Six Months after Sandy, Connecticut Continues to Rebuild

WINDSOR, Conn. — More than $283 million in federal disaster assistance, loans and insurance claims paid to date is funding Connecticut’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Sandy. The huge storm devastated portions of the eastern seaboard and drenched most of the state six months ago.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security provide this summary of assistance to date.

The Hurricane Sandy disaster declaration made federal Individual Assistance (IA) available to the residents of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London counties, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribal Nation located within New London County.

Assistance to Individuals, Households, and Businesses

To date:

  • 12,452 Connecticut residents registered with FEMA for federal disaster assistance;
  • 6,417 damaged properties have been inspected statewide;
  • More than $13.7 million in Individual Assistance grants were approved:
  • Over $12.6 million has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs;
  • More than $1.02 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions;
  • $42.8 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration; and
  • $22,196 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance was provided.

Assistance to Help Rebuild Infrastructure

Public Assistance (PA) was made available under the Sandy disaster declaration in the counties of Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London Tolland, and Windham, as well as the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan tribal nations located within New London County.

Public Assistance projects include repairs to roads, bridges, utilities, and other public infrastructure, as well as emergency protective measures taken during and immediately after the storm. FEMA picks up 75 percent of the cost and the remainder is paid for by the state and local government.

To date:

  • More than $76 million in storm-related damage to publicly-owned infrastructure has been identified. The federal share of that portion of the recovery is $57 million, or 75 percent;
  • 220 eligible PA applicants have submitted 425 of an estimated 660 projects; and
  • More than $7.04 million in federal PA grants has been obligated

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation specialists counseled more than 1,800 individuals on lessening the impact of future disasters. The mitigation teams met with individuals on 11 separate occasions at home supply stores throughout the disaster area. 

Additionally, 5,902 flood insurance claims totaling $220,124,212 have been paid to date, representing more than 96 percent of total National Flood Insurance Program claims in the state of Connecticut following Hurricane Sandy.

There were 407 FEMA and 359 state and/or other federal agency employees working fulltime and overtime during the height of the recovery.

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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Six Months after Sandy, Connecticut Continues to Rebuild

East Greenville Resident Visited the White House on Wednesday as a “Champions of Change” Finalist for Helping Pennsylvanians Recover from…

HARRISBURG, Pa. — An East Greenville resident was honored at the White House on Wednesday for helping Pennsylvanians recover from Hurricane Sandy. Brian Buhman, a volunteer state coordinator of field operations with Team Rubicon USA, is a finalist in the White House “Champions of Change” initiative.  

As a new state coordinator of field operations with Team Rubicon USA, a nonprofit disaster response service group of U.S. military veterans, Buhman was among the first responders to Hurricane Sandy. Since the days immediately after the storm, Buhman, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has spent at least 150 hours supervising and working alongside some 50 Team Rubicon volunteers. They cleared trees from approximately 20 private properties throughout Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties. Buhman and his teams located and approached property owners who were identified on lists developed and maintained by county emergency managers. 

“It just seemed like there was always a need,” Buhman said. “Just when we thought we had covered all of the impacted homes in an area, we would hear from an organization such as the local United Way that more homes were identified.”

Buhman is one example of hundreds of engaged volunteers who have spent hours tirelessly helping after Hurricane Sandy. Many volunteers have assisted their neighbors by clearing debris, helping with reconstruction projects and providing emotional support here in Pennsylvania – as well as supporting residents in the bordering states of New York and New Jersey.

“Volunteers like Brian Buhman have been a vital piece of the recovery process since Hurricane Sandy,” said Commonwealth Coordinating Officer Glenn M. Cannon, with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.  

Many volunteers have been affiliated with member groups of Southeastern Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (SEPA VOAD). SEPA VOAD coordinates planning efforts and matches community needs with services provided by its member agencies. This cooperative effort is an effective way for a wide variety of organizations to work together in a crisis. Team Rubicon USA is one of those organizations.

“Brian Buhman from Team Rubicon was fantastic and a great new addition to SEPA VOAD,” said Liberty Lutheran Services Volunteer Engagement and Disaster Response Co-coordinator Julia Menzo. “The impact of Buhman’s work has meant a lot to homeowners and all of us as Team Rubicon’s partners. The organization is bringing a great deal of trained volunteers to our region and they are able to provide leadership and help with assessments.”

