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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Colorado’s East Peak Fire

DENVER — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the East Peak Fire in Huerfano County.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Doug Gore approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) immediately upon receiving the state’s request. At the time of the approval, the fire was threatening 250 homes in and around the town of La Veta and Walsenburg and various rural subdivisions and ranches. The fire has destroyed nine structures and four outbuildings on Boy Scout Ranch near Walsenburg, CO and it is threatening the Spanish Peak Hospital and dozens of commercial structures to include infrastructure, utilities, equipment and watersheds in the area.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Colorado’s East Peak Fire

FEMA advisory flood-risk data maps released for Rockland County, N.Y.

NEW YORK–The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps (ABFEs) for Hudson River communities in Rockland County, N.Y. The ABFEs reflect the best available data from the most recent analysis of coastal flood hazards along the Hudson River and are based on sound science and engineering. ABFEs are derived from more recent data and improved study methodologies compared to the data and analyses used to prepare the existing Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

ABFEs will help Rockland communities along the Hudson River better understand flood hazard conditions and rebuild safer and stronger for future events such as Hurricane Sandy. The ABFEs for Rockland are the result of requests by local government and advocacy by elected officials for FEMA to develop ABFEs for Hudson River communities in Rockland County. As a result FEMA initiated a new project to process storm surge data and prepared the requested

ABFE maps to support rebuilding and recovery in those communities.

FEMA encourages communities in Rockland County to use this information in instances where base flood elevations have increased and/or where new Special Flood Hazard Areas are shown on the ABFEs. Using these ABFEs will help state and local officials with their rebuilding and recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy and will guide property and business owners of damaged or destroyed property with their own decisions about rebuilding.

More information on ABFEs is available at www.Region2Coastal.com.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

More information on ways to protect your property from disasters to come is available at: www.fema.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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FEMA advisory flood-risk data maps released for Rockland County, N.Y.

More Than $185 Million in FEMA Funds Have Assisted Souris Valley

MINOT, N.D. – In the two years since historic flooding struck the Souris Valley in North Dakota, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided more than $185 million in assistance to help the region recover. This is funding that has gone directly to residents or local communities to restore homes or damaged public infrastructure, as well as enact measures that will lessen the impact of future disasters. The agency also manages a program that provided temporary housing for more than 2,100 households, and is still assisting residents today.

North Dakota received a federal disaster declaration on May 10, 2011, for statewide flooding. The initial declaration provided funding for public infrastructure. As flooding intensified, the declaration was expanded on June 24, 2011, to provide assistance to individuals and businesses as well. A total of 44 of 53 North Dakota counties were included as well as four tribal nations. FEMA continues to maintain a presence in the Souris Valley, with approximately 50 personnel still in the region, with additional support coming from the regional office in Denver.

FEMA received 8,256 applications for assistance from residents of the Souris Valley, representing about 80 percent of the 10,286 total for the state. Similarly, the $91.2 million distributed to residents for rental assistance, home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs represents 95 percent of the total $95.8 million for the state.

In addition, FEMA brought in nearly 2,200 manufactured housing units to provide housing for those displaced by the flood. More than 1,100 of those were place on private properties, allowing homeowners to stay near their damaged dwellings to make repairs. Units also were placed at five manufactured housing parks in Ward County. Three temporary housing sites were also constructed, including the 600unit Virgil Workman Village – which is the only one remaining in operation – still housing approximately 200 households.

Of the nearly $242 million approved statewide for infrastructure assistance following the 2011 floods, nearly $90 million was provided to the four Souris Valley counties (Ward, Renville, McHenry and Bottineau). Among the larger recipients of assistance were: the city of Minot – $8.6 million; the city of Burlington – $1.6 million, the Minot Park District – $3 million and Ward County (including townships) – $10.3 million.

The largest beneficiary of public assistance funds is the Minot Public Schools. FEMA is providing $24.5 million to replace Erik Ramstad Middle School and $5 million to replace Lincoln Elementary School. FEMA also has provided an additional $25 million for activities ranging from emergency protective measures to building repairs at other locations to temporary classrooms to replace offline facilities. The temporary classrooms were provided within 10 days of the planned starting date for the 2011-12 school year and are still in use.

