COLUMBIA, S.C. (Thursday, Oct. 27) – The latest Disaster Recovery Center in South Carolina formally opens Friday, Oct. 28 in Horry County to provide assistance to survivors of the devastation from Hurricane Matthew.

The new center is located at the South Strand Recreation Center, 9650 Scipio Lane, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, and closed on Sunday. It is the eighth center to open in the state.

Representatives from various South Carolina state agencies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community staff the center, giving survivors a chance to discover what assistance programs are available to them, and to get their questions answered.

All Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible and equipped to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids.

The other centers are:

Dorchester County

Miles Road Baptist Church 819 Miles Road Summerville, SC 29485

a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Florence County

Ragsdale Old Warehouse 245 S. Church St. Lake City, SC 29560

a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Marion County

Mullins City Hall 111 NE Front Street Mullins, SC 29574

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Saffold Building 6882 Highway 908 Gresham, SC 29546

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Orangeburg County

Orangeburg County Building 8423 Old State Road

Holly Hill, SC 29059

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

YMCA

2550 St. Matthew Road Orangeburg, SC 29118

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Williamsburg County

Williamsburg Recreation Center 2084 Thurgood Marshall Highway Kingstree, SC 29556

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Closed Sunday

Disaster survivors who have questions may call the FEMA Helpline. Survivors can apply online at  DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

If possible, register for FEMA assistance by phone or online before visiting a center. Going to a DRC is not a requirement of registration, but specialists there can provide guidance regarding disaster recovery and rental resources, explain written correspondence received from FEMA, inform survivors of the status of their application, make referrals to other organizations and answer questions.

When registering, applicants will be asked to provide:

  • Social Security number;
  • Address of the damaged primary residence;
  • Description of the damage;
  • Information about insurance coverage;
  • A current contact telephone number;
  • An address where they can receive mail;
  • Bank account and routing numbers for those preferring direct deposit of funds.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Also, low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for Businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofits, homeowners and renters.

Low-interest disaster loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available to businesses and private-nonprofits to assist with working capital needs as a direct result of the disaster.

Survivors – in all 23 qualifying counties – should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled. South Carolina counties designated for individual assistance are: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg counties. All designated counties also are now eligible to receive grants for debris removal and assistance for certain emergency protective measures.

In South Carolina, the “One SC Fund” supports and directs funds to nonprofit organizations providing disaster relief & recovery assistance. yourfoundation.org/community-impact/one-sc-fund-sc-flood-  relief/. Survivors in the state who need food, clothing, and shelter to call 2-1-1, and for storm clean up to call 1-800-451-1954.

For more information, visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at  scemd.org/recovery-section/ia

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

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Horry County Gets Disaster Recovery Center

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina residents who suffered losses and damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew can get information about federal assistance at a disaster recovery center opening Sunday in Nash County. Sunday hours are noon to 5 p.m.

Location: The Imperial Centre
270 Gay St.
Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804

Regular hours:

  • Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Representatives from North Carolina Emergency Management, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the disaster recovery center, or DRC, to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors seeking disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to questions about disaster aid and registration assistance. Survivors may go to the most convenient center, not necessarily one in their county.

Disaster survivors may register the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) 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. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need

    disability-related communication aids. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in American Sign Language at

    http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546

    Second FEMA/State DRC to Opens in Nash County

If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center. Some of the services available at a DRC may include:

  • Status FEMA application

  • Disaster recovery guidance

  • Clarification of written correspondence received

  • Housing assistance and rental resources information

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

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

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 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.

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 FEMA on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money 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 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 Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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Second FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Nash County

BATON ROUGE, La. – Child care service is now available for Louisiana survivors while they are visiting the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge.

The child care service is provided during the hours of the Disaster Recovery Center:    

East Baton Rouge Parish

Location:  Celtic Studios

10000 Celtic Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday through Sunday)

Parents of children ages 3-12 may use the free child care service while they conduct business at the Disaster Recovery Center. The child care service is not a day care and children cannot be left at the Disaster Recovery Center.

The child care service is provided by volunteers of Children’s Disaster Services, a ministry of the Church of the Brethren. All child care volunteers are trained in a 27-hour workshop.

The child care service is offered in a secure location at the Disaster Recovery Center. Upon check in, a parent is given a numbered badge that is identical to one placed on his or her child. This badging process ensures that only the child’s parent can check the child out of the care service.

Children’s Disaster Services will continue to provide their child care service at the Disaster Recovery Center as long as qualified volunteers are available.

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Source: 

Child Care Service Available for Louisiana Survivors Visiting Celtic Studios Disaster Recovery Center

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As West Virginians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by last month’s storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and five local hardware and home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand this week to answer questions and offer home improvement tips along with proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. A variety of free workshops for storm-impacted homeowners on such topics as repairing or installing flooring and what to do with rain-soaked drywall will be presented daily. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourselfers and general contractors.

