President Declares Disaster for Kansas

President Declares Disaster for Kansas 

Release Date: May 24, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-037

» More Information on Kansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available for the state of Kansas and ordered and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of April 14-15, 2012.

Federal funding is 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, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding in the counties of Edwards, Ellsworth, Harper, Hodgeman, Jewell, Kiowa, Mitchell, Osborne, Rice, Rush, Russell, Sedgwick, Stafford, and Sumner.

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

Stephen R. Thompson has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Thompson 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.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 24-May-2012 12:54:30

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President Declares Disaster for Kansas

Tornado Survivors Should Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center

Tornado Survivors Should Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center 

Release Date: March 25, 2012
Release Number: 4060-007

» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — If you were affected by the Feb. 29 to March 2 tornadoes and have questions, get help by visiting a disaster recovery center.

Nine disaster recovery centers are currently open in Tennessee and staffed with recovery specialists from Tennessee state agencies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies.

By visiting one of the centers, you can:

  • Apply for disaster assistance with FEMA.
  • Learn about federal assistance available for temporary housing and home repairs.
  • Check on the progress of an application you’ve already submitted.
  • Get information on how to replace lost documents.
  • Ask questions regarding correspondence from FEMA.
  • Find out more about SBA’s low-interest disaster loans or what to do if you can’t afford one.
  • Get help completing your SBA loan application.
  • Learn more about local and state agencies that may be able to provide assistance.

Locations of disaster recovery centers can be found at www.fema.gov/drclocator. Or use your smartphone or tablet to access m.fema.gov.

You can also get help by calling FEMA’s helpline 800-621-FEMA (3362) (v/relay) about how to register for disaster assistance or where to find a disaster recovery center. Operators are multilingual and available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, there is a TTY line at 800-462-7585.

Other ways to register include:

Remember when registering, by any method, you should provide good contact information – such as a cellphone or work number.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 11:59:12

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Tornado Survivors Should Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center

Senior Citizens Won’t Lose Benefits If They Receive Disaster Aid

Senior Citizens Won’t Lose Benefits If They Receive Disaster Aid 

Release Date: March 22, 2012
Release Number: 4057-027

» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky senior citizens who receive disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a result of the recent severe storms and tornadoes will not lose their Social Security benefits nor have their benefits cut.

Disaster grants will not affect income levels, which might cause a senior citizen to become ineligible for Medicaid, welfare assistance, food stamps or Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Seniors also should know that state/federal grants do not have to be repaid.

“FEMA stands ready to assist disaster survivors, especially senior citizens, in a quick and efficient way so that they can get on with rebuilding their lives,” said Libby Turner, the federal officer in charge of recovery operations in Kentucky. “FEMA urges all senior citizens in the designated counties whose homes or other property were damaged or destroyed during the recent storms and tornadoes to register as soon as possible.”

After registering with FEMA, seniors can visit any Disaster Recovery Center to get answers to questions they may have. Most recovery centers are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. All Disaster Recovery Centers are closed Sundays.

While it is recommended that registration be completed before visiting a recovery center, if a disaster survivor requires help to register with FEMA, they can visit a recovery center for this purpose.

To register for assistance by phone, call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. If seniors use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), they can call 800-621-3362. Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s also possible to register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Again, if disabled seniors need help registering, they should not hesitate to contact FEMA to ask for help.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Mar-2012 11:51:18

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Senior Citizens Won’t Lose Benefits If They Receive Disaster Aid

Seven More Kentucky Counties Designated For Disaster Assistance

Seven More Kentucky Counties Designated For Disaster Assistance 

Release Date: March 22, 2012
Release Number: 4057-026

» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that the disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky has been amended to include an additional seven counties that will receive Public Assistance. The declaration is for damage caused by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding occurring Feb. 29 through March 3.

On March 16, Kentucky’s disaster declaration was amended to add Public Assistance for seven counties: Grant, Laurel, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, and Morgan. The amendment announced today by FEMA provides Public Assistance for Ballard, Johnson, Kenton, Larue, Pendleton, Trimble and Wolfe counties.

Public Assistance is available to the Commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in designated counties on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair of damaged, or replacement of destroyed, taxpayer-owned infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, utilities, schools and similar facilities.

Individual Assistance has been awarded to 21 Kentucky counties previously. Individual Assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Also low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

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

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Mar-2012 11:49:53

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Seven More Kentucky Counties Designated For Disaster Assistance