AUSTIN, Texas — In the face of disaster, Texans always come together with courage, compassion and unity to ask, “How can I help?”

If you want to volunteer for disaster work, there are many tasks that can aid in recovery – cleaning-up and rebuilding are two of the biggest. The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests that volunteering through a local voluntary organization may be the best way to find meaningful volunteer work after the disaster.

Such organizations are often in the best position to know about opportunities for immediate volunteer needs as well as volunteers in the long and difficult recovery phase. In addition, going through an established organization provides a better chance of having insurance and liability protection when you work as a volunteer.

The Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (TXVOAD) is a good source to find the local organizations in need of volunteers. TXVOAD represents more than three dozen faith-based, community, nonprofit and non-governmental groups that include volunteer engagement as a key component of their operations. Showing up at a disaster site unexpectedly can create an additional burden for first responders. If you want to help, it is advised to first reach out to an organization that is coordinating recovery needs in your community.

For a complete list of these organizations, with links to their websites, visit Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

In the immediate disaster response period there are often many people who want to volunteer at the same time. Be patient because it may not be clear until weeks after the incident how volunteers can get involved. There are often greater needs for volunteer help when the community enters the long-term recovery period which can be weeks or even months after a disaster.

Texans can learn more about volunteering and the benefits of volunteering during a disaster by viewing this video at go.usa.gov/cuX3V.

If you cannot volunteer your time or talent, FEMA officials say making a donation to an organization involved in disaster recovery is a sensible, efficient way of helping the people in need. Cash contributions to volunteer organizations make good sense for a number of reasons:

  • Financial contributions help ensure a steady flow of important services to disaster survivors in need;

  • Local organizations spend the money in the local disaster area, accelerating recovery of the local economy;

  • Cash donations – rather than unsolicited donated goods – avoid the complicated, costly and time-consuming process of collecting, transporting and distributing the goods; and

  • With a receipt, cash donations to recognized relief organizations are tax-deductible.

If a disaster survivor has needs, they can call 211 to be matched with a volunteer group that can help.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit us at Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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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. 

See the article here – 

Disaster Recovery: How Texans Can Volunteer and Help Texas Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Greensburg (St. Helena Parish) disaster recovery center will close Friday, April 29 at 6 p.m.

The center is located at the following address:

 

The Health Unit Building
53 N. 2nd St.
Greensburg, La.

Louisiana disaster survivors in Greensburg may still visit other centers to meet with recovery officials. For other locations go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or call 800-621-3362.

Residents can still register for disaster assistance or ask questions by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. They can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4263.

Cuando llame al 1-800 621-3362 (FEMA) marque el 1 y escuche las instrucciones en español.

Call the helpline to:

  • Ask questions about FEMA determination letters.
  • Learn how to appeal FEMA’s determination. All applicants have the right to appeal.
  • Inquire about the status of a registration.
  • Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
  • Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
  • Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

FEMA advises applicants to have their nine-digit FEMA registration number on hand when they call. They also will be asked to verify their identity if they want access to their information.

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We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s  www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at  www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information on Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

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

The U.S. Small Business Administration  is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

 

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Help Remains for Louisiana Disaster Survivors after Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Greensburg, St. Helena Parish

WASHINGTON –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available under the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as amended, due to ongoing severe drought.  

The President’s action makes federal funding available for U.S. Government emergency relief and reconstruction assistance to the Republic of the Marshall Islands in accordance with Public Law 108-188, as amended, including Article X of the Federal Programs and Services Agreement to the Compact of Free Association.  Republic of the Marshall Islands President Heine requested a disaster declaration on April 1, 2016.

The United States Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance will coordinate U.S. Government disaster assistance efforts in conjunction with FEMA and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

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. 

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.

More here: 

President Declares Major Disaster for the Republic of the Marshall Islands

AUSTIN, Texas – Four FEMA/state disaster recovery centers in Texas will close Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m. and not re-open.

The locations of the centers are:

Jasper County

Jasper County Annex Bldg. (1st Floor)

271 East Lamar

Jasper, TX 75957                                   

Orange County         

Northway Shopping Center               

3777 N 16th St. Ste 100        

Orange, TX 77630 

Newton County        

Hartburg Baptist Church

2316 County Road 4181

Orange, TX 77632

Iris & Annie Howard Civic Center

213 Court Street

Newton, TX 75966

DRCs are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred March 7-29, can still register for assistance, get questions answered and check on the status of their claim the following ways:

  • Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. The deadline to register for federal assistance is May 18.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to “stay in touch.” If survivors change their address or phone number they should update FEMA with the information. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in getting a home inspection or receiving assistance.

Disaster survivors can visit any DRC. There may be another recovery center nearby. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center locator at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

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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.

See more here: 

Four Disaster Recovery Centers Scheduled to Close in Jasper, Newton and Orange Counties

AUSTIN, Texas – A disaster recovery center, located at the Chamber of Commerce, 813 N. Kilgore Street, Kilgore, TX 75662, will close Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m.