Thus far, more than $4 million in funding from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) has been provided to the Souris Valley. Funding has been provided for generators, home acquisitions, mitigation planning, and engineering, permitting, and design work for a floodwall to protect the Minot Water Treatment Plant. HMGP provides funding for projects that seek to minimize the impact of future disasters, and is administered by the state. More than $70 million was provided by FEMA to North Dakota for projects statewide, with additional projects still under consideration.

FEMA also engaged its Long Term Community Recovery team in Ward County. Members of the public participated in a series of meetings to voice their views about the future of their communities. The information gathered at the meetings was used to develop the “Souris Basin Regional Recovery Strategy,” which was adopted by Ward County and the cities of Burlington and Minot.

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More Than $185 Million in FEMA Funds Have Assisted Souris Valley

President Declares Disaster for Michigan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Michigan to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by flooding during the period of April 16 to May 14, 2013.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by flooding in Allegan, Baraga, Barry, Gogebic, Houghton, Ionia, Kent, Keweenaw, Marquette, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ontonagon, Osceola, Ottawa, and Saginaw counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Mark A. Neveau has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Neveau said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, 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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President Declares Disaster for Michigan

President Declares Disaster for the Republic of the Marshall Islands

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands under the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as amended, due to the ongoing severe drought in the northern half of the country.

The President’s action makes federal funding available for U.S. Government emergency relief and reconstruction assistance to the Republic of the Marshall Islands in accordance with Public Law 108-188, as amended, including Article X of the Federal Programs and Services Agreement to the Compact of Free Association. Republic of the Marshall Islands President Loeak requested a disaster declaration on June 5, 2013.

The United States Agency for International Development Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance will coordinate U.S. Government disaster assistance efforts in conjunction with FEMA and the government of the Marshall Islands.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, 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. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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President Declares Disaster for the Republic of the Marshall Islands

Assistance for Four Massachusetts Counties’ Bombing Expenses

PORTSMOUTH, N.H.—On April 17, President Obama authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse government and some private non-profit entities in Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk, Massachusetts, counties for their eligible emergency response costs due to the Marathon bombings. On June 5, Bristol County was added to the counties eligible for this aid.

The emergency declaration authorizes FEMA’s Public Assistance program to reimburse 75 percent of eligible costs, such as police and fire department overtime and equipment expenses. The period for which expenses are eligible is April 15-22, 2013.

FEMA Working With Plant Explosion Survivors to Identify Unmet Needs

AUSTIN, Texas – An initiative launched by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with the state of Texas is aimed at finding additional disaster assistance for West, Texas residents affected by the April 17 explosion.

Under the initiative, all 764 applicants who have registered with FEMA will be receiving follow-up phone calls from FEMA outreach liaisons. The 100 percent review is designed to identify any unmet needs and work with survivors to provide any additional assistance they may be eligible to receive.

FEMA’s Outreach specialists are helping applicants with the appeal process, explaining letters they may have received from FEMA, assisting applicants with gathering insurance documentation needed for their claims and providing referrals to local voluntary agencies, long term recovery resources within the community, other state agencies and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans.

So far, outreach specialists have reached more than 567 applicants and will continue to call each survivor until all applicants have been contacted.

“The recovery process is stressful for those who suffered great losses, and we want to make sure all survivors get the maximum assistance they are eligible to receive,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “Our proactive approach will continue until every registered applicant in McLennan County has been contacted.”

Since the fertilizer plant explosion, the state of Texas, FEMA and the SBA have approved more than $6.5 million in federal disaster assistance grants and low-interest disaster loans for eligible individuals and families in McLennan County. The grants are for temporary housing, home repair and reconstruction, and for other needs, including personal property replacement or disaster-related medical and dental expenses. This total also includes more than $5.86 million in low-interest disaster loans approved from the SBA. These federal disaster loans help pay for residential and business property losses as well as disaster working capital needs for eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

West survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA if they have not already done so. Residents can register now at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The registration deadline for FEMA assistance is June 18.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance will continue to be available beyond June 18. The filing deadline to return SBA applications for property damage is July 1, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 3, 2014.

