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One Year Later: Mitigation Makes Communities Safer

LINCROFT, N.J. — Emergency response. Debris removal. Reconstruction and repair. Rental assistance. Low-cost disaster loans. These activities and terms have become familiar to many New Jerseyans since Superstorm Sandy struck last year. But another activity is going full force with the purpose of protecting life and property from future disasters – hazard mitigation.

Sea Bright, N.J., Feb. 20, 2013 — Homeowners stand and watch their home being elevated. This family has started the rebuilding process after being forced out of their home by Hurricane Sandy. Rosanna Arias/FEMAHazard mitigation is the only phase of emergency management specifically dedicated to breaking the cycle of damage, reconstruction and repeated damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides assistance to state and local governments after a major disaster declaration to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during disaster recovery.

“Hazard Mitigation grants help make communities safer,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer in New Jersey, Gracia Szczech. “Mitigation programs also help reduce the financial impact of disasters on the state and on the county.”

Eligible applicants for HMGP grants are states, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations. Individual homeowners and businesses may not apply directly to the program, but local governments may apply on their behalf.

These grants can be used to fund projects that protect public or private property if the project fits within state and local mitigation plans. Projects eligible for HMGP funds include retrofitting buildings to minimize damage from high winds and flooding; elevation of flood-prone buildings; minor flood-control projects; and the purchase of property at risk of repetitive flooding for conversion to open space. The state works with local communities to determine the focus of the Hazard Mitigation program.

FEMA has obligated $340.7 million in Hazard Mitigation grants after Sandy for New Jersey’s mitigation measures, which include:

$100 million for the acquisition of structures in flood-prone areas to be cleared and converted to permanent greenspace;
$100 million for elevation of buildings in flood-prone areas; and $3.8 million for county mitigation plans

Sea Bright, N.J., Feb. 20, 2013 — Construction worker carries wood for cribbing used in the elevation of a Sea Bright home as part of mitigation. Homeowners have just begun rebuilding and expect their home to be ready by summer. Rosanna Arias/FEMAThe state is applying the remaining grant money for mitigation measures being incorporated into eligible rebuilding projects of state and local agencies, and certain private nonprofit organizations, such as hospitals and universities.

Five issues are considered when determining the eligibility of a proposed project:

Does the project conform to the state’s hazard mitigation plan?
Does the project provide a beneficial impact on the disaster area?
Does the application meet the environmental requirements?
Does the project solve a problem independently?
Is the project cost effective?

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding is made available at the request of a state’s governor following the declaration of a major disaster. The grant funds available for mitigation equal 15 percent of the amount FEMA spends to assist disaster survivors and communities in the recovery process. Under

HMGP, federal funds pay for 75 percent of the project cost with 25 percent coming from non-federal sources. All programs require an up-to-date Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Video-links: Sea Bright Mitigation

Next week the One Year Later releases will feature examples of a business owner and a homeowner who applied mitigation techniques to their property at their own cost, which, in the aftermath of Sandy, proved to be a sound investment.

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 FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Original article:

One Year Later: Mitigation Makes Communities Safer

Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts one year later

Main Content

Release date:

October 1, 2013

Release Number:

MA-033

To mark the one year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer a series of videos, photos, news releases and Web posts on the Sandy New York webpage, www.fema.gov/SandyNY. The rollout of products begins Oct. 3.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy and www.facebook.com/FEMASandy.

Last Updated:

October 1, 2013 – 15:42

State/Tribal Government or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

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Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts one year later

2013 National Preparedness Month

WHAT: As part of National Preparedness Month this September, free online tools from the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps are available to encourage households, businesses and communities to know their risk, make an emergency preparedness plan and inspire others to do the same.

Fact Sheets

Fact sheets for business owners, seniors, pet owners and people with access and functional needs are available for download on the FEMA Sandy New York webpage (www.fema.gov/SandyNY). Click on the “Updates and Articles” link to access the fact sheets.

Banners

Various banners and other Web images are available for download on the FEMA Sandy New York Web page (www.fema.gov/SandyNY), including a helpful tenth anniversary infographic for the Ready Campaign. Include the site http://community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM as a link to the images. The site encourages community involvement and provides toolkits and other resources for emergency preparedness.

Widget

The National Preparedness Community widget allows you to share preparedness information directly with your website visitors. Include the following code on your website:

Social Media

Promote emergency preparedness through your own social media channels or with messages posted on www.fema.gov/SandyNY, twitter.com/FEMASandy and facebook.com/FEMASandy.

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2013 National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month

NEW YORK – September is National Preparedness Month, a good time for all New Yorkers to take advantage of resources that are available to help prepare for the next disaster or emergency.

The event, now in its ninth year and hosted by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, encourages households, businesses and communities to prepare for emergencies.

