BATON ROUGE, La.— A quick fix may change your decision if you applied for FEMA help following Louisiana’s August severe storms and floods and you disagree with your determination letter.                                                                                                  

Everybody has a right to appeal. Read your determination letter carefully to understand FEMA’s decision and know exactly what you need to do for your appeal.                                                                                               

Many times applicants just need to submit some extra documents for FEMA to process their application. FEMA can reconsider you in some cases if you:

  • Submit insurance documents. Provide documents from your insurance company that detail your coverage or settlement is insufficient to make essential home repairs, provide a place to stay, or replace certain contents. FEMA cannot duplicate homeowner or renter insurance benefits.
  • Prove occupancy. Provide documents that prove the damaged home or rental was your primary residence by supplying a copy of utility bills, driver’s license or lease.
  • Prove ownership. Provide documents such as mortgage or insurance documents, tax receipts or a deed. If you don’t have a deed handy, contact your local or parish officials about obtaining a copy.

There are many other reasons you may disagree with FEMA’s decision. If you feel the amount or type of assistance is incorrect, submit an appeal letter and any documents to support your claim, including a contractor’s estimate for home repairs. You should have received a booklet called “Help After a Disaster” that explains what you need to provide for your situation. The booklet is available online at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

Your letter should also include:

  • Your full name
  • Your registration number on all pages
  • The FEMA disaster declaration number—DR-4277-LA—on all pages
  • Your signature

Mail documents and your letter within 60 days of receiving your determination letter to:

FEMA National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

You can also submit them online at disasterassistance.gov or fax them to 800-827-8112.

If you have any questions about submitting insurance documents, proving occupancy or ownership, or anything else about your determination letter, you may call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. You can also visit a Louisiana disaster recovery center and speak with a disaster assistance representative. Locate your closest center by going online to fema.gov/drc or by calling the FEMA helpline.

What to do if you disagree with FEMA’s decision letter1. Read the letter carefully to find out why the decision was made.Do you need to provide additional information?• Insurance determination letter.• Proof of occupancy or ownership.• Proof of ID.• Applicant’s signature.Common reasons for the initial decision:• The damage was to a secondary home or a rental property, not a primary residence.• Someone else in the household applied and received assistance.• Disaster-related losses could not be verified.• Insurance covered all losses.2. Contact FEMA for help with filing an appeal or any questions.Call800-621-3362 (711 or Video Relay Service available)800-462-7585 (TTY)VisitA Disaster Recovery Center3. File a written appeal.Explain why you think the decision was not correct.• Provide supporting information and documents.• Include your FEMA registration number on all documents.• Sign the letter.Mail or fax your appeal within 60 days of the decision letter date, or drop it off at a Disaster Recovery Center.

This graphic explains the appeals process for individuals who’ve applied for disaster assistance.

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Louisiana Disaster Assistance Applicants: Understand FEMA Determination Letters and How to Appeal Them

DUPONT, Wash. – Federal grants to help Washington recover from the state’s worst wildfire season have topped $3.5 million, according to officials with the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division (EMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 

“FEMA grants offer significant financial relief for hard-hit communities in Washington,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin of EMD. “From the emergency response through economic recovery, we’re all working together to get as much help as possible.”

 

The funding comes through FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which reimburses state and local governments, federally recognized tribes and certain nonprofit organizations for 75 percent of eligible disaster-related expenses. Grants may cover the costs of emergency protective measures, debris removal and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged infrastructure.

 

“Although the dollars go to governments and nonprofits after a disaster, they benefit everyone in a community,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas Dargan of FEMA. “The money helps pay for efforts to protect people and property, clean up neighborhoods, and repair roads and bridges.”

 

Federal assistance provided to date includes:

  • $1.4 millionPublic Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County—to restore power to 9,000 customers.

  • $349,000—Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County—to repair a mile-long transmission line and restore power to the Slide Ridge area

  • $303,000Okanogan County Electric Cooperative—to repair high-voltage power lines and replace 38 burned poles and seven damaged transformers.

