FEMA Specialists Provide Free Repair, Rebuilding and Mitigation Advice in Fairbanks

Main Content

Release date:

September 25, 2013

Release Number:

NR-019

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaskans can get free advice this Saturday in Fairbanks on how to reduce property damages during disasters like floods, fires and earthquakes.

Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be at the Preparedness Expo at the Carlson Center on Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to offer expertise on building techniques and mitigation that can help protect homes, businesses and other property. The expo is a one-day public event being held as part of National Preparedness Month that features exhibits focusing on disaster preparedness.

This free service also offers information and publications on topics such as:

  • Understanding flood- and earthquake-resistant building methods
  • Staying warm during the winter
  • The benefits of flood insurance
  • Elevating or anchoring utilities

For more information on helpful, money-saving mitigation methods, such as elevation, flood proofing and earthquake-resistant property designs, visit FEMA.gov/building-science-publications.

Last Updated:

September 25, 2013 – 13:08

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Related Disaster:

See original: 

FEMA Specialists Provide Free Repair, Rebuilding and Mitigation Advice in Fairbanks

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.On September 6, 2013, President Obama declared a major disaster for 18 counties in the State of Missouri. In addition to Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program funding for state and eligible local governments, qualifying private non-profit organizations many be eligible for assistance as a result of the declaration.

To help private non-profit organizations understand federal disaster assistance eligibility and the grant application process, Historic and Environmental Preservations specialists from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) will participate in a Preservation Clinic hosted by Missouri Preservation this Friday, September 20, 2013.

Missouri Preservation Conference Preservation Clinic

Isle of Capri Hotel
100 Isle of Capri Blvd.
Booneville, MO  65233 
September 20, 2013
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Free of charge and open to the public, the Clinic is organized as part of Missouri Preservation’s annual Statewide Preservation Conference and will feature demonstrations of various hands-on techniques to restore and preserve historic building materials as well as short one-on-one sessions with experts in the preservation field.

During the Clinic, FEMA representatives will also provide information on a variety of preservation topics including:

Integrating Historic Property and Cultural Resource Considerations into Hazard Mitigation Planning

  • Federal Funding for Cultural Institutions:  Before and After Disasters

  • Heritage Emergency Task Force

For more information on the Missouri Preservation Conference and Preservation Clinic, contact Missouri Preservation at 660-882-5846 or email Preservemo10@yahoo.com.

###

 

Visit FEMA Region VII’s website and follow us on social media, at www.twitter.com/femaregion7, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate on Twitter.  The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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 original: 

FEMA Specialists to Provide Historic and Environmental Preservation Information at Upcoming Missouri Preservation Clinic

AURORA, IL –State and federal recovery officials are cautioning Illinoisans to protect themselves against rip off artists posing as contractors as they rebuild and repair from storms and severe flooding of last spring.

Legitimate contractors should have a license, be able to display one at their place of business or to show a copy of one to a prospective customer. Having a website does not necessarily mean one is licensed to do business no matter how professional it appears. Local permit offices can provide consumers important information about how to select a licensed contractor and how to protect themselves from unscrupulous contractors.

But having a license to do business is usually not enough to proceed with the work. A permit from a local or county government is required to begin building and to do extensive repairs. Repairs and building begun without proper permits may be subject to stop work orders, fines and penalties, depending on the local ordinances enforced by communities. Permits assure residents and communities that all proposed work complies with current codes, standards, flood ordinances and recommended construction techniques; they can also serve as a form of protection for the homeowner against an unlicensed or unscrupulous contractor who might offer to do the work without a permit.

Securing the correct local building permit is the homeowner’s responsibility. Those who agree to have their contractors secure permits on their behalf should follow up with building officials to verify. Permits may be required for repairs to roofs, walls, siding, wallboard, plaster, insulation, paneling, cabinets, flooring, electrical wiring, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

Permits will ensure that the local government knows what work is occurring in their area and that it will be done to their standards.  Residents who make repairs without a permit could find out after the fact that the repairs are not up to local ordinances and they may have to spend more money on additional repairs to their property.

FEMA and IEMA are not permitting agencies and do not authorize rebuilding or repair simply by providing disaster grants, loans or, in FEMA’s case, settling flood-insurance claims. The agencies do not recommend or endorse any contractors, and recovery officials warn people to be wary of any contractors who claim they are authorized by FEMA or IEMA. They are not.

Anyone with knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse may call the FEMA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-323-8603. You may also send an email to DHSOIGHotline@dhs.gov. Complaints may also be made via the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or with state or local law enforcement officials or consumer agencies.

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 twitter.com/femaregion5, 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.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

###

Follow this link:  

Business License, Building Permit: Tools to Protect Against Rip Off Contractors

NEW YORK–The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps (ABFEs) for Hudson River communities in Rockland County, N.Y. The ABFEs reflect the best available data from the most recent analysis of coastal flood hazards along the Hudson River and are based on sound science and engineering. ABFEs are derived from more recent data and improved study methodologies compared to the data and analyses used to prepare the existing Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

ABFEs will help Rockland communities along the Hudson River better understand flood hazard conditions and rebuild safer and stronger for future events such as Hurricane Sandy.  The ABFEs for Rockland are the result of requests by local government and advocacy by elected officials for FEMA to develop ABFEs for Hudson River communities in Rockland County. As a result FEMA initiated a new project to process storm surge data and prepared the requested

ABFE maps to support rebuilding and recovery in those communities.

