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Rhode Islanders Urged to Be Smart and Cautious When Repairing Flood Damage

WARWICK, R.I.– Federal and state recovery specialists urge Rhode Islanders affected by Hurricane Sandy to be careful and smart about rebuilding. Be careful about hiring contractors and be smart about improving your property’s resistance to future floods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency offer the following tips on rebuilding and working with contractors.

Here are some recommendations to reduce the amount of damage from a future flood. Details are in brochures from FEMA that are available online at http://go.usa.gov/gwAh.

Rebuild with materials that resist flood damage: Building materials are considered flood resistant if they can withstand direct contact with flood waters for at least 72 hours without being significantly damaged.
Elevate or relocate electrical system components, the HVAC system and appliances. Flood waters quickly destroy electrical elements. Panel boxes, circuit breakers, wall switches, wall outlets, the HVAC system and appliances should be located at least one foot above the base flood elevation or even moved to a higher floor for safety.
Install a sewer backflow valve: Flooded sewer systems can force sewage back into the home. This complicates cleanup and, more importantly, creates a health hazard. Backflow valves installed inside or outside the structure will stop sewage backup.
Anchor fuel tanks. Fuel tanks, either inside or outside the home, should be anchored to prevent them from overturning or breaking loose in a flood. Metal straps and bolts should be non-corrosive and wood structural supports should be pressure treated.

Most of these modifications should be carried out only by a professional contractor licensed to work in your area. When hiring contractors to repair homes damaged by flooding, be cautious to avoid being taken advantage of by scam artists.

Get a written estimate. Compare services and prices before choosing a contractor.
Check references.
Use a licensed, insured contractor. Get proof—see the card issued by the Rhode Island Contractors Registration and Licensing Board that the contractor is registered and insured. If the contractor is not insured, the homeowner may be liable for accidents that occur on the property.
Require a written contract. Have a lawyer review the contract if substantial costs are involved.
Get guarantees in writing.
Make final payments only when work is satisfactorily completed.
Pay by credit card, if possible, or by check. Avoid on-the-spot cash payments. A reasonable down payment is 30 percent of the total cost of the project, to be paid upon first delivery of materials.
If necessary, cancel a contract. Be sure to follow the procedures for cancellation that are set out in the contract. Send the notification by registered mail with a return receipt to be signed by the contractor.

You can find out if a contractor is licensed and insured and get more information about hiring contractors on the web site of the State of Rhode Island’s Contractors Registration and Licensing Board, www.crb.ri.gov/.

If you suspect contractor fraud, contact the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit at 401-274-4400.

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.

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 medical and dental expenses, 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.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

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Rhode Islanders Urged to Be Smart and Cautious When Repairing Flood Damage

Free Crisis Counseling Offers Holiday Hope for Louisiana Youth and Adults

BATON ROUGE, La. — Holidays can bring great joy — and great stress — for everyone, from toddlers to seniors. But for families disrupted by Hurricane Isaac, this year’s holiday season may bring added anxiety for children if they lost their homes, pets or treasured possessions.

While the support of their families can help many children work through their fears and sense of loss, the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remind parents and other caregivers that free crisis counseling is available now and well into next year.

The counseling is available in the parishes designated for Individual Assistance under the major disaster declaration. The program, funded by FEMA and administered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), is open to any adult or child in designated parishes.

Children are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress after a disaster. Stress symptoms for all children may include excessive fear of the dark, fear of being alone, crying and constant worry. In addition to their feelings of loss, younger children may believe they somehow caused the hurricane. Depending on their developmental stage, those youngsters may not be able to express their emotions through words, so counselors who use therapies that do not rely on talking may be a better fit.

“Parents are the experts on their own children – they know when something’s out of line,” said Tom Davis, associate professor of psychology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. “Three months after a disaster, if my child was still having difficulties, with symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, not wanting to talk about it and always being in startle mode, I would consider counseling.”

Davis specializes in work with children’s issues, particularly child anxiety. He suggests parents and family members remember that children take their cues from the adults in their lives.

“If we’re talking about how bad things are, kids pick up on that,” Davis said. “Kids see how others respond to negative events, and model that fear, that anxiety, that worry.”

Trained counselors are provided by the network of state Human Services authorities and districts. Calls to the crisis lines are free of charge, as are face-to-face follow-up sessions for children (and adults) whose needs cannot be fully served through phone counseling.

The health department team encourages parents to help children through the season by listening and talking about their feelings, while reassuring them they are loved and that it’s OK to have these feelings. Children are resilient, and with reassurance, guidance and love, they will be able to take a life-changing event and develop the coping mechanisms to assist them in the future.

