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FEMA Announces Membership of New Technical Mapping Advisory Council

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the membership of the newly created Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC). As directed by Congress, the Council is tasked with developing recommendations for FEMA’s flood mapping program to ensure that flood insurance rate maps reflect the best available science and are based on the best available methodologies for considering the impact of future development on flood risk.

The establishment of the TMAC was mandated by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, and it was further expanded by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014.

The national flood mapping program provides flood maps to inform communities about the local flood risk and help set minimum floodplain standards so communities may build safely and resiliently. The flood insurance rate maps established under the program are used to set flood insurance premiums.

“The experts selected to serve on the Technical Mapping Advisory Council represent a broad range of engineering and mapping disciplines,” said David Miller, FEMA’s associate administrator for the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA). “Their extensive knowledge and diverse points of view will be great assets as they make recommendations for the national flood mapping program and how we continue to map using technically credible and scientific practices in identifying flood risk.”

Members were selected based on specific, Congressionally mandated membership guidelines to ensure that a variety of stakeholder perspectives are reflected in the deliberations and recommendations. The legislation requires the appointment of members from 16 specific member categories to ensure a significant cross section of technical expertise. These categories include a geographically diverse group of federal, state and local agencies, and various categories of private sector associations and organizations that deal with flood-related issues.

In addition to the expertise of Council members, FEMA recognizes that specific subject matter experts will be a critical component of the Council’s work and will be selected to assist the TMAC membership. Subject matter experts will include tribal officials, climate science experts, flood control experts from states with high concentrations of flood insurance policyholders, and other expertise the Council concludes is not fully represented within the Council’s membership categories.

The TMAC intends to hold six meetings during the first year; three virtual, and three in-person meetings. Members serve either one to two year terms to refresh and ensure the expert input required to produce the specific recommendations and reports required.

Proposed TMAC Membership:

Pending final approval of disclosure forms that must by law be submitted by certain appointees and acceptance of terms of service, membership is proposed as follows:

CATEGORY: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) DESIGNEE

Doug Bellomo, P.E. (Va.) – Director, Risk Analysis Division (RAD), FEMA.

CATEGORY: NATIONAL OCEANIC AND AIR ATMOSPHERIC (NOAA) / COMMERCE FOR OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERE DESIGNEE

Juliana Blackwell (Md.)– Director, National Geodetic Survey (NGS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

CATEGORY: U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DESIGNEE

Acceptance to be confirmed.

CATEGORY: STATE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) REPRESENTATIVE

Richard Butgereit, GISP (Fla.) – GIS Administrator, Florida Division of Emergency Management

CATEGORY: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPRESENTATIVE

Mark DeMulder (Va.) – Director, National Geospatial Program, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

CATEGORY: STATE COOPERATING TECHNICAL PARTNERS (CTP) REPRESENTATIVES (2)

John Dorman (N.C.) – Director, Emergency Management Division, Geospatial and Technology Management Office, North Carolina State Government
Leslie Durham, P.E. (Ala.) – Director, Floodplain Management Unit, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs/Office of Water Resources

CATEGORY: MAPPING MEMBER

Scott Edelman, P.E. (N.C.) – Division Director for North America, AECOM Water Resources

CATEGORY: STATE MITIGATION OFFICER

Steve Ferryman, CFM (Ohio) – Mitigation and Recovery Administrator, Emergency Management Agency, State Government of Ohio

CATEGORY: REGIONAL FLOOD AND STORMWATER MEMBER

Gale Wm. Fraser, II (Nev.) – General Manager and Chief Engineer, Clark County Regional Flood Control District

CATEGORY: LOCAL COOPERATING TECHNICAL PARTNER (CTP) REPRESENTATIVES (2)

David Mallory, P.E. (Colo.) – Manager, Urban Drainage & Flood Control District’s Floodplain Management Program
Second representative acceptance to be confirmed.

CATEGORY: ENGINEERING MEMBER

Christopher P. Jones, P.E. (N.C.) – Registered Professional Engineer

CATEGORY: RISK MANAGEMENT MEMBER

Acceptance to be confirmed.

CATEGORY: SURVEYING MEMBER

Wendy Lathrop, PLS, CFM (Pa.) – President and owner, Cadastral Consulting, LLC

CATEGORY: DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR (DOI) DESIGNEE

Robert Mason (Va.) – Deputy Chief, Office of Surface Water, Department of Interior (DOI)

CATEGORY: STATE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT MEMBER

Sally Ann McConkey, P.E., CFM, Diplomat, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) (Ill.) – Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois

CATEGORY: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) DESIGNEE

To be confirmed.

