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FEMA and Florida SERT Teams are in the Field Helping Tropical Storm Debby Survivors Recover

Release Date: July 9, 2012
Release Number: 4068-005

» More Information on Florida Tropical Storm Debby

ATLANTA, Ga. — Florida’s State Emergency Response Team and the Federal Emergency Management Agency community relations teams are in the 11 declared counties going door to door with disaster assistance information to help survivors recover from Tropical Storm Debby.

Anyone representing the SERT or FEMA, including FEMA-contracted home and property damage inspectors, carries a photo ID ensuring they are easily identifiable. FEMA and SERT teams wear agency shirts.

The teams are visiting with individuals to provide information on resources that are available and to identify people who need assistance in the federally designated counties of Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Franklin, Hernando, Highlands, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwannee and Wakulla.

Officials with the FEMA and SERT teams will not request personal information such as Social Security or bank account numbers. Survivors will be asked to provide personal information only when calling FEMA to register the first time.

Once a survivor has registered with FEMA, an inspector will call and set up an appointment to see the damaged property. The inspector will ask for identification and proof of ownership and occupancy (for homeowners) or occupancy only (for renters).

Official FEMA-contracted housing inspectors assess damage, but do not determine cost estimates. They do not charge a survivor for this inspection service. FEMA contractors are not allowed to endorse a contractor or to hire someone on behalf of the survivor.

Suspicions of fraud or attempts to scam survivors should be reported to local law enforcement immediately. People who suspect anyone of committing contractor fraud should contact the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation by calling 866-532-1440 or by emailing ULA@dbpr.state.fl.us.

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), going online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or using the FEMA app or m.FEMA.gov with a smartphone or tablet.

For the latest Tropical Storm Debby recovery information, follow @FLSERT on Twitter or visit www.facebook.com/floridasert. To get a disaster preparedness plan, go to the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website at www.FloridaDisaster.org

For more information on the Florida Division of Emergency Management and to get a disaster preparedness plan, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/flsert and visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/floridasert.

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

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 09-Jul-2012 13:03:58

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FEMA and Florida SERT Teams are in the Field Helping Tropical Storm Debby Survivors Recover

Millions In FEMA Assistance For Post-Katrina Plaquemines Parish Government Complex Project

Release Date: July 5, 2012
Release Number: 1603 – 980

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina

NEW ORLEANS –The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced more than $5.5 million in consolidated funding to Plaquemines Parish for their proposed, post-Katrina government complex project.

“In support of their recovery endeavors, Plaquemines Parish has been approved to use eligible FEMA funding from 11 storm-damaged donor facilities toward their new government complex project,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan. “Such flexibility within FEMA’s Public Assistance Program enables local communities to rebuild based on their post-disaster needs.”

Design plans for the post-Katrina project—which will be located in upper Plaquemines Parish in a reduced-risk flooding area, known as an “a-zone”— are currently underway. Plans are also in progress within Plaquemines Parish to expand the complex site even further, potentially developing it to include an emergency operations center, community recreational facilities and retail space.

“We would like to thank the FEMA team for working with us to fund the construction of the government complex. This will save Plaquemines Parish taxpayers money in the long run and place government operations in the safest part of the parish,” said Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser.

The Plaquemines Parish government complex project will provide office space for various local government departments. The pre-Katrina Plaquemines Parish government building will remain in Port Sulphur to provide additional space for government council offices, a polling place, record storage and a meeting place for lower Plaquemines Parish.

This pre-Katrina government building was not one of the 11 donor facilities in the new government complex project, which instead includes consolidated FEMA-funding previously allocated for facilities such as the District 1 Council Office, the Pointe a La Hache Old Jail and the “Buras Old Fire Station” Warehouse.

In total, FEMA has provided approximately $813.5 million for hurricanes Katrina and Rita recovery efforts throughout Plaquemines Parish.

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

Last Modified: Monday, 09-Jul-2012 10:50:32

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Millions In FEMA Assistance For Post-Katrina Plaquemines Parish Government Complex Project

Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Baker County to Help Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

Release Date: July 6, 2012
Release Number: 4068-003

» More Information on Florida Tropical Storm Debby

» 2012 Region IV News Releases

ATLANTA, Ga. — A disaster recovery center is open in Baker County to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by Tropical Storm Debby. It is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Representatives from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the center to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.

