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FEMA Seeking to Hire Texans to Work on Flood Recovery

AUSTIN, Texas—FEMA is looking to hire Texas residents as temporary employees to help with the state’s recovery from the past year’s storms and flooding.

FEMA is hoping to hire as many as 14 people—mostly in Austin and Houston but with a few positions in Denton and Bon Wier—to fill a variety of temporary positions working on disaster recovery.

“FEMA always seeks to employ local residents in its disaster recovery operations,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “Not only does this help the economy recover by putting people to work, but these employees bring a wealth of local knowledge to the organization.”

Temporary local hires may be employed for 120-day terms, which may be extended up to one year maximum. They do not get hiring preference for other federal jobs as a result of their temporary employment. Selected health benefits are offered for these positions.

The wages vary depending on the nature of the work being performed and are set based on the prevailing wages of the state and locality. The positions range from administrative work to media relations.

Most temporary workers can be hired under a streamlined process instead of a competitive process. They must be 18 years old, have graduated high school or obtained a GED and have the appropriate qualifications for their positions. They will also be required to undergo a standard credit and criminal background check.

“We try to give preference to people who have actually suffered damage or losses from the disaster,” Doran said. “Many current FEMA employees began their careers as local hires.”

To find out more about the positions available and to apply, visit the Texas Workforce Commission’s website at workintexas.com.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the FEMA webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4272 or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion6.

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FEMA Seeking to Hire Texans to Work on Flood Recovery

Disaster Recovery Center Closing in July 18 in Cleveland

AUSTIN, Texas—The disaster recovery center in Cleveland in Liberty County will close July 18.

Liberty County

Location:
City of Cleveland Civic Center
210 Peach Ave.
Cleveland, TX 77327
Closing: 6 p.m. Monday, July 18

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by the May 26-June 24 storms and flooding can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

online at DisasterAssistance.gov
phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Applying for disaster assistance is essentially a two-step process, which ensures consideration for all FEMA programs and the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans. First, register with FEMA, then complete and return the no-obligation SBA loan application, if one is offered. There is no charge to apply for the loan and if approved, no obligation to accept it.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to stay in touch. If survivors change their addresses or phone numbers they should update FEMA with the information. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in getting a home inspection or receiving assistance.

Disaster survivors can also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the nearest one, go online to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion6.

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Disaster Recovery Center Closing in July 18 in Cleveland

“How can I help?” – some answers for West Virginians who want to make a difference for disaster recovery

Charleston, W.Va.– In the face of disaster, the people of West Virginia have come together with courage and compassion to ask “How can I help?”

The main needs now are cash donations and volunteers.

Although there has been an outpouring of financial support already to help flood survivors more is needed. Cash donations enable nonprofit organizations to purchase what disaster survivors need most. Buying the items from local businesses helps the economy recover. No gift is too small.

West Virginians and people from throughout the nation have donated thousands of hours of labor to help the many affected folks who are elderly, disabled, living on fixed incomes or otherwise overwhelmed by the flood’s after effects. But more volunteers are needed.

There are many organizations that need donations and are looking for volunteers and at least two comprehensive groups focused on West Virginia flood recovery. The West Virginia Chapter of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (WVVOAD) represents dozens of faith-based, community, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations active in flood response and recovery. wvflood is a new website updated by Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s Commission for National and Community Service, in partnership with WV VOAD with the support of the Office of Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. Anyone who can make a cash donation or volunteer may do so at the WVVOAD or wvflood websites.

Unfortunately, disasters tend to attract con artists who will take advantage of well meaning people. Donate to legitimate national or local organizations. Beware of solicitations to help survivors from people or groups who may sound sincere but you haven’t verified. If you are unsure or uncomfortable about the intentions of anyone you encounter, please contact local law enforcement. If you suspect fraud please call the West Virginia consumer protection hotline 800-368-8808.

Finally, be ready to stick around for the long haul. The work of recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention. There will be a need for donations and volunteers to help West Virginia recover for many months, even years, to come.

