CHARLESTON, W. Va. – There are only two weeks left to apply for disaster assistance grants from FEMA and to submit applications for physical disaster loans to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). West Virginia survivors eligible for federal assistance, because of the June 22-29 storms and flooding, have until Wednesday, Sept. 7 to file their applications.

Two months after President Obama signed the June 25 disaster declaration making West Virginia residents eligible for federal assistance, nearly 9,000 homeowners and renters have applied to FEMA for help in recovering from the severe storms and flooding, landslides and mudslides that ravaged 12 West Virginia counties.

Storm survivors have been approved for FEMA housing grants totaling more than $39 million to date, while SBA has approved 682 loans to homeowners, renters and businesses for more than $44.2 million. Federal grants and loans are available to residents of the 12 counties that have been designated for assistance: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster.

The registration deadline was extended to Sept. 7 at the request of West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, citing a continued flow of new applications to receive federal assistance in the wake of the storms.

Disaster assistance for individuals may include grants to help homeowners and renters with temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and disaster-related needs. Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare and other federal and state programs.

Registering with FEMA is the first step in qualifying for assistance. Wednesday, Sept. 7 is the last day for survivors to register. FEMA encourages all survivors who sustained disaster-related damage or losses to apply by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362 (TTY users should call 800-462-7585) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov . The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Three of the state’s and FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) remain open until Aug. 31 in Greenbrier and Kanawha counties. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays. An easy-to-use DRC Locator is available at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm .

The SBA, one of FEMA’s partners in disaster recovery, offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses, homeowners and renters. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property. SBA has staff on hand at all FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to assist survivors, one-on-one.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.  TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. The deadline to file an SBA physical disaster loan application is Wednesday, Sept. 7.

If your SBA loan application is approved, you may be eligible to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples

include elevating utilities, water heaters and furnaces, and installing retaining walls and sump pumps.  Applicants may be eligible for an SBA loan increase, for mitigation purposes, of up to 20 percent of their physical damages.

Survivors with questions regarding FEMA registration or who have not yet registered for assistance should call the FEMA Helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585) or visit DisasterAssistance.gov . The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

West Virginia homeowners and renters who have registered for disaster assistance with FEMA are encouraged by recovery officials to “stay in touch.” If survivors change their address or phone numbers they should update that information with FEMA. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays getting a home inspection or in receiving assistance.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog and the flood information pages at http://wvflood.com/Pages/default.aspx .

Originally posted here:  

Two weeks left for West Virginia survivors to apply to FEMA, SBA

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Clay County High School in Clay has closed as of Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016.

FEMA staff will be on site in the mobile command vehicle located in the parking lot of the school at 1 Panther Road, Clay, where you can register for assistance and submit any documentation you have regarding your registration.

FEMA will be on site from:

  • 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12;

  • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13;

  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 15-17.

The last day that FEMA staff will be on site is Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 5 p.m.

As a survivor of the June storms and floods, you can still get the help you need with just a phone call. The deadline to register ends on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016.

Many of the services available at the site are also available on the FEMA helpline. The helpline operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Call 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 for TTY users.

You can also register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or find an open DRC at www.fema.gov/drc. Remember to do this before Wednesday, Aug. 24.

If you want to discuss your application, you should have your nine-digit FEMA registration number and zip code.

You can still visit the other DRCs. Representatives from FEMA, various state agencies and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are at the centers to answer your disaster assistance or low-interest disaster loan questions:

Greenbrier County              

Mobile Disaster Recovery Center,

Southeastern Labor Council,

AFL-CIO, 65 West Main St.,

White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986

 

Greenbrier County              

Town Hall,

201 Kanawha Ave.,

Rainelle, WV 25962

 

Kanawha County                 

3300 Pennsylvania Ave.,

Charleston, WV 25302

 

Kanawha County          

Office trailer in parking lot across from Dollar General Store, 

120 Maywood Ave. W., Clendenin, WV 25045

 

Nicholas County                  

City of Richwood City Hall,

6 White Ave.,

Richwood, WV 26261

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.  TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

The deadline to file an SBA physical disaster loan application is Aug. 24.  SBA Disaster low-interest loans are available to businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters for their recovery needs.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA and fema.gov/blog.

