FEMA News

Three Disaster Recovery Centers Set to Open March 18

LANSING, Mich. – Three Disaster Recovery Centers in Saranac, Detroit and Gibraltar are set to open at 8 a.m., Monday, March 18, 2024, at the following locations

Ionia County:

Boston Township Hall​

30 Center St. 

Saranac, MI 48881

 

Wayne County (Detroit):

Kemeny Recreation Center

2260 S. Fort St.

Detroit, MI 48217

 

Wayne County (South East):

Gibraltar City Hall

29450 Munro St.

Gibraltar, MI 48173

 

Regular operating hours for the recovery centers are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. All centers are closed Sundays. 

To find locations of all open recovery centers, visit FEMA.gov/DRC. You may visit any center for assistance.

You don’t need to visit a recovery center to apply for FEMA assistance or to check on the status of your application. The easiest way to reach FEMA is to call the toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Specialists are available 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. to help you apply, answer your questions and provide referrals to resources. Language translation is available. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. You also may go online to DisasterAssistance.govor download the FEMA App.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757.

darrell.habisch Sun, 03/17/2024 - 21:30

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for the Wrangell Cooperative Association

WASHINGTON-- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Wrangell Cooperative Association to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm, landslides and mudslides on Nov. 20, 2023. 

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the Wrangell Cooperative Association. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. 

Federal funding is also available to the Wrangell Cooperative Association and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures. 

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Wrangell Cooperative Association. 

Brian F. Schiller has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments. 

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

luther.wills-dudich Sat, 03/16/2024 - 22:29

More Disaster Recovery Centers Set to Open; Others to Close March 16

LANSING, Mich. – Additional Disaster Recovery Centers are scheduled to open at 8 a.m., Monday, March 18, in 

Ionia, Wayne (Detroit) and Wayne (South East). Locations will be announced soon.

The deadline to apply for assistance is Monday, April 8, 2024.

The recovery centers in Canton, Lansing, Comstock Park and Monroe will close permanently at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024. 

Regular operating hours for the recovery centers are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, except for the Wayne County (South East) center, which closes at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. All centers are closed Sundays. 

The centers closing March 16 are at these locations:

Wayne County (Canton West Central):

Canton Human Services Building

50430 School House Road

Canton, MI 48187

Eaton County:

Lansing Community College –West Campus

5708 Cornerstone Drive

Lansing, MI 48917

Kent County: 

Henze Community Center

In the Alpine Township Fire Station #1

1100 Henze St. NW

Comstock Park, MI 49321

Monroe County: 

Frenchtown Township Fire Dept.

2885 Nadeau Road

Monroe, MI 48162

 

To find locations of all open recovery centers, visit FEMA.gov/DRC. You may visit any center for assistance.

You don’t need to visit a recovery center to apply for FEMA assistance or to check on the status of your application. The easiest way to reach FEMA is to call the toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Specialists are available 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. to help you apply, answer your questions and provide referrals to resources. Language translation is available. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. You also may go online to DisasterAssistance.govor download the FEMA App.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757

darrell.habisch Sat, 03/16/2024 - 14:37

FEMA is Hiring in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. – FEMA, in partnership with the state of Michigan, is hiring state residents in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit to assist with recovery from the Aug. 24-26, 2023, severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

FEMA is currently seeking local candidates for positions within the agency’s Operations, Logistics, Planning, Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL) and Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) sections. More positions may be added later.

The initial appointment of 120 days can be extended or reduced dependent on mission needs. Federal benefits are offered, such as: Eligible Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) enrollment; federal holiday pay; and accruing four hours of sick leave per pay period. 

Local hires provide an economic stimulus to communities where jobs have been lost due to the August disaster and help augment FEMA’s disaster workforce.

Working with FEMA will allow Michigan residents to help their neighbors with their recovery. Hiring locally is part of FEMA’s commitment to the community. And hiring locally helps build America’s disaster recovery workforce: many current FEMA employees started as local hires after major disasters in their states.

To learn more and apply, visit this link: USAJobs - Search. Or visit USAJobs.gov, then search for “FEMA” under “Keywords” and “Michigan” under “Location.”

For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757. 

kirsten.chambers Fri, 03/15/2024 - 22:41

More Disaster Recovery Centers Set to Open; Others to Close March 16

LANSING, Mich. – Additional Disaster Recovery Centers are scheduled to open at 8 a.m., Monday, March 18, in 

Ionia, Wayne (Detroit) and Wayne (South East). Locations will be announced soon.

