Disaster Recovery Centers to trim hours as deadline to register nears

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Effective Saturday, Aug. 13, the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in West Virginia will begin operating under new hours. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Aug. 24, just 11 days away.

The new operating hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All DRCs are closed on Sundays. To find the DRC nearest to you, go online to www.fema.gov/drc.

If you have questions outside DRC business hours, you can call the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service), or 800-462-7585 for TTY users. You can use the Helpline to:

  • Register with FEMA. Remember, the deadline to register is Aug. 24.

  • Ask questions about a FEMA determination letter.

  • Ask about the status of your registration.You will need your nine-digit FEMA registration number and zip code.

  • Update your personal information (e.g., change of address or phone number, bank or insurance information) to avoid processing delays.

  • Receive information about FEMA property inspections.

  • Ask about other federal assistance.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; twitter.com/FEMA; and fema.gov/blog.

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Disaster Recovery Centers to trim hours as deadline to register nears

Don’t Forget to File a Flood Insurance Claim

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ‒ Homeowners and business owners who experienced flooding during the April 28 to May 5 presidentially declared disaster should file a claim for flooding loss as soon as possible, as claimants must file for their losses within 60 days of the event. 

Contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. An adjuster from the insurance company should contact you within a few days of filing a claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, call your insurance agent or company again. Make sure you have the following information handy:

  • The name of your insurance company.
  • Your policy number.
  • A telephone and/or email address where you can be reached at all times.

Remember, a flood insurance policy is usually separate from your homeowner’s policy, which in most cases does not pay for flood claims.

Next, separate damaged from undamaged property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.

  • Take photographs of all damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage and standing floodwater levels.
  • Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value and receipts, if possible.
  • Officials may require disposal of damaged items, so if possible, place flooded items outside of the home.

Finally, your adjuster will provide you with a Proof of Loss form for your official claim for damages. Remember, you must file this claim with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood – or by the end of June.

This document substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program or insurance company can make payment.

You will receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has your complete, accurate and signed Proof of Loss form. If major catastrophic flooding occurs, it may take longer to process claims and make payments due to the sheer number of claims submitted.

For general flood insurance questions, call the National Flood Insurance Call Center at 800-427-4661directly or through 711 Relay or contact your insurance company or agent.

 

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Don’t Forget to File a Flood Insurance Claim

Fact Sheet-Frequently Asked Questions

APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE

Q: Who should apply for federal disaster assistance?
A: Homeowners, renters and business owners in McLennan County and the City of West who sustained uninsured or underinsured damage to their homes, vehicles, personal property, business or its inventory should register with FEMA for assistance.

Q: Do I have to go to the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in West to register with FEMA?
A: No. There are several ways to register:
1. You may register by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585;
2. You may go to the DRC to use a telephone if one is not available to you;
3. Individuals who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may call 800-621-3362; or
4. You may register over the internet by going to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Q: What documents will FEMA need from my insurance company?
A: FEMA will want to see a settlement or denial letter from your insurance company to ensure there is no duplication of benefits. If your insurance company covers your losses, FEMA will not duplicate that coverage. If you still have unmet needs or damages that the insurance company does not cover, then FEMA may be able to provide you with assistance.

Q: What will FEMA accept as proof that I occupied my home?
A: We accept many documents as proof of occupancy. Examples are a utility bill from the gas, electric or water company, a pay stub, a current driver’s license, credit card bills or other first class mail sent to you that shows the damaged property as your address.

Q: Can I clean up my damages, demolish my home or begin to make repairs? Or do I have to wait for the FEMA inspector?
A:  Yes, you may begin your repairs or demolition before a FEMA inspector visits your home. However, it is recommended to take photos of the damages before you clean. Remember to keep receipts for all of your expenses. Before starting the task of rebuilding, residents should visit with their local permitting office to obtain guidance on required permits.

Q: I am considering registering online or by phone. Are there any specific instructions I need to follow?
A: Yes, residents registering by phone or online will be asked to identify the description of damages sustained and must select the “EXPLOSION” option. Residents will then be asked to identify the type of damage and must select the “FIRE/SMOKE/SOOT/ASH” option. (Do NOT select the “other” option.)

