Advice on Preventing Damage from Future Storms Offered at Home Improvement Store in Denton County, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – As Texans rebuild or repair their homes damaged by the May 4 through

June 22 storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA specialists will be on hand in Denton County at in-store information centers to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Also, if you’re thinking of building a storm shelter or safe room, literature is available about the best options. Safe rooms built to FEMA specifications have saved thousands of lives.

Advisors will be available at the following location on dates and times noted:

Location and hours of operation

Lowe’s

1255 South Loop

Denton, TX 76205

Aug. 13 – 18, Thursday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets in English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage and cleaning up mold and mildew. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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

 

 

View original article – 

Advice on Preventing Damage from Future Storms Offered at Home Improvement Store in Denton County, Texas

Oklahomans Have Less than Two Weeks to Register for Federal Disaster Assistance

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the May 5 through June 22 storms have less than two weeks to register for state and federal disaster assistance.

Homeowners, renters and businesses in 45 counties approved for Individual Assistance have until August 26 to seek assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The designated counties are Adair, Atoka, Beckham, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Cotton, Delaware, Garvin, Grady, Hughes, Jefferson, Johnston, Kiowa, Latimer, Le Flore, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Marshall, Mayes, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Ottawa, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Rogers, Seminole, Stephens, Tillman, Tulsa and Wagoner.

To date, more than $44.9 million has been provided to Oklahoma disaster survivors. This assistance includes $16.5 million in funding for disaster related housing needs and other disaster related expenses, more than $18.7 in SBA loans, and more than $9.7 million in payments to survivors through the National Flood Insurance Program.

SBA has issued 1,463 applications for low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and businesses. More than $16.9 million has been approved for homeowners, and more than $1.7 million in loans has been approved for business owners rebuilding after the storms.

There have been more than 10,445 total registrations for assistance. There are several ways to register for assistance. Call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov, using a computer, tablet or smartphone.
Once survivors have registered they may have questions about the process. All questions can be answered either face-to-face at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or by calling the FEMA Helpline. There have been 4,329 visitors to mobile and fixed-site DRCs.

To find the recovery center nearest you visit http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm, or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. DRCs are one-stop shops where survivors can get information and guidance on the disaster assistance that may be available.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov. 

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Oklahomans Have Less than Two Weeks to Register for Federal Disaster Assistance

Disaster Recovery Center Opens at New Location in San Marcos for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas –A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Hays County at a new location in San Marcos, Texas, for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 22.

Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

The recovery center serves survivors from any of the 47 counties designated for Individual Assistance who need one-on-one help. State and federal professionals will be available to assist eligible survivors to get help as quickly as possible.

Location and hours of operation

San Marcos Activity Center

Front Lobby Area

501 E Hopkins Street

San Marcos, TX 78666

 

Tuesday, Aug. 11, noon to 6 p.m.

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Closed on Sundays

People who had storm damage can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll-free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available. Registration deadline is Aug. 27.

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

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it. Some of the services may include:

  • Guidance regarding disaster recovery

  • Clarification of any written correspondence received

  • Housing Assistance and Rental Resources information

  • Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance

  • Status of applications being processed

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.
 

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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

 

 

 

Source:  

Disaster Recovery Center Opens at New Location in San Marcos for Texas Flood Survivors

Disaster Recovery Center to Close in San Marcos, Texas, But Help is Still Available in Wimberley

AUSTIN, Texas –The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), located at the San Marcos Crossroads Building, Classrooms 17 and 18, 501 South LBJ Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, in Hays County will close at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.

The DRC located at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, TX 78676, in Hays County will remain open until further notice. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

DRCs, operated by the State of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and supported by other agencies, remain open until the needs of area residents have been met. The centers serve as a one-stop shop for information and guidance about disaster assistance.

Those with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who decide to register for assistance after a DRC closes, have several ways to obtain information:

The deadline for registering with FEMA and applying for an SBA loan is Aug. 27.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/.

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

###

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

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Disaster Recovery Center to Close in San Marcos, Texas, But Help is Still Available in Wimberley

Disaster Recovery Center to Close in Bastrop County, Texas, But Help is Still Available

AUSTIN, Texas –The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), located at the ROTC Building/Bastrop High School, 1200 Cedar St., Bastrop, TX 78602, in Bastrop County will close at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.

