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Mandeville Disaster Recovery Center Transitions to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center

BATON ROUGE, La. — The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center closing Saturday in St. Tammany Parish will convert to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) on Monday, Oct. 22.

At the DLOC, SBA representatives will answer questions, explain the application process and help survivors apply for low-interest disaster loans.
FEMA Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation specialists will also be on hand at the DLOC to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to Hurricane Isaac survivors.

The DLOC will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice at:

Mandeville Public Works Department
1100 Mandeville High Blvd.
Mandeville, LA 70471

To be considered for state/federal disaster assistance, survivors should first register with FEMA, online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

SBA provides federal low-interest disaster loans up to $200,000 to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered property damage during the storm.

For SBA information or to apply online, visit www.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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Mandeville Disaster Recovery Center Transitions to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center

$20 Million Approved in Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Isaac

CLINTON, Miss. – In nearly seven weeks since Hurricane Isaac struck Mississippi, more than $20.3 million in state and federal aid has been approved to help those affected.

MEMA and FEMA provide the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Oct. 15:

Nearly 6,100 households have received FEMA grants that assist with housing and personal property loss.
Nearly $12.1 million has been approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance, home repair and replacement costs.
Almost $2.2 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Nearly $6.1 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to assist homeowners, renters and businesses.
More than 19,500 home inspections have been completed.
There were more than 10,200 visits to 16 disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.

Almost 24,800 survivors in designated counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance. Many people sought housing assistance from FEMA because their primary homes were unlivable or inaccessible.

While all disaster recovery centers have closed, survivors can still have recovery questions answered by FEMA specialists this week at locations in Franklin and Jones counties.

Those who have already registered for disaster assistance should stay in contact with FEMA if they change their mailing address, phone number or e-mail address, if they receive an insurance settlement, or discover additional damage by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

The Helpline is also available for Mississippians who have needs not met by federal assistance. It is a good source of information referring survivors to state and local organizations and partner agencies such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors may also call 2-1-1 to be connected to volunteer or faith-based organizations that may be able to help them with resources and needs.

Survivors have through Wednesday, Oct. 31 to register for disaster assistance. They should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use
711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Businesses that need help may contact the SBA directly at the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY) 800-877-8339, send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply.

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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$20 Million Approved in Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Isaac

Cleveland County Residents Cautioned to Protect Themselves from Post-Disaster Scam Artists

OKLAHOMA CITY – As Cleveland County residents work to rebuild following the devastating Aug. 3-14 wildfire, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are cautioning them about phony, unscrupulous building contractors and other scam artists that often take advantage of people following a disaster.

“In the wake of a disaster, it’s common to see the generous side of human nature. Unfortunately, there are also those people who may try to take advantage of victims during this stressful time,” said OEM Deputy Director and State Coordinating Officer Michelann Ooten.

“Disasters often bring out the best and worst in people,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III. “We strongly recommend that those who are rebuilding their homes and lives take a few simple steps to make sure they’re dealing with a reputable person.”

The first and best defense is to know the most common post-disaster fraud practices:

Phony housing inspectors: If a home’s damage is visible from the street, the homeowner may be especially vulnerable to the phony housing inspector who claims to represent FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
What to do to help protect yourself?

Ask to see the inspector’s identification badge. All federal employees and contractors carry official, laminated photo identification. A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not proof of someone’s affiliation with the government.
Don’t give bank account numbers to an inspector claiming to be affiliated with the federal government. FEMA inspectors never require banking information.
Don’t believe anyone that says they are endorsed by FEMA. FEMA does not endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs. FEMA contracts with inspectors to verify losses.

Fraudulent building contractors: Damage visible from the street also can bring out scam contractors who visit your home offering to begin work immediately, usually for an upfront payment. Most legitimate contractors will have more work than they can handle after a disaster and will provide you a written estimate for completion.
When you hire a contractor:

Use licensed local contractors backed by reliable references when possible. Get a written estimate from at least three contractors, including the cost of labor and materials, and read the fine print.
Demand that contractors carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If they don’t, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.
Note that the state of Oklahoma doesn’t license residential construction contractors, except in the electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades. But there are some special requirements for non-resident contractors.
To find out if an electrician, plumber or mechanical contractor is licensed in Oklahoma, call the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board at 1-405-521-6550 or toll-free at 1-877-484-4424 or check online at http://cibverify.ok.gov.

