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FEMA Speaks Multiple Languages

BATON ROUGE, La. – Hurricane Isaac survivors in Louisiana’s diverse communities are the focus of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) effort to connect with survivors who otherwise may miss important recovery information.

FEMA’s multilingual Community Relations specialists are canvassing Louisiana neighborhoods to provide information to ethnic communities hit by the storm. Armed with informative materials in English, French, Creole, Vietnamese, Greek, Korean and Cambodian, the FEMA teams are providing survivors with valuable information about registering with FEMA and, if eligible, getting local, state and federal assistance. Information in Braille also is provided for those who are blind or have low vision.

“Our goal during a disaster recovery effort of this magnitude is to get the message out about the many ways FEMA may help affected homeowners, renters and businesses,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. “That means communicating effectively with everyone who needs assistance, regardless of their language or other needs.”

Multilingual specialists also maintain contact with media outlets whose audience consists mainly of non-English-speaking readers, listeners or viewers.

FEMA has translated its English-language booklet, “Your Guide to Disaster Assistance Programs,” into several languages. This handout provides more in-depth information to help disaster assistance applicants understand eligibility for federal programs. These booklets are being distributed by FEMA specialists in the field and at nearly 30 Disaster Recovery Centers throughout the designated Louisiana parishes.

Multilingual telephone operators are available to help non-English-speaking survivors register for disaster aid and to get their questions answered. After dialing FEMA’s registration/helpline, 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585, callers should choose Option 3. FEMA can provide translation/interpretation services in 250 languages. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362.

Groups, associations and businesses that have non-English-speaking members who sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Isaac and who want to know more about federal and state disaster assistance may contact FEMA’s Speakers Bureau in Baton Rouge at 1-225-388-4797. The Speakers Bureau is available to speak to groups of all types and sizes, and can provide presentations in Spanish, French, Creole and Vietnamese. Sign language interpreters also are available.

Survivors with uninsured or underinsured damages may register 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, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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.

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 http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6, the R6 Hurricane Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionvi/updates.shtm and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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FEMA Speaks Multiple Languages

President Declares a Major Disaster for Alabama

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available for the state of Alabama to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Isaac during the period of August 26 to September 5, 2012.

Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Isaac in the counties of Baldwin, Mobile, and Pickens.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Joe M. Girot has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Girot said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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.

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

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President Declares a Major Disaster for Alabama

FEMA Region V Highlights National Preparedness Month

CHICAGO – September is National Preparedness Month and as we remember the tragic events of the September 11 terrorist attacks, FEMA Region V would like to remind everyone to make preparedness a priority.

“We all want peace of mind knowing that our families, our homes and our businesses are safe and protected from threats of any kind,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator of FEMA’s office in Chicago. “Throughout the month of September we are encouraging the whole community – individuals, businesses, community organizations, faith-based groups, and state, local and tribal governments – to focus on preparing for all types of emergencies and disasters that may impact their communities.”

Preparing can start with three important steps:

Put together your own personalized emergency supply kit
Plan now so you know what do to before, during and after disaster strikes
Be informed about specific hazards that could affect your community

Everyone should take responsibility for being prepared with the understanding that disasters may disrupt essential services. Everyone should have sufficient supplies for at least three days. Taking action now to prepare for emergencies and disasters will increase your chances of surviving and recovering from a disaster.

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

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 Region V Highlights National Preparedness Month

Public Assistance Helps Ohio Communities Rebuild After Disaster

Dublin, OH – Providing assistance to individuals and businesses is not the only concern of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA). Public Assistance (PA) grants will soon help Ohio communities recoup emergency response and debris removal costs from storms in late June.

Thirty seven counties were declared eligible on August 20 for disaster assistance as a result of the June 29-July 2 storms and straight line winds. Under the PA Grant Program, FEMA awards grants to assist state and local governments, tribal nations and certain private nonprofit organizations with their response to and recovery from disasters.