FEMA urges New Yorkers to be prepared to be self-reliant during an emergency for three days without utilities and electricity, water service, fuel, access to a supermarket or local services, or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue.

Preparing can start with four steps:

1. Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during and after an emergency.

2. Make a plan for what to do in an emergency.

3. Build an emergency supply kit.

4. Get involved.

To assist with these efforts, FEMA will be sharing planning resources on the New York Sandy Web page (www.fema.gov/SandyNY) throughout the month. The documents should be shared with family, friends and community organizations.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility; it takes a whole community. This year’s National Preparedness Month focuses on turning awareness into action by encouraging all individuals and all communities nationwide to make an emergency preparedness plan. Preparedness information and events will be posted at http://community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM. Information is also available at 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO or TTY 1-800-462-7585.

For more information from New York State on preparedness, visit www.nyprepare.gov/aware-prepare.

For more information on New York’s recovery from Hurricane Sandy, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.fema.gov/blog.

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September is National Preparedness Month

Federal Dollars At Work: Fema Is Helping To Restore New Jersey

LINCROFT, N.J. — When Superstorm Sandy barreled through New Jersey last October, she left behind the kind of wreckage often dreamed up by Hollywood for big-screen disaster films.

The largest tropical storm ever to form in the mid-Atlantic basin tore up utility lines, flooded sewage treatment facilities, disrupted transportation links, downed trees, washed out roads and bridges and pushed hundreds of shorefront homes into the ocean.

Wide swaths of the state were without power for weeks. Traffic signals were down. Phone lines were out. Train, bus and ferry services were out of commission.

Recovery efforts began immediately, and nine months later, the work of rebuilding and restoring is still under way.

In dozens of New Jersey communities, dredges, cranes, utility trucks and construction crews are now familiar parts of the landscape.

And as the recovery progresses, the costs mount.

A disaster of this magnitude could potentially bankrupt the budgets of many of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities and result in unprecedented tax increases for property owners.

But thanks to the support of the state and federal government, New Jersey taxpayers don’t have to bear the enormous costs of this catastrophe alone.

As authorized under the Stafford Act, when a major disaster such as Superstorm Sandy occurs anywhere in the United States, the governor of an impacted state may determine that the nature and extent of the emergency exceeds the state’s ability to respond effectively and ask the president to declare a disaster.

A governor’s request is relayed to the president through the regional office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency after the governor has established that the state has taken appropriate action under state law and has executed its emergency plan.

The provisions of the Stafford Act also apply to the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and tribal nations.

Once a governor makes a request for federal assistance, state and federal officials conduct a Preliminary Damage Assessment to estimate the extent of the disaster and its impact on individuals and public facilities.

Once made, that declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, to mobilize its resources to assist the state in recovery.

FEMA assistance is tailored to the character of the disaster. Assistance may include outreach to individuals and families through FEMA’s Housing and Other Needs program, and Public Assistance, which provides supplemental Federal disaster grants for distribution by the state to eligible applicants such as local governments and certain private nonprofits.

These grants can be applied to the cost of disaster-related debris removal, emergency protective measures, repair, replacement, or restoration of publicly-owned facilities as well as those of eligible nonprofits such as medical, educational, utility, emergency and custodial care agencies.

The Public Assistance Program also provides grant assistance to eligible applicants for hazard mitigation measures designed to reduce the risk of damage in a future disaster.

The Federal share of assistance is not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent restoration. When the cost of disaster recovery exceeds a certain amount, as it has in New Jersey following Superstorm Sandy, the federal government may increase the federal cost-share to 90 percent.

FEMA awards its grants to the state of New Jersey, which distributes federal eligible funding to the applicants. FEMA provides 90 percent of the cost of eligible projects. The remaining 10 percent of eligible costs is borne by state and local government.

To date, nearly $800 million in federal grants has been disbursed by FEMA’s Public Assistance division to pay for the cost of emergency response, debris removal, dredging, replenishment of engineered beaches eroded by Sandy, reconstruction of public boardwalks and streets, restoration of sewage treatment facilities and rebuilding of taxpayer-supported infrastructure.

Among the projects presently under way is the replacement of the Belmar boardwalk, which is funded by a $9.2 million FEMA grant, $26.1 million to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission for the repair of one of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the nation, $17.3 million for the reconstruction of the Atlantic Highlands Marina and $2.2 million for costs involved in the restoration of sand and dune grass on Strathmere Beach in Upper Township.

