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Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Jackson, Little River Counties

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Joint federal/state disaster recovery centers will open Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in Jackson and Little River counties to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding Dec. 26, 2015 – Jan. 22, 2016.

Representatives from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the centers to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid. Those visiting the centers can talk to experts on ways to prevent future disaster damage and take home free publications on mitigation topics.

These mobile, temporary centers are located:

Jackson County
Newport Economic Development Corp.
201 Hazel St.
Newport, AR 72112

Little River County
Little River County Courthouse
392 Country Club Road
Winthrope, AR 71866

Hours at the centers are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays until further notice.

Those seeking disaster assistance should register with FEMA before going to a recovery center. To do so:

Call 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for individuals with a speech disability, are deaf or hard-of-hearing. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
Go to www.disasterassistance.gov.

The toll free lines operate from 7 a.m.to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Each disaster recovery center has assistive technologies for people with disabilities. ASL interpreters are available at the DRCs by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Disaster aid for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the 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. Applying for these loans is also a way to qualify for other avenues of assistance.

For more information on SBA programs, 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 with a speech disability, are deaf or hard-of-hearing, may call TTY (800) 877-8339.

Federal disaster assistance is available to eligible residents of Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Faulkner, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Little River, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties.

Disaster recovery centers are also open in Carroll, Crawford, Faulkner and Jefferson counties. The address of each center can be found at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm . Those affected by the storms may visit any center.

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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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Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Jackson, Little River Counties

FEMA Home Inspectors Help Start Arkansas Recovery from Severe Winter Storms

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Residents and business owners who have registered for disaster assistance with FEMA should expect a housing inspector to verify damage soon after they’ve applied.

Identifying damage helps determine both the amount and the types of assistance FEMA or other state and federal agencies may provide. There is no fee for the inspection. The inspector does not determine the amount of assistance an applicant will receive.

The inspector is required to carry identification that includes his or her photo and ID number. When the inspector comes to your home, ask to see the identification.

Residents of Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Faulkner, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Little River, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties that suffered damage from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding Dec. 26, 2015 – January 22, 2016 may be eligible for disaster assistance.

Being ready when the inspector visits can help speed assistance.

If you’ve registered with FEMA for disaster assistance, here’s what to expect: A FEMA inspector will contact you to schedule an appointment to inspect your damaged home. If you have a disability and require an accommodation when the inspector arrives, please call 800-621-3362 during regular business hours.

Provide the inspector with clear, accurate directions to the damaged property. Post office boxes do not show locations.

Be prepared to provide written proof of ownership or rental occupancy, such as a tax receipt, deed, mortgage payment book, rental agreement, or home insurance policy with the damaged property’s address. Having the necessary documentation will help speed up the inspection process.

The inspector will not ask you for your Social Security number, your bank account or credit card account numbers or for medical information. If someone claiming to be with FEMA asks you to provide such information, call your local law enforcement immediately.

Whether you are an owner or a renter, you must show that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster. Inspectors will accept a valid driver’s license or current utility bill (such as an electric, gas or water bill) as proof you live there.

The inspection is free. It usually takes between 45 minutes and an hour, and consists of measuring the real property, inspecting its contents, and recording the findings.

Using a handheld electronic device, the inspector creates a digital “model” of the damaged home and uses it to indicate where damage occurred. The device — called an inspector’s pad —transmits information electronically to FEMA. This speeds up the process of providing assistance.

The inspector will ask to see damage to both real property and personal property in all areas of your home. This is to inventory both the type and extent of loss. For example, not all disaster damage results in a complete loss. The inspector’s report will show which items are total losses; which items can be repaired; and those that are not affected. FEMA will not replace damaged items that can be repaired with new items.

Typically, in 10 days or less after the inspector’s visit, you will receive a letter from FEMA containing a decision.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 (FEMA).

Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability, are deaf or hard of hearing and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

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FEMA Home Inspectors Help Start Arkansas Recovery from Severe Winter Storms

Hours at Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers in Sevier, Lee Counties to Change

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Effective today, hours are changing at two mobile disaster recovery centers serving those whose homes or businesses were affected by the late December – January storms.

Staffed by representatives from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies, the centers are located:

Lee County
Community Center
593 Hwy. 243
Marinanna, AR 72360

Sevier County
County Courthouse
115 N. 3^rd St.
DeQueen, AR 71832

The new hours at the centers are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday until the centers close COB on Feb. 28, 2016.

Those seeking disaster assistance should register with FEMA before going to a recovery center. To do so:

Call 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for individuals who have a speech disability, are deaf or hard-of-hearing. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
Go to www.disasterassistance.gov.

The toll free lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Each disaster recovery center has assistive technologies for people with disabilities. ASL interpreters are available at the DRCs by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Disaster aid for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on SBA programs, 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. Persons with speech disability, are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call TTY (800) 877-8339.

Federal disaster assistance is available to eligible residents of Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Faulkner, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Little River, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties. Residents of those counties may visit any DRC.

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Hours at Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers in Sevier, Lee Counties to Change

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Faulkner, Lee and Sevier Counties

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Joint federal/state disaster recovery centers are opening Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 in Faulkner, Lee and Sevier counties to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding Dec. 26, 2015 – Jan. 22, 2016.

