Disaster Assistance Is for Texas Renters, Too

AUSTIN, Texas – Renters in Texas counties whose homes and property were damaged by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding may be eligible for federal disaster assistance. Aid is available to residents of Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Jasper, Limestone, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Shelby and Tyler counties.

Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing not covered by insurance. These rental grants are initially for two months.

Also, the U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to help Texas renters repair or replace disaster-damaged personal property, including automobiles. Loan rates are as low as 1.813 percent; terms can be as long as 30 years and survivors may be eligible for up to $40,000, depending on their losses. 

Both renters and homeowners may qualify for grants for other disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs, such as clothing, child care, room furnishings and appliances, medical and dental costs, vehicles and moving and storage expenses. Eligibility for some grants is determined only after completing and returning an SBA application. There is no requirement to take out a loan should it be approved.

The first step is to register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. Toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week and multilingual operators are available.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available online at http://www.sba.gov/disaster, from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Meet with an SBA Representative at a Disaster Recovery Center to learn more about disaster loans, the application process, or for help completing the SBA application. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call 800-877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4266, Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

Visit fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

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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 Assistance Is for Texas Renters, Too

Texas Storm Survivors May Receive A Phone Call From SBA

AUSTIN, Texas – Eligible individuals and business owners in Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Hood, Jasper, Marion, Newton, Orange and Parker counties who register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may receive an automated phone call from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s recorded message gives instructions on how to request an application for a low-interest disaster loan.

Because FEMA grants may not cover all damage or property loss, private insurance and low-interest loans from the SBA are major sources of additional disaster recovery funds for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profits, homeowners and renters.

The survivor must complete and submit the SBA application because it may open the door to further assistance, including additional FEMA grants. There is no cost to apply and no obligation to accept the loan.

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

  • Eligible homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 for home repair or replacement of primary residences, and eligible homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property, including a vehicle. 
  • Businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets.
  • Small businesses and most private nonprofits suffering economic impact from a disaster can apply for up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury under SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.

FEMA and SBA encourage survivors to:

  • Register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. Toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week and multilingual operators are available.
  • Go online at SBA.gov/disaster and download an application. Contact SBA at 800-659-2955, by email at disastercustomerservice@SBA.gov or meet with an SBA Representative at a Disaster Recovery Center to learn more about disaster loans, the application process, or    for help completing the SBA application. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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Texas Storm Survivors May Receive A Phone Call From SBA

More Californians Preparing For Severe El Nino Flood Risk: Residents Purchase 28,000 New Flood Insurance Policies in California

More Californians Preparing For Severe El Nino Flood Risk:  Residents Purchase 28,000 New Flood Insurance Policies in California

28,084 New National Flood Insurance Program Policies Purchased in California since August

Oakland Calif., — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released new data on

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Policies, showing an increase of more than 20,000 new NFIP Policies written in California during the month of November 2015.

There is a 30 – 90 day waiting period for new policies to be reported to FEMA and the latest available data, released today, shows an increase of 28,084 new flood insurance policies purchased in California from August 31 – November 30, 2015.

“Flooding is the most costly and devastating disaster we face as a nation,” said FEMA Region 9 Administrator Robert Fenton.  “The major increase in flood policies show Californians are taking the threat seriously and taking powerful steps to protect their families and property.  Those who may need and not have a flood policy should act today, as policies generally take 30 days to go into effect.”  

The 12% increase is the first of its kind in recent history.  The previous reporting period showed that policies increased 3% from August 31 to October 31.  During that timeframe, 7,181 new federal flood insurance policies were written in California.   

“We are encouraged by the number of Californians that are becoming financially prepared for the flooding that is expected from El Nino,” said Janet Ruiz, California Representative for the Insurance Information Institute.   “It is crucial to protect our families and homes by preparing for catastrophes ahead of time.”

FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and works closely with more than 80 private insurance companies to offer flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners.  In order to qualify for flood insurance, the home or business must be in a community that has joined the NFIP and agreed to enforce sound floodplain management standards.

Flooding can happen anywhere, but certain areas are especially prone to serious flooding.   Many areas in California are at increased flood risk from El Niño, as a direct result of wildfires and drought.

  • Residents should be aware of a couple things:
    • You can’t get flood insurance at the last minute. In most cases, it takes 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect. So get your policy now.
    • Only Flood Insurance Covers Flood Damage. Most standard homeowner’s policies do not cover flood damage.
    • Get all the coverage you need.  Your agent can walk you through the policy.
  • Know your flood risk.  Visit FloodSmart.gov (or call 1-800-427-2419) to learn more about individual flood risk, explore coverage options and to find an agent in your area.
  • Flood insurance covers flood, but there are other affects from flooding that may apply to you.   Damage from mudflows is covered by flood insurance; damage from landslides and other earth movements is not.   Speak to your agent.

