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$20 Million Approved in Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Isaac

CLINTON, Miss. – In nearly seven weeks since Hurricane Isaac struck Mississippi, more than $20.3 million in state and federal aid has been approved to help those affected.

MEMA and FEMA provide the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Oct. 15:

Nearly 6,100 households have received FEMA grants that assist with housing and personal property loss.
Nearly $12.1 million has been approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance, home repair and replacement costs.
Almost $2.2 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Nearly $6.1 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to assist homeowners, renters and businesses.
More than 19,500 home inspections have been completed.
There were more than 10,200 visits to 16 disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.

Almost 24,800 survivors in designated counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance. Many people sought housing assistance from FEMA because their primary homes were unlivable or inaccessible.

While all disaster recovery centers have closed, survivors can still have recovery questions answered by FEMA specialists this week at locations in Franklin and Jones counties.

Those who have already registered for disaster assistance should stay in contact with FEMA if they change their mailing address, phone number or e-mail address, if they receive an insurance settlement, or discover additional damage by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

The Helpline is also available for Mississippians who have needs not met by federal assistance. It is a good source of information referring survivors to state and local organizations and partner agencies such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors may also call 2-1-1 to be connected to volunteer or faith-based organizations that may be able to help them with resources and needs.

Survivors have through Wednesday, Oct. 31 to register for disaster assistance. They should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use
711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Businesses that need help may contact the SBA directly at the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY) 800-877-8339, send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply.

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$20 Million Approved in Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Isaac

Applicants Urged to Stay in Touch with Fema

CLINTON, Miss. – Mississippians who applied for FEMA assistance are urged to stay in touch with the agency for several reasons even after disaster recovery centers closed Oct. 12.

Applicants can track their claims and should notify FEMA of changes to their mailing addresses, phone numbers or email addresses and if they receive insurance settlements or discover additional damages.

Those who have not registered for FEMA assistance are urged to do so before the registration deadline of Oct. 31.

Here is how to reach FEMA:

Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Call m.fema.gov from a Smartphone.
Dial 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
For those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362.

The toll-free numbers are operated from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

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Applicants Urged to Stay in Touch with Fema

Livingston Parish Disaster Recovery Center Closes Wednesday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Time is running out for Hurricane Isaac survivors in Livingston Parish to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Maurepas. The center closes at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

American Legion Hall
24195 Hwy. 22
Maurepas, La 70449

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Recovery centers have opened in many affected parishes to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured losses to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

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

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Livingston Parish Disaster Recovery Center Closes Wednesday

Cleveland County Residents Cautioned to Protect Themselves from Post-Disaster Scam Artists

OKLAHOMA CITY – As Cleveland County residents work to rebuild following the devastating Aug. 3-14 wildfire, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are cautioning them about phony, unscrupulous building contractors and other scam artists that often take advantage of people following a disaster.

“In the wake of a disaster, it’s common to see the generous side of human nature. Unfortunately, there are also those people who may try to take advantage of victims during this stressful time,” said OEM Deputy Director and State Coordinating Officer Michelann Ooten.

“Disasters often bring out the best and worst in people,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III. “We strongly recommend that those who are rebuilding their homes and lives take a few simple steps to make sure they’re dealing with a reputable person.”

The first and best defense is to know the most common post-disaster fraud practices:

Phony housing inspectors: If a home’s damage is visible from the street, the homeowner may be especially vulnerable to the phony housing inspector who claims to represent FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
What to do to help protect yourself?

Ask to see the inspector’s identification badge. All federal employees and contractors carry official, laminated photo identification. A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not proof of someone’s affiliation with the government.
Don’t give bank account numbers to an inspector claiming to be affiliated with the federal government. FEMA inspectors never require banking information.
Don’t believe anyone that says they are endorsed by FEMA. FEMA does not endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs. FEMA contracts with inspectors to verify losses.

Fraudulent building contractors: Damage visible from the street also can bring out scam contractors who visit your home offering to begin work immediately, usually for an upfront payment. Most legitimate contractors will have more work than they can handle after a disaster and will provide you a written estimate for completion.
When you hire a contractor:

Use licensed local contractors backed by reliable references when possible. Get a written estimate from at least three contractors, including the cost of labor and materials, and read the fine print.
Demand that contractors carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If they don’t, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.
Note that the state of Oklahoma doesn’t license residential construction contractors, except in the electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades. But there are some special requirements for non-resident contractors.
To find out if an electrician, plumber or mechanical contractor is licensed in Oklahoma, call the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board at 1-405-521-6550 or toll-free at 1-877-484-4424 or check online at http://cibverify.ok.gov.

Bogus pleas for post-disaster donations: Understand that disaster aid solicitations may arrive by phone, email, letter or face-to-face visits. You can ensure the solicitation is legitimate if you:

Ask for the charity’s exact name, street address, phone number, and web address, then phone the charity directly and confirm that the person asking for funds is an employee or volunteer.
Think before you give cash — instead, pay by check made out to the charity in case you must stop funds later.
Request a receipt with the charity’s name, street address, phone number and web address (if applicable). Legitimate nonprofit agencies routinely provide receipts for tax purposes.