The deadline to apply for assistance is Monday, April 8, 2024.

The recovery centers in Canton, Lansing, Comstock Park and Monroe will close permanently at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024. 

Regular operating hours for the recovery centers are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, except for the Wayne County (South East) center, which closes at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. All centers are closed Sundays. 

The centers closing March 16 are at these locations:

Wayne County (Canton West Central):

Canton Human Services Building

50430 School House Road

Canton, MI 48187

 

Eaton County:

Lansing Community College –West Campus

5708 Cornerstone Drive

Lansing, MI 48917

 

Kent County: 

Henze Community Center

In the Alpine Township Fire Station #1

1100 Henze St. NW

Comstock Park, MI 49321

 

Monroe County: 

Frenchtown Township Fire Dept.

2885 Nadeau Road

Monroe, MI 48162

 

To find locations of all open recovery centers, visit FEMA.gov/DRC. You may visit any center for assistance.

You don’t need to visit a recovery center to apply for FEMA assistance or to check on the status of your application. The easiest way to reach FEMA is to call the toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Specialists are available 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. to help you apply, answer your questions and provide referrals to resources. Language translation is available. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. You also may go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757.

kirsten.chambers Fri, 03/15/2024 - 21:47

The Mobile Disaster Recovery Center in Boone County Will Close Permanently on March 16, 2024

CHARLESTON, W.Va.– The state-federal Mobile Disaster Recovery Center in Boone County will close permanently on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 5 p.m.

Residents of all declared counties can continue to visit other DRCs in West Virginia. To locate a center, check the FEMA app or visit DRC Locator (fema.gov).

Survivors can meet face to face with FEMA and specialists from the Small Business Administration at the center until it closes permanently.

The center is located at:

1. Boone County DRC Closing Permanently on March 16

38 John Slack Circle, Racine, WV 26165

Hours of operation:

Opening 9 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024

Closing permanently at 5 p.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024

Disaster Recovery Centers in Clay, Harrison and Kanawha counties will be open to assist survivors. The centers and their hours are as follow:

1. Clay County Disaster Recovery Center

223 Main Street Clay, WV 25043

Hours of operation:

Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

1. Harrison County Disaster Recovery Center

Harrison County Courthouse

301 W. Main Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301

Hours of operation:

Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

1. Kanawha County Disaster Recovery Center (Belle)

Belle Town Hall

1100 E. Dupont Ave. Belle, WV 25015

Hours of operation:

Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

1. Kanawha County Disaster Recovery Center (Penn VA)

Penn VA Coal Carbon Center

13905 MacCorkle Ave, Charleston, WV 25301

Hours of operation:

Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

West Virginians can also visit www.disasterassistance.gov for help with registration and updating their application or can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit www.emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4756 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.

tiana.suber Fri, 03/15/2024 - 18:51

FEMA’s #WinterReady Preparedness Initiative Delivers on Promise to Build Local Capacity to Stay Safe from Extreme Cold To address the unique risks and specific needs people may face during winter, FEMA’s Ready Campaign launched its first-ever #WinterReady initiative preparing individuals, households and communities with extreme cold safety

WASHINGTON -- With spring around the corner, FEMA is officially closing out the first-ever #WinterReady campaign. FEMA’s Ready campaign launched the #WinterReady initiative in November 2023 to prepare individuals and communities for winter weather hazards. #WinterReady offered simple, accessible and culturally competent resources on preventing and mitigating risks exacerbated by winter weather conditions, including travel, fire and cold weather safety tips. From how to build a car emergency kit to how to protect pipes from freezing in extreme temperatures, this first ever #WinterReady campaign took a whole-community approach to encouraging individual and household preparedness.

“Extreme cold is a potential threat to the safety and security of every American, everywhere -- one that demands the same urgency, collaboration and commitment that government has brought to extreme weather events like hurricanes, heat waves and other events exacerbated by climate change,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkasin his address to the #WinterReady Extreme Cold Summit. “That is why we at the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA launched the #WinterReady public safety awareness campaign. The DHS workforce and our partners across the Biden-Harris Administration will continue to be there not only in your community’s moments of need, but well before then, too, as we work together to prevent grave harm from ever occurring.” 

