Mart ISD Student is Lone Texan Selected for National Youth Preparedness Council

DENTON, Texas—The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced this week the selectees for the 2016-2018 National Youth Preparedness Council.

Chandler Villa, a rising senior from Mart High School, will be the sole representative from FEMA Region 6, which serves Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Created in 2012, the council brings together youth leaders from across the country who are interested in preparedness and making a difference in their communities. Council members will also complete preparedness projects.

The 17-year-old first got involved with the Mart High School Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) a year ago after talking to some of her teachers about it.

“I’ve always had a desire to help others,” Villa said. “I was the kid at the playground with band aids in my backpack.”

The team was recognized for their accomplishments last year. The group received honorable mentions in two categories of the 2015 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness and Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team.

That year, the team was deployed to the City of Marlin during a two week water crisis. The team assisted in the distribution of water to residents. Other team activities have include ride along training with paramedics, which is what Villa is most interested in.

Villa has plans to continue her education in the medical field. She has an interest in becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); and perhaps study to be a nurse and physician assistant in college. She credits the CERT team experience with teaching her more about herself.

“Honestly, there are many things that stick out because I have a really great team with a great instructor,” Villa said. “Marlin was really cool to see what it’s really like with the press conferences, see what else is going on aside from what the public sees in the news.”

Villa will take part in the Youth Preparedness Council Summit July 19-20, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

The summit gives members the opportunity to share their ideas and questions with national organizations. The students will have an opportunity to plan their legacy project.  The council will also meet with FEMA community preparedness staff, who will serve as their ongoing support mentors.

The council supports FEMA’s commitment to involve youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides an avenue to engage youth by taking into account their perspectives, feedback and opinions.

To learn more about the FEMA Youth Preparedness Council, please visit: http://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.

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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.   Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov. 

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Mart ISD Student is Lone Texan Selected for National Youth Preparedness Council

FEMA Announces 2016 Youth Preparedness Council Members

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the selectees for the 2016–2018 Youth Preparedness Council.

Created in 2012, the council brings together youth leaders from across the country who are interested in advocating on behalf of preparedness and making a difference in their communities by completing preparedness projects. The council supports FEMA’s commitment to involve youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides an avenue to engage youth by taking into account their perspectives, feedback, and opinions. Council members meet with FEMA staff throughout their term to provide input on strategies, initiatives, and projects.

FEMA selected the ten new members of the council based on their dedication to public service, community involvement, and potential to expand their impact as national advocates for youth preparedness. The members selected in 2016 are:

  • Kristen Lavoie (FEMA Region I, New Hampshire)
  • Ahjeetha Shankar (FEMA Region I, Connecticut)
  • Aahna Ghosh (FEMA Region II, New Jersey)
  • Sam Kleinberg (FEMA Region II, New Jersey)
  • David Bedard (FEMA Region III, Virginia)
  • Preston Buszka (FEMA Region V, Michigan)
  • Chandler Villa (FEMA Region VI, Texas)
  • James Hirsch (FEMA Region VII, Missouri)
  • Jerome Dinakar (FEMA Region VIII, Colorado)
  • Alexander Sun (FEMA Region VIII, Utah)

The returning council members are:

  • Kiahna Lee Espia, Council Co-Chairperson (FEMA Region IX, Guam)
  • Divakar Saini, Council Co-Chairperson (FEMA Region IX, California)
  • Angelo DeGraff (FEMA Region III, Maryland)
  • Hailey Starr (FEMA Region X, Washington)
  • Megan Stutzman (FEMA Region X, Oregon)

Each council member will participate in the Youth Preparedness Council Summit, July 19–20, 2016 in Washington, D.C. The summit gives members the opportunity to share their ideas and questions with national organizations; plan their legacy project; and meet with FEMA community preparedness staff, who serve as their ongoing support and mentors.

To learn more about the FEMA Youth Preparedness Council, please visit: http://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.
 

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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.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, 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.