NFIP is a federal program and offers flood insurance which can be purchased through private property and casualty insurance agents.  Rates are set nationally and do not differ from company to company or agent to agent.  These rates depend on many factors, which include the date and type of construction of your home, along with your building’s level of risk.

FEMA’s Region 9 office in Oakland, CA has established an El Niño Task Force and is working with the California Office of Emergency Services with the mission of preparing the Region and its partners for the impact of El Niño.  The task force is evaluating the core capabilities needed to protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from any flooding that occurs across the region this winter.  Last month, the FEMA Region 9 Office released its Draft Severe El Nino Disaster Response plan and convened a regional interagency steering committee meeting in Northern California to exercise the plan.

FEMA recognizes that a government-centric approach to emergency management is not adequate to meet the challenges posed by a catastrophic incident.  Utilizing a “whole community” approach to emergency management reinforces that FEMA is only one part of our nation’s emergency management team.

Visit Ready.gov for more preparedness tips and information and follow FEMARegion9 on Twitter.

 

 

 

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More Californians Preparing For Severe El Nino Flood Risk: Residents Purchase 28,000 New Flood Insurance Policies in California

Getting Disaster Help from the U.S. Small Business Administration: SBA Representatives available at Disaster Recovery Center

SAIPAN-

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

♦ SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.

♦ Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury.

♦ SBA offers low-interest working capital loans (called Economic Injury Disaster Loans) to small businesses, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster.

♦ If you are a homeowner or renter, FEMA may refer you to SBA. SBA disaster loans are the primary source of money to pay for repair or replacement costs not fully covered by insurance or other compensation.

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

♦ Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

♦ Begin by registering with FEMA. If you haven’t already done so, call (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or visit www.disasterassistance.gov.

♦ Homeowners and renters should submit their SBA disaster loan application, even if they are not sure that they will need or want a loan. If SBA cannot approve your application, in most cases they will refer you to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program for possible additional assistance.

HOW TO APPLY TO SBA

We encourage every individual and business owner to come into the Disaster Recovery Center and speak one-on-one with an SBA Customer Service Representative. Our representatives will answer all of their questions and explain the application process. We will also help each business owner and homeowner complete their application to apply for a low-interest disaster loan.

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. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

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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Getting Disaster Help from the U.S. Small Business Administration: SBA Representatives available at Disaster Recovery Center

In Route to Be Better Prepared

SAN JUAN, PR – They are young, enthusiastic and prepared to respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards in their school and communities. A few weeks ago a group of teenagers in Humacao, led by Gabriela Rodriguez-Boria, completed their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training as part of Gabriela’s project as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region II Youth Council Representative.

While seeking opportunities to prepare youngsters to be ready before and after a disaster strikes, Gabriela’s project includes CERT training for teenagers. CERT is a program that educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. With a solid commitment to encourage that generations are better aware of emergency preparedness, FEMA counts on programs, such as CERT and projects like Gabriela’s to help communities become smarter and more resilient sooner.

“As we prepare our plans, we have to keep in mind the importance of including younger audiences in the process. Youngsters have a significant influence on their peers and families, and we see Gabriela and her project as a good example. She drives this preparedness message further on,” said FEMA’s Caribbean Area Division Director, Alejandro De La Campa.

Thirteen-year old Gabriela, organized a CERT of approximately 15-20 students at the school she attends, the Colegio Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro in Humacao. Her parents and this private school have been very supportive and involved in Gabriela’s activities to the point of completing various emergency preparedness courses.

“We are organizing a Preparedness Day at our school and plan to replicate the Teen CERT training in other schools in neighboring communities.  We can get our schools, neighbors, churches, families and friends involved in similar activities so they can learn surviving techniques for future emergencies. This is my goal,” said Gabriela, who represents FEMA Region II in the Youth Preparedness Council. Puerto Rico is one of the jurisdictions under this Region, which also includes New York, New Jersey and the US Virgin Islands. 

This week, March 3-9, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and FEMA have partnered again for the National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, futhering the readiness message and encouraging every one in our communities to get better prepared for severe weather events.  Gabriela’s project represents an innovative and personal approach to improve emergency preparedness in her community.

There is additional information about Gabriela’s project and the Youth Council at www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/youth/youthindex. If you are interested in becoming a CERT member, locate the nearest CERT team or check for upcoming training opportunities, visit www.citizencorps.gov/cert. Learn more about emergency preparedness and how to improve your community resiliency to emergency situations by visiting www.fema.gov, www.weather.gov or www.ready.gov.

FEMA News Desk (787) 296-3554, 3560

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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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In Route to Be Better Prepared