Nearly $40 Million in Disaster Help Approved for Texas Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – Nearly $40 million in disaster assistance has been approved for individuals and families in Texas whose properties were damaged or destroyed in the March 7-29 tornadoes and flooding.

This includes more than $17 million in grants to help eligible survivors with home repairs and temporary rental costs and more than $2 million in grants for expenses related to personal property, transportation, medical, dental, funeral and moving costs.

The deadline to register for federal assistance was May 18.

In the 13 counties included in the March disaster declaration, 1,797 registrations were approved for assistance. Those counties are: Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Jasper, Limestone, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Shelby and Tyler.

The nearly $40 million in federal assistance includes more than $18 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to businesses, homeowners and renters.

Texans who registered can update their registration information or check the status of their applications online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 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.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the March storms at fema.gov/disaster/4266; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

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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.

 

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Nearly $40 Million in Disaster Help Approved for Texas Survivors

A Disaster Recovery Center is Scheduled to Close in Gregg County

AUSTIN, Texas – A disaster recovery center, located at the Chamber of Commerce, 813 N. Kilgore Street, Kilgore, TX 75662, will close Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m.

DRCs are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred March 7-29, can still register for assistance, get questions answered and check on the status of their claim the following ways:

  • Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call 800-621-3362 (FEMA) 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. local time, seven days a week. The deadline to register for federal assistance is May 18.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to “stay in touch.” If survivors change their address or phone number 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 visit any DRC. There may be another recovery center nearby. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center locator at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

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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.

 

 

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A Disaster Recovery Center is Scheduled to Close in Gregg County

April Storms and Flooding: Texans in Four Counties Can Now Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas – Texans who sustained damage or losses from the storms and flooding that

occurred April 17-24 can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency

Management Agency.

The presidential disaster declaration of April 25 makes federal assistance available to eligible

individuals and households in four Texas counties: Fayette, Grimes, Harris, and Parker.

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.

Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.,

seven days a week.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

  • 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; and
  • A bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

Before starting repairs or rebuilding a home or business, it is important to contact your local

building code official or floodplain manager.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for free publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4269, Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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April Storms and Flooding: Texans in Four Counties Can Now Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

Free FEMA Advice Available at Local Home Improvement Store in Hattiesburg

RIDGELAND, Miss. – Are you repairing or rebuilding damaged property? Have questions about flood insurance? Want to protect your property from potential loss or damage from future disasters? FEMA mitigation specialists will be available in Hattiesburg to answer questions on building stronger.

Advisers will be available April 21-26 at the following location:

  • Lowe’s Home Improvement, 6004 U.S. Highway 98, Hattiesburg, MS 39402

The hours are: Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.; Friday through Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

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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). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

 

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Free FEMA Advice Available at Local Home Improvement Store in Hattiesburg

Recertify to Remain Eligible for Rental Help from FEMA

Stay in informed on California’s wildfire recovery by visiting: caloes.ca.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4240.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Survivors of the Butte and Valley fires who are receiving rental assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and whose home repairs are taking longer than expected should notify the agency of their continuing need.

Recertification is needed every 60 days for eligible renters and homeowners. FEMA can provide up to 18 months of rental assistance for both homeowners and renters if they need to relocate while repairs are being made to their disaster-damaged residences.

To date, FEMA has approved $7.3 million in rental assistance.

An application for continued temporary housing is sent from FEMA to applicants approximately two weeks after the first rental award.

The recertification reaffirms that applicants have an ongoing financial need for temporary housing, either because disaster-related repairs are not completed or they have been unable to find permanent replacement housing.

Documents required for recertification include:

  • The completed application,   
  • A copy of the current lease or rental agreement signed by the applicant,
  • Rental receipts, canceled checks or money orders showing proper use of previous rental assistance,
  • Current income statements from family members living in the household.

This form must be completed in full and turned in on time for each rental cycle to apply for continued assistance. FEMA will evaluate the information each cycle to determine if the applicant qualifies for ongoing federal rental assistance, based on financial need.

An applicant’s current monthly rent is compared to the person’s housing costs before the disaster. Income for all household members, ongoing homeowner mortgage (or rent) insurance and utility costs for the damaged home and other housing commitment costs are all taken into consideration when determining continued eligibility.

Those with questions can call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 or @Cal_OES and at Facebook.com/FEMA  or Facebook.com/California OES.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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Recertify to Remain Eligible for Rental Help from FEMA

Return SBA Application Now Because Flood Damage May Show Up Later

COLUMBIA, S.C. –Expensive flood-related damage is not always evident immediately.

Survivors of South Carolina’s October heavy rains and severe floods may be unaware of issues that might show up in their homes or businesses in the weeks or months after the flood. These include:

  • Malfunctions to furnaces or other expensive appliances not in use during the flood

  • Home foundation settling

  • Unknown structure damage

Eligible applicants may use U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans to pay for these repairs. Nobody is required to accept a loan but having an offer may assist eligible applicants with financial resources if they discover flood-related damage.

It’s also important for survivors who registered with FEMA to return completed SBA applications because it may make them eligible for certain FEMA grants. These grants include paying for flood-damaged furniture, appliances and vehicles.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division, FEMA and the SBA encourage survivors to increase their options in finding ways to pay for undiscovered damage by returning completed SBA disaster loan applications by Jan. 4, 2016.

Homeowners may be eligible to receive low-interest loans of up to $200,000 for flood-related repairs to their primary residences. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal items such as appliances, furniture and vehicles. Businesses and private nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace flood-damaged property. Eligible applicants may be able to borrow money from the SBA before insurance claim decisions.