  • $188,000Public Utility District No. 1 of Okanogan County—to repair a 6.5-mile section of high-voltage lines and a fiber optic network for Loup Loup.

  • $163,000Chelan County—for emergency measures and services performed by first responders and support staff who set up roadblocks, manned a 911 call center, and evacuated and sheltered people and pets.

  • $139,000Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County—to repair 11 miles of power lines and fiber optic cables between Chelan Falls and Wells Dam in Chelan County.

  • $106,000Lake Chelan Reclamation District—to repair district-owned infrastructure that supports a mile-long power line owned by the public utility.

  • $103,000Okanogan County—to repair asphalt surface on 43 roadways damaged by a mudslide and heavy traffic from firefighting equipment.

  • $98,000Ferry County—for emergency measures and services performed by first responders, mainly evacuations and efforts in support of fire crews, base camps, marine patrols, emergency medical care, and search-and-rescue operations.

  • $90,000Okanogan County—to clear 3,440 cubic yards of disaster-related debris that posed a threat to public health and safety.

The Oct. 20, 2015, major disaster declaration for the summer wildfires and mudslides made FEMA Public Assistance available to eligible applicants in eight counties: Chelan, Ferry, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whatcom and Yakima; as well as the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. EMD and FEMA officials have identified 39 eligible applicants.                             

Officials estimate FEMA Public Assistance grants may eventually total as much as $27 million for the 2015 wildfires.

Other EMD and FEMA efforts include the following programs and assistance:

  • After both the 2014 and 2015 wildfire seasons, EMD and FEMA formed a multijurisdictional team, called the Erosion Threat Assessment/Reduction Team, to evaluate the threat of flooding, debris flows and erosion in affected counties. Agencies and landowners used the team’s evaluation and recommendations to help prioritize and implement protective measures to address the threat.

  • While wildfires burned prior to the declaration, FEMA approved 12 Fire Management Assistance Grants in Washington to help defray fire-suppression costs for tribal, state and local jurisdictions.

  • The disaster declaration made further funding available through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which means the state will receive another reserve of money for mitigation measures, equal to 20 percent of total Public Assistance grants awarded. That provision will help build stronger and safer communities in Washington.

As with all federal funding, FEMA considers the environmental impact of every project and must ensure compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state and local laws.

 

More information about the Public Assistance program is available on the FEMA website at

www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit

and on the Washington EMD website at

http://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division/disaster-assistance/public-assistance

.

 

Additional information on the federal response to the 2015 wildfire disaster, including funds obligated, is available at

www.fema.gov/disaster/4243

.

Originally posted here: 

Wildfire Recovery Assistance for Washington Reaches $3.5 Million from FEMA

DUPONT, Wash. – More than $1.4 million has been awarded to the Chelan County Public Utility District No. 1 to help reimburse the utility for costs to restore power to thousands of residents during the summer 2015 wildfires, according to officials from the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division (EMD) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The utility district will receive $1,459,947 from FEMA for reimbursement of expenses to restore power to 9,000 customers. The grant helps cover costs for replacing burned poles, damaged transformers, utility lines and miles of fiber optic line. The money will also help pay the cost of overtime for employees who worked around the clock to restore service.

“The utility district worked tirelessly to meet the needs of its customers during the wildfires,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin of EMD. “This federal grant will help the district recover some of the enormous costs it incurred in doing so.”

The grant comes from FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program, which reimburse the state and state agencies, local and tribal governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations for their eligible expenses for disaster-related response and recovery.

Although funds go to government entities and nonprofits, the PA program is intended to benefit everyone — communities, cities and states. PA dollars help pay for efforts to keep residents and property safe during an event and clean up communities of disaster-related debris. They also help put utilities, roads and bridges, public parks and other infrastructure back in order after the disaster.

The disaster declaration for the Aug. 9 to Sept. 10, 2015, wildfires makes PA grants available to eligible applicants in Chelan, Ferry, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whatcom and Yakima counties and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

“FEMA has been working closely with EMD since the wildfire outbreak this summer, and our commitment to Washington’s recovery remains strong,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas Dargan of FEMA. “These Public Assistance funds are a demonstration of that commitment.”