For more information about low-interest disaster loans, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877 8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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FEMA Working With Plant Explosion Survivors to Identify Unmet Needs

Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxes

AURORA, Ill. – State and federal disaster assistance is not treated as income and is not taxable. It also does not affect Social Security benefits, nor does it affect a recipient’s eligibility for other federal assistance programs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has so far awarded more than $80.9 million dollars in disaster grants to individuals affected by the Illinois storms of April 16-May 5. Those grants have paid for temporary housing and other needs, such as personal property loss, medical care, and transportation. Here are answers to some typically asked questions:

Question: Will receiving a grant cause my income to increase to the point that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, or food stamps, or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).

Answer: No. Grants for housing and Other Needs Assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for any income-tested benefit programs that receives U.S. government funds.

Question: I took my Social Security benefits early. If I earn more than a certain amount each year, I must repay $1 of my Social Security payment for every $2 I earn. Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security?

Answer: No. FEMA grants for housing and ONA are not counted as income.

Question: I’m over 65, but if I earn more than a certain amount, I must pay tax on my Social Security income. Will a FEMA grant boost my income and require me to pay tax on my Social Security income?

Answer: No. Again, the IRS does not count FEMA grants for housing and ONA as income.

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fem a.gov/disaster/4116.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxes

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Ventura County

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Ventura County

Know your risks to make informed decisions

OAKLAND, Calif. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with the Ventura County Watershed Protection District to update flood hazard risk information. FEMA released preliminary flood maps that will help community officials, individuals and business owners identify known flood risks. When finalized, the maps will be used for flood insurance, land use, and development decisions. The revised maps are digital, incorporating the latest technology to identity flood risk based on detailed engineering models, decades of rainfall, storm gauge information, and current topographic data.

The preliminary flood maps propose changes to portions of San Antonio Creek, Reeves Creek, Thacher Creek, and McNell Creek near the city of Ojai and Ventura County. Flood hazard information on the preliminary maps will reflect an overall decrease in special flood hazard areas (SFHA) or high risk areas. Although there is an overall decrease of flood risk, it is important individuals and business owners review the preliminary flood maps to determine risks and make informed decisions.

Individuals and business owners who believe the proposed flood maps contain errors will be able to submit appeals by providing scientific or technical information through their community officials to FEMA. Once all appeals are resolved, FEMA will make any necessary updates to the study and notify community officials. Floodplain administrators in each community have copies of the maps available for public viewing.

Flooding is the most common disaster in the United States. Homeowners, renters and business owners are encouraged to look at the preliminary flood maps to become familiar with flood risks in their community. These flood maps can help individuals and businesses make informed decisions about flood insurance options and flood protection measures. For more information about flood insurance or to find a local agent, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

For questions about flood maps, visit http://msc.fema.gov, call 877-FEMA-MAP (877-336-2627) or email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

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FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Hazard Information for Ventura County

New Jerseyans Should Include Pets in Their Preparedness Plan

TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages New Jerseyans to include their pets as they update their emergency plans.

For millions of animal owners, pets are important members of the household. The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire, flood, tornado or terrorist attack could depend on emergency planning done today. Knowing what supplies to have available, how to evacuate with your pets, where your pets will stay and how you will meet your pets’ needs throughout the disaster are all critical questions to address.

All pet owners are urged to keep a pet emergency supply kit, which should include at least a three-day supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container, drinking water, bowls for the food and water, current photos of you and your pets together, physical descriptions of each pet, medication, vaccination records and first aid pet supplies. Also include a leash and a pet carrier that can double as a sleeping area. You should consider comfort items for your pets as well, such as their favorite toys and blankets.

Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can’t care for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pets’ emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and another farther away, where you will meet your buddy in an emergency.

Evacuating pets may be more difficult if you cannot evacuate in your own vehicle. Pet owners must understand their community’s evacuation plans and ensure they are prepared for any variations and restrictions. If officials call for an evacuation, you should be aware that many evacuation shelters do not accept pets and you must plan where you’ll shelter your pets in advance. Many hotels, motels, campsites and other facilities around the country now allow pets. For information on pet-friendly accommodations in your area, visit ready.gov/caring-animals.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the NJOEM website at state.nj.us/njoem, Ready.gov or Listo.gov or call the toll-free numbers 1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585 and 1-888-SE-LISTO. You can also text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) and sign up to receive monthly disaster safety tips on your mobile phone.

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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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New Jerseyans Should Include Pets in Their Preparedness Plan

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