Hurricane Isaac Six Months Later: $500 Million in Recovery Dollars – and Counting

Hurricane Isaac Six Months Later: $500 Million in Recovery Dollars – and Counting

BATON ROUGE, La. – In the nearly six months since Hurricane Isaac thrashed Louisiana, recovery has progressed for survivors, businesses and communities.

Below is a snapshot from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the state and federal assistance dollars approved to date and some milestones reached since the Aug. 29 disaster declaration:

$506.3 million

 

Eligible Louisianians and their communities have been approved for state and federal assistance totaling $506,308,559.

 

$416.5 million

The FEMA-administered National Flood Insurance Program has paid $416,486,815 on claims from policyholders in Louisiana.

 

$215.6 million

FEMA has obligated $215,568,977 to cover 75 percent of the costs incurred by the state and local communities for repairs to storm-damaged infrastructure, removal of storm-related debris and for measures taken to protect people before, during and after the hurricane – including search and rescue, law enforcement, shelters and emergency care.

 

$160.7 million

 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $160,690,700 in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses throughout the disaster area.

 

$129.9 million

 

FEMA and the state have approved $129,863,867 in disaster assistance for Louisianians through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, which helps eligible applicants with emergency home repairs; uninsured personal property losses; and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster. It also helps cover other disaster-related expenses.

 

$7.4 million

FEMA awarded the state a $7.4 million grant to fund a Disaster Case Management Program, which will help Hurricane Isaac survivors who have serious unmet needs even after receiving state and federal disaster assistance.

 

$6.8 million

FEMA grants of $6,845,882 for Crisis Counseling provided trained counselors to help adults and children in the 26 parishes designated for Individual Assistance work through post-disaster emotional stress. 

 

199,744

 

A total of 199,744 Louisianians registered for disaster assistance in the 26 parishes designated for Individual Assistance.

 

$185,015

 

Workers who have lost their jobs or those who are self-employed and unable to provide their services because of Hurricane Isaac have received $185,015 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

 

141,186

 

 

117,540

 

 

FEMA housing inspectors completed 141,186 home inspections, the important first step in determining eligibility for housing assistance.

 

Survivors at 117,540 homes, schools, and community- and faith-based organizations were contacted by the more than 300 FEMA Community Relations specialists who responded to Hurricane Isaac.

 

41,328

Storm survivors numbering 41,328 visited Disaster Recovery Centers. The first of 40 centers opened Sept. 1, just one day after the Individual Assistance designation.

 

2,294

 

 

 

 

1,753

During the 10 weeks of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, 2,294 storm survivors and families stayed in hotels on an emergency basis. FEMA paid the hotels for the cost of the rooms and taxes as survivors worked out alternative housing plans.

 

FEMA specialists numbering 1,753 deployed from around the United States to help Louisiana respond to and recover from Hurricane Isaac. FEMA teams continue to work with Whole Community partners to advance the recovery effort and mitigate against future hazards.

 

400

More than 400 AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and FEMA Corps members assisted Louisianians in shelters, volunteer centers and neighborhoods, and helped survivors and communities clean up and rebuild after the storm.

 

150

More than 150 voluntary agencies called on their volunteers, some from throughout the United States, to provide one-on-one help to Isaac survivors in a range of programs and services. Many have joined the long-term recovery effort to meet the needs of survivors that go beyond state and federal assistance dollars.

 

55

Number of Louisiana parishes designated for assistance under FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Cameron, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, East Carroll, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Iberia, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, La Salle, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Orleans, Ouachita, Plaquemines, Point Coupee, Rapides, Richland, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Union, Vermillion, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Carroll and West Feliciana.

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

Number of parishes designated for aid under the Individuals and Households Program: 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 parishes.

 

26

Number of weeks since FEMA personnel began arriving to assist Louisianians affected by Hurricane Isaac.