Even if you’re not ready to take any action at this time, you may find recovery information and survivors can find out about and ask for assistance by visiting either of the websites:

#wvflood http://wvflood.com/about/Pages/default.aspx

or VOAD https://wvvoad.communityos.org/cms/

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA and fema.gov/blog.

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“How can I help?” – some answers for West Virginians who want to make a difference for disaster recovery

FEMA Urges You to Spend Disaster Funds Wisely

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – More than $23.5 million in federal assistance has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help West Virginians recover from the devastating severe storms, floods, landslides and mudslides that struck the state during the incident period of June 22-29, 2016. While assistance is tax-free and grants don’t have to be repaid, FEMA urges you to use the funds quickly, wisely and only for disaster-related expenses.

When a grant is awarded, FEMA will send you a letter listing approved uses including:

home repairs (e.g., structure, water, septic and sewage systems)
rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily
repair or replacement of a flooded essential vehicle
medical care for an injury caused by the disaster
repair, cleaning or replacement of clothing, specialized tools
necessary educational materials (e.g., computers, school books, supplies)
moving and storage expenses related to the disaster
other disaster-related expenses

You may spend your FEMA grant in any way that helps you achieve the goal of permanent, safe, sanitary and functional housing.

Rental assistance grants are provided for temporary housing when a disaster leaves your home uninhabitable or inaccessible.
You, as a homeowner or renter, can choose to rent an apartment, house, mobile home or some other temporary rental unit.
If you intend to seek continued rental assistance, you’ll need receipts to show you used the grant for rent.

Disaster grants should not be used for regular living expenses, such as utilities, food, medical or dental bills not related to the disaster, travel, entertainment or any discretionary expense not related to the disaster.

It’s important to remember that federal law prohibits duplicating federal grants from other sources, i.e., “double-dipping.” FEMA also encourages you to keep your receipts for three years to show how the funds were spent. After every major disaster FEMA conducts audits of disaster assistance payments to ensure taxpayer dollars were properly provided by the agency and appropriately used by recipients.

When you get a letter from FEMA, read it carefully. If you have any questions, call the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362; TTY users can call 800-462-7585. You can visit one of the 11 Disaster Recovery Centers open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday, weather permitting. To locate the closest center, call the Helpline or visit http://go.usa.gov/x3NnJ, or download the FEMA APP to your mobile device.

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FEMA Urges You to Spend Disaster Funds Wisely

West Virginia renters with flood damage may be eligible for federal help

CHARLESTON, W.Va.– West Virginia renters who experienced losses due to the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on June 22, 2016, may be eligible for disaster recovery assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA).

“The catastrophic weather that affected West Virginia did not discriminate between homeowners and renters and neither do we,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis, who leads FEMA’s mission in the Mountain State.

Renters may be eligible for grants from FEMA to help with such disaster-related expenses as:

Renting a new place to live when the renter’s previous home was lost due to the disaster.
Disaster related medical and dental expenses.
Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged in the disaster, such as appliances and furniture, textbooks and computers used by students, and work equipment or tools used by the self-employed.
Repair or replacement of vehicles damaged by the disaster.
Disaster-related funeral and burial expenses.

FEMA grants are not loans and do not have to be repaid. They are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, welfare assistance, SNAP benefits and several other programs.

Additionally, renters may qualify for a low-interest loan of up to $40,000 from the SBA to repair or replace personal property.

Renters who sustained losses can apply for assistance by using the FEMA App for smartphones, going online to DisasterAssistance.gov or calling 800-621-3362, or (TTY) 800-462-7585. For those who use 711 or video relay service, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week.

For more information about disaster loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit sba.gov/disaster. TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit the Flood Information page on the website of the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA and fema.gov/blog

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West Virginia renters with flood damage may be eligible for federal help

More Texans Eligible for Disaster Aid, More Time to Apply

AUSTIN, Texas – More Texans are eligible for federal disaster assistance for the April storms and many more have additional time to register with FEMA for aid.

FEMA extended the period during which those affected by the storms may be eligible for disaster assistance. To be eligible for FEMA help, damage must have occurred April 17-30.