Many survivors were referred to the SBA following their application with FEMA. They may obtain more information by visiting the SBA website sba.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-659-2955.

Survivors may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via the SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

They may also visit any disaster recovery center where SBA customer service representatives can answer questions, help complete loan applications and close loans. For the nearest location go to asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

Survivors may register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Survivors who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The last day to register is Jan. 3, 2016.

Originally posted here: 

Return SBA Application Now Because Flood Damage May Show Up Later

Completing SBA Loan Application May Mean More Assistance for Some

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina storm and flood survivors are reminded to complete loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration even if they do not plan to accept a loan.

Survivors who receive notice to apply to the SBA are encouraged to complete the application as it may make them eligible for other assistance. Survivors should apply to SBA before insurance is settled.

Completing an SBA application can help homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes with repair or rebuilding costs or disaster-related damage costs that exceed initial estimates. SBA disaster loans are also available to help private nonprofit organizations with their recovery. The application is not required for survivors seeking temporary rental assistance.

Homeowners may be eligible to receive loans of up to $200,000 for their primary residences. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal items such as clothing and vehicles. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for property damage. Small businesses may borrow up to $2 million for economic injury.

Survivors may obtain more information by visiting the SBA website, www.sba.gov/disaster, applying online via SBA’s secure website: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, or calling SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities and use a TTY may call 800-877-8339. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service, call 800-659-2955.

Survivors may also visit any disaster recovery center where SBA customer service representatives can answers questions, help complete loan applications and close loans. For the nearest location go to http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4241. The SBA is also operating business recovery centers in Charleston, Horry, Richland and Sumter counties.

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Completing SBA Loan Application May Mean More Assistance for Some

No flood insurance? Now is the time to buy

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It is time to buy flood insurance, if you don’t already have it. Available to everyone, businesses, homeowners and renters alike, it is the only insurance that will help you recover from flooding and mudflows.

Citing a strong El Niño and other factors, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts wetter than average conditions for central and southern California, along with warmer than normal temperatures from December through February. There is a 30-day waiting period between purchasing flood insurance and the time the insurance goes into effect.

Residents living in the vicinity of the recent wildfires are especially vulnerable to runoff flooding this rainy season because wildfires dramatically alter the terrain and ground conditions.

Normally, vegetation absorbs rainfall, reducing runoff. But wildfires leave the ground charred, barren, and unable to absorb water. That enhances the chances of flash flooding and mudflows. Flood insurance covers mudflows, but not mudslides.

Just because your property is outside a high flood risk zone doesn’t mean there is no risk. But it does mean you can buy flood insurance at a lower price, because the risk is lower.

Information about flood insurance is available at the Disaster Recovery Centers in Lake and Calaveras counties: 891 Mountain Ranch Rd., San Andreas; Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St., Middletown, and 14860 Olympic Dr., Clear Lake.

Flood insurance is for everyone, not just survivors of the wildfires. It is easy to find out how much flood insurance will cost by going to FloodSmart.gov. Fill in the blanks in the red box on the right side of the screen, “How Can I Get Covered”. You will be taken to a table of flood insurance options and costs for your address. Contact information for local agents is available on the website.

Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling  800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The deadline to register is Nov. 23, 2015.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov, Twitter@Cal-OES Facebook.com/CaliforniaOES or FEMA.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter@femaregion9 and at Facebook.com/FEMA.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

 

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Source: 

No flood insurance? Now is the time to buy

Federal Assistance for California Wildfire Survivors Tops $20 Million

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Since wildfires swept Lake and Calaveras counties, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) mission has been to help individuals, families and businesses recover from the disaster.

As of today, FEMA and the SBA have approved more than $20 million in federal disaster assistance for California survivors.

Here is a snapshot of the disaster-recovery effort as of Oct. 29, 2015:

  • The SBA has approved more than $10.3 million in low-interest disaster loans to businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
  • More than 3,500 Californians have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA and nearly $9.7 million has been approved. 
    • Housing Assistance approved: more than $6.4 million
    • Other Needs Assistance approved: nearly $3.3 million
  • Three Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open in the affected areas. To date, more than 3,300 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in Calaveras and Lake counties. To locate the nearest center, survivors can go to FEMA.gov/DRC or call the FEMA helpline, 800-621-FEMA (3362); TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
  • Inspectors in the field have made 2,671 home inspections – completing 99 percent of those required to date.
  • Disaster Survivor Assistance teams have had 7,300 survivor interactions and made more than 1,700 whole community referrals.

Survivors who sustained disaster-related losses in Calaveras and Lake counties should register with FEMA by the Nov. 23, 2015 deadline. Survivors can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance: 916-381-0330, for TTY, call 711.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, survivors may visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter@femaregion9 and Facebook.com/FEMA.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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 are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

The 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.

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Federal Assistance for California Wildfire Survivors Tops $20 Million

Just one week left to register for FEMA assistance

SAIPAN, CNMI – Monday marks one week left for Typhoon Soudelor survivors on Saipan to register for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The deadline is Monday, Oct. 5.

FEMA Individual Assistance is available to U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, and qualified aliens who have disaster-related damages on Saipan.
“People must register to get help,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr. “We don’t want anyone to lose benefits just by not registering.”

Survivors can apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. People with speech or hearing disabilities and who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can also call 800-621-3362, but those who use TTY should call 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.

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Just one week left to register for FEMA assistance

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