Be Prepared; Have a Family Emergency Plan

Montgomery, Ala. – Severe weather can happen any time of the year. The best way to prepare for it is with a family emergency plan. If you don’t have one, develop one. If you have an emergency plan, review and update it, then go over it with your family at least once a year.

An emergency plan should include how everyone will contact each other, where to go, how you will get back together and what to do in different situations. A good place to begin is Ready.Gov, the disaster preparedness website managed by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Forms are available at that site for contact information on each family member, phone numbers of out-of-town contacts, work locations and other important phone numbers.

Also inquire about emergency plans in places where your family spends time, such as work, school and daycare. Incorporate this information into your plan.

Identify an out-of-town friend or relative as a contact person for your family members. During an emergency each member of the family will call the contact and let them know they are safe. An out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

Decide where to go in an emergency. Plan for different scenarios, such as where to go if there is a fire. Where in the home is the safest place if a tornado hits? If you live in an area susceptible to hurricanes, decide whether to evacuate or stay. Plan several evacuation routes, if possible, in case some roads become impassable. Identify where you will stay until it is safe to return home. If you have pets, find, in advance, places to board them or hotels and shelters that are pet friendly.

During a wide-scale disaster, such as tornado or hurricane, prepare for power outages. Keep fresh batteries for flashlights, keep cell phones fully charged. If you don’t have one, consider purchasing a cell phone charger for your vehicle. Also, keep your gas tank full.

During hurricane season, keep a basic disaster supply kit of nonperishable food, water, first aid supplies, medicines, disposable diapers, formula and baby food (if necessary), plus extra food and water for pets. Don’t forget a manual can opener. Keep these items in a waterproof container and include enough food and water for several days.

A battery-operated weather radio will be invaluable in an emergency. These radios can be programmed to your local weather service office and will provide information on approaching severe weather in your area. Heed their advice if you are directed to evacuate.

Keep enough cash on hand to get through several days. Banks will likely be closed and ATMs won’t function during a power outage.

Several government agencies work together to help you and your family stay safe. If you would like additional information, try these links:

 

 

 

 

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Be Prepared; Have a Family Emergency Plan

Disaster Assistance in Florida Panhandle Nears $50 Million a Month after Storms

PENSACOLA, Fla. – One month after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding hit parts of the Florida Panhandle, almost $50 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved as survivors continue to rebuild their homes, businesses and communities.

More than $28.8 million has been approved for Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for qualified homeowners and renters. This includes more than $24.2 million in rental costs and essential home repairs, and nearly $4.6 million to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.

Nearly 5,700 survivors and households in five designated counties have been approved for FEMA Individual Assistance following the storms and flooding from April 28 to May 6. The designated counties are Escambia, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, a partner in Florida’s recovery effort, has already approved nearly $20.8 million in low-interest disaster loans for qualified homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations. These loans will finance significant repairs or rebuilding of damaged primary residences and businesses, allowing communities to build back from the storms and flooding.

Public Assistance grants may also be available to reimburse state agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in four designated counties for eligible costs associated with emergency response, debris removal and repairing or rebuilding damaged public facilities. Public Assistance is a cost-sharing reimbursement program with FEMA paying at least 75 percent. The remainder is the responsibility of the state and local governments. The counties designated for Public Assistance are Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton.

In addition to state and federal disaster assistance programs, survivors have benefitted from a wider array of disaster services and resources, including disaster unemployment assistance, free legal services and disaster-related stress help.

Several voluntary agencies, local community- and faith-based organizations and other nonprofit groups are working with survivors who need extra help and they will continue to assist with their longer-term

needs. These voluntary agencies include the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way, Volunteer Florida, Operation Blessing, Florida Baptists, Santa Rosa Baptist Association, Samaritan’s Purse and Hammers and Hearts.

Below is a snapshot of the assistance dollars and milestones reached in the past month:

 

 

$50 million

To date, almost $50 million in state and federal assistance has been approved to help eligible survivors and their communities.

 

$28.8 million

More than $28.8 million in disaster assistance has been approved under the Individuals and Households Program for qualified homeowners and renters.

 

$24.2 million

The total includes more than $24.2 million for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and essential home repair costs.

 

$4.6 million

The total also includes nearly $4.6 million to help cover essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.

 

$20.8 million

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved nearly

$20.8 million in low-interest disaster loans for more than 470 homeowners and business owners throughout the disaster area.