FEMA advisors will be at:  

Ace Hardware

326 Main Street

Rainelle, WV 25962

Through Aug. 6

8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

 

Byrnside Hardware

107 4th Street,

Danville, WV 25053

July 28 to Aug. 3 – (Workshop closed Sunday)

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

 

The Home Depot

1100 Liberty Park Drive,
Hurricane, WV 25526

July 28 to Aug. 3 (Workshop closed Sunday)

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Lowes Home Improvement

1155 Oakvale Road

Princeton, WV  24740

July 28 to Aug. 3 (Workshop closed Sunday)

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Sears Home Improvement

RR 1 Box 17-A

Ronceverte, WV 24970

July 28 to Aug. 3 (Workshop closed Sunday)

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

 

Free reference booklets, in English and Spanish, with information on protecting your home from flood damage, will be available at all locations. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

West Virginians who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog and the flood information pages at http://wvflood.com

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FEMA offers advice at local stores on repairing, rebuilding

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – Effective Sunday, July 17, Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in West Virginia will be closed on Sundays and begin operating weekly under new hours.

The new operating hours are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. All DRCs will be closed on Sundays, including this Sunday, July 17.

If you have questions outside the DRC business hours, you can call the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service), or 800-462-7585 for TTY users.  You can use the Helpline to:

  • Register with FEMA.

  • Ask questions about a FEMA letter.

  • Ask about the status of your registration.You will need your nine-digit FEMA registration number and zip code.

  • Update your personal information (e.g., change of address or phone number, bank or insurance information, et al) to avoid processing delays.

  • Receive information about FEMA property inspections.

  • Ask about other federal assistance.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; twitter.com/FEMA; and fema.gov/blog.

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DRCs close on Sundays; Trim hours

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

BATON ROUGE, La. –Disaster recovery centers will open Monday, March 21, in Monroe and Slidell to help Louisiana flood survivors. The centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday until further notice. The centers will be closed on Easter Sunday, March 27.

The disaster recovery centers are located at the following addresses:

Monroe Civic Center
401 Lea Joyner Expressway
Monroe, Ouachita Parish, La.

The Towers Government Building
520 Old Spanish Trail
Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, La.

 

More centers are planned to open in affected parishes.

Representatives from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, volunteer groups and other agencies are at the center to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

To register, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids.

For information, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4263.

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Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Two Louisiana Parishes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Two home improvement stores in Jefferson City are teaming up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide local residents with free information, tips, flyers and brochures to prevent and lessen damage from disasters. 

FEMA mitigation specialists will be available over the next five days to answer questions and offer home improvement tips on making homes stronger and safer against disasters. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Advisers will be available March 17-21 at the

  • Lowe’s at 3441 Missouri Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65109
    • Hours:
      • Thursday through Saturday and Monday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
      • Sunday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Advisers will be available March 17-19 and March 21 at the

  • Meek’s Lumber and Hardware at 1750 Southridge Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109
    • Hours:
      • Thursday, Friday and Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
      • Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.
      • Closed Sunday.

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets on protecting your home from flood damage. More information about strengthening property can be found at www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

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For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA webpages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

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.

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

 

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Free FEMA advice available at Jefferson City stores

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and several local home improvement store are teaming up to provide St. Louis, Jefferson and Franklin county residents with free information, tips and literature to prevent and lessen damage from disasters.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be available between Thursday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 8 to answer questions and offer home improvement tips on making homes stronger and safer. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Locations:

  • Lowe’s at 1212 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122 (St. Louis County)

  • Lowe’s at 2300 Maplewood Commons Drive, Maplewood, MO 63143 (St. Louis County)

  • Home Depot at 13929 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO 63011 (St. Louis County)

  • Home Depot at 13915 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63033 (St. Louis County)

  • Lowe’s at 1111 Bradley St., Festus, MO 63028 (Jefferson County)

  • Home Depot at 3865 Vogel Road, Arnold, MO 63010 (Jefferson County)

Times:

  • Thursday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Monday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Advisers will also be available at:

  • Ace Hardware at 845 N. Commerce Ave., St. Clair, MO 63077 (Franklin County)

    • Times:

  • Thursday to Friday and Monday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

  • Ace Hardware at1520 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold, MO 63010 (Jefferson County)

    • Times:

  • Thursday to Friday and Monday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mitigation teams will have free reference booklets on protecting your home from flood damage. More information about strengthening property can be found at www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

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For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA webpages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

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.

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

View article – 

St. Louis-area hardware stores offer free FEMA rebuilding advice

OXFORD, Miss. – Home and business owners looking for information on how to rebuild safer and stronger following the destructive December storms will find help this weekend at Lowe’s in Batesville.

Mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be at Lowe’s on Highway 6 East in Batesville this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The specialists will answer questions and offer advice on ways to repair or rebuild homes so they are more storm resistant. Free printed materials with additional information will also be available.

The FEMA specialists can also offer advice on dealing with contractors, in particular on how to avoid being scammed. The specialists will provide handouts on selecting and working with contractors.

Anyone interested is welcome whether or not they are receiving financial disaster assistance from FEMA.

For the latest information on Mississippi disaster recovery operations, visit msema.org and fema.gov/disaster/4248.

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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.

More here – 

Get Advice on Rebuilding Stronger and Safer This Weekend in Batesville

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