CATEGORY: NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE COORDINATION OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE

Christine Shirley (Ore.) – Oregon State NFIP Coordinator, Natural Hazards Program Group Leader

CATEGORY: FLOOD HAZARD DETERMINATION FIRM MEMBER

Cheryl Small (Texas) – Vice President of Operations, CoreLogic Flood Services

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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.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

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

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FEMA Announces Membership of New Technical Mapping Advisory Council

FEMA Rebuilding Specialists Providing Advice in Flowood This Week

JACKSON, Miss. – Rebuilding or repairing property damaged from the recent severe storms? Residents can get advice on building safer and stronger this week from Federal Emergency Management Agency specialists in Rankin County.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be at Lowe’s in Flowood Tuesday through Saturday to offer information on rebuilding after a disaster. The advisors can answer questions about protecting homes from future disaster-related damage and offer tips to build hazard-resistant homes.

FEMA officials estimate that every dollar spent on mitigation can save almost four dollars if another disaster hits.

Homeowners and contractors can learn more at the following location 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Tuesday, July 15, and ending Saturday, July 19.

Lowe’s

120 Ridge Way

Flowood, MS 39232

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to FEMA.gov/Disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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

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FEMA Rebuilding Specialists Providing Advice in Flowood This Week

Stay in Touch with FEMA

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency remind survivors who registered for disaster assistance to stay in touch with FEMA.

Especially important is updating contact information. Registrants may contact the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 to check the status of the application, find out about the appeal process, or provide insurance information after a settlement. Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Applicants who registered but who discover that their insurance has not covered all losses have up to a year to submit their insurance settlement to FEMA. FEMA help may be available for some items that insurance policies don’t cover.

Applicants receiving rental assistance or occupying a temporary housing unit are periodically required to recertify their need for continuing assistance. The registrant’s permanent housing plan should be kept current and any recertification forms received should be returned promptly.

Survivors should not hesitate to contact the FEMA helpline with questions or concerns about disaster assistance. Questions about the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan application should be directed to SBA at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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.

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Stay in Touch with FEMA

Mississippi Storm Recovery on Target at Two Months

RIDGELAND, Miss. — After a disaster, it takes many partners working together to rebuild communities. Two months after tornadoes and storms swept across the state on April 28, public, private and nonprofit organizations have made significant progress in responding to the needs of communities created by the disaster.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance section has reached out a second time to the more than 5,000 people who registered with FEMA for help. The outreach, dubbed “100 percent touch,” is making sure registrants understand the application process, submit timely documentation and works to find solutions to unmet needs.

To date, nearly $19 million in total federal assistance has been approved for Mississippi disaster survivors. This includes more than $5.3 million for temporary housing and home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral costs. And the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved just over $13.6 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations.

During the 60-day registration period that ended June 30, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews visited more than 12,000 homes and interacted with more than 9,000 disaster survivors, helping them register with FEMA and making referrals to other agencies and organizations for specific needs outside of FEMA.

More than 4,000 disaster survivors made one or more visits to the 10 disaster recovery centers established in the disaster areas. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency/FEMA centers in Brandon, Canton, Columbus, Laurel, Louisville, Mantachie, Tupelo and Waynesboro offered face-to-face contact with program representatives knowledgeable about disaster assistance and rebuilding.

FEMA mitigation representatives at the recovery centers and at home improvement stores in the disaster areas have met with more than 8,000 people, providing advice on how to rebuild stronger. Three teams will be at locations in or near the disaster area until mid-July.

MEMA and FEMA created a joint housing task force to address the complex housing needs of the 767 households left homeless in the aftermath of the tornadoes. Survivors have received rental assistance grants and FEMA’s direct housing mission has completed placement of nearly two dozen manufactured homes for the residents of Winston County. Temporary housing is installed in commercial parks for survivor use or on an individual homeowner’s property for use while the primary residence is being repaired or rebuilt.

Projects to repair public infrastructure damaged in the storm are being developed. FEMA reimburses 75 percent of eligible disaster-related repairs through its Public Assistance program administered by the state. At the June 30 deadline for receipt of the official notice to FEMA requesting participation, 53 eligible governments and certain private nonprofits such as utilities had signed up for the program. Applicants will work with MEMA and FEMA to be reimbursed for emergency protective measures, debris removal and permanent work such as road and building repairs.