 

12,500

More than 12,500 people have contacted FEMA for help or information following the storms and flooding. Survivors can register for disaster assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585.

 

27,800

The American Red Cross has served more than 27,800 meals and snacks to survivors affected by the storms and flooding. Additionally, more than 28,500 items have been handed out – including water, trash bags, bleach, mops, brooms and other supplies.

 

9,500

 

FEMA housing inspectors have completed more than 9,500 home inspections – an important first step in determining eligibility for disaster assistance.

 

4,800

Several crews of FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists and FEMA Corps members arrived in the affected area just days after the major disaster declaration to provide on-site registration assistance, as well as on-the-spot needs assessments and referrals. Crews met with more than 4,800 survivors and registered 616 individuals and households.

 

4,300

 

 

 

 

More than 4,300 visits have been made to a total of five disaster recovery centers and a temporary registration intake center to get information and apply for disaster assistance. To find the nearest center, survivors can visit FEMA.gov/DRCLocator or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

 

1,300

More than 1,300 Floridians have met with FEMA mitigation specialists at disaster recovery centers and home improvement stores for advice and tips on how to rebuild safer and stronger.

 

110

 

More than 110 homeowners and business owners have visited SBA’s business recovery center in Pensacola to get information or receive help applying for low-interest disaster loans.

 

28

So far, 28 requests have been made for FEMA’s Public Assistance program by eligible state agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofits. Requests for public assistance start the process of getting their eligible costs reimbursed, which helps get communities back on track following a disaster.

 

The deadline for Florida survivors to apply for disaster assistance is July 7. Residents who sustained damage from the storms and flooding from April 28 to May 6, can apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Survivors may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585.

To apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan, survivors can find the electronic loan application on SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Questions can be answered by calling the SBA disaster customer service center at 800-659-2955/(TTY) 800-877-8339 or visiting www.sba.gov.

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.

# # #

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). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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.

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Disaster Assistance in Florida Panhandle Nears $50 Million a Month after Storms

Survivors Have Until Saturday to Visit the Registration Intake Center in Jackson County

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Survivors of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Jackson County have until 6 p.m. Saturday, June 7, to visit the registration intake center.

The State Emergency Response Team and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visits by disaster survivors at all centers. The center will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through June 7.

Even though the registration intake center is closing, survivors will still be able to contact FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by phone at 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585.  Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors may also visit any of the open disaster recovery centers currently open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the following locations:

Escambia County

Brownsville Community Center

3100 W. DeSoto St.

Pensacola, FL 32505

Okaloosa County

Senior Centerview Parks & Recreation

205 Stillwell Blvd.

Crestview, FL 32536

Santa Rosa County

Gulf Breeze Recreation Center

800 Shoreline Drive

Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

Walton County

Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach

3524 U.S. 98

Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

For more information on Florida disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4177. Visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or Facebook page at 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). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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.

 

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Survivors Have Until Saturday to Visit the Registration Intake Center in Jackson County

Florida Panhandle Survivors Urged to Stay in Touch with FEMA

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Florida Panhandle survivors who have registered for disaster assistance are urged to stay in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and keep their contact information current throughout the recovery process.

If survivors change their addresses, telephone numbers, bank accounts or insurance information, they should update that information with FEMA.

Everyone who applies for disaster assistance will receive a letter that explains FEMA’s decision, what to do next if they disagree with the decision and how grant money should be spent. Applicants should not be discouraged if they receive a letter indicating they are ineligible. FEMA may simply need additional information or documentation.

Those who need to update their contact information or have questions about a letter they receive can call the toll-free FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585, or they can visit a disaster recovery center. To find the nearest center, go to FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

The state and FEMA have made it a priority to reach out to everyone who needs help – including people with disabilities and/or access and functional needs, senior citizens and people with limited English proficiency – and to make sure all survivor needs are met after the storms and flooding.

To achieve this goal, disaster recovery centers provide assistive listening devices, amplified phones and caption phones for survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as access to Video Relay Services and Video Remote Interpreters. Magnifying devices and printed information in multiple languages, Braille and large print are also available.

If an American Sign Language or Signed English interpreter is needed, arrangements can be made at disaster recovery centers to meet a survivor’s specific needs.