“Launching the #WinterReady initiative is part of FEMA’s commitment to creating a climate resilient nation,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Preparing for extreme temperatures is especially crucial to protecting our most vulnerable populations -- older adults, those with disabilities and people who need low-cost ways to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Over the last three months, we worked hand-in-hand with our partners providing lifesaving information that encouraged households across the country to be winter ready.” 

Launching Inaugural #WinterReady Campaign on Ready.gov

• In November, FEMA’s Ready campaign kicked off the #WinterReady campaign by launching the first #WinterReady webpage. The page includes easy, low-cost tips on ways to keep homes warm, travel safely, prepare for inclement weather and lessen the risks of home fires. It addresses specific needs of older adults, those who spend time working or playing outside and those who live somewhere that doesn’t usually see extreme winter weather. Over the last three months, the page has been viewed more than 53,300 times. 
• As a companion to the webpage, Ready produced a #WinterReady Partner Toolkit, and asked partners to share the messaging, graphics and resources created to educate the public on the risks of winter weather, promote fire safety and urge caution when travelling in winter weather.
• Ahead of the winter season, FEMA’s Ready Campaign teamed up with the National Football League Buffalo Bills to create Public Service Announcements (PSAs) encouraging football fans to prepare for disasters. In the first PSA, filmed at the Buffalo Bills' Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, New York, Administrator Criswell and the team’s mascot, Billy Buffalo, encourage people to know your risks, make a plan with friends and family and build an emergency supply kit. The PSAs acknowledge that disasters can happen any time, so preparedness starts today. 

Building Local Capacity to Make a More Resilient #WinterReady Nation 

• In January 2024, more than 500 people attended FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division #WinterReady webinar featuring Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) subject matter experts. The discussion included best practices, lessons learned and tips to prepare communities for extreme cold. 
• DHS and FEMA hosted a #WinterReady Extreme Cold Summit that highlighted ways the federal government supports its partners as they address extreme temperatures and promoted individual and community climate resilience. The summit, led by Secretary Mayorkas and Administrator Criswell, brought together federal, state, local and Tribal Nation leaders to highlight best practices and resources across all levels of government to keep communities safe and prepared. 

U.S. Fire Administration Urges #WinterReady Preparedness, Campaigns for Fire Safety Across Midwest 

• Because home fire dangers increase during winter months, U.S. Fire Administration Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and FEMA Region 5 Regional Administrator Tom Sivak joined forces with fire service leaders to speak about the risks of fire and how the public can be fire-safe and #WinterReady. The tour included stops in Detroit, Michigan, Chicago, Illinois and Columbus, Ohio. The tour was an opportunity to urge communities and individuals of things they could do to make themselves safer and savable.
• FEMA’s Before, During and After podcast Feb. 8 episode on #WinterReady - Being Fire Safe in the Winter Can Help Save Lives, featured Administrator Moore-Merrell and FEMA's Associate Administrator of the Office of External Affairs Justin Ángel Knighten discussing increased danger from home fires in the winter, and how to educate the public on ways to protect themselves. It also outlined how to reach all communities with simple, accessible and culturally competent messaging that encourages individual preparedness.

Reaching New Audiences, FEMA Promotes #WinterReady Across FEMA’s Online Platforms

• In December 2023, FEMA Region 3 hosted a family friendly “A Partridge and a Prepared Me” webinar, urging individuals and communities to prioritize holiday decorating and home fire safety tips, winter weather safety and preparedness.  
• In the past few years, communities in FEMA Region 6 experienced deadly and disruptive periods of extreme winter weather. To urge individuals, especially older adults and those with disabilities, to protect themselves, the region formed partnerships with local broadcast and print media to promote #WinterReady tips. To date, more than 60 articles and interviews have been published across print, digital and traditional broadcast media outlets, broadening coverage of these important messages.
• FEMA’s Before, During and After podcast released two #WinterReady podcasts on winter preparedness, the challenges of winter weather extreme cold and home fire safety. The Dec. 14 podcast, #WinterReady - Winter Preparedness and the Unique Challenges the Cold Can Pose, featured a discussion with a Houston, Texas based meteorologist and covered considerations on messaging around winter preparedness to ensure people are prepared for the unique challenges extreme cold can pose. 
• FEMA published eight blog posts featuring engaging and practical tips individuals can use to keep themselves safe. Topics included tips to stay fire safe, winter car safety, safety for older adults and low-cost ways to keep yourself warm. 
• In addition to the frequent #WinterReady posts on Ready.gov’s social media accounts, FEMA partnered with the Department of Energy to share targeted messaging with tips on low-cost ways to save energy, find heating assistance and keep warm during extreme cold. 