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FEMA Announces 2016 Youth Preparedness Council Members

FEMA Helpline Can Assist Disaster Survivors

RIDGELAND, Miss.  – The disaster recovery centers operated jointly by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are closed, but help is still available for Mississippians affected by the March floods.

The FEMA helpline can assist with appeals, answer questions, provide the status of applications and discuss the documents needed to move an application forward.

The FEMA helpline number is 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service). TTY users can 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.

Disaster survivors who registered via DisasterAssistance.gov may access their account and provide additional information to FEMA. For others, documents and appeal letters may be faxed to FEMA at 800-827-8112.

FEMA disaster survivor assistance teams are actively monitoring disaster survivor needs in Bolivar, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Panola, Perry, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica and Washington counties.

Survivors with questions about the U. S. Small Business Administration disaster loan program can call 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339.

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.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money to help business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters rebuild and recover after a disaster. SBA low interest disaster loans repair and replace property losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or

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FEMA Helpline Can Assist Disaster Survivors

Centro de Recuperación por Desastre en Bogalusa se Convierte en Centro de Préstamos de SBA para Ayudar a los Sobrevivientes en Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. – El Centro de Recuperación por Desastre (DRC, por sus siglas en inglés) localizado en Bogalusa, parroquia de Washington,  se convertirá en un Centro de Servicio y Préstamos por Desastre (DLOC) de la Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa de los EE.UU. (SBA) comenzando el jueves 28 de abril.

El DRC en Bogalusa cerrará el miércoles 27 de abril a las 6:00 p.m. y luego abrirá como un centro de servicios de SBA en una nueva dirección:

Washington Parish Library
304 Avenue F
Bogalusa, La.

El centro DLOC abrirá al público lunes, martes y jueves de 9:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.; miércoles y viernes de 9:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m. Representantes de SBA estarán disponibles en el DLOC para reunirse individualmente con los residentes y dueños de negocios de Louisiana que sufrieron daños como resultado de las severas tormentas e inundaciones ocurridas del 8 de marzo al 8 de abril. Los representantes contestarán preguntas, explicarán en detalle el programa de préstamos por desastre de SBA, ayudarán a completar solicitudes y cerrarán préstamos por desastres que han sido aprobados.

Los sobrevivientes de desastre en Louisiana que viven en Bogalusa pueden visitar otros DRC para reunirse con los funcionarios de recuperación. Hay otro centro abierto en la parroquia de Washington en la siguiente dirección:

Eastgate Shopping Center
1926 Washington St., Suite 1924
Franklinton, La.

Para localizar otros centros, visite la página web asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm o llame al 800-621-3362.

Los residentes todavía pueden inscribirse para la asistencia por desastre o hacer preguntas llamando a la línea de ayuda de FEMA 800-621-3362 (TTY) 800-462-7585. Aquellos que usan 711 o el Servicio de Retransmisión de Video (VRS) pueden llamar al 800-621-3362. Las líneas telefónicas operan de 7:00 a.m. a 10:00 p.m. siete días a la semana, hasta nuevo aviso. También pueden inscribirse en línea visitando www.DisasterAssistance.gov/es o fema.gov/es/disaster/4263.

Llame a la línea de ayuda para:

  • Hacer preguntas sobre las cartas de elegibilidad de FEMA.
  • Obtener información sobre cómo apelar las cartas de elegibilidad de FEMA. Todos los solicitantes pueden apelar.
  • Conocer el estado de su solicitud.
  • Proveer cambios de dirección, teléfono o números de cuantas bancarias e información de su seguro para evitar que se retrase el procesamiento de la asistencia por desastre.
  • Obtener información sobre las inspecciones de vivienda de FEMA.
  • Obtener respuestas sobre la asistencia federal por desastre.

FEMA recomienda que los solicitantes tengan a mano su número de inscripción de nueve dígitos cuando hagan la llamada. Deberán también verificar su identidad para poder tener acceso a su información personal.