 

10

 

 

The SBA opened 10 Business Recovery Centers in seven parishes, where customer service representatives and counselors met with business owners who sustained property damage and economic loss as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

 

1

Louisiana was the first state in the nation to appoint a state disaster recovery coordinator and local disaster recovery managers under the National Disaster Recovery Framework.

Survivors in Louisiana who have questions regarding their FEMA Individual Assistance may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362.

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Hurricane Isaac Six Months Later: $500 Million in Recovery Dollars – and Counting

Deadline Extended a Fourth Time for Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have an additional 60 days to file claims for their flood-related losses. This means most policyholders have until April 22 to complete their proof of loss claims.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) usually requires claims to be reported within 60 days from the date of loss. Four extensions have been granted.

With the latest 60-day extension on flood insurance claims, Louisianians have 240 days from the date of their insured losses to submit a claim, known as Proof of Loss. Hurricane Isaac first made landfall in Louisiana on Aug. 28, 2012, with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring within several days before and after it hit. For this reason the date of loss varies for property owners.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the program.

“A major storm like Isaac can make it difficult for survivors to gather information that will help adjusters determine their flood insurance loss,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This extension eases the burden on folks who haven’t yet filed their proof of loss, and we continue to urge them to do so as soon as possible.”

Failure to submit the proof of loss could cause policyholders to miss out on benefits from their flood insurance policy, NFIP specialists said.

Policyholders with questions about flood insurance or concerns about their claims may contact their local insurance agent, call FEMA program experts at 1-866-331-1679 or 1-866-330-7286, or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

More information on Louisiana disaster recovery is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. FEMA is also on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Deadline Extended a Fourth Time for Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims in Louisiana

Federal Disaster Aid in Connecticut Following Hurricane Sandy Tops $45.4 Million

Federal Disaster Aid in Connecticut Following Hurricane Sandy Tops $45.4 Million

WINDSOR, Conn. — More than $45.4 million in federal disaster grants and loans has been approved for Connecticut survivors of Hurricane Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today.

As of close of business Feb. 14:

  • More than 12,380 Connecticut residents in the counties of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribal Nation located within New London County have registered for federal disaster assistance;
  • More than $11,552,000 has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs;
  • More than $920,000 has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions;
  • More than 6,322 inspections of damaged properties have been conducted statewide;
  • More than $32,189,000 in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration;
  • More than $9,380 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance has been approved as a result of Sandy; and
  • More than $808,000 in Public Assistance grants has been obligated to municipalities statewide for Sandy-related expenses. Under the PA program, FEMA expects to reimburse the state, local governments and tribal nations for $52,465,131 in storm-related expenses, which represents the 75 percent federal share of such projects.

 

Additionally, 3,761 flood insurance claims totaling $135,433,203 have been paid to date, representing nearly 70 percent of total National Flood Insurance Program claims in the state of Connecticut following Hurricane Sandy.

Although the deadline has passed for hurricane survivors to register for assistance, survivors may check status of applications or receive other assistance by calling the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362. Helpline hours are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern, seven days a week. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available. Check status online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or at m.fema.gov on a smartphone or other web device.

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 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.

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.

Link:

Federal Disaster Aid in Connecticut Following Hurricane Sandy Tops $45.4 Million

FEMA Awards $1.1 Million Grant to the City of Madison: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds will be used to construct a Tornado Safe Room

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $1,176,158 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the city of Madison, Wis., for the construction of a safe room at the Highland Manor Mobile Home Park.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V.  “The construction of this safe room will protect the lives of vulnerable citizens by providing a secure location to seek shelter from tornados and other high wind events.”

The Highland Manor Mobile Home Park has experienced numerous powerful storms in recent years.  This safe room will provide a shelter for 806 residents during a severe weather event.  The structure has been designed to accommodate the special needs of the residents, providing space for five wheelchair occupants.  The shelter will have the capability to be unlocked for use by the either the onsite manager or remotely by the City of Madison Parks Division.  To assure maximum use of the safe room, the Madison Fire Department will conduct an education campaign, including emergency drills, within the mobile home park.