To learn more about how individuals, households and communities can prepare for disasters before they happen, visit Ready.gov.

amy.ashbridge Fri, 03/15/2024 - 15:51

WV Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Will Be Closed Friday, March 15, 2024

CHARLESTON, W.Va.– The state-federal Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers in Boone and Clay counties will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024, due to forecast inclement weather. 

The Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers will reopen at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024.

The centers are located at:

Boone County

38 John Slack Circle, Racine, WV 26165 

Hours of operation:

Closed Friday, March 15, 2024

Reopening 9 a.m. Saturday, March 16, for its final day of operations

 

 Clay County

Located at 223 Main Street Clay, 25043, WV

Hours of operation:

Closed Friday, March 15, 2024

Reopening 9 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024

Centers in Harrison and Kanawha counties will be open on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. to assist survivors.

If it is not possible to visit the Disaster Recovery Center or to apply online, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

1. For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4756  and www.facebook.com/FEMA.

tiana.suber Fri, 03/15/2024 - 13:12

It’s Important to Return Your SBA Loan Application

Spokane, Wash. – Gray and Oregon Road Wildfire survivors who applied for disaster assistance from FEMA may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA disaster loans may cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other sources. 

If your application is approved, you are not obligated to accept an SBA disaster loan. However, completing the application may make you eligible for other FEMA assistance, such as disaster related car repairs, essential household items, and other expenses. 

SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors. In planning your recovery, give yourself the widest possible set of options. Completing the application makes it possible for you to be considered for additional grants, and if you qualify for a loan, you will have that resource available if you choose to use it. 

You may also visit one of the Disaster Recovery Centers in Elk or Medical Lake to speak with an SBA representative in person about questions you may have.

Applicants may apply online at www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. 

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76155. 

Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or working capital (Economic Injury Disaster Loans).

Homeowners may borrow up to $500,000 from SBA to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property. 

The deadline to return SBA loan applications for property damage is April 20, 2024.

The Disaster Recovery Centers are located in the community of Elk and the city of Medical Lake:

Elk
Country Church of the Open Bible
40015 North Collins Road 
Elk, WA 99009

Medical Lake
Medical Lake City Hall
124 South Lefevre Street 
Medical Lake, WA 99022

Hours of operations for both centers:

Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8:30 am – 6:30 pm

(*The Medical Lake Center will close early at 6 pm on the first and third Tuesday of the month)

Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Saturday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Sundays closed. 

 

FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they are the victim of discrimination. FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available.

###

Follow FEMA Region 10 on X and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

mary.j.edmon Wed, 03/13/2024 - 23:22

Confidential Crisis Counseling Available to Maui Wildfire Survivors

HONOLULU – Are you feeling overwhelmed by emotions, stress or hopelessness? If you are, you’re not alone. Help is available if you’re experiencing emotional distress or mental health issues after the wildfires.

For free and confidential crisis support, call Hawaiʻi Cares at 800-753-6879. You may also call or text Hawaiʻi Cares at 988. Hawaiʻi Cares is available all day, every day.

Maui County residents may also get confidential crisis counseling services from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday by calling 808-446-6676. After 8 p.m., callers may leave a voicemail message and a crisis counselor will return your call the next business day. For non-urgent calls, an operator will introduce the caller to a crisis counselor before transferring the call.

Some common reactions to stress and loss include:

• Feeling tense or nervous, angry or irritable
• Crying often, feelings of persistent hopelessness
• Feeling numb
• Difficulty sleeping and/or being constantly tired
• Not feeling hungry or having stomach problems (such as nausea or cramps)
• Difficulty concentrating and/or making decisions.

1. Everyone hastimes when they feel hopelessness or stress. But when these types of feelings and experiences disrupt daily living activities, you are encouraged to seek help.

Helpline staff provide confidential counseling and other needed support services. They can also immediately connect you to trained professionals from the nearest participating crisis-counseling center.

For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires - YouTube. Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook.com/fema. You may also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires. 

nicole.timonshipman Wed, 03/13/2024 - 20:17

FEMA Clean and Sanitize Assistance Can Help You – Even After the Storm is Long Gone

LANSING, Mich. – FEMA can give eligible survivors of the Aug. 24-26, 2023 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding up to $300 toward their cleaning expenses. Both homeowners and renters may be eligible for Clean and Sanitize assistance, even if they’ve already scrubbed, mopped, and bleached away the storm.