Among the applicants are the City of Louisville, which seeks to rebuild a building leased to a wood products company and the Winston County Medical Foundation, which lost its Winston Medical Center, nursing home and outpatient clinic to the EF-4 tornado that struck the area. The hospital is operating temporarily out of the National Mobile Disaster Hospital, a FEMA-owned facility composed of 27 modular units that arrived in Louisville May 3.

Through its virtual Business Emergency Operations Center, MEMA is working with employers to stabilize jobs affected in the tornado; partners in recovery have donated equipment and materials for the volunteers to use in cleanup and rebuilding.

When the disaster struck April 28, the American Red Cross opened shelters that eventually provided 678 overnight stays and more than 47,000 meals or snacks. The Salvation Army opened eight mobile kitchens and three fixed feeding sites, serving more than 17,500 meals or snacks. Since then, many other volunteers have stepped up both from the local area and outside the region to clean up debris and begin rebuilding.

MEMA and FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons have helped connect unaffiliated spontaneous volunteers with affiliated groups and identify and organize groups that are not part of the Mississippi Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. VALs have also assisted in making referrals to appropriate agencies and helped establish the NE Mississippi Community Based Recovery Committee to address unmet needs of survivors in Lee and Itawamba counties.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties who registered for assistance may check the status of their applications, update contact information or ask questions via the FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362. The TTY number for those who are deaf or hard of hearing is 800-462-7585.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to FEMA.gov/Disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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 to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Mississippi Storm Recovery on Target at Two Months

FEMA: Preparedness for Hurricane Arthur Still Essential along Northeast Coast Residents and Visitors Should Follow Direction of Local Officials

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners continue to monitor Hurricane Arthur’s impact and northward track. The agency encourages those in Arthur’s path to listen to their local officials, monitor storm conditions and take steps to be prepared.

“Residents are urged to continue to listen to the instructions of your local officials,” said Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator. “As the storm continues to move along the east coast, there are a number of areas that can be affected by strong winds, storm surge, inland flooding and tornadoes. If you evacuated and are considering returning home, make sure local officials have deemed the area safe to return.”

Through regional offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, FEMA remains in close contact with emergency management partners in North Carolina and potentially affected states and has a liaison in the emergency operations center in Massachusetts. FEMA is also working in coordination with the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center.

In advance of the storm, FEMA had liaisons in the emergency operation centers in North Carolina and South Carolina and an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) in North Carolina to coordinate with state, tribal and local officials should support be requested or needed. Additional teams from around the country are ready to deploy to impacted states and tribes as necessary.

According to the National Weather Service, Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for portions of the east coast as Hurricane Arthur moves northward. The latest storm tracks, local forecasts and warnings are available at hurricanes.gov and weather.gov.

As the first hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season, Hurricane Arthur serves as a reminder for residents in areas prone to tropical storms and hurricanes to refresh their emergency kits and review family emergency plans. Those who do not have an emergency kit or family plan can learn about steps to take now to prepare for severe weather at ready.gov.

The FEMA smartphone app provides safety tips and displays open shelter information at www.fema.gov/smartphone-app. Information on Red Cross shelters is available by downloading the Red Cross Hurricane app or by visiting redcross.org.

Safety and Preparedness Tips

Residents and visitors in potentially affected areas should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have a plan for their pets. Individuals should visit ready.gov or listo.gov to learn these and other preparedness tips for tropical storms.
Know your evacuation zone and be sure to follow the direction of state, tribal and local officials if an evacuation is ordered for your area.
Storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. It poses a significant threat for drowning and can occur before, during, or after the center of a storm passes through an area. Storm surge can sometimes cut off evacuation routes, so do not delay leaving if an evacuation is ordered for your area.
If you encounter flood waters, remember – turn around, don’t drown.
Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous and almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas, at bridges and at highway dips. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
If your home has flood water inside or around it, don’t walk or wade in it. The water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage.
Hurricanes have the potential for tornado formation. If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately in the center of a small interior room (closet, interior hallway) on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
Stay off the roads in impacted areas. Emergency workers may be assisting people in flooded areas or cleaning up debris. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
If your power is out, safely use a generator or candles.
- Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed or garage even if doors and windows are open.
- Keep generators outside and far away from windows, doors and vents. Read both the label on your generator and the owner’s manual and follow the instructions.
- If using candles, please use caution. If possible, use flashlights instead.
Avoid downed power or utility lines; they may be live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company.
When the power comes back on, wait a few minutes before turning on major appliances, to help eliminate problems that could occur if there’s a sharp increase in demand. If you think electric power has been restored to your area but your home is still without power, call your local power company.
Get to know the terms that are used to identify severe weather and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued.