Fake offers of state or federal aid:

If someone claiming to be from FEMA or the state visits, calls or emails asking for your Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information, be cautious. Don’t provide any personal information unless you made the initial call.
Do not trust any phone or in-person solicitor who promises to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance or building permit process.
Some scam artists may promise to provide a disaster grant in return for large cash deposits or advance payments in full. Never agree to pay any amount of money for a disaster grant.

It is important to know that federal and state workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and SBA never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. If ever in doubt, do not give out personal information and report people claiming to be government workers to local police.

Provide your Social Security number and banking information only when registering for FEMA assistance; online at www.disasterassistance.gov; via a web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov; by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585; using 711-Relay or Video Relay
Services call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

Register with the SBA online at its secure site: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339; or visit the Noble Disaster Recovery Center. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

If you suspect someone is perpetrating fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at
1-866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement agencies and to the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General at 1-918-581-2885 or online at www.oag.state.ok.us.

Disaster survivors who have any questions can call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov.

Follow OEM on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement.

FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6.
Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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Cleveland County Residents Cautioned to Protect Themselves from Post-Disaster Scam Artists

FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program Extended Again in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the request of the state of Louisiana, has approved a third extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. The initiative allows eligible Hurricane Isaac 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.

“We are aware that some survivors in hard-hit parishes are facing critical challenges to getting back into their homes,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. “We are working in close coordination with our state and parish partners to arrive at thoughtful solutions to those challenges. Meanwhile, the TSA extension will offer eligible survivors some relief.”

The program, which began Sept. 3, now runs through Oct. 28, with checkout on Oct. 29. 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.

FEMA continues to work in coordination with the state and local parishes to connect survivors in the program to recovery resources in their communities.

Home inspections do not have to be completed before an applicant can be considered for the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. After a housing inspection is performed, applicants in the sheltering program may remain eligible for this third extension if their home is still unlivable, inaccessible or without power.

TSA is open to eligible applicants whose damaged dwellings are in St. John Parish or in designated zip codes in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles. St. Helena, St. James, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and Washington parishes.

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 Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program Extended Again in Louisiana

Disaster Assistance Deadline Extended

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today, the deadline to apply for disaster assistance in both Cleveland and Creek counties is being extended to Wednesday, Nov. 21.

“We want to make sure that all eligible residents have enough time to apply for assistance,” said State Coordinating Officer and OEM Deputy Director Michelann Ooten. “The two counties were not declared at the same time. That is why we are extending the deadline.”

“We hope this additional time will ensure that every one in Cleveland and Creek counties affected by the wildfires has an opportunity to register for state and federal assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III of FEMA. “We want to be sure to reach all wildfire survivors who still need help.”

Nov. 21 will be the last day for residents to apply for state and federal disaster assistance to help them recover from the Aug. 3-14 wildfires This deadline also applies to homeowners, renters and businesses submitting applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Residents with computers or smartphones may apply or track their status online at; www.disasterassistance.gov, or web-enabled phones at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app, or if they prefer, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

Homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the wildfires, can apply for an SBA disaster loan after registering with FEMA by going online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; calling 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339. For information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits for their uncompensated physical disaster losses (homes, personal property and business assets). For small businesses and most private nonprofits, SBA disaster loans are available to cover working capital needs caused by the disaster, whether or not the business suffered physical damage.

To date, more than 750 residents of Cleveland and Creek counties have applied for assistance. Nearly $9.8 million in federal assistance has been distributed in Cleveland and Creek counties to help residents with their recovery efforts.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov. Information can also be accessed via smartphone at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app.

Follow the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement. FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6. Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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Disaster Assistance Deadline Extended

Millions to Participate in Earthquake Drill Next Week

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — On October 18, 2012 at 10:18 a.m. EDT, more than one million people across five states and the District of Columbia are scheduled to take part in the first ever Great SouthEast ShakeOut. The ShakeOut is a regional earthquake drill in which participants simultaneously practice the recommended action during an earthquake. This action is known as “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”, which means:

DROP to the ground
Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
HOLD-ON to it until the shaking stops

The states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia are encouraging their schools, businesses, organizations, government agencies, communities, and households to participate in this historic event. These states are being supported by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC, www.cusec.org), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA, www.fema.gov), and many other local, state, federal and volunteer partners. CUSEC coordinates a similar drill across nine Central U.S. states, which had more than 2.4 million participants in February, 2012.

This regional earthquake drill comes on the heels of the one year anniversary of the August 23, 2011 M5.9 Mineral, Virginia earthquake. Last year’s earthquake caused significant damage in Louisa County, Virginia, and also millions of dollars in damages in Washington, D.C. The event is free and open-to-the-public, and teaches easy to do, yet potentially life-saving information.

FEMA Region III Acting Regional Administrator Robert Welch is encouraging individuals and organizations to register and join the Great ShakeOut “We were reminded last year that earthquakes can and do happen anywhere. Everyone should make plans and take actions to ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes and this drill is an excellent start.”