Multilingual telephone operators are available to help survivors register for disaster assistance and to get their questions answered. Survivors can call FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time, seven days a week.

Survivors can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or on their smartphone at m.fema.gov/. Spanish-speakers can go to DisasterAssistance.gov/es or m.fema.gov/es.

Florida recovery updates are available in Spanish online at www.fema.gov/es or by following @FEMAespanol on Twitter.

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.

# # #

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). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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.

 

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Florida Panhandle Survivors Urged to Stay in Touch with FEMA

Hundreds of Volunteers Return to Repair and Rebuild Homes

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The first teams of skilled volunteers arrived in Alaska earlier this week to continue rebuilding efforts in four Interior communities affected by the 2013 floods. The State of Alaska has been working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure a speedy recovery on all fronts, which includes bringing volunteers to the state.

“We anticipate more than 500 men and women will spend their two-week vacations installing windows, doors, roofs, plumbing and other essential components,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Willie G. Nunn. “The collective focus is to get displaced families home, make damaged residences safe and secure for occupancy, and complete our mission by September.”

According to State Coordinating Officer Bryan Fisher, this is the first housing disaster in 20 years that required two building seasons in Alaska due to the severity.

“The safety of survivors has always been our priority whenever responding to a disaster,” Fisher said. “In 2013, the volunteer groups helped us immensely by ensuring the majority of those affected were able to return home before winter.”

Following the disaster and during the gap in construction seasons, the state provided temporary housing in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Galena for those unable to return home.

Nunn stated that 116 homes were repaired or rebuilt by survivors and skilled volunteers in 2013. The work last summer was conducted in six rural Alaskan communities including Alakanuk, Circle, Emmonak, Fort Yukon, Galena and Hughes. This summer, 48 homes will be repaired or rebuilt in Alakanuk, Circle, Emmonak and Galena. The primary agencies involved with rebuilding these communities this summer are the Disciples of Christ, Lutheran Ministries, Mennonite Disaster Service, Samaritan’s Purse and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.

While many volunteers are paying their own way, the state and FEMA have partnered to help with in-state travel costs, as well as meals and accommodations while staying in affected communities. Faith-based organizations in Fairbanks and Anchorage are providing lodging, meals and local transportation for the teams before they travel to their designated communities.

Follow the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Twitter @AlaskaDHSEM and on Facebook. You can also follow the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Twitter @femaregion10.

FEMA recovery photos and videos can be found online by visiting www.fema.gov/disaster/4122, selecting “Blog, Newsroom, Videos and Photos,” and clicking on either “Photos” or “Videos” under the Multimedia Library section.
 

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Hundreds of Volunteers Return to Repair and Rebuild Homes

More Than $14 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

JACKSON, Miss. – Federal assistance approved for disaster survivors in 12 Mississippi counties has reached more than $14.3 million.

Here is a summary through Thursday, June 5, of all federal assistance to individuals and households in the 12 counties designated for FEMA Individual Assistance. The severe storms, tornadoes and flooding occurred from April 28 through May 3, 2014.

  • More than $14.3 million in total federal disaster assistance has been approved by FEMA and SBA.
  • Nearly $9.7 million in low-interest disaster loans has been approved by SBA for 143 homeowners, renters and businesses.
  • Nearly $4.7 million in FEMA Individual Assistance grants has been approved to help Mississippi disaster survivors recover, including:
    • More than $3.5 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
    • More than $1.1 million approved to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and household possessions. Included is approval of assistance with funeral expenses for nine disaster-related deaths. Other funeral expense requests are pending.
  • More than 4,900 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.
    • In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration and other partner agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. FEMA refers some survivors to those agencies.
    • All businesses that contact FEMA also are referred to the SBA.
    • Others may be interested in other programs such as disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
  • 2,568 home inspections completed.
  • More than 4,500 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
  • FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews have visited 10,454 dwellings and assisted 7,143 survivors.

Monday, June 30, 2014, is the deadline to register with FEMA for individual assistance and submitting an SBA disaster loan application.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Individuals and households in those counties can register for FEMA Individual Assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (central time) and assistance is available in multiple languages. FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs such as Social Security, SNAP or Medicaid and is not considered taxable income.

For additional information about SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov/disaster. SBA customer service representatives are available at ALL disaster recovery centers. Disaster recovery center locations can be found online at FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

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. 

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 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.