So while the name “FEMA” doesn’t appear on construction vehicles or worksites, FEMA dollars are hard at work in New Jersey, supporting the state in their mission to rebuild and restore the quality of life that makes New Jersey and the Jersey Shore the place that more than 8.8 million people choose to call home.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Federal Dollars At Work: Fema Is Helping To Restore New Jersey

New York: By the Numbers – 42

NEW YORK — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $7.8 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters, businesses, government agencies and nonprofits that were affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Individual Assistance

Nearly $3.7 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
More than $1.5 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
Nearly $992 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
- Nearly $848 million for housing assistance
- Nearly $144 million for other needs assistance

Public Assistance

More than $1.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to reimburse local, state and tribal governments and eligible private nonprofits for some of the costs of:
- emergency response
- debris removal
- repairing or rebuilding damaged public facilities
5.6 million cubic yards of debris removed

Sandy survivors should stay in touch and notify FEMA when they receive their insurance settlement, need to update their address or other contact information, or have any questions regarding their application.

Applicants may call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or

TTY 800-462-7585 to update FEMA. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week.

Individuals can check the status of their application at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

For information about New York State recovery programs, visit www.NYSandyHelp.ny.gov or call 855-NYS-SANDY. The phone line is available 8 a.m to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.

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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.

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).

Link –

New York: By the Numbers – 42

More than $7.6 billion in aid towards NY’s recovery from Sandy

NEW YORK — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $7.6 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters, businesses, government agencies and nonprofits that were affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Individual Assistance

More than $3.6 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
Nearly $986 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households including:
- More than $843 million for housing assistance
- More than $142 million for other needs assistance
More than $1.5 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses

Public Assistance

More than $1.5 billion in Public Assistance grants to reimburse local, state and tribal governments and eligible private nonprofits for some of the costs of:
- Emergency response
- Debris removal
- Repairing or rebuilding damaged public facilities
5.6 million cubic yards of debris removed

Other assistance

272,070 people registered for assistance in the 13 designated counties
184,725 housing inspections completed
183,145 visits to disaster recovery centers

Applicants may call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or

TTY 800-462-7585 to update FEMA. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week.

Individuals can also check the status of their application at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

For information about New York State recovery programs, visit www.NYSandyHelp.ny.gov or call 855-NYS-SANDY. The phone line is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/SandyNY, twitter.com/FEMASandy, facebook.com/FEMASandy and fema.gov/blog .

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More than $7.6 billion in aid towards NY’s recovery from Sandy

Emergency Generators Power Town After Sandy Comes Ashore

TRENTON, N.J. – Superstorm Sandy left many thousands of homes, municipal services and emergency service facilities across New Jersey without power.

But Seaside Heights, a Seaside Heights generators Seaside Heights, NJ generators were essential for emergency services during Superstorm Sandy. – Photo by Rosanna Arias Jersey Shore barrier island borough, escaped the massive power outages that most other areas faced because of its three peak-demand generators which had been protected from high water when they were installed.

“Initially, we powered them on to supply electricity for the firehouse, emergency management, the police headquarters and the municipal building,” Seaside Heights Borough Superintendent William Rumbolo said.

Because Sandy’s impact on the borough would be unpredictable, officials began preparations for the storm by having emergency workers and officials go door-to-door encouraging residents to evacuate. As Sandy got closer, officials moved the borough’s fire trucks inland to Toms River to escape anticipated flooding and brought in three army trucks the Office of Emergency Management Coordinator obtained for emergency transportation.

When Sandy came ashore, the storm brought winds that knocked down telephone poles, knocking out power and trapping emergency responders and residents who failed to heed the evacuation warnings.

Emergency responders (approximately 45 firemen and 30 policemen) were able to use the generators to keep electricity going and complete rescue missions.

For three weeks, Seaside Heights used the generators to power the community. “We fired up the generators and made some connections so that we could run the whole town,” Rumbolo said. Borough officials originally proposed the idea of obtaining generators to help reduce the cost of wholesale power during peak demand times.

The three two-megawatt diesel generators and their installation cost the borough nearly $4 million. The generators were initially intended to be used during heavy power use hours, to reduce community power consumption and give the borough a better rate when purchasing electricity.

The borough made the decision to power the generators with diesel fuel in the initial installation, which worked out well during the storm since natural gas – the other option – was unavailable to the island after the storm.

“We were able to truck in diesel fuel and run the generators,” said borough officials. “If these things had been powered by natural gas, we would not have been able to use them.”

Sandy brought flooding to the area but the generators had been installed approximately 43 inches above the ground and one foot above the Base Flood Elevation.

Although Seaside Heights officials did not buy and install the generators primarily to be a backup power source, having them was crucial to keep the town running in the aftermath of the storm.

Officials powered up two hotels in the borough so that the responders and those rescued could have a place to stay. They were also able to power the water main to supply running water throughout the borough.