Link to article: 

Clay County DRC has closed

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As West Virginians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by last month’s storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and four local hardware and home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand this week to answer questions and offer home improvement tips along with proven methods to prevent or reduce damage from future disasters. A variety of free workshops for storm-impacted homeowners on such topics as repairing or installing flooring and what to do with rain-soaked drywall will be presented daily. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourselfers and general contractors.

FEMA advisors will be available at:

 

Green’s Feed & Seed

314 Piedmont Road

Charleston, WV  25301

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

The Home Depot

100 Cross Terrace Blvd.

Charleston, WV  25309

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

Lowe’s Home Improvement

5750 MacCorkle Ave. SE

Charleston, WV  25304

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

50 RHL Blvd.

South Charleston, WV  25309

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

Free reference booklets, in English and Spanish, with information on protecting your home from flood damage, will be available at all locations. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

West Virginians who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (EDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog and the flood information pages at http://wvflood.com/Pages/default.aspx

 

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FEMA offers advice at local Kanawha County stores on repairing, rebuilding

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As West Virginians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by last month’s storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and four local hardware and home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand this week to answer questions and offer home improvement tips along with proven methods to prevent or reduce damage from future disasters. A variety of free workshops for storm-impacted homeowners on such topics as repairing or installing flooring and what to do with rain-soaked drywall will be presented daily. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourselfers and general contractors.

FEMA advisors will be available at:

 

Green’s Feed & Seed

314 Piedmont Road

Charleston, WV  25301

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

The Home Depot

100 Cross Terrace Blvd.

Charleston, WV  25309

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

Lowe’s Home Improvement

5750 MacCorkle Ave. SE

Charleston, WV  25304

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

50 RHL Blvd.

South Charleston, WV  25309

Aug. 11 to 17 (Workshop closed on Sunday)

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday – Wednesday

 

Free reference booklets, in English and Spanish, with information on protecting your home from flood damage, will be available at all locations. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

West Virginians who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (EDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog and the flood information pages at http://wvflood.com/Pages/default.aspx

 

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FEMA offers advice at local Kanawha County stores on repairing, rebuilding

AUSTIN, Texas—A disaster recovery center in Tomball, Harris County will close Wednesday, Aug. 10.

Harris County

Location:      
Tomball Public Works Building

501 James St.
Tomball, TX 77375

Closing:         
6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10

Until then, hours of operation at the center are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 8-10. Closed Sunday, Aug. 7.

After the center closes, survivors may visit any of the open disaster recovery centers, anywhere. To find the nearest one, go online to the recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

Those who have already registered with FEMA can get updates about their applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claims online or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Those who have not yet registered for disaster assistance may do so the following ways:

  • online at DisasterAssistance.gov

  • phone 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.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

A free multilingual guide to the types of assistance available can be found at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May-June storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or survivors can visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Read article here:  

Disaster Recovery Center to Close in Harris County

AUSTIN, Texas—Six disaster recovery centers in Anderson, Fort Bend, Montgomery and Waller counties will close this week.

Waller County

Location:      
Brookshire Civic Center
4010 Fourth St.
Brookshire, TX 77432

Closing:         
6 p.m. Wednesday, July 27

Location:      
Waller County Road and Bridge

775 Business 290
Hempstead, TX 77445

Closing:         
6 p.m. Wednesday, July 27

Anderson County

Location:      
Palestine Mall

2000 TX-256 Loop No. 30                      
Palestine, TX 75801

Closing:         
6 p.m. Friday, July 29

Fort Bend County

Location:      
Huggins Elementary School

1 Huggins Dr.
Fulshear, TX 77441

Closing:         
6 p.m. Friday, July 29

Location:      
Sacred Heart Church

507 South Fourth St.
Richmond, TX 77469

Closing:         
6 p.m. Friday, July 29

Montgomery County

Location:      
Lone Star College

3200 College Park Dr.
Rooms G123 and G124
Conroe, TX 77384

Closing:         
2 p.m. Saturday, July 30

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the centers close, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by the April storms and May-June floods can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

  • online at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • phone 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.