“The declaration opens the door to FEMA grants that help public entities with reconstruction of their infrastructure,” said Mike Moore, federal coordinating officer for the disaster. “The PA program strengthens communities which do not have all the means or resources to bounce back from a disaster, helping to ensure a community’s important public needs are met.”

Public assistance is based on a partnership between FEMA, state and local officials. Local governments identify their needs and costs and submit applications. The state ensures compliance and helps prioritize projects. FEMA is responsible for managing the program, approving grants and providing technical assistance on projects to the state and its applicants.

“This program is important to Ohio taxpayers,” said Nancy Dragani, state coordinating officer for Ohio EMA. “The program will provide federal and state funding to assist with debris removal, emergency protective measures and for some work performed by rural electric cooperatives.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program pays 75 percent of eligible costs. The state of Ohio is contributing 12.5 percent of the 25% percent non-federal share to eligible political subdivisions and the applicant is responsible for the remaining 12.5 percent balance.

Application procedures for local governments were explained at a series of state applicant briefings held in August and September. FEMA PA specialists provided guidance to state and local officials throughout the application process. Approved projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA. The deadline for applying for assistance is September 19^th.

Federal, state and local teams have already started to inspect disaster-related damage, examine expenses identified by the state or local representatives and prepare reports that outline the scope of repair work needed and the estimated restoration cost.

Non-profit organizations may qualify for assistance to restore certain types of facilities that include educational, utility, emergency, medical, custodial care and other facilities that provide essential government types of services.

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Public Assistance Helps Ohio Communities Rebuild After Disaster

Mississippians Use New Technology for Hurricane Recovery

CLINTON, Miss. – Nearly one in three Mississippi households affected by Hurricane Isaac uses the Internet or a Web-enabled cell phone to get disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Of 18,000 households that requested FEMA help in the first two weeks after the storm, about 5,000 used a computer and an additional 1,000 used a smartphone.

FEMA offers Internet access for computers and smartphones at www.DisasterAssistance.gov and m.fema.gov and has a free app to support the process.

Computers and phones with web browsers can:

Submit a request for help and check on their application.
Update contact information.
Add insurance and bank information.
Learn about other types of disaster assistance from several federal agencies that participate in DisasterAssistance.gov.
Use a questionnaire to streamline recovery.

Non-smartphones can be pretty smart, too. Any phone with text service can find a disaster recovery center in about 10 seconds:

Address the text to 43362.
In the message, type DRC followed by a space, then type the zip code you want to search. For example, if you lived in Pike County your outgoing message would be DRC 39652.
In seconds you’ll receive a text with the street address of the nearest disaster recovery center.
Sending this text will not add you to a list.

FEMA and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency urge households with hurricane losses to sign up for help regardless of the amount of damage or insurance. FEMA assistance can include grants for rent and home repairs, low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to cover uninsured property losses, and referrals to several dozen other agencies that have free disaster recovery services.

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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Mississippians Use New Technology for Hurricane Recovery

Disaster Recovery Centers to Close on Sundays

BATON ROUGE, La. — The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers currently open in 18 Louisiana parishes will be closed on Sundays starting Sept. 23.

The 27 recovery centers will remain open Monday through Saturday. For a list of open centers in Louisiana and their operating hours go online to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

Recovery centers provide personal assistance and disaster relief information to homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured and underinsured damage to their home

or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

Survivors who have not yet done so, may register 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, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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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Disaster Recovery Centers to Close on Sundays

Washington Wildfires Receive FEMA Funding

SEATTLE—The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Poison Fire and the Peavine Fire burning in Chelan County.

In response to the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Poison Fire, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper approved the request on September 12, at 8:00 PM PDT. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 197 primary residences. Shelters have been set up in Chelan and Wenatchee.

