Disaster Assistance Tops $53 Million for Hurricane Survivors in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Thursday, Nov. 10) — One month after the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Matthew, the amount of federal assistance to help South Carolina recover has climbed to $53 million.

That $53 million total includes:

  • More than $28.5 million in disaster grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for homeowners and renters.
  • More than $12.2 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofit

organizations, homeowners and renters.

  • More than $12.2 million in flood insurance payments from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
  • While progress continues, here’s a look at recovery highlights to date:
  • More than 39,000 households have applied for disaster assistance from FEMA. The declaration now designates 24 counties for Individual Assistance: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg.
  • Disaster assistance from FEMA includes $23.9 million in Housing Assistance grants and $4.6
  • million in Other Needs Assistance, including grants for the replacement of flood-damaged vehicles and reimbursements for serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. The incident covers damage incurred between Oct. 4 and Oct. 31, 2016.
  • The SBA has approved 349 low-interest disaster loans, totaling $12.2 million. Disaster loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. SBA has approved 341 home loans, 2 business loans and 6 Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which help small businesses and private-nonprofits with working capital needs as a direct result of the disaster.
  • The SBA has opened 3 Business Recovery Centers to enable storm-impacted businesses to meet individually with SBA representatives and find out how a low-interest disaster loan can help them recover. Additionally, SBA has staff at all Disaster Recovery Centers to provide one-on- one assistance.
  • FEMA-contracted housing inspectors have completed more than 26,000 inspections of disaster- damaged properties to verify damage.
  • In support of the State of South Carolina, 196 Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) personnel

have been canvassing storm-damaged neighborhoods. In the first 30 days of recovery operations, DSA teams have visited more than 28,000 homes and spoken with 18,000 people. Team members are equipped to register survivors with FEMA and answer their questions about disaster assistance.

  • The NFIP, which is administered by FEMA, has paid out partial and advanced payments totaling

$12.2 million to 6,335 policyholders

  • The State and FEMA have opened 16 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to serve survivors. The centers report 3,830 visitors to date. More DRCs will open and close according to community need and visitor demand.

The federal disaster declaration on Oct. 11, 2016, also made FEMA Public Assistance—help for hard-hit communities—available in 26 South Carolina counties: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter and Williamsburg.

Public Assistance grants reimburse local, state and tribal governments and certain nonprofit organizations for 75 percent of their disaster-related expenses, including emergency protective measures, debris removal, and infrastructure repair and replacement.

Although the millions of dollars in Public Assistance go to government entities and nonprofits, Public Assistance benefits everyone—communities, cities and states. The monies help pay for efforts to keep people and property safe, clean up disaster-related debris, and put roads, utilities and public works back in order after the disaster.

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

For Individual Assistance, survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621- 3362 (voice, 711 or relay service) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the NFIP call center at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

FEMA mitigation specialists are also available at DRCs to provide literature to survivors on NFIP and guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to make homes more flood- and wind- resistant.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800- 659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.  TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

To find a complete list of DRC locations and hours, download the free FEMA app to your mobile device or visit asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.  DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities. The centers have magnifiers, tools to amplify sound, materials in alternative formats, and video remote interpretation.

Sign language interpreters are available upon request.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4286 or the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at scemd.org/recovery-section/ia.

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. 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 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 https://twitter.com/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster- damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover 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. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at  www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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Disaster Assistance Tops $53 Million for Hurricane Survivors in South Carolina

Broward, Orange and Osceola Counties Eligible for FEMA Public Assistance to Help Repair Infrastructure

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State, local and tribal government agencies and certain private nonprofits in Broward, Orange and Osceola counties can now apply for funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program.

This program can help eligible applicants pay for disaster damage caused by Hurricane Matthew, including debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or rebuilding of roads, bridges, water-control facilities, buildings, equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities.

Other counties previously designated for FEMA Public Assistance funding include: Bradford, Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Nassau, Palm Beach, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia counties.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4283, twitter.com/femaregion4, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers. For imagery, video, graphics and releases, see www.fema.gov/Hurricane-Matthew.