“This is an important project that we believe can help save lives during severe weather,” said Brian Satula, administrator of Wisconsin Emergency Management.  “This is the second safe room at a mobile home park in Dane County for which we have provided hazard mitigation funding.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures.  Through HMGP, FEMA will pay $1,176,158 or 75 percent of the project’s total cost.  Wisconsin Emergency Management and the city of Madison will both contribute 12.5 percent of the funds, or $196,026 each. 

“This has been a successful collaboration between the City of Madison, the property owners, the State of Wisconsin and the federal government,” said Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. “The safety of our residents is a number one concern, and this building will provide a safe shelter during Wisconsin storms.” 

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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Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

Original article: 

FEMA Awards $1.1 Million Grant to the City of Madison: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds will be used to construct a Tornado Safe Room

FEMA Welcomes Haltom City, Texas to the Community Rating System

DENTON, Texas – Residents and business owners in Haltom City, Texas can now enjoy a reduction in flood insurance premiums because of the city’s active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). In addition to lower premiums, the CRS program helps to reduce the threat of damage due to flooding.

“The flood insurance program rewards communities for implementing programs and policies that protect their residents from flooding,” said Tony Robinson, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) R6 regional administrator. “By joining this program, Haltom City’s higher regulatory standards, public education outreach, and other initiatives, have earned the city lower premiums as a CRS Class 7 Community.”

Haltom City flood insurance policyholders who reside in Special Flood Hazard Areas will receive a 15 percent reduction on flood insurance premiums and policyholders located outside Special Flood Hazard Areas will enjoy a 5 percent discount. The reduction in flood insurance premiums represents an annual savings in premium costs for Haltom City’s policy holders and will take effect at the time a new policy is written or an effective policy is renewed.

The city’s flood plain management staff has worked hard to insure that Haltom City’s participation in the program pays off. In addition to the reduction in insurance premiums, local officials are more knowledgeable about floodplain management and its residents are more knowledgeable about mitigation and flood insurance.

The program helps to make Haltom City a safer place to live, reduces the economic impact of flood hazards and saves citizens money on flood policy premiums.

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program for NFIP- participating communities. The intended goals of the program are to reduce flood losses; facilitate accurate insurance ratings; and to promote the awareness of flood insurance. For more information on the NFIP’s CRS program, go to http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm.

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

 

Original source: 

FEMA Welcomes Haltom City, Texas to the Community Rating System

After 100 Days, New Jersey Communities On Road To Recovery From Sandy

TRENTON, N.J. — One hundred days after Hurricane Sandy made landfall, storm survivors in New Jersey are rebuilding with a hand from neighbors, nearly 28,000 volunteers and more than $1 billion in state-federal response and recovery assistance.

Following Sandy’s landfall on Oct. 29, a dozen states deployed 440 personnel and equipment to support New Jersey and the more than 2,200 New Jersey National Guardsmen. It was the state’s largest domestic emergency mobilization.

Thirty-five federal agencies contributed more than 2,600 employees and took on 349 assignments at a cost of $169 million. They did everything from cleaning up hazardous fuels to providing bus transportation during the New Jersey transit system outages.

Survivors Repair Homes and Replace Property

To help those affected by Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved more than 58,000 individuals and households for assistance totaling $352 million. Of that financial help, $308 million has gone to help repair homes or pay for a place to rent and $44 million to meet serious needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. Another $26.4 million has provided temporary shelter to those still unable to return home.

FEMA coordinated a housing mission that included the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which used $3.3 million to refurbish 115 housing units at Fort Monmouth.

FEMA and the state also temporarily sheltered 5,538 individuals and families in hotels and motels through the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program that enables survivors to work on longer-term housing solutions.

Two hundred FEMA Corps members and team leaders conducted door-to-door outreach at more than 53,300 homes, providing information about disaster assistance to more than 51,800 survivors.

