state - femacontract.com

PRELIMINARY FLOOD MAPS IN CHAMBERS AND COASTAL HARRIS COUNTY, TX READY FOR PUBLIC VIEW Public Open House Scheduled to Share Map Changes and Flood Risk…

DENTON, Texas –Homeowners, renters and business owners in the Texas counties of Chambers and coastal communities in Harris are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

County officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the preliminary maps to communities and unincorporated areas in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks and use that information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and any future development.

The Texas-based coastal flood mapping effort follows the release of a new, comprehensive storm surge study that gives updated information on coastal flood risks. To share that data, public workshops are scheduled in each of the counties where interested citizens can obtain more information about the proposed changes.

Harris County                                     Harris County                                          Chambers County
Tuesday, June 25                               Wednesday, June 26                                Thursday, June 27
Webster Civic Center                         Webster Civic Center                                  Baytown Community Center
311 Pennsylvania Ave.                         311 Pennsylvania Ave.                                 2407 Market St.
Webster, TX 77598                             Webster, TX 77598                                      Baytown, TX 77520
2 p.m. – 8 p.m.                                   2 p.m. – 8 p.m.                                            2 p.m. – 8 p.m.

“As we work together with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to these counties, we ask that everyone review the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said FEMA R6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The role of the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

Additional information is available, including links to the interactive mapping website on www.txchart.com. Residents can also contact the floodplain administrator in each county for more details.

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 us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

View original post here –

PRELIMINARY FLOOD MAPS IN CHAMBERS AND COASTAL HARRIS COUNTY, TX READY FOR PUBLIC VIEW Public Open House Scheduled to Share Map Changes and Flood Risk…

FEMA AUTHORIZES FUNDS tO HELP FIGHT COLORADO’S WEST FORK COMPLEX FIRE

DENVER – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the West Fork Complex in Mineral and Rio Grande counties.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Doug Gore has approved the state’s request for a Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire was threatening over 200 homes in and around the town of South Fork and numerous rural subdivisions and scattered homes. Mandatory evacuations have been issued for 250 to 300 homes and there are several thousand additional tourists included in the mandatory evacuation area. The fire is also threatening watersheds, recreation and tourism in the area. US Highway 160 is closed due to the fire between the town of South Fork and Treasure Falls.

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

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

# # #

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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.

More here:

FEMA AUTHORIZES FUNDS tO HELP FIGHT COLORADO’S WEST FORK COMPLEX FIRE

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Black Forest and Royal Gorge Fires

DENVER — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Royal Gorge Fire in Fremont County and Black Forest Fire in El Paso County.

At the time the State of Colorado submitted the requests for a fire management assistance declaration for both fires were threatening homes, businesses and infrastructure. Hundreds of people had been evacuated in both areas.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Doug Gore determined each of the fires threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster, and the state’s requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants were approved for both fires.

Link:

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Black Forest and Royal Gorge Fires

Help is Just a Mouse Click or Smartphone Screen Tap Away

Main Content

Release date:

June 20, 2013

Release Number:

FS 003 DR 4117

Many online resources are available for survivors of the May 18-June 2 severe storms, flooding and tornadoes in Oklahoma. Helpful links include:

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Disaster information is available from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

The State of Oklahoma offers general information for storm survivors

Report fraud to the office of the Oklahoma Attorney General.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department provides insurance information.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance may be available for those who lost jobs or income due to the storms.

Oklahoma VOAD provides information about how to volunteer to help recovery.

OklahomaStrong provides information for those who need or can offer help.

Volunteer lawyers are offering free legal advice to disaster survivors.

FEDERAL

Apply for help from FEMA.

Get Oklahoma disaster information from FEMA.

Find Disaster Recovery Centers for various types of assistance.

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.

Rebuilding advice is available from FEMA hazard mitigation specialists.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service provides tax guidance.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides home-repair information.

FEMA is on Facebook.

###

Last Updated:

June 20, 2013 – 15:25

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Oklahoma

Related Disaster:

Oklahoma Severe Storms and Tornadoes

Source article:

Help is Just a Mouse Click or Smartphone Screen Tap Away

President Declares Disaster for Michigan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Michigan to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by flooding during the period of April 16 to May 14, 2013.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by flooding in Allegan, Baraga, Barry, Gogebic, Houghton, Ionia, Kent, Keweenaw, Marquette, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ontonagon, Osceola, Ottawa, and Saginaw counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Mark A. Neveau has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Neveau said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

# # #

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, 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.

From:

President Declares Disaster for Michigan

FEMA Continues Disaster Recovery Mission in West, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – In the nearly eight weeks since the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion, the state of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have had personnel in West working side by side with local officials and the community to help them recover.

On April 19, 2013, an Emergency Declaration was granted for the explosion in West, Texas providing immediate financial assistance to assist the state in the response. FEMA personnel arrived April 20 to begin preliminary damage assessments of homes and businesses affected by the explosion.

“We have physically been in the City of West since April 20 working alongside survivors, the city of West and McLennan County to maximize our efforts under the current Emergency Declaration,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “There is a lot of work that remains to be done. FEMA in partnership with the state of Texas will have a presence in West as long as needed.”

