dauphin.

Dauphin County Conservation District

1451 Peters Mountain Road

Dauphin, PA 17018

At the briefings, officials from state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations from these counties will receive information about applying for federal assistance to recover from Hurricane Sandy during the period from October 26 to November 8, 2012.  

FEMA manages the PA program, approves grants and provides technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants and managing each project funded under the program.

For specifics about the PA process, including a list of frequently asked questions, see http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-frequently-asked-questions.

Federal funding is also available through the PA program on a cost-sharing basis for Hazard Mitigation measures in all counties of the Commonwealth.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

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Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Briefings for Dauphin County

TRENTON, N.J. — While New Jersey survivors of Hurricane Sandy have until March 1 to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance, more than $780 million in disaster assistance has been approved to speed recovery.

FEMA has approved more than $300 million in housing assistance for more than 52,000 people. Housing assistance includes temporary rental assistance and grants to repair and replace storm-damaged primary residences. More than $42 million has been approved to help survivors replace hurricane-damaged personal property and to help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.

In rare cases, FEMA is providing temporary housing to Sandy survivors. Empty apartments at Fort Monmouth are being renovated to house some survivors. More than 40 apartments are occupied and when work is complete, there will be 115 units ranging from one bedroom to four bedrooms. FEMA is also installing a limited number of manufactured homes at commercial mobile home parks.

Homeowners and renters are also being helped with low-interest disaster loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $277 million in loans to individuals. Another $31.7 million has been approved for New Jersey businesses.

More than $129 million has been channeled to state and local governments to help remove hurricane debris and restore disaster-damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Among the largest grants was $11.2 million to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission for emergency repairs to a wastewater treatment plant that serves 48 communities and treats 330 million gallons of sewage daily.

FEMA and federal partners such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have helped local communities replace critical public facilities damaged by the hurricane. The Sea Bright Fire Department, for example, was knocked out of commission by storm damage. The Corps set up a temporary fire station with a four-bay fire truck tent and a 56-foot trailer in a beach access parking lot.

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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Hurricane Sandy Assistance Reaches Nearly $800 Million In New Jersey

Nearly $1.6 billion provided by FEMA, SBA to New York Hurricane Sandy survivors

Main Content

Release date:

January 25, 2013

Release Number:

NR-151

NEW YORK — Federal disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy totals almost $1.6 billion.

FEMA continues to reach out to all 13 counties designated for Individual Assistance, focusing on the hardest-hit areas. Assistance to residents in affected counties includes:

  • Bronx            $2.4 million
  • Kings            $191.1 million
  • Nassau          $280.6 million
  • New York       $13 million
  • Queens          $221.1 million
  • Richmond       $89.3 million
  • Suffolk            $64.8 million

FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved almost $1.6 billion for Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York. FEMA has approved nearly $868 million for individuals and households, including more than $761 million for housing assistance and more than $106 million in assistance for other needs.

  • SBA has approved more than $667 million in disaster loans to homeowners and renters and nearly $44 million in disaster businesses loans. The SBA has staff members at every FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center and 17 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.
  • More than 264,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance, including more than 143,000 who have applied through the online application site at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or on their smartphone at m.fema.gov.
  • 18 Disaster Recovery Centers are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites. To date, nearly 140,000 survivors have been assisted at Disaster Recovery Centers in New York.          
  • 58 inspectors are currently in the field. To date, 174,472 home inspections have been completed, making a 99.4 percent completion rate.
  • 13 New York counties are designated for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. These are Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. Greene County has been designated for Public Assistance only.
  • Nearly $1.7 billion has been paid to National Flood Insurance Program policy holders in New York for losses resulting from Sandy. The National Flood Insurance Program, administered by FEMA, offers flood insurance to all homeowners, renters and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP.
  • Since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, FEMA has provided more than $519 million in Public Assistance grants in New York State. The FEMA PA program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure. In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

Individuals can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Applicants who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week.

Last Updated:

January 25, 2013 – 16:36

State or Region:

Related Disaster:

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Nearly $1.6 billion provided by FEMA, SBA to New York Hurricane Sandy survivors

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, to receive assistance at three Disaster Recovery Centers in Queens and Brooklyn.

The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York Disaster Recovery Centers. Traffic at these three centers has slowed, indicating the information needs of survivors in those areas have mostly been met. So far, more than 11,000 survivors have visited the three centers combined.