At the request of the state, residents of Anderson, Cherokee, Smith and Wood counties are now eligible for disaster assistance and are encouraged to register with FEMA.

Also eligible for disaster assistance are residents of Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Parker, San Jacinto, Waller, and Wharton counties. Those affected by the storms are encouraged to register with FEMA if they have not already done so.

The deadline to register for assistance is July 29.

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses.

Registering for disaster assistance is a two-step process. First, register with FEMA, then complete and return a no-obligation loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration if one is offered. There is no charge to apply for the loan and if approved, no obligation to accept it.

Disaster survivors may register the following ways:

online at DisasterAssistance.gov
phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
at a disaster recovery center. To find the nearest one, go online to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

A free multilingual guide to the types of assistance available can be found at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

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More Texans Eligible for Disaster Aid, More Time to Apply

Hood County Disaster Recovery Center in Granbury to Close July 9

AUSTIN, Texas – The Hood County disaster recovery center in Granbury will close at 2 p.m. on July 9.

Location:
Hood County Emergency Operations Center
401 Deputy Larry Miller Dr.
Granbury, TX 76048
Closing: 2 p.m. Saturday, July 9

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by severe storms and flooding May 26-June 24, can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

visit DisasterAssistance.gov
phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster survivors can also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May 26-June 24 storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272 or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at dps.texas.gov/dem/. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

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Hood County Disaster Recovery Center in Granbury to Close July 9

Two West Virginia Counties Added to Federal Disaster Declaration

CHARLESTON, WV – At the request of the state of West Virginia, Jackson and Lincoln counties have now been added to the federal disaster declaration of June 25. They join the 10 counties already designated for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance-Category B (emergency protective measures): Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster.

West Virginians who suffered damage or losses as a result of the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on June 22, 2016, are encouraged to apply for Individual Assistance. Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses.

Those who had flood or storm damage should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. Insurance payments cannot be duplicated, but under-insured applicants may be eligible for help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, until further notice. Survivors can also download the FEMA App to their mobile devices to:

Apply for disaster assistance
Get directions to their nearest Disaster Recovery Center
Find shelter locations
Get weather alerts
Subscribe to disaster safety tips

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for eligible survivors.

SBA helps businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and can cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

For more information about disaster loans, survivors may call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov , or visit SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. TTY users may call 800-877-8339.

The 12 designated counties are also eligible for Public Assistance-Category B (emergency protective measures). The Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations at least 75 percent of disaster-related expenses to help West Virginia communities recover. Eligible costs for emergency protective measures, such as police overtime for extra work caused from responding to the disaster, may be eligible for reimbursement.

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Two West Virginia Counties Added to Federal Disaster Declaration

President Declares Major Disaster for West Virginia

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the State of West Virginia to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on June 22, 2016, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in of Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

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 protective measures in Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties.

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

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

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

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.

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President Declares Major Disaster for West Virginia

Workshop for Businesses on Local, State and Federal Contracting Process

BATON ROUGE, La. – Businesses, trade associations and chambers of commerce learned about securing government contracts during a free workshop this week.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), the Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center (LA BEOC), FEMA and other state agencies spoke about how to increase local, state and federal contract opportunities.

“We were excited about this opportunity to teach Louisiana business and industry leaders how they can help meet the needs of local governments, the state and the federal government,” GOHSEP Director James Waskom said.

Attendees also learned tips how to enhance disaster resiliency so they can better assist recovery and response with their products and services.

The LA BEOC is dedicated to improving the ability of Louisiana businesses and non-profits to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural and human-caused disasters, and to maintain the stability, resilience and economic recovery of their communities. It is also the conduit between those who need resources with Louisiana resource providers during response and recovery from an emergency or disaster event.

“Businesses and the private sector are critical parts in emergency management,” LA BEOC Director of Operations Clay Rives said. “We’re fortunate there’s a strong interest among Louisiana’s private sector wanting to assist in disaster recovery.”

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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 https://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (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 SBA.gov/disaster Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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Workshop for Businesses on Local, State and Federal Contracting Process

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