Connecticut Disaster Recovery Centers’ Hours Change, New Haven DRC to Close

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hours of operation for the FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Centers in Connecticut have changed and the center at Gateway Community College, Long Wharf Campus, New Haven, will close Saturday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach the multilingual operators.

Homeowners or renters who suffered damages in counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any of the centers.

The following centers are now open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and closed Sundays.

Housatonic Community College

900 Lafayette Blvd.

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Western Greenwich Civic Center

Room 203

449 Pemberwick Road

Greenwich, CT 06381

Groton Senior Center

102 Newtown Road

Groton, CT 06304

Department of Police Services

Conference Room

6 Custom Drive

Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Senior Center

100 Mona Terrace

Fairfield, CT 06824

Simon Lake Elementary School (former)

65 Devonshire Road

Milford, CT 06460

Norwalk City Hall

125 East Ave.

Norwalk, CT 06851

The deadline to register is Dec. 31. Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

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 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and a private nonprofit organization fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers 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.

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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Connecticut Disaster Recovery Centers’ Hours Change, New Haven DRC to Close

FEMA Registration Deadline Now 30 Days Away

WINDSOR, Conn. — Connecticut residents who had damage from Hurricane Sandy have only 30 days left to register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The deadline to register for disaster assistance is Monday, Dec. 31.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach the multilingual operators.

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.

Low-interest disaster loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration to homeowners, renters, nonprofits and business of all sizes. SBA is the largest source of federal disaster funds for repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed property.

Returning an SBA application is essential to completing the application process and may open a door to additional forms of disaster assistance from FEMA. However, no applicant is obligated to accept a loan.

Registration for disaster assistance with another agency does not register an applicant with FEMA. Having flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

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FEMA Registration Deadline Now 30 Days Away

Low-Interest Disaster Loans Fuel Connecticut Recovery

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hurricane Sandy survivors are putting low-interest disaster loans to good use.

The loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are being used to:

• Make home repairs not covered by insurance;
• Replace clothing, appliances and vehicles;
• Make improvements to reduce the risk of future damage; and
• Refinance existing liens or mortgages on homes.

SBA loans are the major source of federal disaster recovery funding and may be available for other uses as well. For example, renters may be eligible for loans to cover some of their personal property losses, including vehicles. There are also loans for businesses and nonprofit organizations as well.

Applications from the SBA are mailed to most survivors who register for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Returning the loan application is an important step in the recovery process because it may qualify the applicant for more FEMA grants. No one is obligated to accept a loan, if offered.

“Even the maximum amount FEMA is allowed to award won’t replace a home destroyed in a hurricane,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “Most disaster recovery is funded by low-interest loans from the SBA.”

SBA can lend homeowners up to $200,000 to repair or replace their home and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

Disaster loans have distinct advantages:
• Home loans are as low as 1.688 percent
• There are no points or application fees
• Loans are available before insurance settlements are made
• SBA can write loans based on the cost of replacing the home today

The deadline to file for an SBA Home Disaster Loan is Dec. 31.

SBA offers online application through its Electronic Loan Application site at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela. Survivors can call the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, or visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/sandy.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers 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.

Original post:

Low-Interest Disaster Loans Fuel Connecticut Recovery

Readout of FEMA Administrator Fugate’s visit to New York & New Jersey

WASHINGTON — Today, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate traveled to New York and New Jersey to meet with federal, state and local officials and to discuss ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy. During his visit, Administrator Fugate emphasized that communities in impacted states have the continued, full support of FEMA and the federal family.

In Freeport, NY, Administrator Fugate met with state and local officials to discuss recovery planning for Freeport and Nassau County and how federal programs can support local efforts. Following the meeting, Administrator Fugate surveyed damage in some of the county’s hardest hit areas.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for designated counties in New York and New Jersey.

Administrator Fugate next traveled to New Jersey, where he visited the Middlesex County Emergency Operations Center and met with state and local officials to discuss recovery efforts, both in the county and throughout the state of New Jersey. At the Sayreville Water Pumping Station, Administrator Fugate was briefed on the impact of Sandy on the station and the emergency efforts undertaken during the storm to restore operations at the facility.

In both New York and New Jersey, Administrator Fugate reiterated FEMA’s continued support for communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy and encouraged impacted residents to register for federal assistance.

President Obama declared major disasters for New York and New Jersey on October 30, making federal assistance available to affected individuals and businesses. Impacted residents in designated counties can apply for assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Link –

Readout of FEMA Administrator Fugate’s visit to New York & New Jersey

President Declares Disaster for New Hampshire

PRESIDENT DECLARES DISASTER FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of New Hampshire to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Sandy during the period of October 26 to November 8, 2012.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy in Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Grafton, and Sullivan counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

James N. Russo has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Russo said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at 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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President Declares Disaster for New Hampshire

President Declared Disaster for Commonwealth of Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to Virginia to supplement the commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Sandy during the period of Oct. 26 to Nov. 8, 2012.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to the commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy in the counties of Accomack, Arlington, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Essex, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, King and Queen, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Mathews, Middlesex, Nelson, Northampton, Northumberland, Prince William, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Surry, Warren, and Westmoreland and the independent cities of Fairfax, Falls Church, and Manassas.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Donald L. Keldsen has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Keldsen said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the commonwealth and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at 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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President Declared Disaster for Commonwealth of Virginia

Some Storm Damage May Not Be Obvious—Inspect Furnaces Thoroughly

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hurricanes roll through with strong winds and storm surges that leave an ugly path in their wake. But not all damage is immediate or obvious, so survivors who experienced high winds, flooding or water damage should check their furnaces thoroughly.