The disaster recovery center is located at the following address:

Baker County
Across the street from Christian Fellowship Temple
Apartment 1
337 N. 7th St.
MacClenny, FL 32063

If possible, before going to a disaster recovery center, people with storm losses should register with FEMA. There are three ways to apply:

By calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Help is available in most languages, and lines are open
7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
By tablet or smartphone using the FEMA app or m.fema.gov.

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

Low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Survivors and businesses may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) or online at www.SBA.gov. They may also apply online at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Last Modified: Monday, 09-Jul-2012 07:51:43

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Baker County to Help Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

President Declares Disaster For Minnesota

Release Date: July 6, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-060

» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms And Flooding

» En Español

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 Minnesota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of June 14-21, 2012.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in the counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Lake, Meeker, Pine, Rice, Sibley, St. Louis, and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and Indian Tribes within the State.

Mark A. Neveau has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Neveau 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 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.

Last Modified: Friday, 06-Jul-2012 18:35:35

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President Declares Disaster For Minnesota

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Suwannee and Wakulla Counties to Help Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

Release Date: July 5, 2012
Release Number: 4068-002

» More Information on Florida Tropical Storm Debby

ATLANTA, Ga. — Two disaster recovery centers are open in Suwannee and Wakulla counties to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by Tropical Storm Debby. They are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Representatives from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the centers to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.

The disaster recovery centers are located at the following addresses:

Suwannee County
Suwannee Coliseum Exhibition No. 2
1302 S.W. 11th St.
Live Oak, FL 32064

Wakulla County
Wakulla Agricultural Center
84 Cedar Ave.
Crawfordville, FL 32327

If possible, before going to a disaster recovery center, people with storm losses should register with FEMA. There are three ways to apply:

By calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Help is available in most languages, and lines are open7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
By tablet or smartphone using the FEMA app or m.fema.gov.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance and essential home repairs not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Survivors and businesses may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) or online at www.SBA.gov. They may also apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Last Modified: Friday, 06-Jul-2012 09:55:50

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Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Suwannee and Wakulla Counties to Help Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

President Declares Major Disaster for Florida

Release Date: July 3, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-058

» More Information on Florida Tropical Storm Debby

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Florida and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Tropical Storm Debby beginning on June 23, 2012, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Pasco, and Wakulla Counties.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Gracia B. Szczech has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Szczech said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated county can begin applying for assistance starting tomorrow by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Follow FEMA online at 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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 03-Jul-2012 17:47:16

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President Declares Major Disaster for Florida

U.S. Fire Administrator: Stay Safe on the Fourth

Release Date: July 3, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-056

WASHINGTON, D.C. — FEMA’s United States Fire Administration reminds everyone of the dangers associated with fireworks. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), far more U.S. fires are reported on July Fourth than on any other day, and fireworks account for more than any other cause of fires. The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 5-14 – more than twice the risk for the general population.

“Every year around the Fourth of July, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell. “Despite the well-known dangers of fireworks, few people understand that misuse of both legal and illegal fireworks can result in devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.”

In 2010, fireworks caused an estimated 15,500 fires, including 1,100 total structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 14,100 others, according to a June NFPA report. That same year, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,600 people for fireworks related injuries. In 2011, there were four reported deaths from fireworks.

“With so many areas of the nation experiencing drought-like conditions, I would encourage people to attend a local public display,” said Mitchell. “Listen to local fire and safety officials for the most current information regarding fireworks in your area.”

If you are going to use legal and locally approved fireworks, follow these safety tips:

Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Young children suffer injuries from sparklers, for example, which burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
Always have an adult closely supervise fireworks activities if older children are allowed to handle devices.
Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
Never place any part of your body directly over fireworks when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire.
Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

For those seeking more information regarding fireworks in your area, check with local fire officials and visit the following recommended websites:

As an entity of the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the United States Fire Administration is to provide national leadership to foster a solid foundation for our fire and emergency services stakeholders in prevention, preparedness, and response.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 03-Jul-2012 12:58:05

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U.S. Fire Administrator: Stay Safe on the Fourth

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Wyoming’s Oil Creek Fire

Release Date: July 2, 2012
Release Number: R8-12-024

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

DENVER, Colo. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for Wyoming’s Oil Creek Fire in Weston County.

