The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and FEMA are making manufactured housing units (MHUs) available to some survivors displaced by the recent severe storms and floods.

  • You may be able to live temporarily in an MHU if you’re eligible for FEMA help, but are unable to utilize rental assistance due to a lack of places to rent in your area.
  • The models are different from housing units used following other Louisiana federal disaster declarations.
  • All units are constructed in accordance to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and FEMA standards.
  • Units range from one to three bedrooms to suit your family’s size.
  • Eligible survivors who have access and functional needs will receive accommodating units to include modifications like ramps or platform steps.
  • If you’re eligible to receive an MHU, you and your family may be able to place a unit on your property or a commercial park.
  • FEMA may provide you a unit for up to 18 months. However, it’s important to show a continued housing need and progress toward a permanent housing plan in order to continue living in a unit.
  • FEMA can only consider helping you with a place to stay after you apply for federal disaster assistance. You can apply two ways:

 

  • Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • If you cannot access the website call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

 

                                                ###

Link to original:  

Louisiana, FEMA Provide Manufactured Housing Units to Some Survivors

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — The deadline for West Virginia storm survivors to register for federal assistance has been extended 14 days to Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted the extension at the request of West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, citing a continued flow of new applications for federal assistance in the wake of the June 22-29 severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

FEMA disaster grants are available to homeowners and renters in the 12 storm-impacted counties named in the presidential disaster declaration of June 25: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster. Nearly 9,000 applications from West Virginia survivors have been received by FEMA to date.

Disaster assistance for individuals may include grants to help homeowners and renters with temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and serious disaster-related needs. Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare and other federal and state programs. Grants do not have to be repaid to the federal government.

One of FEMA’s federal partners in disaster recovery, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), would also extend to Sept. 7, 2016 its deadline for filing physical disaster loan applications.

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses, homeowners and renters. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

If your SBA loan application is approved, you may be eligible to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples

include elevating utilities, water heaters and furnaces, and installing retaining walls and sump pumps. Applicants may be eligible for an SBA loan increase, for mitigation purposes, of up to 20 percent of their physical damages.

The application/registration process is quick and easy. FEMA encourages all survivors who sustained disaster-related damage or losses to apply – before the Sept. 7 deadline – by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362 (TTY users should call 800-462-7585) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov . The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

You may also register at any of the five Disaster Recovery Centers located in Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties. An easy-to-use DRC Locator is available at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm .
 

Jump to original: 

West Virginia survivors get two-week extension for FEMA registrations

AUSTIN, Texas – Two important deadlines are ahead for Texans who are considering a loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration for recovery from the May-June storms and flooding.

Most survivors who registered with FEMA for disaster assistance were contacted by the SBA with information on the agency’s low-interest disaster loans, as well as instructions on how to complete the loan application.

The deadline to submit the application for physical damage is Aug. 10. The deadline for businesses to submit a loan application for economic injury is March 11, 2017.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property, offering low-interest disaster assistance loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.

Survivors may apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s customer service center by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call 800-877-8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visit sba.gov/disaster.

Completed applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Rd.
Fort Worth, TX  76155

SBA loan applications should be submitted even as disaster survivors await an insurance settlement. The loan balance is reduced by the settlement. SBA loans may also be available for losses not covered by insurance.

The SBA encourages Texans who suffered damage or loss from the May-June storms and flooding complete the SBA loan application they received. There is no obligation to take a loan if offered. If approved, and a survivor does not accept the loan, it may make one ineligible for additional federal assistance.

  • Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 from SBA to repair or replace their primary residence.

  • Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

  • Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury. SBA offers low-interest working capital loans—called Economic Injury Disaster Loans—to small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes.

# # #

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.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Visit source – 

SBA Disaster Loan Application Deadlines Near

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas storm survivors who receive a letter from FEMA that they are ineligible for disaster assistance should not give up—but should follow up instead. The issue may be as simple as a misprinted number or an unsigned document.

After registering with FEMA, applicants can expect a notice by mail about whether they qualify for federal disaster assistance. Read the letter carefully.

  • If eligible, the letter explains the amount of the grant and how it is to be used.
  • If ineligible—if the grant amount reads “0”—applicants may still qualify.

Applicants who are denied assistance can call the FEMA Helpline for an explanation why, or go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. A denial letter may mean the application is missing information such as verification of occupancy of the damaged property, proof of identity, documentation of disaster damage, or what is covered under an insurance policy. Call the FEMA Helpline if you do not receive a letter.