Being involved in disaster response comes naturally to Buhman. “I like going out and helping. It’s part of being a veteran – we strive in these kinds of situations,” he said.

Team Rubicon USA is comprised of individuals just like Buhman. The organization unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. This activity provides veterans with a chance to continue serving by helping and empowering those afflicted by disasters. To learn more about Team Rubicon USA, see: TeamRubiconUSA.org/.

“Brian Buhman and others with Team Rubicon USA, as well as the multitude of individuals who responded to the needs of their neighbors after Hurricane Sandy, made vital contributions to the robust storm recovery still in process in Pennsylvania,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas J. McCool.

The White House Champions of Change initiative highlights the extraordinary activity of Americans as they support their communities. Every week, “Champions of Change” finalists are invited to the White House to be acknowledged for their contributions and to share their ideas. To learn more about the “Champions of Change” program, see: WhiteHouse.gov/champions.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

 

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East Greenville Resident Visited the White House on Wednesday as a “Champions of Change” Finalist for Helping Pennsylvanians Recover from…

Tell Your Employees To Register With FEMA; One Week Left

TRENTON, N.J.–New Jersey businesses are encouraged to ensure that their employees who had damages from Superstorm Sandy register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency by the deadline, May 1, 2013.

Philip Kirschner, president of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, which represents 21,000 companies and employs more than one million workers statewide, said, “We want to get the word out to your employees. That’s why NJBIA joins with FEMA to encourage employers to make sure any of your employees impacted by Sandy register by May 1.”

All residents also are reminded that there is just one week left to register for FEMA disaster assistance.

As of April 21, approximately 260,200 New Jersey survivors have applied for FEMA assistance. FEMA encourages all individuals who were affected by Superstorm Sandy that have not applied for disaster assistance to do so by May 1.

How to Register

Individuals and households may register by calling the toll-free registration number at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. Individuals also can apply for disaster assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Registration usually takes between 15 and 20 minutes.

Officials want to encourage those residents who may be hesitant to register for disaster assistance. Federal taxes are appropriated specifically to fund disaster assistance. Also, the assistance one individual may receive will not take away from another applicant’s federal assistance funds.

Individual Assistance

FEMA Housing Assistance grants cover rental assistance, home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance. The objective is to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Other Needs Assistance grants may be available to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable-aid programs.

As of April 21, more than $387.4 million in grants have been approved for home repairs or replacement, rental assistance and other needs.

SBA Loans

May 1 also is the deadline to return applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations for losses not fully covered by insurance. The SBA may lend up to $200,000 to repair or replace homes and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Also, up to $2 million is available for businesses for their uncompensated disaster losses.

For more information about the SBA, call the SBA Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EDT) Monday through Friday, at 1-800-659-2955. Survivors may apply online at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants also may visit the SBA Web site at sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

As of April 21, $731 million in SBA low-interest disaster loans have been approved for more than 11,300 homes and businesses.

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.

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Tell Your Employees To Register With FEMA; One Week Left

New York: By the Numbers

NEW YORK — Disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy has reached nearly $3.2 billion, including:

  • Nearly $954 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
    • Nearly $818 million for housing assistance
    • More than $136 million for other needs
  • Nearly $1.4 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
  • Nearly $824 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and some nonprofit organizations that serve the public

Other assistance:

  • More than $3.3 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
  • 271,188 people have registered for assistance in the 13 designated counties
  • 183,358 housing inspections completed
  • 179,240 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
  • 5.6 million cubic yards of debris removed
  • More than 500 voluntary agencies involved in recovery
  • 26 languages used to communicate assistance information to survivors

Individuals can register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or TTY 800-462-7585.  The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, seven days a week.

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New York: By the Numbers

New York disaster recovery center to remain open

NEW YORK – The disaster recovery center in Long Beach, N.Y., remains open as a full-service survivor resource that is staffed by state and federal specialists.

Hurricane Sandy survivors can visit the center at the Recreation Center and Ice Arena, 700 Magnolia Blvd., Long Beach, N.Y., 11561. The center is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Individuals may register for FEMA help online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app.