FEMA encourages communities in Rockland County to use this information in instances where base flood elevations have increased and/or where new Special Flood Hazard Areas are shown on the ABFEs. Using these ABFEs will help state and local officials with their rebuilding and recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy and will guide property and business owners of damaged or destroyed property with their own decisions about rebuilding.

More information on ABFEs is available at www.Region2Coastal.com.

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.

More information on ways to protect your property from disasters to come is available at: www.fema.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.

Original article:

FEMA advisory flood-risk data maps released for Rockland County, N.Y.

NEW YORK – People whose property was damaged or destroyed in Super Storm Sandy and are rebuilding can get advice from a FEMA specialist. Hazard Mitigation specialists who are knowledgeable in cleanup and building safer and smarter to avoid future losses will be dispensing guidance free of charge, compliments of FEMA.

FEMA will staff tables at Home Depot stores in Suffolk County at 10 Gateway Blvd, Patchogue; and in Richmond County at 545 Targee St, Staten Island; and at a Lowe’s in Nassau County at 253-01 Rockaway Blvd, Rosedale.

Beginning Thursday May 9 – Tuesday May 14:

  • Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday and 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Advice and direction on the National Flood Insurance Program and Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps, Flood Insurance Rate Maps, repair and rebuilding will be available to all, not just to customers who are registered with FEMA.

These specialists will be able to talk about elevating electrical services and appliances; installing sewer back-flow valves; removing and replacing drywall and insulation; channeling water away from foundations; repairing with water-resistant materials. They can also give guidance in the permitting process required by local authorities.

For every dollar spent on mitigation, FEMA officials say that nearly four times as much is saved when another disaster like Sandy hits.

More information on ways to protect your property from disasters to come is available at: www.fema.gov. Click on “Plan, Prepare and Mitigate.”

Originally posted here: 

FEMA Offers Rebuilding Advice at Area Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores

WINDSOR, Conn. — Hurricane Sandy survivors beware: There may be con artists trying to get their hands on your disaster assistance money or personal financial information.

After a disaster, crooks may pretend to be employed by FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration. They may try to obtain personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers or they may promise to increase your disaster assistance grant for a fee, something a federal employee would never do.

Some consumer safety tips to remember:

  • There is never a fee to apply for FEMA assistance or to receive it;
  • There are no fees for FEMA or SBA property damage inspections; and
  • Government workers never ask for payment to perform their duties.

Asking to see identification is a disaster survivor’s best defense against such criminals and scam artists. All authorized federal personnel are required to wear photo IDs at all times. A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not proof of affiliation with these agencies.

All government- or contractor-issued ID badges should be produced by the bearer without hesitation or reluctance. A FEMA contract inspector who comes to your home will be able to provide your FEMA registration number.

If private insurance adjusters and local building code inspectors visit your property, they should also be able to provide identification on demand.

Anyone suspecting fraud should call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local authorities or the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection at www.ct.gov/dcp or by calling 800-842-2649 (in the Hartford area, call 860-713-6110).

 

Contractor fraud can also be a problem after a disaster. Remember these tips before signing a home repair contract:

  • Get three written estimates; then check each contractor’s credentials and references. Contact the Better Business Bureau or local chamber of commerce to see if there are outstanding complaints against the contractor;
  • Obtain a written contract detailing all work to be performed, costs, a projected completion date, and procedures to negotiate changes and settle disputes;
  • Any guarantees should be in writing.

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.

 

Read original article: 

Fight Disaster-related Fraud by Insisting on Seeing Identification

TRENTON, N.J. — For Hurricane Sandy survivors who want to rebuild stronger, safer and smarter, knowing their risk of flooding is paramount. Property owners can find the data they need online in new advisory base flood elevation maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Advisory maps containing recommended building elevations are available for these counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union. To learn more, visit the following web sites:

Advisory maps show, based on the best available information, how high structures should be elevated   to minimize damage from future flood events.  The maps  show that portions of communities are in new flood zones, which may impact insurance rates and building practices.

  • For information on federal flood insurance visit www.floodsmart.gov.You can also call 888-379-9531 or contact your insurance agent.
  • FEMA provides flood insurance resources including publications and frequently asked questions online at www.fema.gov/nfip.

Communities are encouraged to adopt advisory base flood elevation maps to reduce future flood risk  and to decrease the cost of flood insurance. Property owners should work with local building officials   to fully understand all requirements – including advisory maps – to rebuild stronger, safer and smarter.

Contact your local officials if you have questions about advisory base flood elevation maps and how they affect you and your community.

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.

View original post here – 

Advisory Flood Elevation Maps on the Web

TRENTON, N.J. — Getting free advice on how to repair or rebuild your home to minimize future disaster damage is as easy as visiting your local home improvement store. Specialists from FEMA will offer their expertise on building techniques that can help protect your home, business or other property in future disasters.