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More Than $14 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

Disaster Survivors in Alabama may be Eligible for Child Care Assistance

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Child care costs following a presidential disaster declaration have been added as a reimbursable expense in some cases.

The child care program falls under the Individuals and Households Program within Individual Assistance. Child care costs will be subtracted from the applicant’s total grant amount.

To be eligible, survivors must live in a declared county and use a licensed child care service (center-based, group home, in-home or other provider). The children can be up to age 13, disabled children, as defined by federal law and who need assistance in caring for themselves, may be up to age 18. They also must be occupants of the household, are listed on the Application for Disaster Assistance and are dependents of the applicant.

Costs per child may be awarded for a total of eight weeks, which may or may not be consecutive. Eligible expenses include child care expenses, one-time registration fee, plus health inventory fee if the applicant must change child care providers.

“We know that many households rely on child care and that it can take a big chunk out of their budget,” said Albie Lewis, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer for Alabama. “If you have a disaster-related impact on your income, you may want to explore child care assistance.”

The deadline to register for FEMA assistance is July 1.

For more information or to register for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585.  Multilingual operators are available.

Applicants who apply for the benefit will receive a letter outlining documentation FEMA needs to evaluate the request for disaster-related child care assistance.

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Disaster Survivors in Alabama may be Eligible for Child Care Assistance

We’re listening: SR 530 slide memorial song a source of healing

EVERETT, Wash. – Girls who lost friends in the SR 530 slide sang out their feelings in a song they wrote with the help of Grammy-winning musician Star Nayea and Sauk-Suiattle elder Mary Jack, enrolled at Tulalip.

The girls represented the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, Tulalip tribes and the town of Darrington at a community meeting in Darrington on April 3 – by singing their song “Oso Strong, Highway 530.”

“This song is from the girls’ hearts. They lost friends in the slide. It’s been a difficult time,” elder Jack said. “Oso Strong Highway 530” has helped the girls in so many ways. Maybe the song will help the community start to heal, too.”

The lyrics express sadness, ask “why?” and promise to never forget any of communities along SR 530 –from Arlington to Darrington – while calling these communities together, to rise up, to be strong.

Personal traumatic experiences have given Nayea special understanding of the healing power of song.

“When you’re faced with tragedy that’s only 20 miles down the road from you, it’s unfathomable,” Nayea said. “There are no words to describe or capture the feeling it brings sharing this gift of healing power of music. It is a priceless gift and privilege, and honor of having an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.”

Oso Strong Highway 530

Composed and performed by: Kaylee Frazee, Sarah Larson, Jordan Maltos, Malia Maltos, Raime McCord, Kyla Roundface, Natalie Stewart.
Produced and arranged by: Star Nayea

When life gets to be, too much.
When I fall away and lose touch…
There’s always a reason, a lesson to be learned

We ask the question why…
To know the answers may make us cry.
Can there be any good, to replace this pain.
Does the Creator have the master plan, to this game?

Oso strong, Darrington, Hazel too
Oso life, you and I, we’ll make it through

From the outside looking in,
You could never understand.
We all came together,
To lend a helping hand.

No picture will compare
Can’t imagine, how, or where…
So over whelming, how we feel inside
No words can explain, no answers why?

Oso strong Arlington, Skaglund Hill.
Oso life, Steelhead Drive we won’t forget you!
Oso bright, is the light…
We search to find!

Threads of our community are frayed.
We all must rise up, to pray!
Painful memories… may never fade.
Life will go on, starting today!

Oso Strong, Darrington, Sauk-Suiattle, too
Oso life, you and I, we’ll make it through.
Oso strong, Arlington, Skaglund Hill;
Oso life, Steelhead Drive, we won’t forget you.

Oso special, are the ones, left behind.
Oso bright, is the light, we search to find!

©Copyright 2014, all rights reserved. Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, Darrington Wash.

As recovery continues, help is still available.

To see information and links to multiagency resources on the Snohomish County website, click: SnohomishCountywa.gov/2354/530-Slide.

Those directly impacted by the SR 530 Slide may call a help line operated by the state of Washington. The number is (800) 688-3469. Hours of operation for the help line are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time. For more information, click: www.emd.wa.gov.

SR 530 Slide survivor can also continue to speak directly with FEMA representatives by calling the FEMA help line. The number is (800) 621-FEMA (3362). 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) is available through this number. Survivors who use TTY, may call (800) 462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, seven days a week. For more FEMA information, click: www.fema.gov/disaster/4168.