The centers are located:

Faulkner County
Howard Johnson – Conference Room
1090 Skyline Drive
Conway, AR 72032

Lee County
Community Center
593 Hwy. 243
Marinanna, AR 72360

Sevier County
County Courthouse
115 N. 3^rd St.
DeQueen, AR 71832

Hours at the centers are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays until further notice.

Those seeking disaster assistance should register with FEMA before going to a recovery center. To do so:

Call 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
Go to www.disasterassistance.gov.

The toll free lines operate from 7 a.m.to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Each disaster recovery center has assistive technologies for people with disabilities. ASL interpreters are available at the DRCs by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Disaster aid for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on SBA programs, 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 Recovery Centers Open in Faulkner, Lee and Sevier Counties

Residents Urged to Register for Disaster Assistance, Report Damage

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansans in Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Faulkner, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Little River, Perry, Sebastian, and Sevier counties who sustained uninsured or underinsured damage by the late winter storms, winds, and flooding can now apply for assistance from the state of Arkansas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Both state and federal recovery officials are encouraging any resident of Arkansas who sustained damage as a result of these storms to register with FEMA to report their loss from the winter storm. Other counties may become eligible for disaster assistance if warranted by these damage reports.

Individuals and business owners can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

FEMA Individual Assistance specialists in Arkansas are working side-by-side with their state counterparts to assist residents’ recovery efforts. Arkansans are urged to be practical, proactive and realistic during their recovery from the recent storms and tornadoes.

Arkansas and FEMA officials offer these tips and strategies for individuals facing new post-disaster realities:

Don’t wait. Applicants should contact their insurance agents as soon as possible;
Federal disaster assistance covers basic needs only. It normally will not compensate individuals for their entire loss;
A low-cost disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a major source of long-term recovery funding for both individuals with home damage and small businesses. For FEMA applicants, disaster loan applications from the SBA must be completed and returned. No one will be forced to accept a loan he or she does not want, but the information on the application is needed to determine eligibility for all federal assistance.

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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 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 losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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Residents Urged to Register for Disaster Assistance, Report Damage

Low-interest Disaster Loans Help Fuel Arkansas Disaster Recovery

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Disaster recovery experts today urged applicants for federal assistance to complete a disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Taking a loan is not required; completing the application can open the door to all federal assistance, including possible additional grants from FEMA.

Most Arkansans who register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will receive an automated call with information on how to complete the loan application process. Low-interest loans from the SBA are the major source of funding for disaster recovery.

SBA offers low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes (including landlords) and private nonprofit organizations that have sustained disaster damage. There is no cost to apply and no obligation to accept a disaster loan.

Assistance from FEMA is limited to help jump-start the recovery; it may not cover all damage or property loss. Completing the SBA Loan application may make FEMA assistance available to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle, or cover storage expenses.

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 may qualify for up to $2 million in low-interest loans to help cover physical damages.

Small businesses and most private nonprofits suffering economic impact due to the severe weather and flooding 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.

For additional information about SBA disaster loans, the application process, or for help completing the SBA application:

Call 800-659-2955 (Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339)
Email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

Visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster

People with storm losses who still need to register with FEMA can register anytime online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov , or with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. People who use TTY can call 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available.

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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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Low-interest Disaster Loans Help Fuel Arkansas Disaster Recovery

Hurricane Wilma: Ten Years Later

ATLANTA — Ten years ago October 24, Hurricane Wilma slammed ashore near Naples, Fla., as a Category 3 storm with a 50-mile-wide eye. Wilma was the most intense hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin, with wind speeds reaching 175 mph over the Gulf of Mexico.

By the time Wilma exited the state near Palm Beach, it had spawned 10 tornadoes, left five people dead and six million people without power. Rainfall exceeded seven inches in some parts of the state. The President’s Oct. 24, 2005, disaster declaration made federal funding available to disaster survivors in Brevard, Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.

In addition, federal funding was made available to the state and eligible local governments for debris removal, emergency protective measures and other public assistance in Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, De Soto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Sarasota and St. Lucie counties.

To help disaster survivors FEMA obligated $342.5 million to 227,321 disaster applicants for the Individual and Household Program. Of that amount, $150.8 million was provided for housing (including temporary rentals and repairs) and $191.5 million for other serious disaster-related needs, such as personal property losses and moving and storage, medical or funeral expenses.

FEMA also has obligated more than $1.4 billion in Public Assistance to the state of Florida, local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations for eligible projects. Of that amount:

$956.3 million reimbursed for debris clearance and emergency measures to protect public health and safety immediately after the storm;
$477.5 million reimbursed the work needed to make permanent repairs.

To date, more than $141.5 million has been obligated by FEMA for 119 Hazard Mitigation

Grant Program projects to build stronger, safer more resilient communities in Florida since Hurricane Wilma. A total of 111 mitigation projects are completed of which 90 are to retrofit public structures to protect against wind damage and 11 drainage projects to protect the public from flooding events.

