Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Grayson County for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Grayson County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 19.

Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

The recovery center serves survivors from any of the 36 counties designated for Individual Assistance who need one-on-one help. State and federal professionals will be available to assist eligible survivors get help as quickly as possible.

Location and hours of operation

Sherman Youth Center
407 W. Washington
Sherman, TX 75090
 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Closed Sunday

People who had storm damage can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it. Some of the services may include:

  • Guidance regarding disaster recovery
  • Clarification of any written correspondence received
  • Housing Assistance and Rental Resources information
  • Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance
  • Status of applications being processed by FEMA

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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. 

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Grayson County for Texas Flood Survivors

Disaster Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are ready to assist everyone, including seniors, persons with disabilities and others with an access and functional need before, during and after a disaster.

Oklahoma seniors and those with disabilities are eligible to receive the same services and assistance offered to anyone in the declared disaster areas. However, the means to register for and receive assistance may be different for someone with a disability. That person may require accommodations such as a sign language interpreter or information in alternate formats.

Anyone who experienced losses or damages as a result of Oklahoma’s severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes of May 5 through June 4 has several ways to register for disaster assistance.

They can apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov, or by telephone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If they use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services, they should call 800-621-3362. Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week 24 hours a day. Or they can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

Some frequently asked questions include: 

Will disaster assistance change my benefits?

  • If you receive Social Security benefits, you will not lose your benefits and they will not be changed or cut if you receive disaster aid from the state or FEMA.
  • If you receive Medicaid, food stamps, or Aid to Families with Dependent Children, you will not lose your benefits and they will not be cut if you receive disaster aid from the state or FEMA.
  • A FEMA grant does not add to an applicant’s taxable income.

What are the available accommodations?

  • For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, DRCs offer several communication methods, from captioned phones to iPads with video remote interpreting access to sign language interpreters. On-site interpreters are also available upon request.
  • For persons who are blind or have low vision, documents are available in large print and Braille.
  • For persons who use a mobility device, DRCs have accessible parking, ramps and accessible restrooms.
  • Remember: If you need an accommodation, just ask.

How will I know what I am eligible for?

  • Those who live in one of the 33 Oklahoma counties approved for federal Individual Assistance as a result of the storms that occurred May 5 through June 4 may be eligible for disaster assistance.
  • The only way to know if you are eligible – and what you are eligible for – is to apply. The application deadline for this disaster is July 27.
  • Anyone with a disability or any access or functional need who requires help registering should not hesitate to contact FEMA.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

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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Disaster Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

Residents of Newly Designated Oklahoma Counties Should Beware of Fraud

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma residents whose properties were damaged in the recent storms and flooding are warned to be alert for, and urged to report, any potential fraud during recovery and rebuilding efforts, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The aftermath of a disaster can attract opportunists and confidence artists. Homeowners, renters and businesses can follow some simple steps to avoid being swindled.

Be suspicious if a contractor:

  • Demands cash or full payment up front for repair work;
  • Has no physical address or identification;
  • Urges you to borrow to pay for repairs, then steers you to a specific lender or tries to act as an intermediary between you and a lender;
  • Asks you to sign something you have not had time to review; or
  • Wants your personal financial information to start the repair or lending process.

To avoid fraud:

  • Question strangers offering to do repair work and demand to see identification;
  • Do your own research before borrowing money for repairs. Compare quotes, repayment schedules and rates. If they differ significantly, ask why;
  • Never give any personal financial information to an unfamiliar person; and
  • Never sign any document without first reading it fully. Ask for an explanation of any terms or conditions you do not understand.

Disasters also attract people who claim to represent charities but do not. The Federal Trade Commission warns people to be careful and follow some simple rules:

  • Donate to charities you know and trust. Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight.
  • If you’re solicited for a donation, ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser, whom they work for, and the percentage of your donation that will go to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization.
  • Do not give out personal or financial information – including your credit card or bank account number – unless you know the charity is reputable.
  • Never send cash: you can’t be sure the organization will receive your donation.
  • Check out a charity before you donate. Contact the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org.

If you believe you are the victim of a contracting scam, price-gouging or bogus charity solicitations, contact local law enforcement and report it to the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General. Find a complaint form online at www.ok.gov/oag. The Federal Trade Commission takes complaints at www.ftc.gov/complaint.