DRCs, operated by the State of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and supported by other agencies, remain open until the needs of area residents have been met. The centers serve as a one-stop shop for information and guidance about disaster assistance.

Those with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who decide to register for assistance after a DRC closes, have several ways to obtain information:

The deadline for registering with FEMA and applying for an SBA loan is Aug. 27.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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

###

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

View original article: 

Disaster Recovery Center to Close in Bastrop County, Texas, But Help is Still Available

Texas Privately Owned Road and Bridge Repair

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program grants may be used to repair disaster-damaged privately owned access roads if:

  • The survivor meets all of the basic eligibility criteria for the Individuals and Households Program assistance

  • The survivor is the homeowner, and the home is their primary residence

In addition, the road/bridge repairs must meet at least one of the following:

  • The road/bridge is the only access to the property

  • The home cannot be accessed due to damaged infrastructure

  • The safety of the occupants could be adversely affected without the repairs.

The eligible grant is based on specific repair items, disaster-related, and limited to the minimum repairs necessary to enable an applicant to access their residence. Repairs must satisfy all environmental and local, state and federal requirements, including permits.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), FEMA’s federal partner in disaster recovery, also may be able to help. Private property owners, established homeowner associations and properties governed by covenant may apply for low-interest disaster loans directly through SBA. These funds can be used to repair or replace private roads and bridges. Privately owned access roads owned by homeowner associations may also apply directly to the SBA.

Homeowners who share access roads and bridges with other homeowners or families, may be eligible for repair grants or SBA loans under certain circumstances. In some cases, sharing the cost of repairs with funds obtained through a combination of FEMA, SBA loans, and private funds may be another option.

  • Awards will be made separately to eligible applicants who share the access route if they provide a statement to FEMA that they will use the award to make repairs to the access route, and

  • They understand that they are responsible for securing permits and complying with local codes and ordinances.

  • They do not have an established Homeowners Association (HOA) or Covenant responsible for repair of the access route; or

  • The established HOA or covenant responsible for the repair of the access route is unable to receive assistance from the SBA or private insurance.

Each affected homeowner should register with FEMA individually. Requests for private road or bridge repair assistance are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

  • Repair grants will not include improvements to the access route’s pre-disaster condition unless improvements are required by current State and/or local building codes.

  • An applicant with access and functional needs, such as a physical disability that requires access for a particular vehicle, may be approved for additional funds to improve the access if required for safe passage.

  • Assistance for an access road cannot exceed the combined maximum grant to all eligible applicants.

If the cost of repairs exceeds the funding FEMA can award, FEMA may be able to refer applicants to other federal or voluntary agencies for additional assistance. Applicants are urged to stay in touch with FEMA.

To discuss their circumstances, survivors should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 800-462-7585.

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NOTE: link to Privately Owned Access Routes

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. 

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation  for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

 

View original article:

Texas Privately Owned Road and Bridge Repair

Disaster Recovery Center to Relocate in Hidalgo County for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Hidalgo County will relocate to a new location on Monday, Aug. 3, for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 22.

Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

The recovery center serves survivors from any of the 47 counties designated for Individual Assistance who need one-on-one help. State and federal professionals will be available to assist eligible survivors to get help as quickly as possible.

New location and hours of operation

Hidalgo County WIC Building (Off 495 and Ferguson next to the Fire Department)

1903 N. Knights Dr. (For GPS use Fir Street.)

Pharr, TX 78577

Monday, Aug. 3, noon to 6 p.m.

 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday,

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Closed Sunday
 

People who had storm damage can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll-free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available. Registration deadline is Aug. 27.

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

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it. Some of the services may include:

  • Guidance regarding disaster recovery

  • Clarification of any written correspondence received

  • Housing Assistance and Rental Resources information

  • Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance

  • Status of applications being processed by FEMA

     

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.
 