Collectively, there are more than 10.5 million people worldwide who are expected to participate in the ShakeOut drills October 18, which makes this the largest safety drill ever held. Interested citizens, schools, communities, businesses, etc. are encouraged to visit www.shakeout.org/southeast to pledge their participation in the drill. On the website, many resources are available for participants to use to plan their drills including drill manuals, videos, audio drill broadcasts, earthquake scenarios, and more.

There are many ways for individuals, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, community groups, scouts, and others to participate in the ShakeOut, to get prepared for earthquakes, and to share activities with others. For more information on the ShakeOut or how to participate in the drill, visit www.shakeout.org.

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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Millions to Participate in Earthquake Drill Next Week

FEMA Encourages Participation in the Great SouthEast Earthquake Drill

WASHINGTON – FEMA is encouraging families, schools, businesses, tribes and state and local governments to participate in the first ever Great SouthEast ShakeOut, a regional earthquake drill in which participants – from the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia – simultaneously practice the recommended action to take during an actual earthquake.

Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and can have disastrous and far-reaching effects. While earthquake hazards vary from region to region, the Southeast is prone to this dangerous hazard.

The regional earthquake drill comes on the heels of the 2012 National Preparedness Month in September and the 1-year anniversary of the 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Mineral, Virginia. That earthquake was felt as far north as New England and as far south as Georgia, and caused widespread light to moderate damage from central Virginia to southern Maryland and Washington, DC, including millions of dollars in damage to area landmarks such as the Washington Monument and the National Cathedral.

“It is vitally important for people to have a plan and know what to do during an earthquake,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “The Great SouthEast ShakeOut provides a timely and relevant opportunity for all levels of government, non-profit and faith-based organizations, the private sector, individuals and families to review preparedness plans and practice what to do during an actual event.”

When an earthquake happens, you only have seconds to react, so it’s important to know what to do when the ground starts shaking. The action you need to take is known as “Drop, Cover and Hold On.”

DROP to the ground;
Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table; and
HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.

If it’s not possible to get to the floor to safely take cover, before the exercise, identify an inside corner of the room near your work station or the other locations you may be in, away from windows and objects that could fall on you. The Earthquake Country Alliance advises getting as low as possible to the floor. People who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices should lock their wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops. Protect your head and neck with your arms, a pillow, a book, or whatever is available. To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, including information for seniors and those with disabilities, visit http://www.ready.gov/earthquakes.

Plan now to invest in safety for 90 seconds on Thursday, October 18 at 10:18 am, your local time. Drop, Cover and Hold On, as part of the 2012 ShakeOut earthquake drill. There are many ways for individuals, households, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, community groups, and others to participate in the ShakeOut. For information about the drill and how to pledge to participate, please visit http://www.shakeout.org/ or http://www.shakeout.org/southeast/.

In addition to the areas participating in the Great SouthEast ShakeOut, similar drills will also be held on October 18 in California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Guam, Puerto Rico, Alaska and Arizona. For details on U.S. earthquake information by state and territory, visit http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, 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 .

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FEMA Encourages Participation in the Great SouthEast Earthquake Drill

FEMA Adds West Baton Rouge Parish for Individual Assistance

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisianians in West Baton Rouge Parish can now apply for federal and state disaster assistance, as the parish was added Tuesday to the major disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac.

Homeowners, renters and business owners in the parish may now register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance and report their uninsured or underinsured property damage or destruction from the storm.

“We urge West Baton Rouge Parish residents who had damage from Hurricane Isaac to register with FEMA,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. “We’re here to help eligible survivors get assistance, and registration is the first step in that process.”

Disaster assistance for individuals may include:

Grants to help pay for temporary housing and emergency home repairs to make a home habitable;
Grants for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance;
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

West Baton Rouge Parish survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization or local community or church organization. FEMA registrants must use the name that appears on their Social Security card. Applicants will be asked to provide:

Social Security number
Address of the damaged home or apartment
Description of the damage
Information about insurance coverage
A current contact telephone number
An address where they can get mail
Bank account and routing numbers if they want direct deposit of any financial assistance.

The latest addition brings to 25 the total number of parishes for which Individual Assistance has been made available in Louisiana: Allen, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

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FEMA Adds West Baton Rouge Parish for Individual Assistance

Survivors With Lapsed Flood Insurance Can Still Get FEMA Help

CLINTON, Miss. – Hurricane Isaac survivors in Mississippi who let their flood insurance policies lapse may be able to receive federal disaster assistance.

Survivors who received their policies through a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant but let their policies lapse are ineligible for federal disaster loans or grants to be used for home repairs. However, FEMA is reaching out to them because they are eligible for grants that would pay for a temporary place to stay if their primary residence is uninhabitable as a result of the storm.

Some insurance policies are issued under a FEMA Group Flood Insurance Policy, which are funded by a portion of a survivor’s FEMA grant money. Once policies expire after three years, renters and homeowners are required to purchase and maintain flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program to continue their insurance protection.

Only survivors who have maintained their NFIP policies can be considered for home repair disaster grants or loans if the property had damages during Hurricane Isaac. However, all survivors are eligible to be considered for grants that would pay for temporary housing assistance.

Survivors with uninsured or underinsured damages can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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Survivors With Lapsed Flood Insurance Can Still Get FEMA Help

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