Many legitimate persons — insurance agents, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance personnel, local inspectors and actual contractors — may have to visit your storm-damaged property. Survivors could, however, encounter people posing as inspectors, government officials or contractors in a bid to obtain personal information or collect payment for repair work. Your best strategy to protect yourself against fraud is to ask to see identification in all cases and to safeguard your personal financial information. Please keep in mind that local, state and federal employees do not solicit or accept money for their services to the citizens.

All FEMA employees and contractors will have a laminated photo ID. A FEMA shirt or jacket alone is not proof of identity. FEMA generally will request an applicant’s Social Security or bank account numbers only during the initial registration process. However, FEMA inspectors might require verification of identity. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help filling out applications. FEMA inspectors verify damages but do not recommend or hire specific contractors to fix homes.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

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.

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

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Residents of Newly Designated Oklahoma Counties Should Beware of Fraud

New Mexico Awarded More than $3 Million for Road Repairs in Lincoln County

DENTON, Texas – On Oct. 6, 2014, at the request of Governor Susana Martinez, President Obama declared a major disaster for the state of New Mexico. In June 2015, the state of New Mexico was awarded more than $3 million in federal disaster assistance for repairs to roads in Lincoln County following severe storms and flooding in July and August 2014. The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management continues to administer the funds and provide support to the county as it recovers.

The severe weather and floodwaters washed away a total of 15 roads. The funding covers the excavation of the roads; the hauling and replacement of gravel; the shaping and grading of the roads; and hazard mitigation measures to reduce the risk of future storm damage. 

The funding is made possible by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program. To date, FEMA has obligated more than $5.9 million in relation to the last year’s severe storms and flooding.

The funding represents a 75 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of New Mexico; the state then disburses the grant to the eligible applicant.

It is important that citizens take appropriate measures to protect themselves and their families. There are actions that should be taken before, during and after an event that are unique to each hazard. Identify the hazards that have happened or could happen in your area and plan for the unique actions for each. 

Local emergency management offices can help identify the hazards in your area and outline the local plans and recommendations for each. Share the hazard-specific information with family members and include pertinent materials in your family disaster plan.

For additional information, visit www.ready.gov. Some basic protection actions are similar across many different hazards. They include:

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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 http://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

See original: 

New Mexico Awarded More than $3 Million for Road Repairs in Lincoln County

FEMA Seeks Texans to Work at Disaster Recovery Offices

AUSTIN, Texas – Texans will have the opportunity to assist with the state’s disaster recovery from the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred from May 4 to June 19. Dozens of qualified Texans will be offered temporary jobs as local hires of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in its Austin, Denton, and Houston offices.

FEMA has partnered in this venture with the Texas Workforce Commission. Those interested may go to http://www.workintexas.com and create an account. Once logged in, click on “Search All Jobs” and type “FEMA” into the search bar.

Currently, there are six job categories posted:

  • Administrative/Clerical
  • Customer service
  • Logistics
  • Report writing
  • Switchboard/Help desk
  • Technical/Architecture/Engineering

FEMA positions with detailed job descriptions will remain posted through July 24 or until the jobs are filled.

Candidates must be 18 years of age or older and must be a U.S. citizen. Qualified applications will be forwarded to FEMA staff, who will select candidates for interviews. Selected candidates should have a valid government identification card, such as a driver’s license or military ID. Candidates will be required to complete a background investigation, which includes finger printing, and additional ID, such as Social Security card, birth certificate or passport. The hiring process may take up to 15 days from the date of application.

FEMA is committed to employing a highly qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, non-disqualifying physical handicap, sexual orientation, and any other non-merit factor. The federal government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

More positions may be posted on the TWC webpage as the disaster recovery continues.

All are encouraged to visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4223 for news and information about this disaster.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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 https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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

Source article – 

FEMA Seeks Texans to Work at Disaster Recovery Offices

Australia and United States Strengthen Emergency Management Partnership

Today, Australia and the United States renewed and strengthened an important and valuable partnership to improve our respective emergency management capabilities. 

Emergency Management Australia (EMA), within the Attorney-General’s Department, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security deepened their existing relationship through a renewed five-year Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation on Emergency Management 2015-2020. 

The new MoU was signed today by EMA Director-General Mark Crosweller and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate in Hawaii, during bilateral meetings on emergency management.  

This re-affirmation of the relationship builds upon the success of the 2010-2015 MoU, which has served as a valuable mechanism for Australia and the United States to share knowledge and experiences and strengthen both nations’ capacity.