Source – 

We’re listening: SR 530 slide memorial song a source of healing

Recovery Center in Jefferson County to Close June 6; Re-Opens June 7 as an SBA Center

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Disaster Recovery Center at Lawson State Community College in Jefferson County will re-open as an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center in the same location on Saturday, June 7 at 9 a.m. The Center will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, then, Monday through Thursday, June 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The SBA Center will have both SBA and FEMA staff on hand.

The Disaster Recovery Center is located at Lawson State Community College, 1100 Ninth Ave. SW, Bessemer, AL. The Recovery Center will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, June 6.

After the center closes, survivors will still be able to contact FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585.  Multilingual operators are available. Survivors may also visit any of the open Recovery Centers.

The deadline to register for federal disaster assistance is July 1, 2014.

Recovery Centers in Alabama are currently open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the following locations:

Baldwin County

  • Elberta Town Hall,10352 Main St., Elberta, AL 36530
  • Fairhope Civic Center (Delchamps Room), 161 North Section St., Fairhope, AL 36532

Jefferson County:

  • Maurice C. West Community Center, 171 Second St. SW, Graysville, AL 35073
  • Lawson State Community College, 1100 Ninth Ave. SW, Bessemer, AL 35022
    (An SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center opens Sat., June 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. through Thu., June 12.)

Limestone County:

  • Ripley Woodmen of the World Hall, 11281 Ripley Road, Athens, AL 35611

Mobile County:

  • Old Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Center, 4851 Museum Dr., Mobile, AL 36608

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations to repair or replace uncompensated losses. The SBA may lend up to $200,000 to repair or replace homes and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

Loans to businesses, including non-profits are available up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate, and other business assets.  Eligible businesses and non-profits can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. The deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is February 2, 2015.

See the original article here – 

Recovery Center in Jefferson County to Close June 6; Re-Opens June 7 as an SBA Center

There are Many Good Reasons to Apply for SBA Low-interest Disaster Loans

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi tornado survivors who fail to return completed Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loan applications may be saying no to federal assistance.              

Sometimes survivors think SBA disaster loans are only for businesses. Some may be counting on a future insurance settlement to cover all the costs of rebuilding. Often they don’t want a disaster loan or fear they cannot afford one. Or maybe they simply need assistance completing the SBA disaster loan application.

SBA offers disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations for physical damage from the April 28 through May 3 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in the following Mississippi counties: Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston.

Economic injury disaster loans are available to provide working capital to eligible small businesses and non-profit organizations located in the counties listed above and the adjacent counties.

There are good reasons for FEMA applicants who have been contacted by SBA to submit a completed disaster loan application before the June 30, 2014, deadline.

Some of the top reasons for submitting an SBA application include:

  • A future insurance settlement may fall short. Survivors may find out they are underinsured for the amount of work it takes to repair or replace a damaged home. An SBA low-interest loan can cover the uninsured costs. By submitting the loan application, survivors may have loan money available when it is needed. SBA can approve a loan for the repair or replacement of a home up to $200,000. The loan balance will be reduced by a survivor’s insurance settlement. However, the opportunity for an SBA disaster loan may be lost if they wait until after the application deadline.
  • SBA can help renters repair or replace disaster damaged personal property. Renters, as well as homeowners, may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, appliances and damaged vehicles.
  • By submitting an SBA loan application, survivors keep the full range of disaster assistance available as an option. SBA may refer applicants who do not qualify for a home loan to FEMA for grants to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle, cover medical, dental and funeral expenses and other serious disaster-related needs. But if survivors do not submit their disaster loan applications, the assistance process may stop. Survivors are not required to accept a loan offer.

For more information, homeowners, renters and businesses may call the SBA at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visit SBA.gov/Disaster. Survivors can complete disaster loan applications online at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.

Survivors can visit any of the three disaster recovery centers open in Mississippi to sit down and talk with an SBA representative in person. Disaster recovery center locations can be found by visiting FEMA.gov/DRCLocator or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585.)

Survivors who have not yet registered with FEMA can do so online at DisasterAssistance.gov, with a mobile device at m.FEMA.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362.) Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call TTY 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.

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.

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There are Many Good Reasons to Apply for SBA Low-interest Disaster Loans

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