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Los alentamos a que continúe con precaución en áreas donde haya todavía áreas inundadas. Siga los pasos de DOTD en su página web www.511la.org para obtener la información más reciente sobre el cierre de caminos. Esté atento a los comunicados de advertencia de sus autoridades locales y de los gerentes del manejo de emergencias. Usted puede encontrar información actualizada en la página de respuesta del estado en www.emergency.la.gov. También GOHSEP proporciona información en Facebook y Twitter. Usted puede recibir alertas de emergencia en la mayoría de los teléfonos celulares y tabletas al descargar la nueva aplicación de alerta de FM. Esta es gratuita usando el servicio básico. Usted también puede descargar la Guía para la Preparación en Emergencias de Louisiana y encontrar otra información adicional en www.getagameplan.org

La asistencia para la recuperación por desastre está disponible sin tomar en consideración raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés o nivel económico. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido discriminado, llame al número gratuito de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Para llamar al TTY use 800-462-7585.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a los ciudadanos y a las agencias de socorristas para garantizar que trabajemos juntos como nación para desarrollar, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad para prepararnos, protegernos, dar respuesta, recuperarnos y mitigar todos los peligros. Síganos en Twitter en http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 y en el blog de FEMA en http://blog.fema.gov.

La Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa, por sus siglas en inglés) es el recurso primario de fondos del gobierno federal para reconstruir a largo plazo la propiedad privada dañada por los desastres. El SBA ayuda a los propietarios de viviendas, inquilinos y negocios de todos los tamaños y privados, organizaciones sin fines de lucro a financiar la reparación o esfuerzos de reconstrucción y cubrir los costos de reemplazo por la pérdida o daño causado por el desastre a la propiedad personal. Estos préstamos por el desastre cubren pérdidas no compensadas completamente por el seguro u otras formas de recuperación y no duplica los beneficios de otras agencias u organizaciones. Para mayor información, los solicitantes deben ponerse en contacto con el Centro de Servicio al Cliente de la Asistencia por Desastre de SBA llamando al (800) 659-2955, por correo electrónico disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, o al visitar la página web de SBA en www.sba.gov/disaster. Para personas con problemas auditivos o del habla, llamar al (800) 877-8339.

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Centro de Recuperación por Desastre en Bogalusa se Convierte en Centro de Préstamos de SBA para Ayudar a los Sobrevivientes en Louisiana

Help Remains After Quitman County Disaster Recovery Center Closes

RIDGELAND, Miss. –The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that the Quitman County Disaster Recovery Center at the Marks Fire Department in Marks will close permanently Wednesday, April 27, at

6 p.m. However, disaster survivor assistance teams continue to canvass the area with information on available assistance, and survivors can still call the FEMA helpline.

Area residents also may continue to visit nearby centers in Bolivar and Washington counties. Disaster recovery centers are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Sunday.

Centers are located at:

Bolivar County

Willard R. Samuel Jr. Gymnasium

700 N. Chrisman Ave.

Cleveland, MS 38732        

Washington County

Washington County Convention Center

1040 South Raceway Road

Greenville, MS 38703

Anyone affected by the severe storms and flooding in a designated county may visit any of the centers. Survivors can locate the nearest center by visiting fema.gov/drc or by calling the FEMA helpline.

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who need to register for assistance, may    visit 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.

Survivors who require a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille, Large Print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the appropriate helpline number above.

Survivors also can use the helpline to:

  • Ask questions about a letter from FEMA.

  • Learn how to appeal a FEMA decision. All applicants may appeal.

  • Inquire about the status of a registration.

  • Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.

  • Receive information about FEMA home inspections.

  • Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

    Applicants should have their nine-digit FEMA registration number and ZIP code if they want to discuss their application.

    For the latest information on Mississippi disaster recovery operations, go online to msema.org and fema.gov/disaster/4268.

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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.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money to help business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters rebuild and recover after a disaster. SBA low interest disaster loans repair and replace property losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

 

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Help Remains After Quitman County Disaster Recovery Center Closes

Federal disaster aid in Missouri tops $91 million

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – More than $91 million in federal assistance is helping Missourians rebuild and recover from floods and storms that struck in December and January. Rainfall brought historic flood levels along the Mississippi, Missouri and Meramec rivers resulting in flooding along the rivers and their tributaries.