DRCs are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred March 7-29, can still register for assistance, get questions answered and check on the status of their claim the following ways:

  • Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. The deadline to register for federal assistance is May 18.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to “stay in touch.” If survivors change their address or phone number they should update FEMA with the information. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in getting a home inspection or receiving assistance.

Disaster survivors can visit any DRC. There may be another recovery center nearby. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center locator at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

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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.

 

 

Read article here – 

A Disaster Recovery Center is Scheduled to Close in Gregg County

AUSTIN, Texas – Homeowners and renters in four Texas counties affected by the storms and flooding April 17-24 may be eligible to receive rental assistance from FEMA. The funds are meant to help pay for a clean and safe place for them to stay while making repairs or rebuilding their storm-damaged home.

  • First, file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. Talk to your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance agent about additional living expenses (ALE) coverage as part of your policy that may assist in relocating to a temporary residence.
  • Register for FEMA assistance. If you are insured, you will need to submit your settlement documents for review before FEMA can determine your eligibility status. If your policy does not include ALE, or you exhaust this coverage and your home remains uninhabitable, you may be eligible for rental assistance from FEMA.
  • An inspector may arrange a visit to your damaged home or apartment to determine disaster losses. If the inspector determines your home is uninhabitable, you may be offered an option of initial rental assistance to help you find another home to live in while you repair or rebuild.
  • Find available rental property. The FEMA Housing Portal provides resources for individuals and families who are displaced by a disaster. The portal consolidates resources of available rental property throughout the United States. Rental resources are identified and provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Veterans Administration, private organizations and individuals.

Survivors in Fayette, Grimes, Harris and Parker counties can register for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Landlords with available rental properties can send an email to FEMA-Housing@fema.dhs.gov. The email should include your contact name, the state that the property is located in, and your phone number.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4269 , Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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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. 

View this article: 

FEMA Rental Assistance May Be an Option for Texas Survivors

RIDGELAND, Miss. – Are you repairing or rebuilding damaged property? Have questions about flood insurance? Want to protect your property from potential loss or damage from future disasters?

Federal Emergency Management Agency mitigation specialists are in Brookhaven and Laurel to answer questions on building stronger.

Advisers are available April 28 through May 3 at the Home Depot at 101 Stribling Road in Brookhaven and at Lowe’s at 1490 Highway 15 N. in Laurel. They will be in the stores today from noon to 7 p.m. and Friday through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This article is from: 

Mitigation Advice Available at Brookhaven and Laurel Home Improvement Stores

BATON ROUGE, La – Beginning May1, all disaster recovery centers, except the Monroe (Ouachita Parish) center will no longer be open on Sundays. All other centers will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Louisiana disaster survivors.

The Monroe disaster recovery center will remain open seven days a week with Sunday hours from noon to 5 p.m. at the following address:

Monroe Civic Center
401 Lea Joyner Expressway
Monroe, La.                     

Survivors may visit FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or call 800-621-3362 to locate centers near them.

Survivors can register for disaster assistance or ask questions by calling the FEMA helpline at

800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. They can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov

Call the helpline to:

  • Ask questions about FEMA determination letters.
  • Learn how to appeal FEMA’s determination. All applicants have the right to appeal.
  • Inquire about the status of a registration.
  • Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid processing delays.
  • Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
  • Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

FEMA advises applicants to have their nine-digit FEMA registration number on hand when they call. They also will be asked to verify their identity if they want access to their information

All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids. Each disaster recovery center has assistive technologies for people with disabilities. To arrange to have an ASL interpreter at the DRC when you visit, call 225-382-1739.

 

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We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information at www.gohsep.la.gov, Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.                                                      

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 are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability 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 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 twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339. 

 

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All But One Disaster Recovery Center No Longer Open On Sundays; Monroe Center Keeps Seven Days a Week Schedule

BATON ROUGE, La. – El Centro de Recuperación por Desastre (DRC, por sus siglas en inglés) localizado en Bogalusa, parroquia de Washington,  se convertirá en un Centro de Servicio y Préstamos por Desastre (DLOC) de la Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa de los EE.UU. (SBA) comenzando el jueves 28 de abril.

El DRC en Bogalusa cerrará el miércoles 27 de abril a las 6:00 p.m. y luego abrirá como un centro de servicios de SBA en una nueva dirección:

Washington Parish Library
304 Avenue F
Bogalusa, La.

El centro DLOC abrirá al público lunes, martes y jueves de 9:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.; miércoles y viernes de 9:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m. Representantes de SBA estarán disponibles en el DLOC para reunirse individualmente con los residentes y dueños de negocios de Louisiana que sufrieron daños como resultado de las severas tormentas e inundaciones ocurridas del 8 de marzo al 8 de abril. Los representantes contestarán preguntas, explicarán en detalle el programa de préstamos por desastre de SBA, ayudarán a completar solicitudes y cerrarán préstamos por desastres que han sido aprobados.

Los sobrevivientes de desastre en Louisiana que viven en Bogalusa pueden visitar otros DRC para reunirse con los funcionarios de recuperación. Hay otro centro abierto en la parroquia de Washington en la siguiente dirección:

Eastgate Shopping Center
1926 Washington St., Suite 1924
Franklinton, La.