Bogus pleas for post-disaster donations: Understand that disaster aid solicitations may arrive by phone, email, letter or face-to-face visits. You can ensure the solicitation is legitimate if you:

Ask for the charity’s exact name, street address, phone number, and web address, then phone the charity directly and confirm that the person asking for funds is an employee or volunteer.
Think before you give cash — instead, pay by check made out to the charity in case you must stop funds later.
Request a receipt with the charity’s name, street address, phone number and web address (if applicable). Legitimate nonprofit agencies routinely provide receipts for tax purposes.

Fake offers of state or federal aid:

If someone claiming to be from FEMA or the state visits, calls or emails asking for your Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information, be cautious. Don’t provide any personal information unless you made the initial call.
Do not trust any phone or in-person solicitor who promises to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance or building permit process.
Some scam artists may promise to provide a disaster grant in return for large cash deposits or advance payments in full. Never agree to pay any amount of money for a disaster grant.

It is important to know that federal and state workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and SBA never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. If ever in doubt, do not give out personal information and report people claiming to be government workers to local police.

Provide your Social Security number and banking information only when registering for FEMA assistance; online at www.disasterassistance.gov; via a web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov; by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585; using 711-Relay or Video Relay
Services call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

Register with the SBA online at its secure site: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339; or visit the Noble Disaster Recovery Center. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

If you suspect someone is perpetrating fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at
1-866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement agencies and to the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General at 1-918-581-2885 or online at www.oag.state.ok.us.

Disaster survivors who have any questions can call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov.

Follow OEM on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement.

FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6.
Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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Cleveland County Residents Cautioned to Protect Themselves from Post-Disaster Scam Artists

Disaster Assistance Deadline Extended

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today, the deadline to apply for disaster assistance in both Cleveland and Creek counties is being extended to Wednesday, Nov. 21.

“We want to make sure that all eligible residents have enough time to apply for assistance,” said State Coordinating Officer and OEM Deputy Director Michelann Ooten. “The two counties were not declared at the same time. That is why we are extending the deadline.”

“We hope this additional time will ensure that every one in Cleveland and Creek counties affected by the wildfires has an opportunity to register for state and federal assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III of FEMA. “We want to be sure to reach all wildfire survivors who still need help.”

Nov. 21 will be the last day for residents to apply for state and federal disaster assistance to help them recover from the Aug. 3-14 wildfires This deadline also applies to homeowners, renters and businesses submitting applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Residents with computers or smartphones may apply or track their status online at; www.disasterassistance.gov, or web-enabled phones at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app, or if they prefer, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

Homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the wildfires, can apply for an SBA disaster loan after registering with FEMA by going online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; calling 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339. For information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits for their uncompensated physical disaster losses (homes, personal property and business assets). For small businesses and most private nonprofits, SBA disaster loans are available to cover working capital needs caused by the disaster, whether or not the business suffered physical damage.

To date, more than 750 residents of Cleveland and Creek counties have applied for assistance. Nearly $9.8 million in federal assistance has been distributed in Cleveland and Creek counties to help residents with their recovery efforts.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4078 or www.oem.ok.gov. Information can also be accessed via smartphone at m.fema.gov or the FEMA app.

Follow the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/okem and www.facebook.com/oklahomadepartmentofemergencymanagement. FEMA tweets about the Oklahoma disaster are at twitter.com/femaregion6. Additional FEMA online resources include blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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Disaster Assistance Deadline Extended

One Month After Isaac Mississippi Recovery Continues

CLINTON, Miss. – In the month after Hurricane Isaac, Mississippians have received more than
$16.2 million in federal disaster assistance to help homeowners, renters and businesses recover.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency provide the following snapshot of disaster recovery efforts as of Sept. 30:

More than 7,800 households have received FEMA grants that assist with housing, rental assistance and personal property loss due to the storm.
Nearly $10.9 million has been approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance, home repair and replacement costs.
More than $1.9 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Nearly $3.5 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to assist homeowners, renters and businesses with the cost of repairing or replacing lost or damaged structures and personal property.
Nearly 23,500 survivors in designated counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance from FEMA, the state and volunteer agencies.
More than 17,700 home inspections have been completed.
More than 8,400 people have visited 16 disaster recovery centers.

Applications must be received by Wednesday, Oct. 31 to be considered for disaster assistance from FEMA and the SBA.