FEMA examines several factors to determine if a survivor will receive disaster assistance. The agency must be able to:

  • Verify disaster-related damage. If your property was inspected and you believe the inspector did not see all the damage, call the FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362 (FEMA).
  • Collect an applicant’s insurance information.
  • Verify an applicant’s identity.
  • Verify home occupancy. Applicants must provide proof of occupancy such as a utility bill.

In Texas, federal disaster assistance is available to residents of Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Jasper, Limestone, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Shelby and Tyler counties who suffered damage from the March 7-29 storms.

Survivors who suffered damage in the impacted counties are urged to register for assistance. To do so:

  • Go to DisasterAssistance.gov; or
  • By phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362 (FEMA), TTY 800-462-7585. Toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
  • Visit any disaster recovery center in the disaster-affected counties.

The deadline to register for federal assistance is May 18.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4266 or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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.

View post – 

A Letter From FEMA May Require Follow-Up

AUSTIN, Texas – Homeowners and renters in four Texas counties affected by the storms and flooding April 17-24 may be eligible to receive rental assistance from FEMA. The funds are meant to help pay for a clean and safe place for them to stay while making repairs or rebuilding their storm-damaged home.

  • First, file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. Talk to your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance agent about additional living expenses (ALE) coverage as part of your policy that may assist in relocating to a temporary residence.
  • Register for FEMA assistance. If you are insured, you will need to submit your settlement documents for review before FEMA can determine your eligibility status. If your policy does not include ALE, or you exhaust this coverage and your home remains uninhabitable, you may be eligible for rental assistance from FEMA.
  • An inspector may arrange a visit to your damaged home or apartment to determine disaster losses. If the inspector determines your home is uninhabitable, you may be offered an option of initial rental assistance to help you find another home to live in while you repair or rebuild.
  • Find available rental property. The FEMA Housing Portal provides resources for individuals and families who are displaced by a disaster. The portal consolidates resources of available rental property throughout the United States. Rental resources are identified and provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Veterans Administration, private organizations and individuals.

Survivors in Fayette, Grimes, Harris and Parker counties can register for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Landlords with available rental properties can send an email to FEMA-Housing@fema.dhs.gov. The email should include your contact name, the state that the property is located in, and your phone number.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4269 , Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

###

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. 

View this article: 

FEMA Rental Assistance May Be an Option for Texas Survivors

RIDGELAND, Miss. – Are you repairing or rebuilding damaged property? Have questions about flood insurance? Want to protect your property from potential loss or damage from future disasters? Federal Emergency Management Agency mitigation specialists are in Olive Branch to answer questions on building stronger.

Advisers are available April 28 to May 3 at the Home Depot at 7740 Craft Goodman Road in Olive Branch. They will be in the store today from noon to 7 p.m. and Friday through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

###

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 are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

 

Originally from – 

Mitigation Advice Available at Olive Branch Home Depot

RIDGELAND, Miss. – Are you repairing or rebuilding damaged property? Have questions about flood insurance? Want to protect your property from potential loss or damage from future disasters? FEMA mitigation specialists will be available in Vicksburg to answer questions on building stronger.

Advisers will be available April 23-April 26 at the following locations:

  • Home Depot, 50 Halls Ferry Park Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180

  • The hours are: Saturday, noon to 7 p.m., Sunday through Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be available to answer questions. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself workers and general contractors.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

###

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.

 

 

See the original article here: 

FEMA Advice Available at Vicksburg Home Improvement Store

RIDGELAND, Miss. – Are you repairing or rebuilding damaged property? Have questions about flood insurance? Want to protect your property from potential loss or damage from future disasters? FEMA mitigation specialists will be available in Picayune to answer questions on building stronger.

Advisers will be available April 23-April 26 at the following locations:

  • Home Depot, 2000 Highway 43 South, Picayune, MS 39466

  • The hours are: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be available to answer questions. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself workers and general contractors.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

###

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.

 

 

See the article here:  

FEMA Advice Available at Picayune Home Improvement Store

AUSTIN, Texas – Disaster recovery experts today urged applicants for federal assistance to complete a disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Taking a loan is not required; completing the application can open the door to all federal assistance, including possible additional grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If approved, and a survivor does not accept the loan, it may make them ineligible for additional federal assistance.

Many Texans who register for disaster assistance with FEMA will receive an automated call from SBA with information on how to complete the loan application process. These low-interest SBA loans are the major source of funding for disaster recovery.