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Broward, Orange and Osceola Counties Eligible for FEMA Public Assistance to Help Repair Infrastructure

FEMA Extends Public Assistance Funding to Ware County for Matthew Damage in Georgia

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Ware County is now eligible to apply for FEMA’s Public Assistance funding to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas that sustained damage from Hurricane Matthew.

Ware joins 19 counties previously approved for Public Assistance funding: Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Candler, Chatham, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Jenkins, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs and Wayne.

Assistance would cover eligible debris removal and emergency protective measures. It would also cover eligible repair or rebuilding of roads, bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and their equipment, public utilities, parks and recreational facilities damaged as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

The president’s Oct. 8 major disaster declaration for Georgia was for Matthew damage that occurred Oct. 4-15. The declaration was amended to make Public Assistance funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for all seven categories including emergency work, restoration of infrastructure and direct federal assistance.

Public Assistance funding for the state and designated counties may include payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs incurred as a result of the storm.

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

For updates on Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew response and recovery, follow @GeorgiaEMA and @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and visit gemhsa.ga.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4284. 

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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FEMA Extends Public Assistance Funding to Ware County for Matthew Damage in Georgia

Some Nonprofits May Qualify for FEMA Disaster Grants

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nonprofit organizations that experienced damage or losses from the August floods may apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance grants to help them get back to the business of helping others.

As part of its mission, FEMA provides grants to state, tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofits through its Public Assistance program. For the August floods, these grants reimburse 90 percent of eligible costs for emergency protective measures, and repair and restoration of public facilities and infrastructure to pre-disaster condition.

Only certain nonprofit organizations (PNPs) are eligible. If they provide critical services, such as education, utility, emergency or medical, they can apply directly to FEMA. Those that provide non-critical, essential services to the community must first apply for a low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). FEMA may pay for all eligible emergency work and the permanent work not covered by an SBA loan.

Essential service providers include:

  • Child care centers;
  • Libraries, museums and zoos;
  • Community centers;
  • Disability advocacy and service providers;
  • Homeless shelters and rehabilitation facilities;
  • Social and human services organizations for children, youth and adults; and
  • Senior citizen centers.

For more information about eligible essential and critical service providers, reference FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide on FEMA.gov.

A nonprofit that can prove its tax-exempt status from the IRS or the state can begin the process by submitting a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) to the State of Louisiana. RPA forms can be downloaded and submitted at louisianapa.com/site/resources/cfm (in the “forms” section). The State of Louisiana will forward completed applications to FEMA for eligibility determination.

Local emergency management offices may also provide information about the grant process. A list of Louisiana’s parish emergency managers can be found online at gohsep.la.gov/about/parishpa.

For information about SBA loans, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster.

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Some Nonprofits May Qualify for FEMA Disaster Grants

Debris Removal Continues; Now More than 50 Percent Complete

BATON ROUGE, La. – Recovery officials estimate that recent flooding left 4.8 million cubic yards or 80,000 truckloads of debris in its wake. Removal of that debris is an important sign of progress in disaster recovery, but it takes time. On Sept. 25, debris removal hit the 55-percent completion mark.

For the August flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program will reimburse eligible Louisiana jurisdictions 90 percent of reasonable costs involved in debris removal. To receive reimbursement for debris removal, a local jurisdiction must be eligible for the program and have the legal authority to remove debris from public rights-of-way.

Reasonable costs include overtime for full-time employees as well as contractor fees for removal, disposal, recycling and/or monitoring. (The contract must have been competitively bid and comply with state, federal and local standards.)

In general, private property debris removal is not eligible for FEMA reimbursement under the law. However, because of the large amount of debris, the threat it posed to human health and safety, and the lack of right-of-way to deposit debris FEMA has expanded curbside debris removal for the recent Louisiana flooding. Property owners who have questions should contact their local emergency manager. Before anyone can go onto private property, the local jurisdiction must have a sworn statement of permission from the property owner to remove debris.

Recovery officials encourage people to continue sorting debris into categories and moving it to the curbside. The categories are household garbage; construction debris; vegetative debris; household hazardous waste; white goods (i.e., washing machines, refrigerators, etc.); and electronics.

