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FEMA Releases Severe El Nino Disaster Response Plan

FEMA Releases Severe El Nino Disaster Response Plan

For California, Arizona, Nevada

Combined Federal, State task force to meet today at Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

Sacramento Calif., — The FEMA Region 9 office, in Oakland, CA has established an El Niño task force charged with preparing the regional office and its partners for the impacts of El Niño. Today, the FEMA Region 9 Office released its Severe El Nino Disaster Response plan and will convene a regional interagency steering committee meeting in Northern California to exercise the plan.

The task force has evaluated the core capabilities needed to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate against any El Niño related incident that occurs across the office’s area of responsibility. The task force has developed an Executive Decision Support Guide, or response plan, and an interactive flood decision support tool to enhance the regional office’s ability to respond to potential El Niño flood events during the winter of 2015-2016. The plan seeks to align actionable decision points that provide critical information that leaders need to make informed decisions by determining the hazard level potentially impacting lives, public health, safety, property, and critical infrastructure.

The objectives of the task force developed in the plan:

Establish actionable processes and procedures to identify the location, potential impacts, and probability of occurrence of natural hazards
Identify key at-risk populations, critical facilities and natural/cultural resources
Identify gaps in core capabilities needed to overcome the threat
Develop key messages to motivate partners to prepare and act

The task force consists of subject matter experts from the FEMA Region 9 office as well as other federal, state, local, tribal and community partners.

“California is at risk for many types of disasters,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. “These joint exercises with our partners allow us to prepare for and respond to emergencies.”

“Utilizing a ‘whole community’ approach to emergency management reinforces the fact that FEMA is only one part of our nation’s emergency management team,” said Bob Fenton, FEMA Region 9 Administrator. “The exercise gives us an opportunity to learn from each other, and from the experts in the areas where solutions will come from.”

“There aren’t many types of disasters capable of impacting all Arizonans, but a strong El Niño could cause flooding, evacuations and power outages anywhere (and everywhere) in the state,” said Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs Deputy Director Wendy Smith-Reeve. “It takes a team effort to plan for, respond to and recover from the kinds of widespread consequences being talked about, which is why we’re invested in the education and training of and outreach to the whole community.”

FEMA recognizes that a government-centric approach to emergency management is not adequate to meet the challenges posed by a catastrophic incident. Utilizing a “whole community” approach to emergency management reinforces that FEMA is only one part of our nation’s emergency management team.

The El Nino task force has focused on interpreting data in areas of California, Arizona and Nevada that have proved historically vulnerable in order to develop risk projections of current El Niño events. It is through this assessment the task force seeks to determine the critical decision points needed by senior leaders during all phases of an incident from pre-incident, incident onset, through response and recovery.

Today, the FEMA Region 9 Office will participate in a Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) exercise with its disaster response partners to exercise the response plan and its flood decision support tools. During this exercise, participants will identify issues, gaps and shortfalls that will be incorporated to enhance the plan’s utility. The task force will leverage best available data from predictive modeling and other analytical tools to keep senior decision makers informed throughout potential El Niño events. The efforts undertaking by the task force during the ROC will enable the FEMA Region 9 Office, its partners and ultimately the disaster survivor to make intelligent decisions for any El Niño related event.

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FEMA Releases Severe El Nino Disaster Response Plan

Disaster Recovery Center will have assistance for survivors with disabilities, seniors and families next week

Main Content

Release date:

September 24, 2015

Release Number:

DR-4235-CNMI-0033

SAIPAN, CNMI – The Disability Network Partners on Saipan will be at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Susupe on Sept. 28-30. They will be there to provide extra technical support and resources to individuals with disabilities, senior citizens and their families who are seeking FEMA and or other disaster assistance. They will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which is within but not the same hours that the DRC is open.
Representatives from one or more of these groups will be available at the DRC:
-The Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD)
-The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)
-The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
-The Center for Living Independently (CLI)
-The Independent Living Group (ILG)
-State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
-The Autism Society of the CNMI (ASCNMI)
-The Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc. (NMPASI)
-The VOICES Self Advocacy Group of the CNMI
-The Commonwealth Respite Service Program (CRSP)
-The Trankilu Alternative Financing Program (TAFP)
-The Commonwealth Coalition on Anti-Stigma of Mental Illness (CAMI).
-The CNMI Office of Transportation Authority (COTA)
-Commonwealth Advocates for Relief Efforts (C.A.R.E.)
Anyone needing reasonable accommodation at any time, please call 235-7273/4 or visit NMPASI.