This relationship is based on our shared commitment to improve the way we prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters.  Past engagement has included a focus on preparedness through enhanced planning and exercising for catastrophic events, strengthening community disaster resilience, as well as improving recovery arrangements.

The new MoU will further improve existing cooperation between the Australian and U.S. Governments in key areas including:

  • crisis coordination arrangements and capabilities across all hazards;
  • policy and planning, including emerging trends in disaster risk reduction, impact assessment, capability development, resilience, recovery, education and community engagement;
  • the administration and evaluation of national recovery programs to deliver effective outcomes for government and the community; and
  • cooperation in multilateral fora to enhance regional disaster management capacity.

We look forward to continuing the strong relationship between our two nations to ensure we continue to improve disaster resilience across Australia and the United States.

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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.

This article is from: 

Australia and United States Strengthen Emergency Management Partnership

FEMA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security National Training Program/Continuing Training Grants Program

WASHINGTON — Today, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate announced the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, or NOFO, for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) Continuing Training Grants (CTG) program with a total $11,521,000 available for awards in four focus areas.  

The HSNTP/CTG program develops and delivers innovative training programs that are national in scope and play an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient nation.  The FY 2015 HSNTP/CTG program focuses on the following four training areas: Cybersecurity; Hazardous Materials; Countering Violent Extremism; and Rural Preparedness.

This highly competitive program attracts on average 80 applicants from state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, along with eligible non-profit organizations to include colleges and universities.  In 2014, 88 eligible organizations competed and six HSNTP/CTG awards were made. Information on the 2014 awards can be found here: www.fema.gov/news-release/2014/09/26/fema-awards-11-million-increase-preparedness-through-continuing-training.

For more information on this opportunity, and to download an application package, go to www.grants.gov.  On Grants.gov, you can find this opportunity by selecting Browse Agencies, and then select Department of Homeland Security. In the Basic Search Criteria, in the CFDA box, enter 97.005; from there, select the Continuing Training Grants (CTG) Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

FY 2015 HSNTP/CTG applications are due no later than August 10, 2015.  Submissions must be made through Grants.gov.

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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.

More: 

FEMA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security National Training Program/Continuing Training Grants Program

Mobile Registration Intake Center to Open in Navarro County for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – A Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC) will open in Corsicana, Texas, on Monday, June 22,  at 9 a.m. to serve homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the May 4-June 19 severe storms and flooding.

Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are there to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

Location and dates of operation

College Park Mall3500 West 7th Ave.Corsicana, TX 75110Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily until further notice

People who had storm damage also can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call   800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Flood survivors statewide should call and report their damage to give the state and FEMA a better idea of the assistance that is needed in undesignated counties.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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 https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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

 

 

Original article:  

Mobile Registration Intake Center to Open in Navarro County for Texas Flood Survivors

Arizona to receive FEMA funding to battle Kearney River fire in Pinal County

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Arizona combat the Kearney River Fire in Pinal County. 

On June 17, 2015, the State of Arizona submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Kearney River Fire and FEMA approved the state’s request on June 17, 2015. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse up to 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening up to 400 homes in and around the community of Kearney, which has a population of approximately 1,950. Mandatory evacuations took place on June 17th for approximately 300 – 400 people.  The evacuation order was lifted this morning.  The fire started on June 17, 2015, and, at this time, has burned in excess of 450 acres of state and private land.  Two residences have been destroyed by the fire.

The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for Federal Fire Management Grants (FMAGs) through FEMA to assist in fighting fires which threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps; equipment use; repair and replacement; tools; materials; supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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.

# # #

Original post: 

Arizona to receive FEMA funding to battle Kearney River fire in Pinal County

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Houston, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Harris County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the ongoing severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

The recovery center will serve as a central location for survivors who need one-on-one assistance. State and federal professionals will be available to help eligible survivors get help as quickly as possible.

Location and hours of operation

Leonel Castillo Community Center
2101 South Street
Houston, TX 77009

Hours of operation (until further notice):
           Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.           
Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday – Closed

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it. Some of the services may include:

  • Guidance regarding disaster recovery
  • Clarification of any written correspondence received
  • Housing Assistance and Rental Resources information
  • Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance
  • Status of applications being processed by FEMA

Flood survivors statewide should call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 and report their damage to give the state and FEMA a better idea of the assistance that is needed in undesignated counties.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

###

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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 https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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

Original link: 

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Houston, Texas

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