CLINTON, Miss. – Mississippi residents who suffered damage from wind and flooding from Hurricane Isaac can get free advice on rebuilding stronger, more disaster-resistant homes and buildings from FEMA.

Specialists have free publications and can offer helpful advice about making repairs, rebuilding and retrofitting damaged structures. They also can make recommendations on:

  • Preparing for emergencies.
  • Repairing roofs.
  • Clearing out and reconstructing flooded buildings.
  • Cleaning up mold and mildew.
  • Protecting electrical systems and appliances.
  • Reinforcing structures from high wind.
  • Elevating buildings in flood prone regions.
  • Buying flood insurance.

Visit the following stores from through Monday, Oct. 1.

Jackson County

Wal-Mart

4253 Denny Avenue

Pascagoula, MS

Hours:

Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Pearl River County

Home Depot

2000 Highway 43 South

Picayune, MS

Hours:

Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

The in-store events are geared toward both do-it-yourself projects and building contractors.

Learn more about ways to protect your home and property on FEMA’s web site at www.FEMA.gov under Mitigation.

Additional information is available online:

Once a major storm hits, it’s too late to protect your home and property. There are things you can do now to reduce damage from high winds and water from future storms.

Protecting your property from flooding can involve a variety of actions from elevating a home in floodprone regions to ensuring water properly drains away from the building.

This report presents floodproofing techniques that can be used for existing residential structures.

FEMA has prepared this guide specifically for homeowners who want to know how to protect their homes from flooding.

This publication shows how floodprone houses in south Florida were elevated above the 100-year flood level following Hurricane Andrew. Alternative elevation techniques are also demonstrated.

Flooding in residential areas is bound to happen in flood-prone areas resulting in property damage. This manual is for designers, developers, builders, and others who wish to build elevated residential structures in flood-prone areas.

###

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). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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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Free Rebuilding Advice From FEMA At Home Depot And Wal-Mart

CLINTON, Miss. – Mississippi residents who suffered damage from wind and flooding from Hurricane Isaac can get free advice on rebuilding stronger, more disaster-resistant homes and buildings from FEMA.

Specialists have free publications and can offer helpful advice about making repairs, rebuilding and retrofitting damaged structures. They also can make recommendations on:

  • Preparing for emergencies.
  • Repairing roofs.
  • Clearing out and reconstructing flooded buildings.
  • Cleaning up mold and mildew.
  • Protecting electrical systems and appliances.
  • Reinforcing structures from high wind.
  • Elevating buildings in flood prone regions.
  • Buying flood insurance.

Visit one of the following Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouses today through Monday, Oct. 1.

 

Hinds County

2250 Greenway Drive

Jackson, MS

Hours:

Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

Madison County

910 East County Line Rd.               

Ridgeland, MS

Hours:

Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

 

The in-store events are geared toward both do-it-yourself projects and building contractors.

Learn more about ways to protect your home and property on FEMA’s web site at www.FEMA.gov under Mitigation.

Additional information is available online:

Once a major storm hits, it’s too late to protect your home and property. There are things you can do now to reduce damage from high winds and water from future storms.

Protecting your property from flooding can involve a variety of actions from elevating a home in flood prone regions to ensuring water properly drains away from the building.

This report presents flood proofing techniques that can be used for existing residential structures.

FEMA has prepared this guide specifically for homeowners who want to know how to protect their homes from flooding

This publication shows how flood-prone houses in south Florida were elevated above the 100-year flood level following Hurricane Andrew. Alternative elevation techniques are also demonstrated.

Flooding in residential areas is bound to happen in flood-prone areas resulting in property damage. This manual is for designers, developers, builders, and others who wish to build elevated residential structures in flood-prone areas.

###

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). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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.

This article is from: 

Free Rebuilding Advice From FEMA At A Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana. Recuperarse de un desastre puede ser una experiencia abrumadora, y puede ser aún más desmoralizante si se han perdido documentos importantes necesarios para la recuperación de desastres.

La Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) ofrece la siguiente información de contacto a los residentes de Louisiana que tienen que reemplazar documentos importantes que se requieran para efectos de identificación o como comprobante de ocupación, tales como certificados de nacimiento, tarjetas de seguro social, licencia de conducir, tarjetas de identificación expedidas por el Estado, cuentas de impuestos, escrituras, recibos de pagos hipotecarios, pólizas de seguros o facturas de servicios públicos:

  • Registros vitales de Louisiana: Para actas de nacimiento, defunción, matrimonio u otro tipo de registros vitales, llame a la Oficina de Registros de Estadísticas Vitales al 1-504-593-5100, de lunes a viernes, de 8.00 a. m. a 4.30 p. m., o visite http://www.vitalrec.com/la.html para recibir más información.
  • Licencia de conducir y/o tarjeta de identificación expedida por el Estado: Llame al Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados de Louisiana al 1-225-925-6146, de lunes a viernes, de 7.30 a. m. a 4.00 p. m., o visite http://www.expresslane.org/.
  • Tarjeta del Seguro Social: Llame a la oficina del Seguro Social de EE. UU. al 1-800-772-1213, de lunes a viernes, de 7.00 a. m. a 7.00 p. m., o visite http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber para recibir más información.
  • Registros de impuestos federales: Llame al Servicio de Impuestos Internos (IRS) al 1-800-829-1040, de lunes a viernes, de 7.00 a. m. a 7.00 p. m., o visite http://www.irs.gov para recibir más información.

También puede llamar a su empresa de servicios públicos, institución financiera o compañía de seguros local para hablar con la unidad de servicio al cliente sobre copias de sus documentos más recientes.  La empresa de servicios públicos debe tener su factura de servicios públicos más reciente; su banco, cooperativa de crédito o de ahorro y préstamo debe proporcionarle copias de sus estados de cuenta bancarios, solicitudes de préstamos y recibos de pagos hipotecarios; y su compañía de seguros debe tener sus pólizas de seguros, estados de facturación recientes y estados de valor en efectivo.

Los damnificados se pueden inscribir en línea en www.disasterassistance.gov/espanol o a través de teléfono inteligente en m.fema.gov. También pueden llamar al 1-800-621-3362 o al (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Las personas que utilizan los Servicios de Retransmisión de Video del 711pueden llamar al 1-800-621-3362. Las líneas telefónicas gratuitas atienden todos los días de 7.00 a. m. a 10.00 p. m.

Para más información sobre la recuperación por desastre en Louisiana, pulse www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 o www.gohsep.la.gov. Puede seguir a FEMA en Twitter en www.twitter.com/femaregion6 o a Facebook en www.facebook.com/FEMA. Igualmente, visite nuestro blog: www.fema.gov/blog.

Los programas de recuperación para desastres están disponibles sin prejuicio en virtud de raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, nivel de competencia en inglés o situación económica. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido víctima de la discriminación, llame sin costo a FEMA al número 800-621-3362. Si tiene impedimentos auditivos y del habla, llame a la línea TTY 800-462-7585.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a todos los ciudadanos y a las agencias de primera respuesta para garantizar que, como país, trabajemos juntos para desarrollar, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad de prepararnos, protegernos y recuperarnos de los peligros, responder ante ellos y mitigarlos. Síganos en Twitter en http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6, el sitio web de Preparación para Huracanes de la R6 en www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionvi/updates.shtm y el blog de FEMA en  http://blog.fema.gov.

Credit:  

Ayuda a los damnificados del huracán Isaac para encontrar copias de documentos perdidos para recuperación por desastre

BATON ROUGE, La. – Recovering from a disaster can be a daunting experience, and it can be even more overwhelming when you have lost important records needed for your disaster recovery.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers the following contact information for Louisianians who have to replace important documents that may be required for identification purposes or to show proof of occupancy, such as birth certificates, social security cards, drivers’ licenses, state-issued identification cards, tax bills, deeds, mortgage payment receipts, insurance policies or utility bills:

  • Louisiana Vital Records: For birth, death, marriage or other vital records call the Vital Statistics Records Office at 1-504-593-5100, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or visit http://www.vitalrec.com/la.html for more information.
  • Drivers’ license and/or state-issued identification card: Call the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles at 1-225-925-6146, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or visit http://www.expresslane.org/.
  • Social Security card: Call the U.S. Social Security office at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or visit http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber for more information.
  • Federal tax records: Call the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or visit http://www.irs.gov for more information.

You also can call your local utility company, financial institution or insurance provider and speak with the customer service unit for copies of your most recent records. The utility company should have your most recent utility bill; your bank, credit union or savings and loan should provide you with copies of your bank statements, loan applications and mortgage payment receipts; and your insurance company should have your insurance policies, recent billing statements and cash-value statements.

Survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

HELPING HURRICANE ISAAC SURVIVORS FIND COPIES OF LOST RECORDS FOR DISASTER RECOVERY

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.