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.

Last Updated:

September 25, 2015 – 14:28

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Related Disaster:

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Typhoon Soudelor

Source:

Disaster Recovery Center will have assistance for survivors with disabilities, seniors and families next week

FEMA Seeks Local Help to Assist in Disaster Recovery Through Job Fair

Saipan, CNMI – FEMA has joined forces with the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands’ Department of Labor (DOL) to recruit individuals to work in temporary, full-time positions available locally with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The DOL, in conjunction with the FEMA local hire program, will host a job fair at the Northern Marianas College on Sept. 14-17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in room A8. The purpose of this fair is to give local residents who have no Internet connectivity the opportunity to apply for the temporary jobs with FEMA.

The CNMI Transit Authority will provide free transportation to and from the Northern Marianas College during the event. Staff from the DOL will be on hand to assist with resume writing, along with a FEMA representative to help make sure resumes are routed to the correct location. Transportation pick-up locations will be:

• In the As Matuis/San Roque area, Welcome Market

• In the Tanapag area, IMart

• In the Garapan area, Paseo de Marianas

• In the Capitol Hill area, Sarah Market

• In all three Kagman areas, Kagman Market

• In the San Antonio area, Basketball Court

• In the Koblerville area, Basketball Court

• In the Dandan area, Dandan Middle School

FEMA routinely offers employment to residents in disaster areas to support the local economy and provide jobs to those who may have lost employment due to the disaster.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older. Individuals will be required to pass a background investigation that includes finger printing and a credit check.

Job descriptions are available at http://www.wia.gov.mp/ and at http://www.marianaslabor.net/. CNMI residents may apply by e-mail: fema-dr-4235-mp-hire-me@fema.dhs.gov.

FEMA is committed to employing a highly qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, non-disqualifying physical handicap, sexual orientation, and any other non-merit factor. The federal government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For the latest information on CNMI’s recovery from Typhoon Soudelor, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4235.

Originally posted here:

FEMA Seeks Local Help to Assist in Disaster Recovery Through Job Fair

Applying for Disaster Assistance – What Information Do I Need to Apply?

SAIPAN – Over 7,200 registrations have been received by FEMA for disaster assistance as a result of damages sustained by Typhoon Soudelor (DR 4235) and nearly $2.6 Million has been approved for survivors so far. FEMA encourages all who have been suffered damages from Typhoon Soudelor, August 1-3, to register for Disaster Assistance.

Individuals and households on Saipan can register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585. Multilingual interpreters are available at the FEMA registration number, including Chinese, Tagalog, Japanese, and Korean. They can also apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

After registering online or by telephone, survivors can access “one-stop shop” service at the DRC and receive assistance with additional registration needs such as case inquiries and updates. Subject matter experts from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the DRC. Translators and Sign Language Interpreters are available at the DRC.

Whether applying online from your computer or smartphone, or over the phone through a FEMA call center, you should have a pen and paper and the following information ready:

· Your Social Security number

**If you do not have your SSN card, you can show a Medicare/Medicaid card, W2 form, or filed tax return.

· Current and pre-disaster address with zip code

· Directions to property

· A working telephone number where FEMA can contact you

· Address where you can receive mail

· Insurance information if available

· Total household annual income

· A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account)

· A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster

Before your housing inspection occurs, you should have an Owner Occupancy Form that shows proof you are the official home owner or renter. Forms are available at the DRC or at the following fire stations:

· Station 1- Susupe

· Station 2- Garapan

· Station 4- Koblerville

· Station 5- Kagman

After you’ve completed your application for assistance, you will receive a FEMA application number. Write down this number and keep it for future reference. This is one of your unique identifiers, do not share this number with persons not involved in assisting with your disaster recovery.

FEMA verifies the name and Social Security number of those registering for disaster assistance. If the name and Social Security number on file with the Social Security administration do not match the information you provide you will be asked to submit a copy of an original document, e.g. marriage license, military ID, tax documents, etc., for proof of identity. A need to review and update identity documentation may cause delays in delivery of assistance.

If you are attempting to complete an application online and your identity information does not match, you will receive an Identification Validation Error message advising you to review the information you entered. If you cannot pass the identity verification, this error message will advise you to call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.

Applying for Disaster Assistance – What Information Do I Need to Apply?