In January, President Obama declared residents in 33 counties were eligible to receive disaster assistance. Between February and March, he designated 41 counties eligible for reimbursements for infrastructure damage.

A breakdown of disaster assistance includes:

  • $12.6 million in FEMA grants to more than 2,400 households for emergency home repairs, repair or replacement of essential personal property, rental assistance, and help with funeral, medical, dental, transportation and other disaster-related expenses.

  • $16.7 million in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans to 392 homeowners, renters and businesses.

  • $62.1 million in National Flood Insurance Program payments to homeowners, renters and businesses.

FEMA encourages disaster survivors with continuing needs to stay in touch with FEMA by calling the helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362.

Individual Assistance was extended to 33 counties: Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

Public Assistance was granted to the City of St. Louis and 41 counties: Barry, Bollinger, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cedar, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Scott, Shannon, St. Charles, St. Clair, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Washington and Webster.

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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 web pages 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).

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, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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Federal disaster aid in Missouri tops $91 million

Help Remains After Coahoma County Disaster Recovery Center Closes

RIDGELAND, Miss. –The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that the Coahoma County Disaster Recovery Center at the Clarksdale Civic Center in Clarksdale will close permanently Thursday, April 21, at 6 p.m. However, disaster survivor assistance teams continue to canvass the area with information on available assistance.

Area residents may continue to visit nearby centers in Bolivar, Quitman and Washington counties. Disaster recovery centers are open this week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Sundays.

Centers are located at:

Bolivar County

Willard R. Samuel Jr. Gymnasium

700 N. Chrisman Ave.

Cleveland, MS 38732       

Quitman County

Marks Fire Department

108 W. Main St.

Marks, MS 38646

Washington County

Washington County Convention Center

1040 South Raceway Road

Greenville, MS 38703

Anyone affected by the storms and flooding in a designated county may visit any of the centers. Survivors can locate the nearest center by visiting fema.gov/drc or by calling the FEMA helpline.

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who need to register for assistance, may visit 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.

Survivors who require a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille Large Print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the appropriate Helpline number above.

Survivors also can use the helpline to:

  • Ask questions about a letter from FEMA.

  • Learn how to appeal a FEMA decision. All applicants may appeal.

  • Inquire about the status of a registration.

  • Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.

  • Receive information about FEMA home inspections.

  • Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

    Applicants should have their nine-digit FEMA registration number and ZIP code if they want to discuss their application.

    For the latest information on Mississippi disaster recovery operations, go online to msema.org and fema.gov/disaster/4268.

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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.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money to help business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters rebuild and recover after a disaster. SBA low interest disaster loans repair and replace property losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

 

Original article: 

Help Remains After Coahoma County Disaster Recovery Center Closes

Tallahatchie County Added to Federal Disaster Declaration for March Severe Storms and Floods

Ridgeland, Miss. – At the request of Governor Phil Bryant, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has amended a recent disaster declaration for severe storms and flooding from March 9-29, 2016. Survivors in Tallahatchie County can now register with FEMA for disaster assistance through the Individual Assistance program.

Survivors who sustained disaster-related losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by calling FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 or relay service. (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. Online registration is available at disasterassistance.gov.

There are now 17 Mississippi counties designated for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, including: Bolivar, Clarke, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Greene, Jones, Marion, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica, Washington and Wayne.

Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed personal property, medical and dental expenses. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration may also be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Mississippi residents in the 17 designated counties should register with FEMA even if they have insurance, but only if their property was damaged by the severe storms and flooding. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization. Federal disaster aid does not affect other government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicaid, and is not considered taxable income. Only one person per household is eligible to register. Survivors must use the name that appears on their Social Security cards when registering with FEMA.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

  • Social Security number
  • Address of the damaged home or apartment
  • 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 direct deposit of funds

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.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money to help business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters rebuild and recover after a disaster. SBA low interest disaster loans repair and replace property losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

 

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Tallahatchie County Added to Federal Disaster Declaration for March Severe Storms and Floods

Nearly $3.3 Million in Disaster Assistance Distributed to Mississippi Storm Survivors

PEARL, Miss. – Nearly $3.3 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been disbursed to help those affected by the storms and flooding in Mississippi that began March 9, 2016.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been contacted by nearly 2,200 people for help or information regarding disaster assistance.

