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Last day to register with FEMA and apply for SBA disaster loans

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today is the last day that wildfire survivors in Calaveras and Lake counties can register to receive housing or other needs assistance grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and apply for disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Wildfire survivor registration for FEMA assistance will be accepted until midnight tonight online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Registration in person with a FEMA Individual Assistance expert is available today until 6 p.m. at any of the three Disaster Recovery Centers:

Calaveras County:

The Calaveras County Disaster Recovery Center in San Andreas

891 Mountain Ranch Rd., San Andreas, CA 95249

Lake County:

The Lake County Disaster Recovery Center in Clearlake

14860 Olympic Dr., Clearlake, CA 95422

The Lake County Disaster Recovery Center in Middletown

21256 Washington St., Middletown, CA 95461

Beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow, the San Andreas site in Calaveras County and the Middletown facility in Lake County will transition to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) to assist homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. DLOCS will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov 27. The DLOCS will reopen on Monday, Nov. 30, and be open until further notice.

Last day to register with FEMA and apply for SBA disaster loans

In addition, business owners and residents may contact the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@SBA.gov or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

The Lake County Disaster Recovery Center in Clearlake will close permanently after today.

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

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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 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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Last day to register with FEMA and apply for SBA disaster loans

Include Your Pets in Disaster Preparedness Planning

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Many pets were left behind to fend for themselves during the wildfires in California’s Calaveras and Lake counties resulting in serious injuries, death or disappearance.

This occurred because the fire came so fast many survivors had no time to save the animals.

“Pets are members of the family. You wouldn’t want to leave a family member behind during a disaster would you?” said Deputy State Coordinating Officer Charles Rabamad. “Having a plan and emergency kit for your pets is just as important as having them for your mother, father, sister or brother.”

With predictions of more severe weather and flooding this winter due to El Niño now is a good time to develop both a family and pet emergency plan. Here are some tips on what to include in your pet plan:

If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, ask your veterinarian about the possibility. Make sure your pet’s tags are up-to-date and fastened to its collar. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site. If your pet gets lost, its tag is its ticket home.
Make sure your pet’s immunizations are current and keep a copy of the veterinary records with you.
Take a photo of your pet and keep it with you for identification purposes.
Make a pet emergency kit. You should have enough pet food, bottled water and medications for three days. Also, pack cat litter and pan, manual can opener, food dishes, leash and collar, brush, blankets, a first aid kit and other supplies. A full list of items to include can be found online at www.Ready.Gov. Information also is available at www.Cal-cares,com and www.CDFA.ca.gov.
If you plan to shelter in place, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together. Put all emergency supplies in that room ahead of time, including your pet’s crate and supplies.

Include Your Pets in Emergency Planning

Consider checking with your local animal control agency or emergency management office now to determine if a pet-friendly shelter is available in your area. Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in disaster emergencies.
Make a buddy system with your friends or neighbors as a back-up emergency plan if you cannot care for your animals yourself. The buddy system will assure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.

Those with larger animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs should also plan for these animals by:

Ensuring all animals have some form of identification.
Evacuating animals whenever possible. Map out primary and secondary routes in advance.
Making sure vehicles and trailers for transporting animals as well as experienced handlers and drivers are available.
Ensuring destinations have food, water, veterinary care and handling equipment.

Survivors can register 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. Registration continues through Nov. 23.

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 facebook.com/CaliforniaOES and at Facebook.com/FEMA. For more information on preparing your pets for a disaster go to www.Ready.Gov. The state program CARES also provides information on animal care and control in the event of a disaster or emergency. Find the agency online at www.cal-cares.com.

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Include Your Pets in Disaster Preparedness Planning

Keep Your Important Documents Safe from a Disaster

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Fumbling through files for important papers can be frustrating. But when an emergency strikes, trying to gather up all those documents can be downright frightening.

There is a way around all the late-minute hassle, but it will take some time and a way to organize and contain them so that you can grab and go when a disaster strikes. And, with predictions of more severe weather and flooding this winter due to El Nino, now is a good time to organize your papers.

Container options can range from a fireproof lock box or safe, a safety deposit box or something as simple as a three-ring binder with plastic sleeves into which you can insert the documents.

The list of documents and records you will want to have is long, but will be invaluable after you have evacuated your home. You will need access to some of these items sooner than others, but all are important enough to include in your “must have” list:

Vital Records: Driver’s licenses, birth certificates, adoption papers, Social Security cards, passports, citizenship papers (such as a “green card” or naturalization documents), marriage license, divorce decrees, child custody papers, current military ID, military discharge (DD Form 214), medical and vaccination records for pets along with current photos and ID chip numbers in case you are separated.
Insurance Policies: Homeowners, renters, flood, earthquake, auto, life, health, disability, long-term care; have at least the policy number and insurance company contact information for each type of coverage.