FEMA Individual Assistance Disaster Aid Reaches $2 Million

SAIPAN – Homeowners and renters have been approved for over $2 million in individual aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) since Typhoon Souder.

The tallies are likely to rise, as the federal agency continues to review applications for assistance from the storm, which made impact August 1-3, and caused significant damage in Saipan. More than 7,000 survivors have already been in touch with FEMA seeking help or information on disaster assistance.

Individuals and households on Saipan can register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585 directly. Multilingual interpreters are available at the FEMA registration number, including Chinese, Tagalog, Japanese, and Korean. Survivors can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

They are advised to have the following information when they register:

• Address with zip code

• Directions to property

• Condition of your damaged home

• Insurance information, if available

• Phone number where you can be contacted

• Address where you can get mail

• Social Security Number **If you do not have your SSN card, you can show a Medicare/Medicaid card, W2 form, or filed tax return.

A joint Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open at the Pedro P Tenorio Multi-purpose Center in Susupe to help individuals and families affected by Typhoon Soudelor with the recovery process. Normal hours of operation are Monday-Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. After registering online or by telephone, survivors can access “one-stop shop” service at the DRC and receive assistance with additional registration needs such as case inquiries and updates. Subject matter experts from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the American Red Cross will be available at the DRC.

Survivors are reminded to use disaster grants wisely, and those who receive funds from FEMA will get a letter outlining what those funds should be used for. They are intended for disaster-related needs. If the applicant spends the money on anything other than the purpose for which the payment is intended, no additional assistance may be granted if the need arises in the future.

FEMA also encourages survivors to start making repairs to their homes as soon as possible, and NOT wait for FEMA assistance or housing inspections. They should save receipts for any disaster-related expenses as those may be reimbursable later.

The FEMA housing inspections are ongoing. Registered survivors will be contacted by a FEMA housing inspector to schedule an appointment for an inspection; you do not need to contact FEMA to set up an inspection. For those who have been displaced and need transportation to and from the housing inspection, they can contact the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority at 670-483-4344 or 670-237-8000 to schedule transportation.

Disaster legal services have also been made available for Typhoon Soudelor survivors. Disaster survivors facing legal issues who are unable to afford a lawyer can call 670-234-7729. This service has been set up in partnership between Micronesian Legal Services Corporation, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and FEMA. The types of legal assistance available includes assistance with securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster victims, assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims, help with home repair contracts and contractors, consumer protection remedies and procedures, counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems, and counseling on landlord-tenant problems.

For more information on CNMI disaster recovery, visit http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4235 or https://www.facebook.com/JICNMI.

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FEMA Individual Assistance Disaster Aid Reaches $2 Million

Residents Urged to Clean Up Now

SAIPAN – Individuals affected by Typhoon Soudelor that occurred August 1-3, 2015 are urged to begin cleaning up their homes and personal property as soon as possible. Officials from the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emphasize that it is not necessary to wait for a housing inspection before beginning this process.

Residents need to document their losses thoroughly and take pictures of all the damages so that when FEMA housing inspectors arrive, they can make a quick analysis and take information with them. Residents will also need to keep all of the receipts they acquire while purchasing new living items during their displacement.

“We encourage individuals affected by the disaster to remain cautious and return home only when it is safe to do so,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr. “Property owners should document all losses and damages by taking photos first, or making a list, and then begin immediately removing all damaged personal property to help combat mold and other health hazards and move forward in the recovery process.”

Before making permanent repairs to your home such as drywall, structural components, electrical systems or plumbing, make sure you get the proper permits from the CNMI Department of Public Works to ensure compliance with local building codes.

For more information on local clean-up instructions and local permit requirements, contact the CNMI at 670-237-8000.

Original link –

Residents Urged to Clean Up Now

Deadline Approaching to File Requests for FEMA/CNMI Public Assistance

SAIPAN – The Government of CNMI agencies and certain private nonprofit agencies, that may be eligible for federal and commonwealth disaster assistance, must submit Request for Public Assistance (RPA) forms to Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI) Homeland Security by September 4, 2015.

The Public Assistance Program provides grants to commonwealth governments and certain private non-profit entities to assist them with the response to and recovery from disasters.

Public Assistance (PA) funds are available to eligible applicants as part of the federal disaster declaration of August 5, 2015, for the typhoon that occurred August 1-3, 2015 in CNMI.

The primary goal of the Public Assistance program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and CNMI, is to provide reimbursement for eligible expenses for emergency response as well as the repair and replacement of damaged public facilities.