This free service also offers information and publications about home improvement, such as:

  • Mold and mildew cleanup.
  • Flood- and wind-resistant building methods.
  • Wind straps.
  • Flood insurance.
  • Retrofitting buildings.
  • Elevating utilities.

FEMA specialists are available daily Jan. 5 to Saturday, Jan. 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following home improvement stores:

  • Atlantic County – Home Depot, 6 Tower Ave., Egg Harbor 08234.
  • Cape May County – Lowe’s, 3171 Route 9 S., Rio Grande 08242.
  • Essex County – Home Depot, 399-443 Springfield Ave., Newark 07103.
  • Hudson County – Home Depot, 440 Route 440, Jersey City 07302.
  • Middlesex County – Home Depot, 1090 Route 9, Old Bridge 08857.
  • Monmouth County – Home Depot, 3540 Route 66, Neptune 07753.
  • Ocean County – Home Depot, 197 Route 72 W., Manahawkin 08050.
  • Ocean County – Home Depot, 1900 Shorrock Road, Lakewood 08701.
  • Union County – Home Depot, 977 W. Grand St., Elizabeth 07202.

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.

See original article: 

Free Expertise On Building Stronger, Safer, Smarter

WINDSOR, Conn. — Disaster officials say residents should file their homeowner’s insurance claims first, but not wait on an insurance settlement to register for FEMA disaster assistance or complete an application for an SBA disaster loan.

“We want to make sure everyone who had damage from Sandy gets all the help they are eligible for,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “Don’t think you have to wait for an insurance adjuster. File your insurance claim, then register with FEMA and get the process started.”

Officials say it is always best to document damage thoroughly with photos and/or videos in case some of the damaged items have to be disposed of during the cleanup or before an inspector can inspect the property.

Residents of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London counties, and the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan Tribal Nations located within New London County who had damage from Hurricane Sandy may be eligible for federal disaster assistance from the FEMA Individual Assistance grant program.

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. Multilingual operators are available at the close of the English message.

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  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.

View original – 

Don’t Wait on Insurance to File For FEMA Aid or Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan

NEW YORK – Most of us make New Year’s resolutions to look better, feel better or reach a long-term goal.

This year resolve to rebuild stronger, safer and smarter after Hurricane Sandy to save lives and property when the next weather disaster strikes.

Hazard mitigation is building smart, strong and safe to prevent future damage from severe weather. Smart building includes mitigating damage against floods, strong winds and even tornadoes.

Always contact a local building official before undertaking rebuilding, renovating or retrofitting to be sure your plans meet local and state government requirements. You also need the proper permits from your local municipality to avoid future problems.

Such simple mitigation measures as elevating electrical and heating systems and anchoring fuel storage tanks can provide a windfall of protection against severe weather. 

Mitigation can also include landscaping. For instance, sea oats and other grasses can provide soil stability against storm surge. Ask your landscaper what indigenous plants withstand severe weather and protect property. Professional tree pruning can save not only the tree but can minimize the damage caused by a tree in severe weather. 

Flooding

Just an inch of water can cause costly damage to your property.

The average annual U.S. flood losses in the past 10 years (2002-2011) were more than $2.9 billion.

Rebuilding smartly in a flood-prone area means preventing future damages from flooding such as elevating your structure above the base flood elevation or higher. Flood hazard maps show different zones of hazard which determines policy premiums. The lower the degree of risk, the lower the flood insurance premium.

By elevating your home above that potential flood elevation, you not only reduce the risk of flooding, you save on the cost of flood insurance. The FEMA’s NFIP policy can cover structures and personal property. You don’t have to live in a flood-prone area to buy FEMA’s flood insurance policy which is sold by most insurance agents.

To be eligible to buy FEMA’s flood insurance your community must participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Check the Community Status Book to see if your community is already an NFIP partner. (http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program/national-flood-insurance-program-community-status-book)

Wind

Wind will quickly damage vulnerable homes and buildings. The roof is most susceptible to wind. The type of roof is the first factor in limiting damage.

Whether with new construction or retrofitting an existing roof, build to ensure the connections between the roof and walls are strong enough to resist the “uplift” effect of high winds. When the roof lifts off it may collapse back down on the house.

Getting down to the foundation, many homes are built on concrete pads to which they are only slightly connected. Severe winds pull the walls right out of the foundation. To resist high winds, structures must be firmly connected to foundations.

Mitigation Dollars at Work

For New York damages caused by Hurricane Sandy, the U. S. Small Business Administration has provided $357 million to help homeowners, businesses and private non-profit organizations rebuild their properties damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Some funds have also been allocated for the mitigation of similar damages during future events.

More information about Resolving to Be Ready and Rebuilding Strong and Smart are available online:

  • Listo America –Ready.Gov

http://www.ready.gov/translations/spanish/america/beinformed/index.html

  • FEMA also has videos on YouTube: “What is Mitigation?”           

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=057ZkeoFyc4

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.

Read article here:

Resolve To Rebuild Stronger, Safer, Smarter

 Page 6 of 10  « First  ... « 4  5  6  7  8 » ...  Last »