To learn more, call the DHH-Office of Behavioral Health Louisiana Spirit Crisis Line at 1-866-310-7977 or the Louisiana Behavioral Health Partnership at 1-800-424-4399.

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Free Crisis Counseling Offers Holiday Hope for Louisiana Youth and Adults

FEMA Obligates $1.1 Million to Lafourche Parish for Debris Removal

BATON ROUGE, La. – Lafourche Parish will receive a $1.1 million federal grant to help reimburse its costs for cleaning up debris from public rights of way following Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced.

The FEMA grant, totaling $1,144,692, is obligated to the parish for its work in removing and disposing of more than 107,000 cubic yards of vegetative and other debris cause by high winds and flooding during the storm.

“Cleaning up debris is an important step in the recovery process,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This grant demonstrates our strong support for the city’s efforts to clear debris and thus protect public health and safety.”

The FEMA grant covers the federal share of the parish’s eligible costs for the work. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant pay the remaining 25 percent.

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the more than $144.1 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29 declaration for Hurricane Isaac.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

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

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FEMA Obligates $1.1 Million to Lafourche Parish for Debris Removal

FEMA Obligates $1.1 Million to St. Tammany Parish for Debris Removal

BATON ROUGE, La. – A $1.1 million federal grant has been awarded to St. Tammany Parish to help with costs for removing debris created by Hurricane Isaac’s high winds and flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced.

The FEMA grant, totaling $1,127,286, is obligated to the parish to help defray the cost of removing and disposing of hazardous trees as well as vegetative and other debris from public rights of way, and private and public improved properties in the parish.

“FEMA places a high priority on getting debris cleaned up after a disaster,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “This federal assistance will contribute significantly to St. Tammany’s recovery efforts.”

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the more than $144.1 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29 declaration for Hurricane Isaac.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

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FEMA Obligates $1.1 Million to St. Tammany Parish for Debris Removal

FEMA May be Able to Help Some Nonprofits with Public Assistance Disaster Grants

NEW YORK – Nonprofit organizations that suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy may apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance (PA) funding to help them get back to the business of helping others.

“We encourage eligible nonprofit organizations to apply,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA federal coordinating officer. “FEMA is committed to assisting qualifying nonprofits as they recover from Hurricane Sandy.”

Private non-profit agencies that provide what are defined as critical services to the community may file a Request for Public Assistance from FEMA for reimbursement of costs incurred for emergency work performed as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Facilities that provide critical services include:

Hospitals and other medical-treatment facilities;
Fire, police and other emergency services;
Power, water and sewer utilities; and
Educational institutions.

Private nonprofits that provide what are defined as essential services to the community may also be eligible for PA to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. However, these private non-profits must first apply to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low-interest loan.
Facilities that provide essential services include:

Libraries, museums and zoos;
Community centers;
Disability advocacy and service providers;
Homeless shelters and rehabilitation facilities; and
Senior citizen centers and day-care centers.

FEMA reimburses no less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency protective measures and permanent restoration costs, including debris removal and infrastructure repair or replacement. FEMA specialists are available to help nonprofits through the application process.

To be eligible for PA, a private nonprofit organization must have a ruling letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or provide other, satisfactory, evidence from the state of New York that it is a nonprofit organization doing business under state law.

The deadline for requests for Public Assistance, which was due to expire, has been extended.

The new deadlines are:

Jan. 28, 2013: for Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Richmond, Suffolk and Queens counties;
Feb. 1, 2013: for Rockland and Westchester counties; and
Feb. 11, 2013: for Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster counties.

Public Assistance is a program administered by New York State and funded by FEMA.

Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about FEMA Public Assistance should visit: www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/recovery.

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

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FEMA May be Able to Help Some Nonprofits with Public Assistance Disaster Grants

FEMA Obligates $4.6 Million to Plaquemines Parish for Protective Measures

BATON ROUGE, La. – Plaquemines Parish will receive a $4.6 million federal grant to help reimburse expenses it incurred while protecting residents during the Hurricane Isaac disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced.

The grant, totaling $4,672,444, helps reimburse the parish for equipment, labor and contracted work associated with pumping efforts during the hurricane-related flood event.

“Plaquemines Parish made great efforts to protect lives and property during the storm,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “This grant demonstrates our strong support for those efforts and our commitment to the parish’s recovery.”