Low-interest SBA Disaster Loans Fill Recovery Gaps

Low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration remain a critical source of money for rebuilding. SBA also provides working capital for small businesses to help alleviate economic losses. SBA has approved more than 5,600 disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses totaling $397.7 million.

Disaster recovery centers have offered one-on-one help to storm survivors. This personal approach helped people with their FEMA applications and SBA loans. More than 71,000 visits have already been made to the 34 centers that have served New Jersey.

At least 40 volunteer groups contributed 760,000 hours of their time during Hurricane Sandy’s response and recovery.

Help with rebuilding homes and infrastructure

To protect lives and property in future disasters, FEMA seized the opportunity to publish advisory base flood elevation maps to guide rebuilding (go to Region2Coastal.com).

FEMA’s Public Assistance program has approved $148.5 million to assist the recovery of state and local governments as well as certain nonprofits.

FEMA has approved 465 projects to help remove hurricane debris and restore disaster-damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Among the largest grants was $11.2 million to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission for emergency repairs to a wastewater treatment plant that serves 48 communities and treats 330 million gallons of sewage daily.

In the weeks after the storm hit, FEMA also hired 160 local residents in New Jersey to help with disaster recovery operations.

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.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance Program provides long term, low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit www.sba.gov. All SBA’s program and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Link:  

After 100 Days, New Jersey Communities On Road To Recovery From Sandy

Elevating Your Home Above Future Flooding

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors repairing their homes with an eye toward avoiding damage from future storms can take several steps to rebuild stronger and safer.

If you’re rebuilding in a high risk flood area, you may have to elevate your home to meet your community’s minimum elevation regulations for construction. This will avoid future severe weather damage.

What are the rules for elevation?

You must follow local building codes and get the proper permits when rebuilding. This will not only make your home safer but will save money on federal flood insurance.

It is necessary to check with local building officials before rebuilding in a flood zone because they are responsible for knowing the elevation requirements, even in areas where the base flood elevation has not been established. Rebuilding higher than the minimum requirement is always a wise decision.

Are there any programs available to assist with construction cost?

Eligible homeowners who have National Flood Insurance Program policies and whose homes were substantially damaged may be eligible for Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage of up to $30,000. This can pay all or part of the cost to elevate your home to the current effective Base Flood Elevation, which is the estimated level that floodwaters would reach.

You may be eligible for ICC coverage if your local floodplain building official determines either:

  • Your property is substantially damaged, meaning that the cost to repair the flood damaged property is 50 percent or more of its pre-disaster market value.
  • Your property sustained repetitive damage, meaning that flood damage occurred twice in the past 10 years, and the cost of repairing the flood damage, on average, equaled or exceeded 25 percent of the property market value at the time of each flood. Also, those two flood damage events must have resulted in flood insurance claim payments, and the community’s floodplain management ordinance must have a repetitive loss provision.

What are other programs that offer help with elevation costs?

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers loans to private nonprofits, businesses and homeowners for mitigation improvements including building elevation, retaining walls, seawalls, sump pumps and relocating utilities. The loan can be increased up to an additional 20 percent of the initial approved amount for these mitigation projects.

The deadline to apply for an SBA disaster loan is Feb. 27, 2013.

A simple way to complete the application is online, using the SBA’s electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. SBA customer service representatives are available to issue or accept low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions at all New York State/FEMA disaster recovery centers and SBA business recovery centers. To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

The State of New York administers the HMGP. While individuals are not eligible to apply directly to FEMA for HMGP funds, an eligible applicant or sub-applicant (e.g. state or local government) may apply for funding on your behalf to mitigate your home or other private structures under their jurisdiction. These applications are forwarded to the state for potential funding by FEMA. That mitigation can include elevating your home to meet flood insurance requirements. For more information, contact your local building officials about HMGP grants.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585. FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. 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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Elevating Your Home Above Future Flooding

FEMA and HSEM Provide More Than $4.3 Million Combined for Scanlon Interceptor Repairs

DULUTH, Minn. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that $2,012,087 has been made available to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) in federal disaster aid for repairs to the Scanlon (Division D) Interceptor. Additionally, Minnesota Recovers has approved $2,334,497 in Disaster Relief Appropriation Funds to assist with essential restorations. The interceptor sustained damages during the June 14 – 21 severe storms and flooding. The FEMA funds are being made available as part of recovery efforts in response to President Obama’s federal disaster declaration of July 6, 2012.