The three centers that will be ending service at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, and their respective hours and locations are:

  • Social Security Building

Gravesend

10 Bouck Court

Brooklyn, NY 11223

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday

  • Community Church of the Nazarene

1414 Central Ave.

Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 27)

  • Sands Point Professional Building

230 Beach 102nd St.

Rockaway Park, NY 11694

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 27)

Also, all recovery centers will discontinue service on Sundays beginning Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013.

Survivors who need help may still visit any of the other centers that remain open throughout New York. To find the nearest center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, the Disaster Recovery Center locator is available online at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals also can find a recovery center – and register for FEMA help – online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app. Survivors also can call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). People who use 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice.

Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until Feb. 27, 2013 to register for federal disaster assistance, which can include money for rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

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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Limited time for Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York to visit 3 Disaster Recovery Centers

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency, at the request of the State of New York, has approved a 30-day extension for survivors to register for federal disaster assistance. The new registration deadline for Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York is Feb. 27. FEMA also approved a 14-day extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program. The new checkout date for applicants staying in hotels under this program is Sunday, Feb. 10.

Registration deadline

The Feb. 27 registration deadline allows survivors in the 13 New York counties designated for federal disaster assistance an additional 30 days to register with FEMA and complete and return low-interest SBA disaster loan applications, an important step in the FEMA grant process. Designated counties include: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

People in these counties who sustained losses due to Hurricane Sandy should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. Applying by the deadline may help survivors avoid a funding shortfall if they later find that they are underinsured or have additional damages.

Survivors who register may be eligible for federal grants to help cover various disaster-related expenses including rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

By returning the SBA disaster loan application, homeowners may be eligible for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their storm-damaged primary residence. Homeowners and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property. Businesses and private nonprofits may be eligible to borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace storm-damaged property.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program deadline

The temporary Transitional Sheltering Assistance program allows eligible Hurricane Sandy survivors whose houses have been severely damaged or destroyed to stay in a hotel or motel for a limited time and have the cost of the room and taxes paid directly to the hotel by FEMA.

The extension was approved to help those applicants still eligible for the program to remain in hotels as FEMA and its state and local partners work to identify longer-term housing solutions. All TSA applicants currently staying in hotels will be evaluated for continued eligibility.

FEMA continues to work in coordination with state, local and voluntary agency partners to assist applicants through outreach and comprehensive casework to identify and transition them to more suitable temporary or long-term housing.

Meals, telephone calls and other incidental charges are not covered, and applicants are responsible for any lodging costs above the authorized allowance.  The program does not reimburse previously incurred hotel expenses.

How to register

Individuals also can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app.

Survivors also can call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). People who use 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors who have questions regarding the registration process, the status of their application and available disaster assistance programs are encouraged to visit a Disaster Recovery Center or contact FEMA.

To find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, the Disaster Recovery Center locator is available online at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

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.

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 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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Deadlines extended for FEMA registration and Transitional Sheltering Assistance program in New York

TRENTON, N.J. — Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey now have until March 1, 2013, to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

People with storm losses in all counties in New Jersey can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Registration is also available by calling 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585 or 711/VRS. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week.

The deadline was extended one month at the request of the state of New Jersey. Through Wednesday, Jan. 23, more than 57,500 storm survivors have been approved for help through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program in New Jersey.

The disaster registration process serves as a referral point for FEMA programs and those of partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

FEMA disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. 

The SBA has also set March 1 as the date for homeowners, renters and business owners to complete and return SBA disaster loan applications. Visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955, TTY 800-877-8339 for more information.

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

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.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance Program provides long term, low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit www.sba.gov. All SBA’s program and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.

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FEMA Extends Deadline To Register For Hurricane Sandy Assistance In New Jersey

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation briefings for designated counties in Pennsylvania began this week, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

A briefing for Potter County officials will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24 in Coudersport.

DATE:

Thursday, Jan. 24

TIME:

6 p.m.

LOCATION:

Gunzburger Building

1 N. Main St.

(Water St. entrance)

Coudersport, PA 16915

All seven categories of Public Assistance (A-G) are now available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for eligible expenditures. Projects may include emergency work, debris removal and repair or replacement of damaged roads, bridges and other elements of the infrastructure. Public Assistance funding also covers partial or complete repair of schools and other critical functions such as public water tanks or sewer systems. Projects will be approved only if they are necessary as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy during the time period from Oct. 26 to Nov. 8, 2012.  

In cases where small improvements may reduce the risk of future disaster damage, FEMA may pay for cost-effective mitigation measures. For example, FEMA may cover the cost of such projects as increasing the size of a culvert if the increase could prevent future flooding. Otherwise, FEMA generally pays only to bring facilities back to pre-disaster condition.