For a Tropical Storm:

A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 39 MPH or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 39 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less.

For coastal flooding:

A Coastal Flood Advisory is issued when minor or nuisance coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.
A Coastal Flood Watch is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is possible.
A Coastal Flood Warning is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.

More safety tips on hurricanes and tropical storms can be found at ready.gov/hurricanes.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

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

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FEMA: Preparedness for Hurricane Arthur Still Essential along Northeast Coast Residents and Visitors Should Follow Direction of Local Officials

FEMA: Follow Evacuation Orders; Residents and Visitors Urged to Follow Direction of Local Officials

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its National Response Coordination Center in Washington and its regional offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and in coordination with the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center, is continuing to monitor Hurricane Arthur.

FEMA remains in close contact with emergency management partners in potentially affected states, and the agency encourages those in Arthur’s path to follow any evacuation orders given by local officials. FEMA also urges residents and visitors in potentially affected areas to monitor the storm closely and take steps now to be prepared in advance of severe weather.

“As the holiday approaches, we continue to warn residents and visitors to be aware of evacuation routes in case an evacuation is ordered by state and local officials”, said Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator. “If an evacuation order is given by local officials – leave.”

Yesterday, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate spoke with North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry about preparedness efforts and to ensure there were no unmet needs.

FEMA has liaisons in the emergency operations centers in North Carolina and South Carolina along with an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) in North Carolina to coordinate with state, tribal, and local officials, should support be requested or needed. FEMA is currently working with its federal partners at the Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta and Boston and has also activated its National Response Coordination Center in Washington D.C.

Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) personnel and equipment have been placed on alert to provide emergency management partners with secure and non-secure voice, video and information services in support of emergency response communications.

According to the National Weather Service, a Hurricane Warning is in effect for portions of North Carolina coast as Hurricane Arthur moves northward. Also, a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for parts of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Hurricane conditions are expected within portions of the hurricane warning area by tonight. The tropical storm conditions are expected to spread northward in the tropical storm and hurricane warning areas later today and tonight. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting that Hurricane Arthur may become a Category 2 storm when it passes over or near the North Carolina coast. Visit hurricanes.gov and weather.gov for the latest storm track and local forecasts and warnings.

At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States, and they are available to state, tribal and local partners if needed and requested.

Safety and Preparedness Tips

Residents and visitors in potentially affected areas should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have a plan for their pets. Individuals should visit ready.gov or listo.gov to learn these and other preparedness tips for tropical storms.
Know your evacuation zone and be sure to follow the direction of state, tribal and local officials if an evacuation is ordered for your area.
Storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. It poses a significant threat for drowning and can occur before, during, or after the center of a storm passes through an area. Storm surge can sometimes cut off evacuation routes, so do not delay leaving if an evacuation is ordered for your area.
Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous and almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas, at bridges and at highway dips. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
If you encounter flood waters, remember – turn around, don’t drown.
Hurricanes have the potential for tornado formation. If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately in the center of a small interior room (closet, interior hallway) on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
Get to know the terms that are used to identify severe weather and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued.

For a Hurricane:

A Hurricane Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 74 MPH poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 74 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

For a Tropical Storm:

A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 39 MPH or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 39 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less.

For coastal flooding:

A Coastal Flood Advisory is issued when minor or nuisance coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.
A Coastal Flood Watch is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is possible.
A Coastal Flood Warning is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.

More safety tips on hurricanes and tropical storms can be found at ready.gov/hurricanes.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

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

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FEMA: Follow Evacuation Orders; Residents and Visitors Urged to Follow Direction of Local Officials

New Yorkers: Prepare for severe weather before it strikes

NEW YORK – New Yorkers know about severe weather. After Hurricane Sandy, 2013 brought 15 significant weather events to New York, including winter snow and ice storms, a tornado, extreme heat, brush fires, heavy rains and flooding. Two of those events resulted in major disaster declarations for the state.

Next week, March 2-8, is National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, a nationwide campaign to remind everyone that severe weather can affect anyone. The effort is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Across the U.S. last year, there were seven severe weather events that crossed the $1 billion mark in economic and property damage. These disasters, including floods, tornadoes and wildfires, caused the deaths of 109 people.

NOAA and FEMA urge all New Yorkers to understand the risks where you live and how severe weather could affect you and your family. Check weather forecasts, get a NOAA Weather Radio and sign up for local weather alerts from emergency management officials. Check NOAA’s National Weather Service website for more information: www.weather.gov.

Next, make sure you and your family are prepared for severe weather. Develop a family communication and disaster preparedness plan, keep important papers, medications and other essential items in a safe place and visit www.Ready.gov/severe-weather to learn more.