 

The Scanlon Interceptor is a 36 inch iron pipe that carries wastewater to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) Knowlton Creek Pump Station in West Duluth. Flooding damaged a 150 foot portion of the Pipe Bridge, where the pipeline emerges from ground cover and is elevated over a creek. Three of the seven supporting concrete piers and the pipe itself were damaged. Rip-rap was eroded on each side of the creek and a portion of the six-foot high chain link fence that surrounds the pipeline and piers was destroyed.

 

In addition to repairing the damages caused by the disaster, WLSSD plans on replacing an additional 265 linear feet of the pipe, lining 175 linear feet of the buried portion of pipeline, and renovating three manholes. WLSSD intends to utilize the MN Recovers funds to cover the costs of these restorations.

 

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding to local government jurisdictions and eligible private non-profits for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs incurred for disaster cleanup or emergency actions taken to protect lives or property. The federal share of recovery costs is 75 percent. The remaining share is the responsibility of the state and local government or non-profit organization.

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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.

 

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FEMA and HSEM Provide More Than $4.3 Million Combined for Scanlon Interceptor Repairs

Preliminary Flood Maps in Greater New Orleans Area Ready for Public View

PRELIMINARY FLOOD MAPS IN THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA READY FOR PUBLIC VIEW

Knowing flood risks allows for more informed decisions

DENTON, Texas –Homeowners, renters and business owners in Greater New Orleans area are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

Local officials from Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles and Jefferson parishes, the state of Louisiana and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the preliminary maps to communities impacted by the new Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks and use that information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and how the community should move forward with any development.

“As we work together with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to the parishes, we ask that everyone review the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said R6 Regional Administrator Tony Robinson. “The role of the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

To view the new flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) or follow the links below:

Once a flood risk is identified, the next step is to consider the purchase of a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  The NFIP is currently undergoing a thorough modernization.  Meanwhile, contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to gather information about insurance.  Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

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

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Preliminary Flood Maps in Greater New Orleans Area Ready for Public View

Who Qualifies for FEMA Disaster Assistance?

NEW YORK – To qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a survivor of Hurricane Sandy must meet certain conditions.

First, the individual or household losses must have occurred in an area covered by the presidential disaster declaration for New York, which includes 13 counties.

  • Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

The survivor must register with FEMA. There are several ways to do this:

  • Via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app.
  • Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  • For 7-1-1Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
  • The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week until further notice.
  • A FEMA Language Assistance Line is available for those who need interpretation services in languages other than English or Spanish. Call: 866-333-1796.

The deadline to register with FEMA is Jan. 28 in New York.

If the applicant has insurance, he or she must file a claim with the insurance company.

For housing assistance

  • The damage to the property is not covered by insurance or the insurance settlement is insufficient to cover the losses.
  • The applicant or someone who lives in the household is a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien.
  • The applicant must have a valid Social Security number.
  • The damaged home is where the applicant usually lives and was living at the time of the disaster.

A survivor may not be eligible for housing assistance if:

  • The home that was damaged is a secondary or vacation residence.
  • Expenses resulted only from leaving the home as a precaution and the applicant was able to return to the home immediately after the incident.
  • The applicant has refused assistance from his or her insurance provider.
  • The only losses are business losses.
  • The damaged home is located in a designated flood hazard area and the applicant’s community is not participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.l
    •  In this case, the flood damage to the home would not be covered, but the applicant may qualify for rental assistance or assistance for items not covered by flood insurance.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

 

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.

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.

Excerpt from: 

Who Qualifies for FEMA Disaster Assistance?

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