On May 1, the Emergency Declaration was amended to include the Individual and Households Program. The state and FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in West on May 4 to begin helping survivors with applying for federal disaster assistance. The center transitioned to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center June 3. Since the opening on May 4, the center has received more than 1200 new and repeat visitors.

Even though the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center closed June 13, FEMA personnel including Individual Assistance and Public Assistance specialists will remain at that location to continue to work with survivors. FEMA specialists will be available at the POINTWEST bank to help register survivors, accept and process additional insurance documentation and provide residents with the status of their applications until the registration period ends June 18.

“We are committed to registering every eligible survivor,” Hannes said. “We have registered 789 survivors so far and we are proactively contacting each applicant once again as part of a 100 percent review and outreach initiative. To date, more than $7.6 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for survivors.”

FEMA continues to have personnel in West and in Austin actively working with state and local officials to prepare Public Assistance project worksheets for reimbursement of costs related to emergency protective measures and debris removal authorized under the current Federal Emergency Declaration. “We are working diligently to reimburse the City of West, McLennan County and the State of Texas for expenses incurred while performing life-saving and emergency protective measures immediately following the explosion,” Hannes continued.

More than $1.1 million in Public Assistance funds have been obligated to the state to reimburse agencies that responded to the explosion. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs while the state and/or applicant cover the remaining 25 percent.

Survivors who have not registered with FEMA can do so by going 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. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The registration deadline is June 18.

Read article here:

FEMA Continues Disaster Recovery Mission in West, Texas

FEMA Registration Deadline Approaching for West, Texas Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – West, Texas residents affected by the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion are encouraged to register for disaster assistance from the state of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before the June 18 deadline.

Survivors can register now at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

“As we approach the June 18th deadline, we encourage anyone who has not yet registered with FEMA to do so now,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “Even if you think your damages may be covered by insurance, register now and let us determine your eligibility.”

Low-interest disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster.

“Even residents who believe they have complete insurance coverage often find they have a substantial shortfall and need additional financial help,” Hannes continued. “We remain committed to helping West survivors until they have received all the state and federal assistance they are eligible to receive.”

SBA’s Disaster Assistance will continue to be available beyond FEMA’s June 18 deadline. The filing deadline to return SBA applications for property damage is July 1, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 3, 2014.

For more information about SBA’s Disaster Assistance, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877 8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

Continue reading:

FEMA Registration Deadline Approaching for West, Texas Survivors

President Declares Disaster for Vermont

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Vermont to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of May 22-26, 2013.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in Chittenden, Essex, and Lamoille counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Mark H. Landry has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Landry said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

# # #

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, 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.

See the original post:

President Declares Disaster for Vermont

Flood or Wind Damage? Get Permits Before Rebuilding

AURORA, Ill. – Before beginning new construction or repairs of property damaged during the recent spring severe weather, residents are urged to consult with local building officials to obtain the necessary permits.

“Obtaining building permits is especially important for those with homes or businesses located within a FEMA-mapped floodplain,” said State Coordinating Officer Jonathon Monken, the Illinois official in charge of disaster recovery. “Residents rebuilding after the recent severe weather need to know that building permits are based on local codes and ordinances that are enforced locally, not by FEMA.”

Permits assure residents and communities that all proposed work complies with current codes, standards, flood ordinances and recommended construction techniques. Permits that include an elevation certificate can provide a permanent record of compliance with elevation, and/or retrofitting requirements, which is useful information for flood insurance ratings, and when selling your home.

Often, local permit offices can provide suggestions or literature on how to protect your home or business from future disaster-related damage.

Floodplain development permits are required and repair projects must meet community building codes and flood-damage prevention ordinances. Repairs begun without proper permits may be subject to stop-work orders, fines or penalties.

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to register for disaster assistance. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Continued here:

Flood or Wind Damage? Get Permits Before Rebuilding

Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxes

AURORA, Ill. – State and federal disaster assistance is not treated as income and is not taxable. It also does not affect Social Security benefits, nor does it affect a recipient’s eligibility for other federal assistance programs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has so far awarded more than $80.9 million dollars in disaster grants to individuals affected by the Illinois storms of April 16-May 5. Those grants have paid for temporary housing and other needs, such as personal property loss, medical care, and transportation. Here are answers to some typically asked questions:

Question: Will receiving a grant cause my income to increase to the point that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, or food stamps, or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).

Answer: No. Grants for housing and Other Needs Assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for any income-tested benefit programs that receives U.S. government funds.

Question: I took my Social Security benefits early. If I earn more than a certain amount each year, I must repay $1 of my Social Security payment for every $2 I earn. Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security?

Answer: No. FEMA grants for housing and ONA are not counted as income.

Question: I’m over 65, but if I earn more than a certain amount, I must pay tax on my Social Security income. Will a FEMA grant boost my income and require me to pay tax on my Social Security income?

Answer: No. Again, the IRS does not count FEMA grants for housing and ONA as income.

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fem a.gov/disaster/4116.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Visit link:

Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxes

Page 40 of 63 « First ... « 38 39 40 41 42 » ... Last »