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the $59.4 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for Plaquemines Parish since the Aug. 29 declaration for Hurricane Isaac. Statewide, Public Assistance grants total $144.1 million.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

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FEMA Obligates $4.6 Million to Plaquemines Parish for Protective Measures

FEMA Extends Registration Deadline For New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Survivors

TRENTON, N.J. — Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey now have until January 30, 2013 to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

People with storm losses in all counties can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Survivors also can register by phone or 711/VRS by calling 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

At the request of the state, FEMA extended the registration deadline beyond the original 60 day window due to the magnitude of the Hurricane Sandy disaster.

The disaster registration process serves as a referral point for FEMA programs and those of partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

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

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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FEMA Extends Registration Deadline For New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Survivors

Debris Removal on Track

NEW YORK – The partnership between New York State, New York City, other municipalities, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has made significant progress in removing the massive amounts of debris left by Hurricane Sandy. To date, along with private contractors, they have removed in excess of four million cubic yards of debris from New York City’s five boroughs and Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester counties.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program has approved more than $17 million to reimburse Nassau County for 75 percent of the costs of overtime for 270 employees and the rental of heavy duty wood chippers to reduce the volume of the debris. Approved this week is a $2.2 million reimbursement to supplement the $15 million approved for the county in November. More Public Assistance funding is anticipated to offset county costs for debris removal and disposal.

Strong winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Sandy brought down trees, tree limbs and power lines throughout the New York area. Collecting and clearing out piles of debris has been one of the most difficult and time-consuming challenges of the recovery. But despite this, the debris piles are disappearing.

After collection, debris is trucked to staging areas where it is inspected, separated into categories and disposed of in the safest manner possible. To reduce the amount of material going into landfills, the Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with the New York City’s Sanitation Department, is looking at alternate ways of using the vegetative debris (wood, tree branches, leaves and other organic matter) that will be of benefit to the communities.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of eligible debris removal costs. The remaining 25 percent is provided by non-federal funds. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs.

For debris removal to be eligible, the damage must be direct result of Hurricane Sandy, and the work must be necessary to:

Eliminate an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety,
Eliminate immediate threats of significant damage to improved public and private property when the measures are cost effective, or
Ensure the economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community-at-large.

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

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Debris Removal on Track

Know Your Risk Now to Build Back Stronger, Safer, Smarter

TRENTON, N.J. — Property and business owners affected by Hurricane Sandy along the New Jersey coast have new guidance for rebuilding stronger, safer and smarter to avoid the consequences of future floods.

The State of New Jersey and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have released Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) maps for 10 coastal counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union.

ABFE maps are digital renderings of flood hazards maps that provide an updated depiction of flood hazards for communities affected by coastal flooding including those along rivers that are subject to tidal surges.

To access the new maps, visit region2coastal.com and click on the Hurricane Sandy tab.

The advisory maps, which are based upon scientific and engineering assessments of storms like Sandy, will provide communities with recommended building elevations for use in reconstruction until more detailed data becomes available.

With the updated information:

Property owners can understand where flood risks exist and make informed decisions about elevations or about taking other mitigation steps to protect the investment in their property.
State and local governments can site and elevate public buildings and facilities and guide new construction.
Architects and builders can design better rebuilding and rehabilitation solutions for property owners.

Communities are being encouraged to adopt the ABFEs because they provide a significant opportunity to mitigate their future flood risk. Communities can increase their resiliency against future disasters, and flood insurance policy holders may save on future flood insurance premiums.

Property and business owners should work with local building officials to fully understand any requirements for using ABFEs in rebuilding. Decisions made now can mean a safer, stronger, smarter future.

For information on flood insurance visit www.floodsmart.gov, call 888-379-9531 or contact your insurance agent.

Anyone who suffered damages as a result of Hurricane Sandy is encouraged to register with FEMA. Individuals can apply for assistance and follow up on previous applications by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smart phones or tablets at m.fema.gov. By phone or 711/VRS, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.

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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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Know Your Risk Now to Build Back Stronger, Safer, Smarter

FEMA Awards More Than $3.4 Million for Community Safe Rooms in Kleberg County, Texas

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $3.4 million to the state of Texas for the construction of two community safe rooms in the city of Kingsville in Kleberg County, Texas.

The concrete dome shaped safe rooms will serve as multi-purpose training centers; one will be 20,000 square feet in size and the other will be 18,000 square feet in size. Both will provide protection from storms and tornadoes for the people of Kleberg County, including those with access and functional needs, as well as special medical needs.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will pay 75 percent of the more than $4.5 million total costs for the projects, which are being built under the Texas Safe Shelter Initiative.

The federal shares of the funds for the projects come from the agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). HMGP provides grants to states, and tribal and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures that reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.

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FEMA Awards More Than $3.4 Million for Community Safe Rooms in Kleberg County, Texas

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