You may qualify if:

Your primary residence was damaged by the disaster, and you were living there when the disaster happened.

Your residence needed to be cleaned after the disaster.

The damage was not covered by your insurance, or you do not have insurance.

Your primary residence is safe to live in.

Apply for FEMA assistance one of four ways:

Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. 

Use the FEMA mobile app. 

Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service or other accessibility service, give FEMA your number for that service when you call.

• Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, visit fema.gov/drc.

The deadline to apply is Monday, April 8, 2024. For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757. 

kirsten.chambers Wed, 03/13/2024 - 19:47

Damaged Wells, Furnaces, Private Roads and Bridges, and Septic Systems May Be Covered by FEMA

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – While most homeowners apply for disaster assistance for structurally related damages, such as to the roof or floors, there are other parts of a residence not covered by insurance that can be repaired or replaced under FEMA programs.

Damages to your furnace, septic system, private road and/or bridge, or your private well may also be covered by financial assistance from FEMA. 

Residents of Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Harrison, and Kanawha counties whose primary residences were damaged during the Aug. 28-30, 2023, severe storms and flooding may be eligible to apply.

FEMA disaster assistance may provide reimbursement for the cost of a professional, licensed technician’s estimate of the repair or replacement of these items. You may also receive assistance for the actual repair or replacement of these items not typically covered by homeowner’s insurance.

When applying for assistance, be sure to include damages to furnaces, septic systems, private roads, private bridges, or private wells on your form. 

There are four ways to apply:

• Apply in person at one of our Disaster Recovery Centers in Boone, Clay, Harrison or Kanawha counties
  • Contact your local emergency manager for more information
  • Use the DRC Locator to find the center nearest you
• Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Apply with the FEMA App
• Download the free FEMA mobile app, available at Google Play or the Apple App Store
• Apply by Phone at 800-621-3362For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4756 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.

tiana.suber Wed, 03/13/2024 - 16:09

West Virginians: You have less than three weeks to register with FEMA

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – If you suffered damage or losses from the Aug. 28-30, 2023, severe storms and flooding, you have less than three weeks left to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for federal disaster assistance. The deadline to register is Monday, April 1.

Individual disaster assistance grants for homeowners and renters are available to eligible residents of Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Harrison and Kanawha counties. 

Here is how to register: 

• Visit your nearest Disaster Recovery Center.  Find that center by calling 800-621-3362 or going online to www.fema.gov/drc.
• Call 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 for TTY users;
• Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov;   

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.

You should register even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you have losses insurance doesn’t cover, you may receive help from FEMA after your insurance claims are settled.

To fully cover your losses, you may also need a low interest disaster loan. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides these loans, not just for small businesses, but also for renters, homeowners, businesses of any size and private nonprofits to cover uncompensated real or personal property losses. The deadline to apply for an SBA physical damage loan is the same as for FEMA assistance, Monday, April 1. There is no fee to apply for a loan and you do not have to accept one even if it is offered.

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 can 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. 

tiana.suber Wed, 03/13/2024 - 14:05

Six Fire Departments Onboarded onto the New National Emergency Response Information System

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S Fire Administration (USFA) announces the launch of the prototype version of the new, interoperable fire information and analytics platform, known as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), for the American fire and emergency services. The goal of NERIS is to empower the local fire and emergency services community by equipping them with near real-time information and analytic tools that support data informed decision-making for enhanced preparedness and response to emergency incidents involving fires, motor vehicle crashes, medical emergencies, hazardous materials spills and other occurrences. 

Six local fire departments have successfully onboarded onto NERIS and started reporting local emergency incident information through the new system. “The launch of the prototype NERIS and successful onboarding and use by these initial six fire departments represents a major step forward for USFA to fulfill our mission to equip the local fire and emergency services community with a modernized and easy-to-use solution to report critical incident information and provide them access to actionable intelligence,” said Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator.

The first fire departments onboarded onto the prototype version of NERIS include:

• Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Virginia
• Frisco Fire Department, Texas
• Orange County Fire Authority, California
• Springdale Fire Department, Arkansas
• Upper Merion Township Fire & EMS Department, Pennsylvania
• West Metro Fire Rescue, Colorado

USFA is working with these six fire departments to test and evaluate the prototype version of NERIS and to inform future development in preparation to release the full production version in the fall of 2024. “Our use of the prototype NERIS in this test phase has been a resounding success, and we’re eager to increase use across Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. As with any new technology roll-out, expanding the use of NERIS across all 39 fire stations within our department requires implementation planning, which we’re getting started with now," said Chief John Butler, Fire Chief of Fairfax County and President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. "Being an early adopter of NERIS not only benefits our department but also contributes to advancing the use of the latest technology and analytics available to the fire service nationwide.”