Being prepared for severe weather need not be complicated or costly. Keeping a few simple items handy in a disaster kit, for example, could end up being a lifesaver. Go to www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit to find out more about what to include in a basic kit and how to develop one for those with unique needs. The same information is available in Spanish at www.listo.gov.

Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, set an example by sharing your story with family and friends on any social media site. Be a “force of nature” and inspire others in your community to take action too. Pledge to prepare by signing up for America’s PrepareAthon on April 30 at www.fema.gov/americas-prepareathon.

Original post:

New Yorkers: Prepare for severe weather before it strikes

Don’t Forget That Date; Appeals Must be Submitted to FEMA Within 60 Days

Those who received a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency should take note of the date the letter was written. Appeals or submission of missing documents must be made within 60 days of that date.

Disaster survivors may request an appeal to review their cases regarding the amount or type of federal disaster assistance available.

The appeal must be in writing and explain why you disagree with a decision. Attach any new or additional documents supporting the appeal.

Appeal letters for the April 28 through May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding should also include:

Federal disaster declaration number, 4176-DR-AL, on all pages of documents.
Applicant information including:
- The nine-digit FEMA application number on all pages of documents,
- Applicant’s name,
- Applicant’s date and place of birth, and
- Address of the damaged dwelling.

Copies of verifiable documentation that supports the appeal. All receipts, bills and estimates must include contact information for the service provider. Keep all originals for your records.
A copy of a state-issued identification or driver’s license, unless the letter is notarized or includes the following statement: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
The applicant’s signature.

Applicants can call the Disaster Legal Services hotline phone number, 888-857-8571. The service is available from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for free legal help with insurance claims.

In the Huntsville area of Limestone County, call 256-539-2275. Those in Mobile and Baldwin counties can call 855-997-2857.

Mail the appeal letter to: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055.

Applicants also may fax their appeal letter to: 800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA.

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FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.ema.alabama.gov/. For the joint Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/AlabamaEMA. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/AlabamaEMA or www.twitter.com/femaregion4

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Don’t Forget That Date; Appeals Must be Submitted to FEMA Within 60 Days

FEMA Registration Deadline Extended for Disaster Survivors in Florida

PENSACOLA, Fla. – At the request of the state of Florida, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a 14-day extension for storm and flood survivors to register for disaster assistance.

The deadline to register is now Monday, July 21.

Residents affected by the storms and flooding from April 28 to May 6 can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or on a smartphone at m.fema.gov.

Survivors may also call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors in Escambia, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties may be eligible for federal grants to help pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs or other serious disaster-related expenses.

People living in the designated counties should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

For more information on Florida disaster recovery, survivors can visit fema.gov/disaster/4177, the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or the state’s Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

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FEMA Registration Deadline Extended for Disaster Survivors in Florida

FEMA Funding Continues to Flow to New York for Sandy Recovery

Main Content

Release date:

June 9, 2014

Release Number:

SRO-008

NEW YORK – Area parks and beaches that Hurricane Sandy left in shambles are opening, heralding another summer season. They also serve as tangible signs that New York is steadily recovering from the historic storm. Federal aid continues to flow to the state to help rebuild; FEMA Public Assistance grants total nearly $2.6 billion.

Recent awards include:

More than $72.4 million to New York City Parks and Recreation for debris removal and ongoing repairs to picnic areas, handball courts, marinas, equipment and other facilities;
Nearly $150 million to Suffolk County for debris removal at Tadsen’s Marina and throughout the county; for permanent repairs at Timberpoint Golf Course and for emergency repairs at Meschutte Beach Park and other county facilities;
Nearly $300,000 to the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs to replace office equipment and to make building repairs;
More than $68.5 million to the City of Long Beach for debris removal and beach repairs;
About $11.3 million for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for repair, replacement and hazard mitigation of damaged elements of the transportation system;
Nearly $2.7 million for repairs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

For Hurricane Sandy, FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses local, state and tribal governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations 90 percent of eligible costs for emergency and permanent work. Additional funding is expected for an array of projects throughout the affected areas.

To learn more about FEMA Public Assistance in New York, visit: fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and dhses.ny.gov/oem/recovery.

Email NYRN@fema.dhs.gov to join the New York Recovery Network to find news, reports, grant announcements, events, training opportunities and research related to recovery and resilience

Last Updated:

July 2, 2014 – 15:47

State/Tribal Government or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

See more here –

FEMA Funding Continues to Flow to New York for Sandy Recovery

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