Keep Your Important Documents Safe from a Disaster

Property Records: Real estate deeds of trust and mortgage documents (at least the two-page settlement statement provided by the title company showing the actual cost of the house and purchase expenses); rental agreement or lease; auto/boat/RV registration and titles; video, photos or a list of household inventory.
Medical Information: Immunization and other medical records, prescription information (drug name and dosage), health insurance identification cards, physician names and phone numbers, powers-of-attorney for health care, and living wills.
Estate planning documents: Wills, trusts, funeral instructions, powers-of-attorney, attorney names and phone numbers.
Financial records: First two pages of your previous year’s federal and state tax returns, stock and bond certificates, investment records, brokerage and retirement account information, credit card, checking and savings account numbers, contact information for credit unions, banks, financial institutions, credit card companies and financial advisers.
Other: Personal address book, a letter with instructions for family or friends (for use in a situation where you’re not present), backups of important computer files, a list of usernames and passwords for online accounts, a key to your safe deposit box, a recent photograph, fingerprints and dental records for each member of the household (some police stations and nonprofits fingerprint children free);, account and contact information for utilities and other services (you may have to provide a new billing address or cancel certain services), a list of important documents and where originals and copies are located.

Those who don’t have the time or ability to gather all of these documents should focus on the most important and most difficult to replace.

In addition, take time now to think about the priceless personal items you would want to protect from danger or take with you if you had to suddenly evacuate your home.

The first step is to take an inventory of your household valuables. Those who wish more complete checklists or guidance on collecting and safeguarding this important information, go to www.ready.gov/financialpreparedness.

If you have lost documents in the Butte or Valley fires, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4240 to learn how to replace them.

Keep Your Important Documents Safe from a Disaster

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

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Keep Your Important Documents Safe from a Disaster

Replacing personal documents after a natural disaster

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Wildfire survivors in Calaveras and Lake counties who lost important documents can use this guide to help obtain replacements.

All of the organizations listed below offer online resources. If personal computers aren’t available, public libraries and other agencies may have computers available to the general public.

Document	Who to Contact for Replacement
EBT Card	California’s CalFresh is part of the federal program known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as Food Stamps). Lost EBT card replacements – Call 877-328-9677 right away, or contact your local county social services worker.
Birth and Death Certificates	Birth and Death Certificates-California Department of Public Health or online at www.cdph.ca.gov or by calling 916-445-2684. $25 fee for replacement.
Lost Green Card	Go to www.uscis.gov and complete the Form I-90, application to replace a permanent resident card, and file it online or by mail. Call 800-375-5283 to check the status of your application.
California Driver License	Visit a California DMV office to complete an application. Replacement license forms must be delivered in person. For more information, call 800-777-0133.

Bank Checks, ATM/Debit Cards, or Safe Deposit Boxes	Contact your financial institution or get contact information from the FDIC by calling 877-275-3342 or going to www.fdic.gov.
Credit Cards	Contact the issuing institution: American Express 800-992-3404 or www.home.americanexpress.com Discover 800-347-2683 or www.discover.com/credit-cards/help-center/ Master Card 800-622-7747 or www.mastercard.com/cgi-bin/emergserv.cgi Visa 800-847-2911 or www.usa.visa.com NOTE: If you don’t remember all the credit cards you had, obtain a credit report from any of the three major credit bureaus.
Credit Report	Equifax, Experian or TransUnion 877-322-8228 or www.annualcreditreport.com
Social Security Card	Social Security 800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov
Fraud Alerts or a Credit Freeze	Fraud Alerts: Call the identity theft helpline at 877-438-4338; contact the FTC at: www.ftc.gov
Medicare Cards	Social Security Administration 800 772-1213 or www.socialsecurity.gov/medicarecard/
Passport	U.S. Department of State, Passport Services, Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section 202-955-0430 or 877-487-2778 or www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/lost-stolen.html
U.S. Savings Bonds	U.S. Department of Treasury 800-722-2678 or www.treasurydirect.gov
Tax Returns	Internal Revenue Service 800-829-1040 or download the Request for Copy of Tax Return at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf
Military Records	National Archives and Records Administration 866-272-6272 or www.archives.gov/contact/

The deadline to register with FEMA for disaster assistance is Monday Nov. 23. 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.

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

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Replacing personal documents after a natural disaster

South Carolina Survivors Have Two Weeks to Apply for FEMA Assistance

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two weeks remain for survivors of the Oct. 1-23 storms and flooding in South Carolina to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and submit loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 4. Once registered, you’re in the system. There is no need to register again.

Assistance can include money for temporary housing and essential home repairs for primary homes, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help survivors recover from the effects of the disaster.

There are several ways to register for federal assistance. Individuals can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multilingual operators are available. Survivors may also get assistance from a Disaster Survivor Assistance team member working in their communities.

Although it is not necessary to visit a disaster recovery center in the 24 disaster-designated counties, some survivors may want to visit a center where they can have access to FEMA program specialists and other federal representatives. For the 29 center locations currently open, visit: http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 or Video Relay Service or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362.

The SBA deadline for homeowners, renters and businesses to submit loan applications for physical damage is also Dec. 4. Survivors may obtain 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.

At the disaster recovery centers, SBA customer service representatives can answers questions, help complete loan applications and close loans. The SBA also operates business recovery centers in Charleston, Horry, Richland and Sumter counties.

For more information on South Carolina’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4241, twitter.com/FEMARegion4, www.facebook.com/FEMA and www.fema.gov/blog.