Separating debris will speed recovery. However, recovery officials want to remind everyone to be safe, especially during ongoing debris removal operations. The sight of heavy trucks hauling debris may seem familiar, but it is vital to follow safety guidelines at all times around debris and heavy equipment.

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Debris Removal Continues; Now More than 50 Percent Complete

Community, Volunteer, Faith-Based and Private Nonprofit Organizations May Be Eligible for Recovery Funds

FEMA may be able to help certain organizations get back to the business of helping others.

  • Community, volunteer, faith-based and private nonprofit organizations that had damage from Louisiana’s recent severe storms and floods may be able to receive FEMA Public Assistance (PA) grants to repair or replace their facilities so they can continue offering critical and essential community services.
  • Critical community service organizations that may qualify for FEMA PA grants include:
    • Faith-based and private schools
    • Hospitals and other medical-treatment facilities
    • Utilities like water, sewer and electrical systems
  • Non-critical, essential service organizations may also receive PA grants. However, they must first apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) before they may be considered for a PA grant.
    • The SBA may provide up to $2 million to most private nonprofits in the form of low-interest disaster loans.
    • Learn more about and apply for an SBA loan by going online to  sba.gov/disaster. If you cannot access the website, call 800-659-2955. If you use TTY call 800-877-8339.
  • PA grants may be able to cover repair or replacement costs the SBA doesn’t.
  • Non-critical, essential service organizations include:
    • Community centers
    • Daycare centers
    • Disability advocacy and service providers 
  • Homeless shelters
  • Museums
  • Performing arts centers o Rehabilitation facilities o Senior citizen centers o Zoos
  • Only organizations that can prove state or IRS tax exempt status may be considered.
  • Facilities established or primarily used for religious activities may not be considered.
  • The first step to receive a FEMA PA grant for your community, volunteer or faith- based or private nonprofit organization is to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) to the State of Louisiana.
  • For more information on applying for PA grants, contact your parish’s emergency management office. You can find their contact information online at  gohsep.la.gov/about/parishpa.

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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.

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

For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800)877-8339.

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Community, Volunteer, Faith-Based and Private Nonprofit Organizations May Be Eligible for Recovery Funds

Federal Aid to Rebuild Infrastructure Following Three Texas Disasters Nears Quarter Billion Dollars

AUSTIN, Texas—Three major disaster declarations affecting dozens of Texas counties—some on multiple occasions—will result in nearly one quarter-billion dollars in federal assistance to repair or replace damaged infrastructure.

FEMA said today that combined federal aid for severe weather disasters in May-June 2015; October 2015, and January 2016 will help fund recovery efforts for 3,087 individual projects among 569 applicants for Public Assistance.

Public Assistance is an element of FEMA’s disaster response that benefits everyone—neighborhoods, cities and states, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations—by reimbursing eligible work on damaged publicly-owned infrastructure.

PA dollars:

  • clean up the community and repair bridges

  • put water systems and utilities back in order

  • repair hospitals and emergency services

  • rebuild libraries and replace damaged books

  • rebuild schools and universities and

  • restore damaged public parks so families can enjoy them again.

FEMA provides a minimum of 75 percent of the cost to repair or replace disaster-damaged infrastructure.

PA projects are developed and approved by local, state, and federal officials and work is continuing on many. Payments are usually made on a reimbursement basis.

Public Assistance funding applicants can include:

  • state agencies

  • local and county governments

  • private nonprofit organizations that own or operate facilities that provide essential government-type services

Recovery work also continues on disasters resulting from storms this year in March, April and May-June.

Summary of Public Assistance to Three Texas Disasters

Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding

Counties

Applicants

Projects

Federal Share*

May-June 2015

110

381

2,265

$175.9 million

October, 2015

57

85

486

$40.1 million

January, 2016

51

103

336

$32.5 million

TOTALS

178

569

3,087

$248.5 million

*Current estimate

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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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Federal Aid to Rebuild Infrastructure Following Three Texas Disasters Nears Quarter Billion Dollars

Disaster Aid to Local Governments Helping Rebuild Texas Communities

AUSTIN, Texas—Federal officials today estimated more than $44.8 million in disaster assistance will help local governments rebuild infrastructure damaged or destroyed by the severe storms, April 17 – 30.
 