These first six fire departments are actively using NERIS to capture the most critical information following response to structure fires, hazardous materials events, emergency medical incidents, among other types of incidents. The prototype NERIS also provides basic, actionable analytic information back to the local fire departments. 

NERIS is built using the latest geographic information system (GIS) technology, interoperable data standards and advanced analytic capabilities, thereby providing location-enabled decision support capabilities to local fire departments nationwide. As NERIS continues to be developed, data from multiple federal data sets, local computer-aided dispatch (CAD), local records management systems (RMS) and other authoritative sources to inform community risks including vulnerable populations, climate hazards such as flood and drought-prone areas and wildland urban interface exposed areas. 

The new NERIS platform will replace the legacy data system known as the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The legacy NFIRS will remain operational throughout the transition process, so all fire and emergency services departments should continue to use the current NFIRS data system and maintain status quo until onboarded onto the new platform. NERIS will fulfill the USFA's National Fire Data Center's obligation under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-498) to mitigate the fire problem, reduce loss of life and property, and educate the public on fire prevention and protection, as well as effects of all hazards.

NERIS is provided to local fire departments at no cost. Development is being carried out as a partnership between USFA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and is supported by a contract awarded to the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). FSRI is a part of UL Research Institutes, the nonprofit safety science organization within the UL enterprise. 

For the latest information on NERIS development, visit www.usfa.fema.gov/nfirs/neris.

amy.ashbridge Tue, 03/12/2024 - 21:10

Public Invited to Review Flood Maps in Lunenburg County, VA

FEMA is proposing updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Lunenburg County, Virginia. Community partners are invited to participate in a 90-day appeal and comment period. 

The updated maps were produced in coordination with local, state and FEMA officials. Significant community review of the maps has already taken place, but before the maps become final, community partners can identify any corrections or questions about the information provided and submit appeals or comments. 

The 90-day appeal period will begin on or around March 13, 2024. Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.

• An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim. 
• Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.
• If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment.

The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

Submit appeals and comments by contacting your local floodplain administrator: Tracy M. Gee, county administrator, tgee@lunenburgva.gov. The preliminary maps may be viewed online at the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer: http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv. Changes from the current maps may be viewed online at the Region 3 Changes Since Last FIRM Viewer: FEMA Region 3 Mitigation Mapping and Data.

For more information about the flood maps:

• Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
• Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone; toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.  

Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent and visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Lunenburg County Flood Mapping Milestones

• Dec. 2, 2022 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
• May 18, 2023 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
• June 26, 2023 — Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
• March 13, 2024 –Appeal Period starts.
• June 2025* — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. (*Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process.)

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov.

###

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Follow us on “X” at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3

amanda.hancher Tue, 03/12/2024 - 18:43

Tulsa County, Oklahoma, Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas – New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on Sept. 12, 2024, for Tulsa County, Oklahoma. During the next six months, a FEMA compliance specialist will work with the community to update each floodplain ordinance and adopt these new flood maps. 

Residents are encouraged to examine the maps to determine if they are in a low-to-moderate or high-risk flood zone. The current and future Flood Insurance Rate Map can be viewed on FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer at https://msc.fema.gov/fmcv.

By understanding flood risks, individuals can decide which insurance option is best for their situation. Community leaders can use these maps to make informed decisions about building standards and development that will make the community more resilient and lessen the impacts of a flooding event.

Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their home, personal property and business. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for those in communities who participate in the NFIP. Residents with federally backed mortgages must have flood insurance if their structures are in the Special Flood Hazard Area.

Contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) to review the new flood maps and learn more about your risk of flooding. A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify your community FPA and answer questions about the maps as well. Contact them by phone or online chat.

• To use the live chat service, visit floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
• To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 877-FEMA MAP (877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.

There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting floodsmart.gov.

alexa.brown Tue, 03/12/2024 - 14:34

$820M Federal Assistance in Six Months for Hurricane Idalia Recovery

Six months after Hurricane Idalia struck the Florida Big Bend as a major Category 3 hurricane, FEMA and its federal partners have provided more than $820 million to help with disaster recovery. 