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South Carolina Survivors Have Two Weeks to Apply for FEMA Assistance

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.

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No flood insurance? Now is the time to buy

Rebuild with floods and fires in mind

Images shows house that had a ceramic roof when built saved the home from the Valley fires.

Ceramic tile roofing is a best practice to mitigate embers from igniting the roof structure when considering living with the threat of wildfires. When one home with a shake shingle roof is destroyed, another homeowner with a ceramic tile roof mitigated the penetrating flames and saved the structure and all personal belongings. Adam Dubrowa/ FEMA

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Decisions made now in rebuilding homes destroyed or damaged in the September wildfires can pay big dividends by minimizing future fire and flood damage.

Free publications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will explain how. They are available at the Disaster Recovery Centers, at FEMA display locations listed below and online by searching for the titles at FEMA.gov.

Flood after Fire Risks – FloodSmart.gov describes the importance of buying flood insurance. The insurance is available to both homeowners and renters. Standard homeowner and rental insurance may not cover flood damage. Charred, barren ground increases the risk of flash flooding because it is less able to absorb rainfall. Forecasters are predicting above average rainfall this coming rainy season because of an El Niño weather pattern.

Rebuilding After a Wildfire Fact Sheet presents many ways to rebuild safer, stronger and more resilient to wildfires.

FEMA displays are at the following locations:

Sender’s Market
8111 Garabaldi St.
Mountain Ranch, CA 95246

Mendo Mill & Lumber Co.
5255 Old Hwy. 53
Clearlake, CA 95422

Four Corners Builders Supply
14918 Olympic Dr.
Clearlake, CA 95422

Ace Hardware
155 S. Main St.
Angels Camp, CA 95221

These sites have all the information that is provided at the Disaster Recovery Centers about rebuilding and protecting your property and also information about flood insurance. To locate the nearest Disaster Recovery Center, go to www.fema.gov/DRC. The publications listed above also are available online for download at www.fema.gov. Click on Search and type in the full title shown above.

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

and at Facebook.com/FEMA.

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Rebuild with floods and fires in mind

FEMA Specialists Blanketed Fire Ravaged Areas of California with Help

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The day after President Obama issued a major disaster declaration in Calaveras and Lake counties, Calif., FEMA teams were already on the ground and fanned out providing information and helping survivors register for assistance from the disastrous wildfires.

Beginning Sept. 23, more than 61 Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) specialists divided into teams and went door-to-door, store-to-store and into high-traffic areas – wherever survivors might be. DSA specialists provided survivors with information, registered them for disaster assistance on the spot and also referred them to additional resources when needed.

This boots-on-the-ground technique allowed DSA team members to reach survivors in remote mountainous areas, and as a result, DSA specialists registered more than 45 percent of the 3,497 survivors who applied for assistance, a high mark for the FEMA DSA program.

“I’m very proud of the dedicated DSA teams,” said Timothy Scranton, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for the disaster. “DSA provides support to disaster survivors directly in the communities where they live and work. This is a value-added service we can bring after a disaster to expedite the recovery process.”

But these specialists do more than registration. They keep alert to conditions, needs and activity in affected areas and report their findings to the appropriate individuals.

“They become an extra pair of eyes and ears in determining where issues exist,” Scranton added.

At the height of this operation, DSA specialists worked in the two counties, handing out flyers, providing information to people displaced by the wildfires, and followed up with the survivors to check the status of their applications.

The fires wiped out phone service in many areas. DSA specialists allowed survivors to use their FEMA-issued cell phones to check their registration or make other important calls.

“It can be stressful not to be able to pick up the phone and make a call,” said Tony Nguyen, Disaster Survivor Assistance branch director. “Making our cell service available is another way to help survivors recover.”

DSA teams have provided disaster assistance information to survivors in Calaveras and Lake counties since Sept. 23. Here is a snapshot of their efforts:

Homes visited – 5,279
Survivor interactions – 6,370
Survivor registrations – 1,462
Referrals to other agencies such as American Red Cross and SBA– 1,209
Businesses visited – 600
Community locations where DSA help was provided – 165

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or http://beta.fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9

and at Facebook.com/FEMA.

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FEMA Specialists Blanketed Fire Ravaged Areas of California with Help

South Carolina Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Bamberg and Eutawville

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two disaster recovery centers are open in Bamberg and Eutawville to help South Carolina flood survivors.

The centers will be open seven days a week, Monday through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., until further notice.

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the centers to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.

The disaster recovery centers are located at the following addresses:

Bamberg County
Kearse Building
847 Calhoun St.
Bamberg, SC

Orangeburg County
Gaillard Park Rural Development Center
848 Sandspoint St.
Eutawville, SC

If possible, before going to a disaster recovery center, people with flooding losses should register with FEMA. They can go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages, and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster assistance applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 800-462-7585 (TTY). For Video Relay Service or accommodations to visit a center, call 800-621-3362.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for temporary rental assistance and essential home repairs for primary residences not covered by insurance.

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South Carolina Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Bamberg and Eutawville

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.

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Federal Assistance for California Wildfire Survivors Tops $20 Million

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