More here:  

Helping Hurricane Isaac Survivors Find Copies of Lost Records for Disaster Recovery

CLINTON, Miss. – Mississippi residents who suffered damage from wind and flooding caused by Hurricane Isaac can get free advice on rebuilding stronger, more disaster-resistant structures from the Federal Emergency Management Agency mitigation specialists at three Gulf Coast Lowe’s stores.

Consultations with FEMA mitigation specialists are available on a walk-in basis today through Monday, Sept. 17. The in-store events are geared to both do-it-yourself projects and building contractors.

The public is invited to visit stores in the following locations:

Jackson County

3200 Highway 90

Gautier, MS 39533

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

             Sunday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

 

Harrison County

3700 Sangani Blvd.

D’Iberville, MS 39540

Hours: Mon.-Sun. 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

 

Hancock County

9020 Highway 603

Waveland, MS 39576

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

             Sunday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Mitigation specialists have information and offer advice about making repairs, rebuilding and retrofitting homes and buildings to make them stronger and more resistant to future storm damage.

Protecting property from disasters can involve a variety of actions, from inspecting and maintaining a building to installing protective devices. Techniques include reducing mold and mildew; protecting electrical systems and appliances; to reinforcing structures against high winds.

Additional information is available online:

Once a major storm hits, it’s too late to protect your home and property. But there are things you can do now to reduce damage from high winds and water from future storms.

Protecting your property from flooding can involve a variety of actions, from inspecting and maintaining the building to installing protective devices.

This report presents floodproofing techniques that can be used for existing residential structures.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has prepared this guide specifically for homeowners who want to know how to protect their homes from flooding.

This publication shows how floodprone houses in south Florida were elevated above the 100-year flood level following Hurricane Andrew. Alternative elevation techniques are also demonstrated.

Flooding in residential areas is bound to happen in flood-prone areas resulting in property damage. This manual is for designers, developers, builders, and others who wish to build elevated residential structures in flood-prone areas.

###

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). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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.

 

 

Link: 

Rebuild Stronger and Safer: Free Advice Offered at Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores

FEMA INSPECTORS ARE ASSESSING MISSISSIPPI HOMES FOR DAMAGES                                                                                

CLINTON, Miss. –Federal Emergency Management Agency inspectors are currently visiting the primary residences of disaster applicants in Mississippi to assess damages related to Hurricane Isaac.

Inspectors are private contractors and always display identification badges. Inspectors will contact applicants to make appointments before visiting properties.  

Federal assistance to homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for rental housing, essential home repairs and other disaster-related expenses.

What To Expect:

Inspector’s Call:  A nine-digit application number is assigned to applicants after they register with FEMA. An inspector will call within 10 days to schedule an appointment to visit the damaged property.

Inspector’s Visit: Inspectors will review structural and personal property damage and file a report, but they do not determine eligibility or estimate or determine the value of damage or losses. The inspection typically takes 15 to 45 minutes.

The applicant, or someone who is 18 or older and lived in the household prior to Hurricane Isaac, must be present for the scheduled appointment.

Applicants can speed up the process by having the appropriate documents on hand:

  • A photo ID to prove identity, such as driver’s license or passport.
  • Homeowners must present proof of ownership, which may include any one of the following:
    • Deed showing applicant as the legal owner.
    • Title that lists the applicant on actual escrow or title document for the purchase of the home.
    • Mortgage payment book that names the applicant along with the address of the damaged home.
    • Property insurance policy for the damaged home with applicant’s name listed as the insured.Tax receipts or a property tax bill that lists the address of the damaged home and the applicant as the responsible party to the assessments.
  • Renters must present proof of occupancy, which may include any one of the following:
    • A lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was the primary residence at the time of the disaster.
    • An employee pay stub and similar documents addressed to the applicant and showing the address of the damaged home.

Property owners who need to replace a document to prove ownership should visit their local tax office. Proof of ownership may avoid long delays in receiving eligible FEMA funds.

After the Inspector’s Visit: Within 10 days of the visit, an applicant will receive a joint letter from the state of Mississippi and FEMA that contains a decision.

Anyone with questions should call 800-621-3362. Those who use TTY can 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.

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 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.

 

 

 

Continue at source: 

FEMA Inspectors Are Assessing Mississippi Homes for Damages

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, FEMA announced the extension of the Preferred Risk Policy eligibility under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until further notice, as the Agency completes a study and analysis of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012.
 
FEMA announced today that until an implementation plan for the new flood insurance law is put into place, customers holding existing preferred risk policies can continue to renew at the lower cost rate, beyond the previously designated two-year period.
 