Federal disaster assistance can include money for rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Survivors who have questions may call FEMA’s helpline, 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week until further notice.

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New York disaster recovery center to remain open

ICYMI: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Calls for Tribal Input on Disaster Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In case you missed it, today on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) blog, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate called on tribal communities to take part in consultations regarding changes to the disaster assistance process. The Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 included a provision to amend the Stafford Act allowing tribes direct access to federal disaster relief. FEMA is consulting with tribal governments, tribal leaders, and tribal stakeholders to consider these changes and provide feedback.

Full text of Fugate’s blog post below and online here: https://www.fema.gov/blog/2013-04-08/getting-it-right-indian-country

 

Getting it right for Indian Country

Posted by: Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator

When you’re tackling a new and challenging topic, starting from a solid foundation is crucial to success.  Right now, there is an opportunity to change how the federal government provides disaster assistance and we’re looking for tribal leaders to help set a solid foundation for those changes.

When President Obama signed into law the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, he amended the Stafford Act to recognize the sovereignty of tribal governments, and this was a big step in the right direction to better meet the unique needs of Indian Country after disasters.   However, there’s still work to be done to shape disaster assistance programs and processes most effectively.  That’s where we are now — we are consulting with tribal governments, tribal leaders, and tribal stakeholders to consider changes to a range of federal disaster assistance processes and topics:

  • Input on the major disaster declaration process, 
  • Criteria to declare a major disaster, 
  • Program delivery, and 
  • The unique aspects of Indian culture that might not be currently considered by the rules. 

I encourage our tribal partners to join us in developing rules through consultation.  You’re invited to join a series of upcoming tribal consultation calls, provide ideas to FEMA’s online collaboration community, or send an e-mail to tribalconsultation@fema.dhs.gov.  Now is a great time to make sure the unique needs of Indian Country are considered throughout the federal disaster assistance process.

Why are we looking for input from the community?  Up to this point, FEMA has established rules around the disaster declaration process, assistance programs, and other aspects of federal assistance to meet the needs of state governments and individuals in those states.  Now, with the recent amendment to the Stafford Act, we have an opportunity to change those rules with regards to the sovereignty of tribal nations. 

In a little more than two months since the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act became law, the President has already signed two disaster declarations directly for Indian Country. The new changes have already resulted in federal disaster assistance going directly to tribal communities.

But there’s still much to be done. That’s why we’re having these consultation calls, gathering feedback online, and asking for e-mails. Once the consultation concludes, FEMA will draft proposed rules. Learn more about how to join this discussion by visiting FEMA’s online collaboration community, or send us an e-mail at tribalconsultation@fema.dhs.gov.

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.

Original article – 

ICYMI: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Calls for Tribal Input on Disaster Assistance

N.Y. disaster recovery center to become SBA disaster loan outreach center

NEW YORK – The disaster recovery center in Long Beach, N.Y., currently staffed by state and federal specialists, will become a disaster loan outreach center operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, April 13.

Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until 8 p.m. Friday, April 12, to visit the disaster recovery center at the Recreation Center and Ice Arena, 700 Magnolia Blvd., Long Beach, N.Y., 11561.

A disaster recovery center typically meets the more immediate concerns of survivors, while a disaster loan outreach center focuses on funds needed for long-term rebuilding and recovery.

At an SBA disaster loan outreach center, homeowners, renters and businesses will be able to talk individually with SBA representatives. Visitors can ask questions about SBA low-interest disaster loans, get help filling out a loan application and submit completed applications.

No one is required to accept a loan, but returning a completed application could lead to other assistance from FEMA.

SBA disaster assistance includes:

  • Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate or personal property. Renters are eligible for personal property losses, including automobiles.
  • Business Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size may apply. Certain private, nonprofit organizations may also be eligible.

The outreach center will operate 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Survivors can obtain more information about the low-interest SBA disaster loan by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 TTY). Survivors can download SBA loan applications at www.sba.gov or apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Survivors who need to visit a disaster recovery center may do so at any of the other centers that remain open throughout New York.

To find the nearest center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, the disaster recovery center locator is available at FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals also can find a recovery center – and register for FEMA help – at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app.