Under the PA program, FEMA reimburses successful applicants for 75 percent of their eligible expenses, while the other 25 percent is the non-federal share. The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas pays 75 percent of the non-federal share of eligible costs incurred by the territorial agencies and special districts with local agencies picking up the remaining 25 percent.

Commonwealth agencies and certain private nonprofits are responsible for the entire non-federal share. The federal portion is paid directly to the territory, with CNMI being the grantee, which then makes disbursements to sub-grantees, the local jurisdictions and organizations.

For forms and more information on the PA program, contact CNMI Public Affairs Officer, Ivan Blanco at 670-237-8040.

The RPA form also can be submitted via email to: Nerissa Benavente at Nerissa.cip@gmail.com

September 4, 2015 is the deadline to submit RPAs.

Continue reading here:

Deadline Approaching to File Requests for FEMA/CNMI Public Assistance

Disaster Recovery Support Services Resume Following Tropical Storm Goni

Main Content

Release date:

August 16, 2015

Release Number:

DR-4235-CNMI-006

SAIPAN – Now that Tropical Storm Goni and the follow-on monsoonal rains begin to subside in the Saipan area, the following disaster recovery support services will resume on Monday, August 17:

FEMA Housing Inspections. Registered survivors will be contacted by a FEMA inspector to schedule an appointment for an inspection; you do not need to contact FEMA to set up an inspection. If you have been displaced and need transportation to and from the housing inspection, you can contact the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority at 670-237-8000 to schedule transportation.
The joint Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will reopen on Monday, Aug. 17 at 8 a.m.

The DRC is located at:

Pedro P Tenorio Multi-purpose Center

Beach Rd, Susupe, Saipan MP 96950, Northern Mariana Islands

Hours of operation: Monday-Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

After registering online or by telephone, survivors can access “one-stop shop” service at the DRC. While visiting a DRC is not required, survivors can receive assistance with additional registration needs such as case inquiries and updates. Subject matter experts from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the DRC.

Survivors are encouraged to apply for assistance before coming to the DRC by calling 800-621- 3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800- 621-3362 to register. Online registration is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. If survivors are unable to register prior to visiting the DRC, there will be a phone bank available for registration or helpline support.

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.

The SBA 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. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877- 8339.

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Last Updated:

August 16, 2015 – 08:48

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Related Disaster:

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Typhoon Soudelor

View article –

Disaster Recovery Support Services Resume Following Tropical Storm Goni

Disaster Recovery Center Temporarily Closing for Public Safety in Preparation of Tropical Storm Goni

SAIPAN, CNMI – Tropical Storm Goni is expected to impact the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas on Sunday evening. FEMA encourages the public to make final preparations such as:

Build a Kit
- Stock up on supplies such as: non-perishable food; water; batteries for battery-powered AM/FM radios and flashlights; first aid kit; cash; and gasoline.
Make a Plan
- Discuss with your family how you will communicate with each other after a storm when phone and internet might be down.
Stay Informed
- Monitor local radio stations for the latest updates
- Follow the guidance of the government regarding sheltering and evacuations

Public safety is the number one priority for both the CNMI government and FEMA. Therefore, the joint Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Susupe will be temporarily closing beginning at 1 p.m. today.

The DRC will reopen when the CNMI government sets Typhoon Condition of Readiness IV, steady state, and verifies that conditions are safe for the community to return to the center.

Typhoon Soudelor survivors do not need to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. Individuals can register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for survivors with hearing disabilities. Online registration is also available 24/7 at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

For additional preparedness tips, visit www.ready.gov.

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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Disaster Recovery Center Temporarily Closing for Public Safety in Preparation of Tropical Storm Goni

Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Susupe

SAIPAN – A joint Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open on August 12 in Susupe to help individuals and families affected by Typhoon Soudelor with the recovery process.

The DRC will open on Wednesday, August 12, at 12 p.m.:

Pedro P Tenorio Multi-purpose Center

Beach Rd, Susupe, Saipan MP 96950, Northern Mariana Islands

Aug. 12 (opening day) hours of operation: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Normal hours of operation: Monday-Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

After registering online or by telephone, survivors can access “one-stop shop” service at the DRC and receive assistance with additional registration needs such as case inquiries and updates. Subject matter experts from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the American Red Cross will be available at the DRC.

While visiting the DRC is not required, an in-person visit following registration often proves extremely helpful to survivors in understanding the entire range of possible assistance for which they may be eligible.