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Hurricane Wilma: Ten Years Later

Support Documentation, Improved Project

FEMA-1909
PA ID# 037-52004-00; Nashville-Davidson County
PW ID# 5593; Support Documentation, Improved Project
09/25/2015

Conclusion: On second appeal, Nashville-Davidson County (Applicant) provided adequate documentation to support reimbursement of costs associated with resident engineering services and the need to replace anaerobic digester membranes and membrane seals.

Summary Paragraph

Between April 30, 2010 and May 18, 2010, severe rainstorms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds impacted Nashville-Davidson County. The rainstorms caused the Cumberland River to overflow and submerge building 40 located at Applicant’s Metropolitan Water Services Biosolids facility. Anaerobic digesters 1, 4, and 5 located at building 40 all sustained damage from floodwater inundation. FEMA subsequently prepared Project Worksheet (PW) 5593 documenting necessary repairs to these three anaerobic digesters. In a June 3, 2011 letter, the Applicant submitted its first appeal and argued FEMA erred in estimating direct administrative cost (DAC) and resident engineering costs—the Applicant also asserted that anaerobic digester membranes and their seals were in fact not repairable as FEMA had estimated on the original PW. The total disputed amount, including associated construction management costs, totaled $1,041,873.44. The FEMA Region IV Regional Administrator, through a June 1, 2012 letter, denied the appeal in its entirety, stating the following: the request for costs associated with residential engineering services lacked adequate documentation; the request for DAC failed to document work attributable to preparing a PW; and requests for increased costs to replace membranes and their seals could not be reimbursed because the replacement was an improvement. In a letter dated August 10, 2012, the applicant submitted its second appeal, again requesting resident engineering costs and costs to replace the membranes and membrane seals—the total amount requested was $623,712 and included associated construction management costs. Upon FEMA’s subsequent request for additional information, the Applicant provided documents describing resident engineer’s services. Further, the Applicant has provided adequate documentation to substantiate the need to replace digester membranes and membrane seals.

Authorities and Second Appeals

Stafford Act § 406 (a)(1)(A), 42 U.S.C. § 5172.
44 C.F.R. § 13.22.
44 C.F.R. § 206.203(d)(1).
OMB Circular A-87 Attachment A (C)(1)(j)(a), 2 C.F.R. § 225 Appendix A (C)(1)(j)(a)
PA Digest, at 48.
PA Guide, at 36, 40, 79, 59, 110, and 139.

Headnotes

OMB Circular A-87 provides that allowable costs must meet the cost principles of being necessary; allocable to Federal awards; and adequately documented.
- The Applicant provided documentation to demonstrate that the resident engineering costs are necessary, allocable, and adequately documented for PW 5593.
PA Digest, at 48, provides that “[s]pecial services[,] which are not required on every restoration project, include engineering surveys, soil investigations, services of a resident engineer, and feasibility studies. These services must be specifically described and must be shown to be necessary for completing the eligible scope of work.”
- This project is part of 19 separate PWs associated with flood recovery efforts of a complex nature, and could require the use of resident engineering services.
PA Digest, at 110, federal funding for improved projects is limited to the federal share of the estimated cost of the original project or the federal share of the actual costs of completing the improved project, whichever is less. The balance of funds is a non-federal responsibility.
- The applicant provided adequate documentation to separate improved costs from the original estimate.

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Support Documentation, Improved Project

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight the Horsethief Butte Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Horsethief Butte Fire in Klickitat County, Washington.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on Sept. 13, 2015 at 10:42 p.m. PDT. There have been 12 FMAGs approved in Washington since June 2015.

Two New Mexico firefighters walk up a hill to continue battling smoldering forest fires. Fire Management Assistance Grants can provide federal funds to support costs like firefighting tools and equipment, overtime compensation, mobilization and travel costs, meals, health and safety items.

Through Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs), federal funds are available to support firefighters battling wildfires if needed. Original photo by Andrea Booher/FEMA News Photo.

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The fire started on September 13, 2015, and had burned in excess of 2,000 acres of federal, state, and private lands. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening over 125 primary homes in and around the communities of Dallesport and Wishram. Evacuation orders were issued for approximately 300 people. The fire was also threatening public utility transmission and distribution lines along state Route 14, community buildings, irrigation infrastructure, recreational resources at two state parks, and valued environmental resources of the Columbia River.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Washington’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

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FEMA provides federal funds to help fight the Horsethief Butte Fire

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Twisp River Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Twisp River Fire, burning in Okanogan County, Washington.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator, Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the Twisp River Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on August 19, 2015 at 7:12 p.m. PDT.

The fire started on August 19 and has burned in excess of 1,500 acres of Federal, State, and private land. At the time of the request, three firefighters had lost their lives with multiple others injured. The fire threatened 1,200 homes in and around the communities of Twisp, Winthrop and neighboring areas with a total population of 2,600. Approximately 95% of the threatened homes are primary residences and 5% are secondary homes. The fire was also threatening timberland, cultural resources, camp grounds, wildlife areas, power lines, communications and community infrastructure in the area. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations were issued for approximately 2,600 people. There are currently three shelters open.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the State of Washington’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

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FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Twisp River Fire

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