SBA provides low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes (including landlords) and to homeowners, renters and eligible private nonprofit organizations that sustained disaster damage. There is no cost to apply for a loan.

Assistance from FEMA is limited to help jump-start the recovery; it may not cover all damage or property loss. Completing the SBA loan application may make FEMA assistance available to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle, or pay for storage costs.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years.

  • Eligible homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 for home repair or replacement of primary residences, and eligible homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property, including a vehicle. 
  • Businesses of all sizes can qualify for up to $2 million in low-interest loans to help cover physical damages.
  • Small businesses and most private nonprofits suffering economic impact due to the severe weather and flooding can apply for up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury under SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are available online at SBA.gov/disaster, from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339. Meet with an SBA representative at a Disaster Recovery Center to learn more about disaster loans, the application process or for help completing an SBA application.

Completed applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration

Processing and Disbursement Center

14925 Kingsport Road

Fort Worth, TX  76155

                                                                                                                                                   

People with storm losses, who still need to register with FEMA, can go online anytime at DisasterAssistance.gov. Survivors also can register with FEMA by phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Federal disaster assistance is available to residents of Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Jasper, Limestone, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Shelby and Tyler counties that suffered damage in the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, March 7-29.

# # #

Source – 

Low-interest Disaster Loans Help Fuel Texas Disaster Recovery

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Mitigation experts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) say there is no better time than now for Missouri homeowners to start thinking about how to prepare for the next flood.

For the big jobs, homeowners will want to hire a reputable licensed contractor. FEMA mitigation officials suggest getting bids from two or three contractors. And ask for references. Minor repairs and renovations may be easy work for experienced do-it-yourselfers. However, tasks such as relocating basement appliances and electrical equipment may require the help of a professional.

Start with the main circuit breaker or fuse box. Move it up to at least 12 inches above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for your home. Your insurance agent or local flood plain administrator will be able to tell you what that level is. Check with your local building department. If the electrical code allows, raise electrical outlets and switches above flood level.

If you need to replace a flood-damaged furnace, water heater or air conditioner, have the new one installed on a higher floor. If your air conditioner or heat pump is outdoors, install it on a raised platform. Place washers and dryers on blocks, making sure they will not vibrate off the blocks during use. A one- or two-foot-high waterproof floodwall around appliances will protect them from shallow flooding.

More do-it-yourself tips for repairing flood-damaged buildings:

  • Walls: If the wallboard and insulation were removed, wash and disinfect the exposed vertical wooden studs and the horizontal wooden sills at their base. If rebuilding, consider metal studs and sills, as they are less damaged by water than wooden ones.

  • Wallboard: If you install the wall board horizontally (four feet high), you’ll only have to replace half the wall if the next flood is less than four feet deep. Leave the wall open one inch above the sill. The baseboards will hide the gap, and all you have to do after the next flood is remove the baseboard and the wall cavity will drain freely and air will circulate better.

  • Floors: Particle board or plywood fall apart when wet for lengthy periods. Floor joists and some wood floors regain their shape when naturally dried. Use screws or screw nails on floors and stairs to minimize warping. Completely dry subflooring before laying new flooring or carpeting. Re-nail, then sand or place a new underlayment for a new floor.

  • Paints: Completely dry the surface before painting. This may take several weeks, but paint will peel if applied over a damp surface. Coat concrete surfaces with penetrating sealer for easier future cleanup.

  • Windows and Doors: When appropriate, replace flood damaged windows with vinyl or metal framed windows. Hollow core or polysty­rene foam filled metal doors are water resistant.

Despite all that you have done, natural disasters are unpredictable, and even the best preparations may not hold up in the next flood. So it’s strongly recommended that homeowners look into purchasing a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy, especially if your home or business is located in a flood plain or high-risk area.

NFIP insurance is available to homeowners, renters, condo owners/renters, and commercial owners/renters in communities that participate in the NFIP. Missouri communities in the program are listed here — http://www.fema.gov/cis/MO.html. Other communities can request to be added if they meet certain criteria. More than 75 private insurance agents or agencies in Missouri are certified to sell and service NFIP policies, including all of those listed on this link — http://www.fema.gov/wyo_company.

For more ideas on reducing flood loss, check out the FEMA booklet “Protecting Your Home and Property from Flood Damage” at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/21471.

 

# # #

 

For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA webpages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

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.

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

 

Jump to original: 

News You Can Use: Make your home more flood resistant

 Page 2 of 10 « 1  2  3  4  5 » ...  Last »