As cold weather continues, concerns about furnaces include:

Leaks in gas lines and oil pipes;
Corrosion of electrical wiring from exposure to salt water;
Problems with oil pumps moved or shaken by high winds or flooding;
Debris lodged in chimneys; and,
Sediment or mold that could blow into the house from ducts exposed to water.

“Recovery is a process that involves many steps, but don’t forget to think safety first,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Local codes may require you to hire a licensed professional to check your wiring or gas lines, so check your local ordinances.”

For more information about recovering after the storm, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or check out the information online at www.ready.gov/recovering-disaster.

No matter how large or small the loss, anyone who experienced damage from Hurricane Sandy should register with FEMA. It does not matter whether the survivor has insurance or not, or is a homeowner or renter.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving Day when the hours are 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. The deadline to register is Dec. 31, 2012.

Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers 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.

Originally posted here:

Some Storm Damage May Not Be Obvious—Inspect Furnaces Thoroughly

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Maryland Declaration

Main Content

Release date:

November 20, 2012

Release Number:

HQ-12-149Factsheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of Maryland.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our first responders and 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.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

Last Updated:

November 20, 2012 – 23:51

State or Region:

Maryland

and

Region III

Related Disaster:

Maryland Hurricane Sandy

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Federal Aid Programs for the State of Maryland Declaration

After Sandy, Learn Rebuilding Techniques at Home Depot This Weekend

WINDSOR, Conn. – An outreach team from FEMA will be at the Home Depot store in Fairfield this weekend to explain techniques that may reduce potential damage to homes, businesses and property from future flooding.

Mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer “how-to” information for retrofitting buildings and elevating utilities. Specialists can also provide clean-up tips to help prevent mold and mildew from forming in a storm-damaged home.

The FEMA team will be at the Home Depot store, 541 Kings Highway Cutoff, Fairfield, CT 06824, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, and Sunday, Nov. 25.

Information will include instructions on how to:

Relocate circuit breaker panels, outlets and switches above potential floodwaters
Move washer and dryer hookups to a higher floor
Elevate furnaces and water heaters
Prevent sewer backups with a backflow valve

More information on ways to protect your home from future disasters is available at www.fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers 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.

Link –

After Sandy, Learn Rebuilding Techniques at Home Depot This Weekend

Disaster Assistance Tops $76.3 Million in St. John Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly three months since the Aug. 29 federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, more than $365 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the state. Disaster assistance for survivors in St. John Parish now totals $76,333,667.

St. John Parish by the Numbers

Number of survivors who registered for assistance with FEMA: 12,617

Amount of Housing Assistance approved: $22,877,141

Amount of Other Needs Assistance approved: $5,027,052

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $27,904,193

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $5,895,274

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans: $42,534,200

Timeline,

Aug. 27 – President Obama issued an Emergency Declaration in Louisiana, in advance of Hurricane Isaac, for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program.

Aug. 29 – President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for 35 parishes in Louisiana, including St. John. The declaration made Public Assistance (PA) funds available for reimbursement of costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A & B), including direct federal assistance. A total of 55 parishes are now designated for PA.

Aug. 29 – The federal disaster declaration also made all parishes in the state eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Aug. 31 – An amendment designated five parishes in Louisiana, including St. John, eligible for Individual Assistance (IA). With subsequent amendments, IA is now available in 26 parishes: Allen, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

Sept. 1 – A Disaster Recovery Center opened in St. John Parish at 1931 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace. A total of 9,043 people have visited the recovery center, making it the busiest for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana. It will close permanently on Nov. 29.

Sept. 3 – FEMA, at the request of the state, activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allowed eligible evacuees from Hurricane Isaac who could not return to their homes to stay in hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations were available. The program was extended four times. Of the 5,877 St. John residents eligible for TSA, 895 checked into hotels under the program.

Sept. 13 – The SBA opened a Business Recovery Center in LaPlace, St. John Parish, to provide information about low-interest disaster loans to local businesses and to assist with applications.

Sept. 21 – FEMA extended the PA program in eight parishes, including St. John, to include supplemental funding for infrastructure repairs in the wake of Hurricane Isaac. Applicants in St. John are now eligible to apply for the full range of PA funding (Categories A-G).

Sept. 26 – FEMA approved supplemental funding for debris removal from qualified private properties in St. John Parish. Debris removal from private property is generally not eligible for FEMA funding, but funding was approved for St. John because the debris on residential and private business property was so widespread that public health, safety and the economic recovery of the community were threatened.

Survivors in St. John Parish affected by Hurricane Isaac can apply for disaster assistance until the Nov. 29 deadline. They may apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, at m.fema.gov with a smartphone, or by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

Original source:

Disaster Assistance Tops $76.3 Million in St. John Parish

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