FEMA provided $82.5 million in Individual Assistance grant funding to over 35,000 eligible survivors. More than 7,000 survivors were given rental assistance to help pay for lodging while they repair or rebuild their disaster damaged home. 

FEMA has provided $295 million in Public Assistance grant funding to the state of Florida to help state and local governments and certain nonprofits with emergency response projects. More projects are in development. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $78.6 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, business owners and private non-profit organizations. 

With 5,210 claims submitted, the National Flood Insurance Program closed 98% of cases and paid out $364 million to policyholders to restore homes and businesses. In all, the Hazard Mitigation Community Education Outreach teams counseled over 12,000 survivors on the importance of flood insurance and other mitigation measures.

More than 230 FEMA staff members are deployed to the state, working with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and other partners in Idalia recovery.

Immediately after the storm, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams went door to door in impacted communities to help survivors apply for assistance. FEMA inspectors have performed more than 42,000 home inspections for survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance. 

In Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties, FEMA is providing temporary housing to eligible survivors whose homes are uninhabitable because of the hurricane. As of Jan. 23, all eligible survivors were provided FEMA temporary housing units.

FEMA operated 38 Disaster Recovery Centers, including 18 mobile recovery centers, with nearly 20,000 visits by survivors. 

As Hurricane Idalia caused major impacts to rural communities with a vast and varied agricultural landscape, FEMA and the state of Florida opened two Farmer Recovery Centers to better serve farmers. The centers served as a one-stop assistance shop where farmers spoke with many federal and state agencies about available resources to help them in their recovery.

FEMA continues to work with federal, state, local governments and voluntary organizations on an ongoing basis to identify survivors’ unmet needs, and to help navigate the available assistance and resources. 

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Idalia, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4734. Follow FEMA on X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.

thomas.wise Tue, 03/12/2024 - 13:02

FEMA Hosts Tribal Nations Training Week to Improve Preparedness and Resilience in Tribal Country

WASHINGTON -- Yesterday, FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness kicked off its largest ever Annual Tribal Nations Training Week in Anniston, Alabama. Over 375 tribal students representing more than 100 Tribal Nations will participate in engaging workshops, attend specialized classes and engage in Nation-to-Nation dialogue with FEMA leadership. This year’s theme, “Developing Generational Resiliency Through Training,” underscores our commitment to collaborating with and resourcing a skilled tribal emergency management workforce.

On the first day of the training, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell addressed tribal students, emphasizing the importance of partnering with Tribal Nations and supporting them before, during and after disasters. 

“I’m amazed by the record-setting turnout at this year’s Tribal Training Week,” said Administrator Criswell. “This is an opportunity for Tribal Nations to learn from one another and help us focus on what we at FEMA can do to better support Indian Country before, during and after disasters. FEMA’s leadership is here in person to not only share their best practices in emergency management, but also to listen and learn from the tribal leaders. I’m thankful that we have this forum to come together and build upon last year’s work.”

FEMA’s National Tribal Affairs Advocate Kelbie Kennedy, citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, emphasized the importance of this training. “FEMA’s Tribal Nations Training Week provides vital training for tribal leadership, tribal staff and Indian Health Service staff to build their capacity and strengthen tribal resilience,” said Kennedy. “As the largest gathering of tribal emergency management staff and leadership in the United States, this week provides a place where Tribal Nations can learn from each other, build the inter-tribal emergency management relationships that will save lives and work with FEMA to ensure that we are living up to our treaty and trust responsibilities to all Tribal Nations.” 

This 9th annual Tribal Nations Training Week also features an executive session for tribal leaders comprised of a Tribal Leaders Symposium, a tribal listening session with FEMA leadership, a Continuity of Government Operations Planning for Rural Communities and a National Incident Management System Overview for Senior Officials.

After each year’s class, a focus group of tribal students from the previous year is gathered by FEMA to set the theme and agenda for the following year. FEMA’s Tribal Nations Training Week is both created by and for Tribal Nations to ensure that they have vital emergency management information and resources. 

Tribal Nations can still attend the 2024 Virtual Tribal Nations Training Week happening March 18-28, 2024 by registering on FEMA.gov today. 