In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration and voluntary agencies. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and FEMA often refer survivors to those agencies. All businesses are also referred to the SBA.

The following is a snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of April 4:

  • Nearly $3.3 million has been distributed in individuals and households  grants, including:
    • More than $2.6 million for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
    • More than $630,000 to cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
  • 1,297 home inspections completed.
  • 762 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
  • Four disaster recovery centers open in Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman and Washington counties.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance coverage, survivors who sustained damage in the 16 disaster-designated Mississippi counties are urged to apply for help. The Individual Assistance-designated counties are Bolivar, Clarke, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Greene, Jones, Marion, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Quitman, Sunflower, Tunica, Washington and Wayne.

People who sustained disaster-related damage in any of the 16 designated Mississippi counties can register for assistance by calling FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362, which is video relay service accessible. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call             TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Survivors can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Survivors can speak in person with state, federal and voluntary agency representatives by visiting a disaster recovery center. Centers are open in Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman and Washington counties. Centers are planned in additional counties in the coming days. To locate the nearest center, call the FEMA helpline or go to fema.gov/drc.

For more information on Mississippi’s 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 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 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.

 

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Nearly $3.3 Million in Disaster Assistance Distributed to Mississippi Storm Survivors

Mississippi Disaster Survivors: Don’t Be Victimized by Fraudulent Contractors or Disaster Workers

PEARL, Miss. – Mississippians whose homes were damaged in the recent storms and flooding may encounter people attempting to cheat them by posing as inspectors, government officials, volunteers or contractors. These people may try to obtain personal information or collect payment for disaster assistance or repairs.

Please keep in mind that Federal Emergency Management Agency employees DO NOT solicit or accept money from disaster survivors. Many legitimate disaster assistance employees may visit your property such as insurance agents, damage inspectors and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration staff.

Here are some tips to remember to safeguard against fraud:

  • Ask to see ID badges. All FEMA representatives will have a laminated photo ID. A FEMA shirt or jacket is not proof of identity. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with anyone you encounter, please contact local law enforcement.
  • Safeguard personal information. Be cautious when giving personal information such as Social Security or bank account numbers to anyone. FEMA will only request an applicant’s bank account numbers during the initial registration process. However FEMA inspectors will require verification of identity.
  • Beware of people going door-to-door. People knocking on doors at damaged homes or phoning homeowners claiming to be building contractors could be con artists, especially if they ask for personal information or solicit money.
  • Federal workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and SBA staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help to fill out applications. FEMA inspectors verify damages, but do not involve themselves in any aspect of the repair nor recommend any contractor.
  • FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams may be in your community providing information and assisting people in registering with FEMA or updating their files. The teams coordinate their activities with local emergency managers and make local law enforcement agencies aware of their presence. The teams always consist of at least two people, and may include employees of MEMA as well as FEMA. They will always be wearing FEMA or MEMA shirts and laminated photo IDs. Disaster Survivor Assistance teams never ask for or accept payment for their services.

 

Always use licensed and bonded contractors and ask for credentials. Use Mississippi contractors if you can. You can verify a Mississippi contractor’s license online at msboc.us. Never pay for anything in advance of work being done. If you have a complaint about anyone soliciting your business, contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office toll-free number at 800-281-4418 or 601-359-3680.

 

If you have knowledge of fraud, waste, abuse or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

Disaster survivors in Bolivar, Clarke, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Greene, Jones, Marion, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Quitman, Sunflower, Tunica, Washington and Wayne counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Survivors in those counties can register for FEMA Individual Assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), which is video relay service accessible. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call TTY 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time until further notice.

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 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 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.

Originally posted here: 

Mississippi Disaster Survivors: Don’t Be Victimized by Fraudulent Contractors or Disaster Workers

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