This is the third Fire Management Assistance Grant for Wyoming this year, all in the last four days. Previously, FEMA approved such grants for the Arapahoe Fire and the Squirrel Creek Fire, both in Albany County.

FEMA Regional Administrator Robin Finegan approved the Fire Management Assistance Grant Monday night, July 2, upon receiving the state’s request. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening more than 300 homes in the vicinity of Osage. Mandatory evacuations were in place for approximately 400 people. The fire started on Saturday, June 30, and had burned more than 12,000 acres of state and federal land. There are six other large uncontrolled fires in Wyoming. Weather predictions for the next two days indicate the Oil Creek Fire may increase to 55,000 acres. The Regional Administrator, Robin Finegan, determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster and signed the request at 10:58 p.m. Mountain Time on Monday.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home 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.

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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 03-Jul-2012 09:00:31

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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Wyoming’s Oil Creek Fire

Release Date: July 2, 2012
Release Number: R8-12-024

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

Last Modified: Tuesday, 03-Jul-2012 09:00:31

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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Wyoming’s Oil Creek Fire

FEMA and Whole Communities Continue Support in Aftermath of Storms

Individuals in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic Regions Urged to Check on Neighbors during Extreme Hot Weather

Release Date: July 2, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-055

At the direction of President Obama, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners continue to work closely with states affected this weekend by severe storms in parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) in Washington, D.C. and the Regional Response Coordination Centers in Chicago, Ill. and Philadelphia, Pa. are activated to support state requests for assistance, including coordinating access and functional needs issues affecting storm survivors with disabilities due to power access for medical and mobility equipment, and communications access. FEMA also remains in close contact with our federal partners including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Army Corps of Engineers and the National Weather Service forecast offices. In coordination with FEMA, DOE has deployed experts to West Virginia and FEMA Headquarters in Washington D.C., and is supporting FEMA’s regional offices in Chicago, Ill., and Philadelphia, Pa. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has deployed personnel to Ohio to support assessments and generator installations for emergency power. The West Virginia National Guard is also actively engaged in a generator mission for emergency power.

The President issued emergency disaster declarations Saturday for all counties within the states of West Virginia and Ohio in response to requests from the Governors of those states and directed FEMA to coordinate all federal disaster relief efforts in those states. An emergency declaration request is also currently under review for the District of Columbia.

FEMA is staging emergency generators and water supplies in Morgantown and Charleston, West Virginia and Columbus, Ohio to support state and local response needs.

Additionally, FEMA has deployed Incident Management Assistance Teams and liaison officers to the state emergency operations centers in Ohio and West Virginia. A Mobile Emergency Response Support team and Mobile Communication Office Vehicles (MCOV) have been deployed to West Virginia to provide secure and non-secure voice, video, and information services, operations, and logistics support to state response operations.

FEMA is part of a team that includes federal partners, state, tribal and local officials, the private sector, non-profits and faith-based groups. While FEMA and its federal partners continue to bring resources to bear to support state and local officials, FEMA is also working with other members of this team to leverage all available resources.

“From Ohio to Maryland, we’re seeing communities come together to support one another during this extreme weather,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “We encourage those who are interested in helping to do so by supporting the voluntary agencies that are providing disaster relief in affected areas.”

Voluntary agencies are providing shelter for those who are displaced by the storm or without power. National and local organizations are also operating cooling centers and making meals available to families and individuals impacted by the severe weather and power outages in a number of states.

FEMA Regional Disability Integration Specialists in Chicago and Philadelphia are distributing information on cooling stations to the disability community, including through the National Federation for the Blind and Deaf advocacy groups.

Residents should prepare for extreme heat. An Excessive Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. Hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illness is possible. Drink plenty of water. Stay in an air conditioned room. Stay out of the sun, and check on neighbors and relatives. Reschedule strenuous activity to early morning or evening. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.

For more preparedness information about extreme heat, visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to find out how you can protect your family, pets, business and property.

For information on the latest Energy situation reports, visit www.oe.netl.doe.gov/emergency_sit_rpt.aspx.

Follow FEMA online at 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.

Last Modified: Monday, 02-Jul-2012 17:21:16

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FEMA and Whole Communities Continue Support in Aftermath of Storms

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