To learn more, visit: https://www.fema.gov/event/tribal-nations-training-week. 

amy.ashbridge Mon, 03/11/2024 - 21:25

FEMA Seeking Applications for $36 Million in Grants to Strengthen Community Resilience Through Fire Prevention Programs

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell today announced the release of the funding notice and opening of the latest application period for the FY 2023 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant program, which will award $36 million to strengthen community fire prevention programs and support scientific research on innovations that improve firefighter safety, health and well-being.

FP&S funds have supported life-saving research and outreach campaigns, while universities and organizations have been able to advance scientific research and study firefighter safety. For example, the University of Arizona is doing a decades-long study involving thousands of firefighters and what work exposures cause cancer in them, and ways to reduce it. Knowing that nearly 60% of fire deaths in the nation occur in homes that have no functioning smoke alarms, the American Red Cross’ Home Fire Campaign made home visits with more than 3 million people nationwide to provide fire safety education and installed more than 2 million free smoke alarms. In Crofton, Maryland, the U.S branch of The Institution of Fire Engineers works to reduce fire risk through Vision 20/20, a community risk-reduction program that identifies, prioritizes and addresses risk across fire and emergency services. 

“We are investing in better fire safety research and programming to reduce injury and prevent death among high-risk populations,” said Administrator Criswell. “These grants will help communities better equip themselves with the tools they need to save lives and protect themselves from future fire events. It’s in every community’s best interest to seek out this critical opportunity.”

“The FP&S grant funds are fundamental to enabling critical research from a variety of subject-matter experts and entities, necessary to identify gaps and inform interventions that ultimately have national impact on firefighter health and safety,” declared Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator. 

The FP&S Program has awarded approximately $852 million since its inception. To help keep communities and firefighters safer, FP&S funding is being made available directly to eligible fire departments, national, regional, state, local, tribal and non-profit organizations such as academic (e.g., universities), research foundations, public safety institutes, public health, occupational health, and injury prevention institutions for fire prevention programs and firefighter health and safety research and development such as clinical studies that address behavioral, social science and cultural research. The application period will close on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET.

The FY 2023 FP&S Notice of Funding Opportunity and technical assistance documents for this program are available at www.grants.gov and on the FEMA website. Additional information about upcoming webinars to assist applicants is also available on the FEMA website.

amy.ashbridge Mon, 03/11/2024 - 20:35

Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Eaton, Kent and Oakland Counties

LANSING, Mich. – FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will open in Eaton, Kent and Oakland Counties at 8 a.m., March 11, to help residents in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties continue their recovery after the Aug. 24-26, 2023, severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. 

Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration at the centers can help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, learn about ways to make their property more disaster-resistant and get their questions answered in person.

All centers are open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, except for the Wayne County Community 

College Downriver Campus in Taylor (Wayne County South East), which closes at 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 

All centers are closed Sundays.

Assistance in languages other than English, including American Sign Language (ASL), and translated materials are available at the centers. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. Accessible parking spaces are available. 

The Eaton County center will open at 8 a.m., Monday, March 11, at:

Lansing Community College –West Campus

5708 Cornerstone Drive

Lansing, MI 48917

Closing permanently 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 16.

 

The Kent County center will open at 8 a.m., Monday, March 11, at:

Henze Community Center

In the Alpine Township Fire Station #1

1100 Henze St. NW

Comstock Park, MI 49321

Closing permanently 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 16.

 

The Oakland County center will open at 8 a.m., Monday March 11, at:

South Lyon City Hall

335 S. Warren St.

South Lyon, MI 48178

Closing permanently 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 16

 

Additional recovery centers are open at the following locations:

Monroe County: Opened 8 a.m., March 4, at:

Frenchtown Township Fire Dept.

2885 Nadeau Road

Monroe, MI 48162

Closing permanently 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 16

 

Wayne County (South East): Tuesday, Feb. 27, at:

Wayne County Community College Downriver Campus

21000 Northline Road

Taylor, MI 48180

Friday and Saturday hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Open until further notice.

 

Wayne County (Canton West Central) Opened Tuesday, Feb. 27, at:

Canton Human Services Building

50430 School House Road

Canton, MI 48187

Open until further notice.

 

Macomb County: Opened 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at:

Chesterfield Township Fire Department Central Station

33991 23 Mile Road

Chesterfield, MI 48047

Open until further notice.

To find the center nearest you, visit FEMA.gov/DRC. Survivors may visit any center for assistance.

Survivors don’t need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. The deadline to apply for assistance is April 8, 2024.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757. 

kirsten.chambers Mon, 03/11/2024 - 18:59