“By extending the eligibility period until further notice, home and building owners’ preferred risk policies will continue at a lower cost rate,” said FEMA Federal Insurance and Mitigation Associate Administrator, David Miller. “As we continue to evaluate how best to implement the recent National Flood Insurance Program legislation, we encourage property owners to take advantage of this extended low rate. This way, families and businesses can continue to protect their property financially from one of the most common and costly natural disasters: flooding.”

Beginning with the first renewal effective on or after January 1, 2013, existing preferred risk policies will not be transitioned into full-risk rating. Instead, they will continue to be issued as preferred risk policies at each renewal, until further notice. Additionally, the preferred risk policy discounted rate will be available to property owners and renters whose buildings are found to be in Special Flood Hazard Area following map revisions that became effective on or after October 1, 2008. In order to be eligible for the preferred risk policy, the building must also meet certain loss-history requirements.  If there are two claims, or disaster relief payments for flood of $1,000 or more, or three losses of any amount, the structure is ineligible for a preferred risk policy.
 
Premiums for all preferred risk policyholders are being increased an average of 13 percent to maintain a revenue neutral program that also accounts for the expected increase in participation and policies issued under the preferred risk rate. This increased rate remains below the average full-risk premium that would otherwise be incurred among these policy holders. 
 
For more information on FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, and to identify your flood risk, visit www.floodsmart.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.

###

View article: 

FEMA Extends Preferred Risk Policies for Homeowners

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Property owners planning to rebuild homes or businesses damaged by Tropical Storm Debby should consider using construction methods that will minimize damage in future storms.

Taking steps to reduce future damage is called hazard mitigation.  The most obvious example of mitigation is elevating flood-prone properties.  Information on many mitigation procedures is available free from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Here are some improvements property owners should discuss with contractors:

  • WIND CLIPS: These are small inexpensive metal plates that are used to firmly secure a roof to the walls of a structure.
  • MASONRY TIES: These are metal strips used to anchor the wooden frame of a structure to the masonry foundation walls.
  • PLYWOOD:  Construction engineers prefer plywood to pressboard, not less than 7/16 of an inch thick.
  • FASTENING: In securing four-by-eight foot plywood sheathing to walls or roofs, nails should be driven at intervals no greater than four inches in the perimeter and six inches in the middle lines.
  • GARAGE DOORS:  Consider a heavy gauge door. When high winds buckle a garage door it is likely that the roof will be lifted off.
  • ELEVATION:  This is the ultimate safeguard against flooding.  It is costly but widely employed, particularly along coastlines.
  • ELECTRICAL:  Appliances and circuit breaker boxes should be raised above base flood elevation, door seals renewed and old windows replaced with waterproof windows.
  • DRAINAGE:  Ditches should be cleared.

Specialists stress the necessity of tying foundations to the frames of structures with correctly installed anchor bolts.  Bolts should penetrate foundation blocks at least 15 inches to connect with the second course of block.

While these measures can’t guarantee protection from storm damage, the odds for escaping major damage are much improved.

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

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.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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Read article here: 

Protect Your Property From Wind and Water Damage

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Additional $7.1 Million for Property Acquisitions Approved By FEMA

New Flood Maps Show Current Risks in Garfield County, Oklahoma 

Release Date: June 6, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-107

» 2012 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas — Garfield County, Oklahoma homeowners, business and residential renters, and business owners who do not have flood insurance are encouraged to buy coverage now to get the best possible premiums before new flood insurance rate maps go into effect.

The new Garfield County flood maps become effective on Tuesday, June 19 giving those who haven’t purchased flood insurance yet, time to get the best possible premiums to protect their property from potential flooding.

“While many people are required by mortgage and lending companies to have flood insurance, FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) strongly recommend that everyone have flood insurance,” said Acting Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The reason is simple: You don’t have to be in a mapped floodplain to flood.”

Current policy holders and those planning to purchase NFIP protection are strongly encouraged to contact their insurance agent or company to ensure that they have adequate coverage for building and contents that accounts for new flood risk data.

Those who purchase flood insurance prior to June 19 may be able to grandfather the current flood zone, saving money on flood insurance. For more information on estimated rates for flood insurance, whether you are eligible for grandfathering and the Preferred Risk Policy extension, or to locate an agent in your area, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Anyone who hasn’t had a chance to participate in local flood insurance meetings or to review the new flood maps is encouraged to contact their floodplain administrator who is most likely located at City Hall or the local courthouse.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Jun-2012 11:17:34

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New Flood Maps Show Current Risks in Garfield County, Oklahoma

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