Having the generators protected from storm surge and fully operational gave the borough the ability to safely house the emergency responders as close to the damaged area as possible enabling them to continue uninterrupted response operations.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Emergency Generators Power Town After Sandy Comes Ashore

2013 National Hurricane Preparedness Week, Pledge to Prepare

NEW YORK – As hurricane season approaches, pledge to protect your family, friends and businesses by knowing your risk, taking action and being an example.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration have partnered again this year to promote National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

National Hurricane Preparedness Week – May 26 through June 1 – highlights the importance of planning ahead to protect our families and secure our communities. Hurricane season is June 1 through Nov. 30.

“I’m sure New Yorkers who saw Sandy’s impact know the importance of preparing for hurricane season,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “Everyone should take the pledge and use social media to let their friends know how they can prepare against disasters.”

Recent studies show that many people use social media during a disaster to let relatives and friends know they are safe. Social media provides the perfect platform for preparedness. Pledge to use it and to and take the following steps:

Know your risk: Understand how hurricanes could impact you, your family and your community. When you understand your risk, you are more apt to know how to prepare. Check weather forecasts regularly, sign up for local alerts from your emergency management officials and get a NOAA Weather Radio.

Take action: Pledge to develop an emergency plan and practice how and where you will evacuate if instructed by local emergency management officials. Post your plan in your home where friends and family can see it. Understand the National Hurricane Center watches and warnings. Purchase flood insurance now – there’s a 30-day waiting period and download FEMA’s mobile app so you can access important safety tips on what to do before, during and after a hurricane. Stay informed with FEMA’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Be an example: Once you have pledged and taken action, be an example by talking to your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors on what you have done to prepare and inspire others.

More information can be found at www.ready.gov/hurricanes. Information on different types of severe weather such as tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding is available at www.weather.gov and www.ready.gov/hurricanes or the Spanish-language website www.listo.gov.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.fema.gov/blog.

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2013 National Hurricane Preparedness Week, Pledge to Prepare

Inspect Your Property Thoroughly Before You Repair Or Rebuild

TRENTON, N.J.–Repairing or rebuilding your home following Superstorm Sandy can be a complicated and expensive process, but having your home thoroughly inspected and making all necessary repairs are critical components of the recovery process.

While much of the damage from a storm such as Sandy is visible to the naked eye, hidden damage may exist that can pose a safety hazard to residents and/or compromise the integrity of the structure.

If you are living in your home while you are repairing it, are preparing to move back in and are about to begin repairs, be sure to follow these guidelines to protect your family:

Look for any external damage

Examine the foundation, roof and chimney of the structure for cracks or other damage. The presence of cracks does not necessarily mean an unsafe structure and may be unrelated to the storm. If necessary, contact a building design professional to evaluate your building and make a determination. If you have reason to believe that your home is not safe to occupy, the local building inspector could perform an inspection.

Thoroughly check your electrical system

Floodwater contaminants can create serious fire hazards if electrical wiring and equipment have been submerged in water. Even with professional cleaning and drying, sediments and toxins are difficult to remove. It is not always necessary to replace all of the wiring, but it is recommended that you have a qualified electrical contractor evaluate the condition of:

Circuit breakers and fuses
All electrical wiring systems
Light switches, thermostats, outlets, light fixtures, electric heaters and ceiling fans
Furnace burner and blower motors, ignition transformers, elements and relays for furnaces
Hot water tanks
Washing machines, dryers, furnaces, heat pumps, freezers, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, vacuums, power tools, exercise equipment and similar pieces
Electronic equipment, including computers and home entertainment systems

Keep generators outside

If your building is without power and you plan to install a backup system, use generators or other fuel-powered machines outdoors only. Such machines emit deadly carbon monoxide fumes which are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you if they are used indoors.

Conduct a thorough inspection for mold

Flooding causes dampness where mold, mildew and various organisms thrive. It can grow unnoticed in hidden areas such as above ceilings, behind walls, in attics and basements or crawl spaces.

Exposure to mold can pose a health risk, particularly for infants, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions such as allergies or asthma.

Because mold feeds on cellulose, which is a component of many building materials, it can break down studs and joists, causing extensive property damage.

Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from mold spores that may be released while you are cleaning, and be sure to follow directions when using cleaning products.

The New Jersey Department of Health has released Mold Guidelines for New Jersey Residents recovering from Superstorm Sandy. To receive a copy of Mold Guidelines for New Jersey Residents, call (609) 826-4950 or download a copy online at nj.gov/health/er/hurricane_recovery_resources.shtml.

Avoid Scam Artists

As you plan long-term repair and rebuilding projects, be aware that natural disasters can bring out criminals who prey on disaster victims by offering fraudulent services. The state Division of Consumer Affairs in the Attorney General’s Office licenses home improvement contractors, which is intended to provide protection for homeowners. For assistance filing a complaint, or to check on the complaint history of a business, call the DCA Consumer Service Center at (973) 504-6200.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Inspect Your Property Thoroughly Before You Repair Or Rebuild

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