Under the PA program, FEMA reimburses applicants for 75 percent of eligible expenses, while the other 25 percent is the nonfederal share. The federal portion is paid directly to the state, which then makes disbursements to the local and tribal jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

More information about the PA program is available at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and on the Washington EMD website at http://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division/.

Information regarding the federal response to the summer wildfires, including funds obligated, is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4243.

Continue reading here:

FEMA Awards $1.4 Million to Chelan County Public Utility District for Wildfire Assistance

BATON ROUGE, La. —Hurricane Isaac survivors in Iberville Parish have more time to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Plaquemine. At the request of the parish, the center will remain open one extra day, and close at 6 p.m. on Saturday. 

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

Iberville Parish Utility Department
59805 Bayou Rd.
Plaquemine, LA 70764

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 13.

Recovery centers have opened in many affected parishes to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured losses to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

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

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Iberville Parish Disaster Recovery Center Now Closes on Saturday

ATLANTA Use caution when returning to flood-damaged homes or businesses. Structural damage can make a building unsafe; electricity and gas can pose a threat, and snakes, insects and other animals take up residence when flood water recedes.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommend a careful and organized approach when returning.

Some suggestions are:

Turn off electricity
Before beginning to work, turn off the electricity. Unplug appliances and lamps, remove light bulbs and remove the cover plates of wall switches and outlets that got wet.

Get standing water out
Use a pump, mop, squeegee or wet/dry vacuum cleaner to remove standing water from all buildings as soon as possible.

Hose it out
Shovel as much mud as possible out of the building, and then hose it out. Use an attachment that sprays soap to wash and rinse muddy walls, floors, furniture and other major items.

When in doubt, throw it out
Floodwater and mud may be contaminated with chemicals as varied as garden chemicals, a neighbor’s septic tank and cleaning products. Wallboard, mattresses, and carpeting will hold mud and contamination forever. Spoiled food, soaked cosmetics and medicine are health hazards. Get rid of them.

Clean safely

Flood damage causes dampness where mold, mildew and other organisms thrive. Mold may cause respiratory problems, so it is important to use proper procedures when cleaning. Use a combination of household bleach and soap or detergent to wash down walls, floors and other mold-contaminated areas.

Personal cleanliness

Wash your hands and other parts of the body that may come into contact with floodwater with soap and clean water or with hand sanitizer.

Other tips

  • Do not go near downed power lines. Call the utility company if you find downed power lines or suspect a gas leak.
  • Turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker and turn off natural gas.
  • Look for cracks in the foundation, and sagging roofs.
  • If you have doubts about the safety of a building, contact a qualified inspector or structural engineer before going inside.
  • Check floors and ceilings for signs of sagging. Rain or flooding can soak plaster, drywall and flooring making it slippery with the potential to collapse.
  • Because they emit deadly carbon monoxide, do not use generators or other gasoline-powered machines indoors and use only camp stoves and charcoal grills outside for cooking.
  • Drain the basement no more than one foot per day to minimize further damage.
  • Floodwater promotes the growth of mold and mildew. Open windows and doors, and turn on fans to help dry out interiors.
  • Walls, floors, closets, shelves, contents and personal items touched by flood water, should be thoroughly washed and disinfected.
  • Unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have them checked by a professional before using
    them again.
  • Check with local power company before turning the power on.
  • Check with local authorities before using water; it could be contaminated. Pump out wells and have the water tested by experts before drinking.
  • Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.
  • Take pictures of damages. Keep good records of all repair and cleaning costs.
  • Watch out for broken bottles, nails and other hazards. Before beginning clean-up, get a
    tetanus shot.

To learn more about safely cleaning up: http://www.msema.org/documents/moldandmildew9-1.pdf

Learn what to do with displaced wildlife: http://www.msema.org/documents/wildlife9-1.pdf

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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.

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.

 

 

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Be Safe: Use Care When Returning To Flooded Areas