  • at a disaster recovery center. To find the nearest one, go online to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

A free multilingual guide to the types of assistance available can be found at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May-June storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or fema.gov/disaster/4269 for the April storms, which affected Anderson County; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow FEMA on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Continue reading – 

Disaster Recovery Centers Closing This Week in 4 Counties

FEMA-DR-4241-SC NR 075

South Carolina EMD: 803-737-8500

FEMA News Desk: 803-714-5894

News Release

Help Remains Available After Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Georgetown                                                                                                

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A disaster recovery center in Georgetown County will close Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m.:

  • Beck Recreation Center, 2030 West Church St., Georgetown

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline. Survivors of Oct. 1-23 storms and flooding in Georgetown County can get help by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585; those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors can use the helpline to:

  • Ask questions about FEMA decision letters.

  • Learn how to appeal FEMA decision letters. 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 South Carolina flood recovery operations, visit scemd.org and fema.gov/disaster/4241.

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).

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.

Continue reading: 

Help Remains Available After Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Georgetown

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In response to the unmet needs of survivors following the Valley Fire, a long term recovery committee (LTRC) has been established. This committee, Team Lake County (TLC), has requested the expertise of a national disaster recovery group to determine who in the community will need additional assistance from voluntary agencies to rebuild and recover from the fire.

World Renew Disaster Response Services has agreed to conduct a survey to identify the disaster-related needs of survivors identified as needing additional assistance. These surveys will take place from Wednesday, Jan. 20 through Thursday, Feb. 4 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.  The team will be located at the Middletown Community Meeting Room at 21256 Washington St., Middletown, CA 95461 for most of its stay.

On both Wednesday, Jan. 27 and Thursday, Jan. 28 the team will be in the field meeting with survivors.

The information given to World Renew is confidential and will assist designated case managers to help residents connect with available resources. The information will also help to develop a detailed estimate of the total cost for recovery in the community, which aids the LTRC raise the necessary recovery funds and donations.

LTRCs are organized in communities across the country from a variety of organizations, such as church denominations, local charities, community foundations and some independent groups, such as nondenominational churches, or businesses.

The role of the LTRC is to determine and provide reasonable unmet needs for as many individuals and families as possible that cannot be further assisted by the state or federal government.  

FEMA plays a part as well, assigning a liaison to help coordinate the LTRCs’ efforts and provide advice. The liaison also reviews benefit requests to make sure there are no duplications.

John Chavez, who fills the FEMA liaison position for the Lake County wildfire, said the LTRC will “not replace a swimming pool, but may replace lost siding and even give a house a new paint job.”

While one part of the LTRC works to fill survivors’ needs, another part of the organization works to recruit volunteer organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Mennonite Disaster Services and others to come in and repair or rebuild homes. Still others secure grants large enough to meet most, if not all, of the unmet needs.

“The dollars can go into the millions,” Chavez added. “If there is surplus, we can use the money to replace furniture, appliances and other items that will help people get back on their feet.”

For more information, go to the TLC website at teamlakecounty.org.

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.

Taken from:  

National Disaster Recovery Group to Assess Lake County Fire-Related Needs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A disaster recovery center in Florence County will close Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m.:

  • Lake City Pentecostal Holiness Church, 620 S. Ron McNair Blvd., Lake City

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline. Survivors of Oct. 1-23 storms and flooding in Florence County can get help by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585; those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors can use the helpline to:

  • Ask questions about FEMA decision letters.

  • Learn how to appeal FEMA decision letters. 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.

Survivors may still visit other recovery centers to ask disaster assistance questions. They can locate the closest center by visiting asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are at centers to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest loans.

For the latest information on South Carolina flood recovery operations, visit scemd.org and fema.gov/disaster/4241.

More:  

Help Remains Available After Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Lake City

COLUMBIA, S.C. – One disaster recovery center will close Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.:

  • John Ford Community Center at 304 Agnes St. in St. Matthews

Applicants in St. Matthews may still visit other recovery centers to ask disaster assistance questions. They can locate their closest center by visiting asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are at centers to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest loans.

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline. Applicants can get help by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585; those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors can use the helpline to:

  • Register for federal assistance. Households should register only once.

  • Ask questions about FEMA decision letters.

  • Learn how to appeal FEMA decision letters. 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 questions answered about federal disaster assistance and the application process.

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

For the latest information on South Carolina flood recovery operations, visit scemd.org and fema.gov/disaster/4241.

Read this article: 

Help Remains Available After Disaster Recovery Center Closes in St. Matthews

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