That funding is in addition to nearly $60.5 million in federal disaster assistance to date for the April storms that has helped individuals and families with housing assistance, repairs and replacing essential possessions.

When disaster strikes, the first response is to ensure personal and family safety and then address the loss of property and possessions. The federal Individuals and Households Program responds to these urgent needs.

Public Assistance is another essential element of disaster response. The PA program benefits everyone—neighborhoods, cities and states, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations—by reimbursing applicants for eligible work on damaged public facilities.

The April 25 federal disaster declaration made PA available to these 26 counties: Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Bosque, Callahan, Cass, Cherokee, Colorado, Coryell, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Harrison, Jones, Liberty, Milam, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, Waller, Washington, Wharton and Wood. 

PA dollars:

  • clean up the community and repair bridges.
  • put water systems and utilities back in order.
  • repair hospitals and emergency services.
  • rebuild libraries and replace damaged books.
  • rebuild schools and universities.
  • restore damaged public parks so families can enjoy them again.

PA will provide a minimum of 75 percent of the cost to repair or replace disaster-damaged infrastructure from the April storms.

FEMA estimates the federal share of almost $9 million will help reimburse local governments for the emergency work and debris removal that took place in the storm’s immediate aftermath.

Other PA projects are now being developed and approved by local, state, and federal officials. Payments are made on a reimbursement basis.

“Public Assistance grants support the work that helps an entire community recover,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of the agency’s operations in Texas. “These are federal tax dollars coming back to Texas to rebuild taxpayer-funded infrastructure.”

Public Assistance funding applicants can include:

  • state agencies.
  • local and county governments.
  • private nonprofit organizations that own or operate facilities that provide essential government-type services.

Recovery officials are currently working with more than 120 applicants to develop specifications and costs for about 285 projects, to date, in the counties eligible for disaster assistance.
 
For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion6.

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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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Disaster Aid to Local Governments Helping Rebuild Texas Communities

Partnerships and Progress: Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding 90 Days Later

BATON ROUGE, La. — Community members, volunteers and all levels of government continue developing solutions to move recovery forward following the severe storms and floods that occurred March 8 through April 8.

The collaboration includes neighbors, friends and family helping one another, identifying places to mobilize volunteers, and providing resources so disaster survivors can move back home. Governments are also collaborating to make communities better, stronger and safer so they will have enhanced protection from future disasters.

Here are some of the ways survivors, communities, volunteers and all levels of government have pulled together to address recovery challenges in the 90 days since the March 13 presidential disaster declaration.

Nearly 40,000 survivors applied for help under the Individual Assistance (IA) program in the 36 eligible parishes during the 90 day registration period. The registration period has closed but help remains just a phone call away. By calling the FEMA helpline you can:    

  • Ask questions about FEMA determination letters.
  • Learn how to appeal FEMA’s determination. All applicants have the right to appeal.
  • Inquire about the status of a registration.
  • Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
  • Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
  • Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

Call the helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Llame a la línea de ayuda 800-621-3362 ó (TTY) 800-462-7585. Aquellos que usan 711 o el Servicio de Retransmisión de Video (VRS) pueden llamar al 800-621-3362. Las líneas telefónicas operan de 7:00 a.m. a 10:00 p.m. siete días a la semana hasta nuevo aviso.

To date, survivors have received nearly $380 million in federal disaster assistance through a variety of sources.

  • Approximately $69 million in grants has been approved for a place to stay for homeowners and renters whose residences were uninhabitable and to make essential repairs for homes to be safe, sanitary and secure.
  • About $19 million in grants has gone to homeowners and renters to repair and replace certain household items and for burial, medical and dental expenses.
  • Homeowners, renters and businesses have received more than $95 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to repair, rebuild and replace damaged property and contents. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other sources.
  • National Flood Insurance Program policyholders have received approximately $196 million in claims to repair and rebuild flood-damaged property.