Survivors who have questions or want to register with FEMA can also call the helpline, 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week until further notice.

Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until Saturday, April 13, to register for possible federal disaster assistance, which can include money for rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Originally posted here: 

N.Y. disaster recovery center to become SBA disaster loan outreach center

Rhode Island Looking Toward Long-Term Disaster Recovery

WARWICK, RI–Spring is just around the corner, and it is the ideal time to start home repairs. For many Rhode Islanders, this year’s springtime repairs include repairing damages from Hurricane Sandy, the Blizzard of 2013, or other severe weather events.

Rhode Islanders who sustained damages from recent severe weather events can call 2-1-1 for a referral to a Long Term Recovery Group or to other disaster aid resources. Information about smart and safe rebuilding is available on the FEMA website, according to FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer James N. Russo

Two key partners in the long-term recovery process are community organizations and faith-based groups. Faith-based groups report that they continue to receive requests for assistance from storm survivors who are struggling to find their “new normal”. 

“We urge anyone who is tackling storm repairs to consider the fact that it costs less to prepare your home for future storms and flooding than it does to repair damage after it has happened,” Russo said.

FEMA has a library of information with techniques to make property safer and stronger at www.fema.gov/protect-your-property-or-business-disaster.

Find tweets about Sandy recovery at www.twitter.com/femaregion1. For Rhode Island specific information go to http://www.fema.gov/sandyri. Other online resources include https://twitter.com/FEMASandy and http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/FEMASandy and http://blog.fema.gov.

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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Rhode Island Looking Toward Long-Term Disaster Recovery

Federal Disaster Assistance in Connecticut Following Sandy Tops One Quarter Billion Dollars

WINDSOR, Conn. — More than a quarter billion dollars in federal disaster grants, loans and insurance settlements is supporting the ongoing Connecticut recovery from Hurricane Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today.

As of close of business March 20:

  • 12,380 Connecticut residents in the counties of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London, and in the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations located within New London County, signed up for federal disaster assistance during the registration period which ended Feb. 12;
  • $12,068,937 was approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs;
  • $997,312 was approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions;
  • $40,829,200 in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration;
  • $10,969 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance has been approved as a result of Sandy;
  • $3,529,608 in Public Assistance grants has so far been obligated to municipalities statewide for Sandy-related expenses. Under the PA program, FEMA expects to reimburse the state, local governments and tribal nations more than $52 million in storm-related expenses, which represents the 75 percent federal share of such projects. FEMA continues to obligate funding for approved PA projects; and
  • 4,939 flood insurance claims totaling $195,555,764 have been paid to date, representing nearly 90 percent of total National Flood Insurance Program claims in the state of Connecticut following Hurricane Sandy.

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 800-621-3362. 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.

For accessibility: The recommended font type is sans serif 12 point for regular print and sans serif 18 point when specifically printed for people with vision impairments.

From – 

Federal Disaster Assistance in Connecticut Following Sandy Tops One Quarter Billion Dollars

Two Weeks Left To Register For Federal Disaster Assistance

TRENTON, N.J. — Hurricane Sandy survivors who had storm-related damages in New Jersey have just two weeks left to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Federal disaster assistance applications are due by Monday, April 1.

April 1 is also the deadline to return applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans, which is the primary source of federal funds for long-term rebuilding. Survivors can apply for an SBA disaster home or business loans by filling out an online application at DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela.                                                               

Survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance are urged to stay in touch with FEMA and SBA. Applicants should notify FEMA and SBA of changes to their mailing addresses, phone numbers or email addresses.

Survivors can register online and check on the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. They also can call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. Recovery assistants remain available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

There are nine disaster recovery centers open in Atlantic, Cape May, Hudson, Monmouth and Ocean counties. FEMA staff is available at the centers to provide clarification to letters, assist survivors with finding a temporary home if their primary residence was damaged or destroyed, check on the status of applications for assistance or refer survivors to other agencies that may provide additional help. Survivors can locate their nearest center by going to FEMA.gov/DRC.       

Survivors can ask questions about their SBA disaster home or business loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Additional resources are available online at FEMA.gov/SandyNJ and SBA.gov/Sandy.

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.

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Two Weeks Left To Register For Federal Disaster Assistance

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