Public Assistance categories  

Category A: Debris Removal

Removal of obtrusive items on public property, including trees, woody debris, sand, mud, silt, gravel, building components, wreckage, vehicles and personal property to eliminate an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety. An example of an eligible project is the removal of debris from a street or highway to allow the safe passage of emergency vehicles. An example of an ineligible project is the pre-disaster sediment from engineered channels.

Category B: Emergency Protective Measures

Emergency Protective Measures are actions taken by applicants before, during and after a disaster to save lives, protect public health and safety, and prevent damage to improved public and private property. Emergency communications, emergency access and emergency public transportation costs may also be eligible. These can include such projects as search and rescue, sandbagging and removal of health and safety hazards.

Category C: Roads and Bridges

Roads (paved, gravel, and dirt) are eligible for permanent repair or replacement, unless they are Federal-aid roads. Eligible work includes repair to surfaces, bases, shoulders, ditches, culverts, low water crossings and other features, such as guardrails. Damage to the road must be disaster-related to be eligible for repair. Eligible work includes repairs to such elements as piers and approaches.

Category D: Water Control Facilities

Water control facilities include such elements as dams and reservoirs, levees and engineered drainage channels. Restoration of the carrying capacity of engineered channels and debris basins may be eligible, but maintenance records or surveys must be produced to show the pre-disaster capacity of these facilities.

Category E: Buildings and Equipment

Buildings, including contents such as furnishings and interior systems such as electrical work, are eligible for repair or replacement. FEMA may also pay for the replacement of library books and publications. Removal of mud, silt, or other accumulated debris is eligible, along with any cleaning and painting necessary to restore the building.

If an insurance policy applies to a facility, FEMA will deduct from eligible costs the amount of insurance proceeds, actual or anticipated, before providing funds for restoration of the facility.

Category F: Utilities

Typical Utilities include:

Water treatment plants and delivery systems

•             Power generation and distribution facilities, including generators, substations and power lines

•             Sewage collection systems and treatment plants

•             Telecommunications

Category G: Parks, Recreational Facilities and Other Items                                                       

Repair and restoration of parks, playgrounds, pools, cemeteries and beaches are eligible. This category also is used for any work or facility that cannot be characterized adequately by Categories A-F. Other types of facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities, that are located in parks and recreational areas are also eligible and are subject to the eligibility criteria for Categories C, D, E and F.

Natural features are not eligible facilities unless they are improved and maintained. This restriction applies to features located in parks and recreational areas. Specific criteria apply to beaches and to trees and ground cover.

Repair and restoration of parks, playgrounds, pools, cemeteries and beaches are eligible. This category also is used for any work or facility that cannot be characterized adequately by Categories A-F. Other types of facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities, that are located in parks and recreational areas are also eligible and are subject to the eligibility criteria for Categories C, D, E and F.

Natural features are not eligible facilities unless they are improved and maintained. This restriction applies to features located in parks and recreational areas. Specific criteria apply to beaches and to trees and ground cover.

A detailed description of all seven Public Assistance categories is available online at www.FEMA.gov.

The Commonwealth begins the Public Assistance process by announcing the schedule of briefings through which potential applicants are guided through the application process. During the briefings, specialists will describe the application process. After the general applicant briefing, each applicant will meet one-on-one with an assigned Public Assistance Coordinator (PAC) at a scheduled kick-off meeting. The PAC will contact their assigned applicants within one week after a request for Public Assistance is submitted. Applicants should contact their State Public Assistance Officer to arrange the first meeting if they have not heard from their PAC within two weeks.

Here’s what to expect at a kick-off meeting:

A PAC will provide a detailed list of required records and can recommend ways of organizing them.

Applicants should be prepared to bring documents with them to their kick-off meeting, including a list of damage and a description of intended repair or replacement projects.

Applicants should try to identify circumstances that require special review, such as insurance coverage, environmental resource issues and historic preservation. The earlier these conditions are known, the faster they can be addressed, and they must be addressed before funding can be approved.

After the meeting, applicants will be able to contact their PAC with any questions or requests for assistance.

Applicants are responsible for maintaining records of completed work and work to be completed.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for Hazard Mitigation measures for all counties within the Commonwealth.

For a list of frequently asked questions about the Public Assistance process see www.fema.gov/public-assistance-frequently-asked-questions.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

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Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation for Potter County

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