In response to the state’s request for an FMAG for the Peavine Fire, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper approved the request on September 13, at 12:15 AM PDT. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 120 residences (114 primary residences) in subdivisions southeast of the city of Wenatchee. Approximately 360 people had evacuated the area.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of Washington eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

The addition of the Poison Fire and Peavine Fires, brings the total to six FMAGs approved in the past seven days. The other FMAGs were for the Highway 141 Fire, the 1st Canyons Fire, the Barker Canyon Fire and the Byrd Canyon Fire.

Update on Barker Canyon Fire FMAG:

The state also submitted an FMAG request for the Leahy Junction Fire, which is being managed by the same Incident Commander as the Barker Canyon Fire in Douglas County. The State requested FEMA recognize the merger of these two fires as the Barker Canyon Fire Complex under the Barker Canyon FMAG. The declaration will be revised to be renamed as the Barker Canyon Fire Complex.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper approved the request on September 12, at 10:41 PM PDT. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 50 primary residences with three primary residences already destroyed. Approximately 150 people have been evacuated for both fires. The Leahy fire has burned 78,000 acres and has merged with the Barker Canyon Fire of over 96,000 acres. Critical power generation facilities are also threatened. Approximately, 90% of the power in the Pacific Northwest is distributed through this system.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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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Washington Wildfires Receive FEMA Funding

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Two Washington Wildfires

SEATTLE, Wash — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for both the 1^st Canyons Fire burning in Chelan County and the Barker Canyon Fire burning in Douglas and Grant counties.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper approved Washington’s requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) for the two fires on September 9, 2012.

At the time of the request, the 1st Canyons Fire was threatening 210 primary homes in subdivisions near the city of Wenatchee. The residents of approximately 200 homes have been placed under a mandatory evacuation order and one shelter is open. The fire started on September 8, 2012, and has burned approximately 250 acres of private land. There are 85 other large fires burning uncontrolled within the State. The Principal Advisor confirmed the threat to homes. The fire is at approximately 0 percent containment.

At the time of the request, the Barker Canyon Fire was threatening 165 primary homes and had progressed to within 1/2 mile of the city of Grand Coulee. Approximately 120 people had been evacuated and one shelter is open. Three power substations and major transmission lines are threatened, with one substation surrounded. The fire started on September 9, 2012 and has burned approximately 10,000 acres. The Principal Advisor has confirmed the threat to homes and utilities. The fire is at approximately 0 percent containment.

The authorizations makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of Washington eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Two Washington Wildfires

Tropical Storm Debby Survivors Should Submit Insurance Settlements

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Tropical Storm Debby survivors who registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and indicated they had insurance coverage should send in their settlement information for review.

The insurance settlement documents allow FEMA to determine if survivors have uninsured or underinsured losses eligible for federal assistance. Decisions on FEMA assistance are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

To submit insurance documentation, here’s what applicants can do:

Gather insurance documents and any settlement information.
Write the applicant’s name, FEMA registration number and 4068-DR-FL on each page.
Send a copy of these documents to FEMA by:

Fax: 800-827-8112

Mail: National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Call FEMA with questions at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in many languages.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org/. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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), all 800-621-3362.

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Tropical Storm Debby Survivors Should Submit Insurance Settlements

Disaster Recovery Centers Provide Assistance for People with Disabilities

BATON ROUGE, La. — Disaster Recovery Centers in the state of Louisiana are providing services to ensure that Hurricane Isaac survivors with disabilities have ready access to disaster assistance programs.

The centers are providing American Sign Language, Signed English or Tactile Sign Language interpreters to people who request these services. In addition, video phones as well as caption phones for survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing have been installed at all locations.

“Disasters affect everyone in the community”, said Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. “We want to make sure that everyone has accurate, timely and accessible disaster assistance information.”

There are 27 State/FEMA recovery centers operating in 18 parishes. They open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go online to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080. Specialists from the state of Louisiana, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

Individuals can register 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. If you use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

The major disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac now makes available federal assistance to eligible survivors in 21 parishes: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington and West Feliciana.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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Disaster Recovery Centers Provide Assistance for People with Disabilities

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