Moving back home marks significant recovery progress for survivors and their communities. Many survivors have successfully taken this step because of the volunteers from Louisiana and across the country who have donated their time and skills.

Voluntary, faith and community-based groups are coordinating with their local, state and federal recovery partners to identify survivors in need and ensure resources are there to help. This coordination has resulted in mucking out properties, making repairs and donating essential items like furniture and appliances so survivors can get back home.

If you want to donate your time and skills you can contact Volunteer Louisiana online at www.volunteerlouisiana.gov or email enauck@crt.la.gov and be put in touch with a voluntary group in need. Volunteer Louisiana is a state-run organization.

Local, parish and state government infrastructure and certain private nonprofit organizations in 37 parishes are progressing in their recovery with the help of FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program. So far the program has obligated approximately $2.3 million.

The program is relieving burdens on local governments and the state by reimbursing 75 percent of eligible costs to restore essential services like roads, bridges, utilities, schools and hospitals. Many services will be restored more resilient than they were before the disaster.

The program also assists with removing the debris that blemishes communities. Many repair and rebuilding projects have been able to start on properties of towns and parishes because disaster-related clutter has been cleared.

Disaster recovery officials have interacted with survivors in several different ways and many remain on the ground in Louisiana to assist with recovery.

  • Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and FEMA specialists have held 14 applicant briefings to provide a general overview of the Public Assistance program to local leaders.
  • State and federal Public Assistance specialists have held more than 250 kickoff meetings to discuss with parish representatives and certain nonprofits what projects may be available and to answer questions.
  • FEMA specialists have attended approximately 60 community organization events in Louisiana to discuss and answer questions about federal disaster assistance.
  • Nearly 21,000 survivors visited 44 disaster recovery centers (DRCs) where they met face to face with federal, state, local and volunteer representatives. The first centers opened less than a week after the presidential disaster declaration. The last ones closed June 10.
  • More than 35,000 FEMA housing inspections have been completed.
  • More than 70,000 survivors spoke with FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists. These are FEMA staff who canvass affected communities to encourage survivors to register for help, provide recovery information and listen to their concerns and resulted in more than 4,000 field registrations for federal disaster assistance.
  • Free consultations on building hazard-resistant homes were given to nearly 7,000 survivors at DRCs and more than 5,000 at Louisiana home improvements stores.

A team of state and federal disaster recovery specialists are identifying additional funding sources and strategies to restore, redevelop, revitalize and better prepare affected communities. They are working with local and parish governments, community leaders and the private sector to overcome long-term recovery challenges by pooling resources, providing technical assistance and identifying recovery funding sources.

Recovery partners continue coordinating to get survivors back home, advance the recovery of affected communities and make Louisiana more resilient.

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Partnerships and Progress: Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding 90 Days Later

More Than $22.7 Million in Federal Disaster Aid to Help Texas Communities Recover from the March Storm

AUSTIN, Texas – Federal officials estimate more than $22.7 million in disaster assistance will help fund local governments’ recovery from the March 7-29 tornadoes and flooding.

The presidential declaration on March 19 made federal assistance available to 13 Texas counties including Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Jasper, Limestone, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Shelby and Tyler. 

FEMA funds helping fuel the recovery in these counties include Public Assistance, an essential element of federal disaster response that benefits everyone—neighborhoods, cities and states, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations.

Public Assistance dollars help local governments:

  • clean up the community and repair roads and bridges;
  • put water systems and utilities back in order;
  • repair hospitals and emergency services;
  • rebuild libraries and replace damaged books;
  • rebuild schools and universities; and
  • restore damaged public parks for families to enjoy again.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides a minimum of 75 percent of the cost to repair or replace disaster-damaged infrastructure.

“Public Assistance grants support the work that helps an entire community recover,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “These are federal tax dollars coming back to Texas to rebuild taxpayer-funded infrastructure.”

Public Assistance grant recipients can include:

  • state agencies;
  • local and county governments; and
  • private nonprofit organizations that own or operate facilities providing essential government services.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the March 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.

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

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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.

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

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More Than $22.7 Million in Federal Disaster Aid to Help Texas Communities Recover from the March Storm

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