Para localizar otros centros, visite la página web asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm o llame al 800-621-3362.

Los residentes todavía pueden inscribirse para la asistencia por desastre o hacer preguntas llamando a la línea de ayuda de FEMA 800-621-3362 (TTY) 800-462-7585. Aquellos que usan 711 o el Servicio de Retransmisión de Video (VRS) pueden llamar al 800-621-3362. Las líneas telefónicas operan de 7:00 a.m. a 10:00 p.m. siete días a la semana, hasta nuevo aviso. También pueden inscribirse en línea visitando www.DisasterAssistance.gov/es o fema.gov/es/disaster/4263.

Llame a la línea de ayuda para:

  • Hacer preguntas sobre las cartas de elegibilidad de FEMA.
  • Obtener información sobre cómo apelar las cartas de elegibilidad de FEMA. Todos los solicitantes pueden apelar.
  • Conocer el estado de su solicitud.
  • Proveer cambios de dirección, teléfono o números de cuantas bancarias e información de su seguro para evitar que se retrase el procesamiento de la asistencia por desastre.
  • Obtener información sobre las inspecciones de vivienda de FEMA.
  • Obtener respuestas sobre la asistencia federal por desastre.

FEMA recomienda que los solicitantes tengan a mano su número de inscripción de nueve dígitos cuando hagan la llamada. Deberán también verificar su identidad para poder tener acceso a su información personal.

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Los alentamos a que continúe con precaución en áreas donde haya todavía áreas inundadas. Siga los pasos de DOTD en su página web www.511la.org para obtener la información más reciente sobre el cierre de caminos. Esté atento a los comunicados de advertencia de sus autoridades locales y de los gerentes del manejo de emergencias. Usted puede encontrar información actualizada en la página de respuesta del estado en www.emergency.la.gov. También GOHSEP proporciona información en Facebook y Twitter. Usted puede recibir alertas de emergencia en la mayoría de los teléfonos celulares y tabletas al descargar la nueva aplicación de alerta de FM. Esta es gratuita usando el servicio básico. Usted también puede descargar la Guía para la Preparación en Emergencias de Louisiana y encontrar otra información adicional en www.getagameplan.org

La asistencia para la recuperación por desastre está disponible sin tomar en consideración raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés o nivel económico. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido discriminado, llame al número gratuito de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Para llamar al TTY use 800-462-7585.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a los ciudadanos y a las agencias de socorristas para garantizar que trabajemos juntos como nación para desarrollar, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad para prepararnos, protegernos, dar respuesta, recuperarnos y mitigar todos los peligros. Síganos en Twitter en http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 y en el blog de FEMA en http://blog.fema.gov.

La Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa, por sus siglas en inglés) es el recurso primario de fondos del gobierno federal para reconstruir a largo plazo la propiedad privada dañada por los desastres. El SBA ayuda a los propietarios de viviendas, inquilinos y negocios de todos los tamaños y privados, organizaciones sin fines de lucro a financiar la reparación o esfuerzos de reconstrucción y cubrir los costos de reemplazo por la pérdida o daño causado por el desastre a la propiedad personal. Estos préstamos por el desastre cubren pérdidas no compensadas completamente por el seguro u otras formas de recuperación y no duplica los beneficios de otras agencias u organizaciones. Para mayor información, los solicitantes deben ponerse en contacto con el Centro de Servicio al Cliente de la Asistencia por Desastre de SBA llamando al (800) 659-2955, por correo electrónico disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, o al visitar la página web de SBA en www.sba.gov/disaster. Para personas con problemas auditivos o del habla, llamar al (800) 877-8339.

View this article – 

Centro de Recuperación por Desastre en Bogalusa se Convierte en Centro de Préstamos de SBA para Ayudar a los Sobrevivientes en Louisiana

AUSTIN, Texas – Teams of specialists from FEMA will offer tips and techniques to lessen the impact of disaster-related property damage at three Orange County Building Materials locations in Jasper and Orange Counties.

 

Specialists will be available at the following locations:

 

Orange County

Orange County Building Materials, 365 Old US 90, Vidor, TX 77662

Orange County Building Materials, 2865 Texas Avenue, Bridge City, TX 77611

 

Jasper County

Orange County Building Materials, 35078 Hwy 96 South, Buna, TX 77612

 

Available: 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 28-29; 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30; and 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 2-3

 

FEMA Mitigation specialists will be on hand to answer questions and offer home improvement tips to reduce damage in future disasters. Information is geared to both do-it-yourselfers and general contractors on topics such as storm shelters and safe rooms.

 

Booklets are available in both English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage and other natural disasters. If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to access materials such as Braille, large print, or ASL interpreters, please let our representatives know.  More information about strengthening property can be found at fema.gov/what-mitigation and fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer policyholder questions, service claims, provide general information and offer technical assistance. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4266, Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

 

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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.

 

Excerpt from – 

FEMA Offers Advice for Texans on Lessening Disaster Damage in Orange, Jasper Counties

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