Q: Do I have to sign anything to receive assistance?
 A: As a condition of receiving assistance from FEMA, you or another adult member of your household will be asked to sign a statement confirming that you are a United States citizen, a non-citizen national, or qualified alien. If you or another adult member of your household cannot sign this statement, you may still receive assistance if you are the parent or legal guardian of a child in the household who is a United States citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien. For information concerning your right to apply, you can call 1-800-621-3362.

Q: Do I have to repay the money from FEMA?
A: Money received through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program does not have to be repaid. Disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) must be repaid. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits. So, if you receive insurance or funding from another source that covers your losses, FEMA will not be able to provide grants for those same losses.

Q: I didn’t receive enough money to meet all my needs. What do I do now?
A: Most disaster aid programs are intended to meet only essential needs and are not intended to cover all your losses or make you whole. Also, some people qualify for assistance from more than one program and you may be receiving additional help from another agency. For example, the SBA is a very important source of funding for repair and replacement of your real and personal property. If you received a loan application packet from the SBA, please complete and return the application as soon as possible.

Q: I can’t afford a loan. Why am I being required to fill out a SBA loan application?
A: If the Small Business Administration determines you do not qualify for a disaster assistance loan, SBA will automatically refer you back to FEMA for additional help. FEMA may be able to provide money for other than housing needs. However this additional help is not available to businesses. FEMA’s additional help is intended to meet necessary expenses and serious needs not met by any other form of help, including insurance and SBA disaster assistance loans. Remember, if you receive an SBA disaster loan application, it’s important to fill it out and return it. If you don’t submit the SBA disaster loan application, the assistance process may stop prematurely.
 
Q. Does paying off my mortgage affect my eligibility for SBA disaster assistance?
A. Yes. If a mortgage holder has required a policy holder to use an insurance settlement to pay off or to pay down the balance of an outstanding mortgage, SBA must have evidence of that mandatory use of the insurance proceeds.  That evidence may be in the form of a letter or other written documentation.  Or the evidence may be in the form of a telephone conversation between the mortgage holder and SBA, which will be documented in the SBA file.  This is necessary so that SBA can treat the insurance recovery as unavailable for making repairs.  Otherwise, SBA must, by law, deduct the insurance recovery from the amount of the loss to arrive at the amount eligible for an SBA disaster loan.

Q: Does paying off my mortgage affect my eligibility with FEMA?
A: Each case is different. If you had damage from the plant explosion, please register with FEMA, and let FEMA determine your eligibility for assistance. If you have questions specific to your mortgage, contact your mortgage lender.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

 

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Fact Sheet-Frequently Asked Questions

Tree Maintenance Now Can Prevent Damage Later

ALBANY, N.Y. – Are your trees ready for a serious storm? With hurricane season upon us, now is the time to assess the structural health of your trees to prevent storm damage from falling trees and limbs.

Routine maintenance is the best way to keep your trees in top shape. But if your trees have not received preventive care, or if you are concerned about the structural health of your trees, there are still some actions to take before a hurricane strikes.

Here’s what you should look for when doing a tree inspection:

  • Dead trees
  • Dead, decaying and weakly attached branches
  • Root disease or disturbances
  • Trees with dense canopies
  • Trees with poor structure and shape

Although trees can cause considerable damage when they fall, most trees do not fall during storms and of those that do, only a small number strike a target. Moreover, just because a tree is big and old does not necessarily mean it is dangerous – but that is not something a typical homeowner has the experience to assess. At the same time, just because a tree is alive does not mean that it is sound and firm.

If you don’t feel qualified to inspect or maintain the trees on your property, consider calling in a professional arborist. Be sure your arborist is insured and has current references.

Large branches hanging near your roof are a problem. Although the branches may not be touching the roof under normal conditions, the high winds of hurricanes can cause trees to bend and branches to flail around considerably. These branches can cause extensive damage to the roof and should generally be removed.

Public utilities engage in constant pruning and maintenance of trees near power lines in order to minimize storm damage. Why not follow that example and begin a regular maintenance program for the trees on your property? Remember, now is the time to take care of your trees, not when a hurricane threatens.

 

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Tree Maintenance Now Can Prevent Damage Later