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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

 

 

 

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Disaster Recovery Center to Relocate in Hidalgo County for Texas Flood Survivors

Two Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Wharton County for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – Two State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will open on Monday, Aug. 3 and Thursday, Aug. 6, at noon in Wharton County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 22.

Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

The recovery center serves survivors from any of the 47 counties designated for Individual Assistance who need one-on-one help. State and federal professionals will be available to assist eligible survivors to get help as quickly as possible.

Locations, dates and hours of operation:

 

El Campo Civic Center

2450 North Mechanic St.

El Campo, TX 77437

Monday, Aug. 3, noon to 6 p.m.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 4-5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

City of Wharton Civic Center

1924 North Fulton St.

Wharton, TX 77488

Thursday, Aug. 6, noon to 6 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7-8 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 

People who had storm damage can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll-free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available. Registration deadline is Aug. 27.

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

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it. Some of the services may include:

  • Guidance regarding disaster recovery

  • Clarification of any written correspondence received

  • Housing Assistance and Rental Resources information

  • Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance

  • Status of applications being processed by FEMA

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA may be available to cover losses not fully

compensated by insurance or other resources and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.
 

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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

See original article here: 

Two Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Wharton County for Texas Flood Survivors

Communities urged to apply for aid that helps build more disaster-resistant infrastructure

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Federal assistance may be available to help Arkansas communities rebuild infrastructure to higher, more disaster-resistant standards and state officials are encouraging local governments to take advantage of that funding.

The assistance to communities is part of the aid that became available following the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015.

“Generally, the federal Public Assistance program restores disaster damaged infrastructure to pre-disaster conditions,” said Nancy M. Casper, federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “But when cost effective and technically feasible, it makes sense to rebuild to higher standards that can prevent future loss.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides federal funds to reimburse a minimum of 75 percent of the costs for removing debris, conducting emergency protective measures and repairing levees, roads, bridges, public utilities, water control facilities, public buildings and parks. Mitigation funding may be considered in each project category.

Eligible applicants may include:

  • state agencies

  • local and county governments

  • private nonprofit organizations that own or operate facilities that provide essential government-type services

“Studies show that every $1 paid toward mitigation saves an average of $4 in future disaster-related costs,” said State Coordinating Officer Scott Bass of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management Agency. “By adding mitigation money to repair costs, our goal is to reduce or eliminate damages from future disasters.”

As part of the process for applying for federal assistance, experts from ADEM and FEMA help identify projects that will qualify for the special mitigation program. Officials urge applicants to take advantage of the funds.

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.

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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Communities urged to apply for aid that helps build more disaster-resistant infrastructure

State and Federal Disaster Assistance Tops $40 Million for Recent Oklahoma Storms

OKLAHOMA CITY – To date, Oklahomans have received more than $40.7 million in grants, low-interest loans and insurance settlements from the federal government, helping to rebuild the lives of families and help out businesses affected by the severe weather and subsequent flooding during the period of May 5 through June 22.

Nearly 10,000 families have registered for assistance with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The disaster assistance, which totals more than $40.7 million, includes more than $15.5 million approved for homeowners and renters, more than $13.2 million in grants for housing, including home repairs and rental assistance, and more than $2.1 million for Other Needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property essential to the home. It also includes more than $8.6 million in payments to survivors through the National Flood Insurance Program and more than $16.7 million in SBA loans.

SBA has issued 1,342 applications for low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and businesses. More than $15.5 million has been approved for homeowners, and more than $1.2 million in loans has been approved for business owners rebuilding after the storms.

Low-interest SBA disaster loans may be available to businesses of all sizes as well as certain private nonprofit organizations. Homeowners and renters are also eligible for SBA loans for uninsured loss. These loans cannot duplicate benefits from other agencies or compensation from other organizations.

FEMA deployed 88 Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists going door to door in the affected 45 counties. To date, they have visited 18,878 homes and 889 community-based organizations delivering recovery information and guidance. These specialists have also registered 647 survivors for disaster assistance. A total of 4,206 people have visited DRCs.

Survivors may apply for state and federal assistance online with any computer, smartphone, or tablet at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Hours to register by phone: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov. 

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State and Federal Disaster Assistance Tops $40 Million for Recent Oklahoma Storms

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