People can register with FEMA in any of the following methods:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
By tablet or smartphone, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.
By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Assistance is available in most languages. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Homeowners, renters and businesses may go to disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply. For more information contact SBA’s Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Those who receive a disaster loan application from the SBA are urged to fill it out as soon as possible or complete the application online. It does not obligate you to accept the loan, but if you’re a homeowner or renter and turned down you may be referred back to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for grant consideration.

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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.

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

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One Month After Isaac Mississippi Recovery Continues

Less Than One Month To Ask For FEMA Help

CLINTON, Miss. – Disaster survivors in Mississippi counties affected by Hurricane Isaac have until October 31 to request federal disaster assistance.

Homeowners and renters may request help with the following:

Temporary housing.
Home repairs.
Other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration that may cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Applicants can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by mobile device at m.fema.gov or through the FEMA toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

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Less Than One Month To Ask For FEMA Help

FEMA, Private Sector Partner to Share Critical Information with Millions of Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – Critical recovery information has reached more than 2.3 million Hurricane Isaac survivors in Louisiana via Private Sector pathways, including businesses and nonprofit groups.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has partnered with the Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center, chambers of commerce and trade associations to share messaging such as how to register for federal disaster assistance in prominent locations. Examples include:

The Outdoor Advertising Association of America displaying important registration information on electronic billboards,
In Lafourche Parish, Water District #1 and South Coast Gas Co. included registration information with their bills, while Vision Communication posted that information on its community access channel, and
Lodgenet Interactive Corporation flashing that same registration information on screens in 23,000 local hotel rooms.

Businesses have even asked their workers to spread the word, helping the registration message reach more Hurricane Isaac survivors.

FEMA’s Private Sector and Community Relations specialists have also teamed up to reach out to small, independent and owner-operated businesses, going door to door to learn about the challenges they face and to inform them of possible resources that may help them recover faster.

“The private sector plays an essential role in a community’s recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall of FEMA. “Their partnership and collaboration with government agencies helps all of us carry out the mission of recovery in Louisiana.”

The major disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac made federal assistance available to eligible survivors in 21 parishes: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington and West Feliciana.

Individuals, families and business owners who sustained uninsured and underinsured damages in those parishes can register for assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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).

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FEMA, Private Sector Partner to Share Critical Information with Millions of Survivors

Five More Counties Designated For Disaster Assistance

CLINTON, Miss. – Five additional Mississippi counties affected by Hurricane Isaac have been designated to receive Individual Assistance from FEMA.

Survivors who had losses in Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Jones and Lamar counties are now eligible to register for assistance. Adams, Amite, Clarke, Forrest, George, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Pearl River, Stone, Walthall, Warren and Wilkinson counties were previously designated.

Applicants should register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Homeowners and renters can register for federal disaster assistance that may help pay for:

Temporary housing;
Home repairs;
Other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs; and
Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration that may cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

People in the newly designated counties who have already registered for federal disaster assistance do not need to do so again. If they have any questions about their applications for disaster assistance, they should call 800-621-3362.

FEMA inspectors are currently visiting the primary residences of disaster applicants in Mississippi to assess damages related to Hurricane Isaac. Inspectors are private contractors and always display identification badges. They will contact applicants to make appointments before visiting properties.

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Five More Counties Designated For Disaster Assistance

Gramercy Disaster Recovery Center to Close Saturday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Survivors in St. James Parish have only a few days left to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center located in Gramercy, as the center closes at 6 p.m.

on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Although the center will be closing, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the closing at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The Gramercy center is located at:

New Zion Christian Center

216 W. Main St.

Gramercy, LA 70052

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday.

Recovery centers have opened in many affected parishes to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured losses to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

Gramercy Disaster Recovery Center to Close Saturday

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in West Feliciana Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. — A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is open through Friday in West Feliciana Parish to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured damage to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

Specialists from the state of Louisiana, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

The center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday at:

St. Francisville Town Hall

11936 Ferdinand St.

St. Francisville, LA 70775

For a list of open centers in Louisiana go online to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

Survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

SBA offers federal low-interest disaster loans to residents and businesses. After registering with FEMA, visit any Disaster Recovery Center where SBA representatives will answer questions, explain the application process and help each resident or business owner apply to SBA. For SBA information or to apply online, visit www.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens in West Feliciana Parish

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