May 24, 2008
Posted in:Hurricane Center, Disaster Planning, New Post — jeromeba @ 12:43 am
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Hurricane season officially starts June 1, and lasts through November 30.
If you live along the coast, keep your gas tank full and ensure you have an family plan and evacuation route maps.
For information on storm forecasts visit the Hurricane Center Page.
Current Watches, Warnings, and local Radar for your area.
TROPICAL STORM BARRY FORMS IN GULF OF MEXICO ON FIRST DAY OF HURRICANE SEASON
November 27, 2007
April 1, 2007
Posted in:New Post — jeromeba @ 12:36 pm
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FEMA: Press Releases and
Federal Disaster Declarations
Sunday 01st of August 2010
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Large Turnout For Household Hazardous Drop-Off Event
JACKSON, Tenn. ? Madison County residents filled 21 (55-gallon) drums, eight (5-gallon) containers, 26 cubic-yard boxes (consisting primarily of paint cans) and one pallet of batteries during a hazardous waste drop off event Saturday, June 5. [more]
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Tornado Survivors Have Three Weeks To Register For Assistance
CLINTON, Miss. ? Survivors of the April 23-24 Mississippi tornadoes and severe storms have three weeks remaining to register for state and federal assistance, disaster recovery officials said today. [more]
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Officials Say Enough Disaster Assistance For All Who Qualify
SOMERSET, N.J. — Kind-hearted New Jerseyans affected by the severe storms and flooding mid-March should not forego registering for disaster assistance just because they think it will keep that aid from reaching their less-fortunate neighbors. [more]
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Flood Insurance Rate Map Specialists Availability In Tangipahoa
TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. — Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) specialists and Tangipahoa officials will be on hand Wednesday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 15481 Club Deluxe Road in Hammond, La., to explain newly revised Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMS), which become effective in the community on July 22, 2010. [more]
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FEMA Teams Offer Home Repair Advice At Local Stores
WALLINGFORD, Conn. — Over the next three weeks, teams of hazard mitigation specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be available at six home improvement stores in Connecticut to provide information and answer residents? questions about protecting their homes from future disaster damage. [more]
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10 Days Left To Apply For Disaster Unemployment Assistance
CLINTON, Miss. — If you suffered income losses from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that struck Alcorn, Benton, Lafayette, Tippah and Tishomingo counties on May 1-2, you have until June 16 to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. [more]
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Damage Inspections Are Moving Fast - But Beware Of Fraud
WALLINGFORD, Conn. — Inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are in the field as an important part of the recovery process for people affected by the March 12 to May 17 severe storms and flooding. Currently time from registration for disaster assistance to inspection averages 48 hours. [more]
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Statewide Disaster Assistance For Mississippians Tops $4.6 Million
CLINTON, Miss. — In just five weeks, disaster assistance agencies have approved more than $4.6 million in aid for Mississippians affected by recent tornadoes, flooding and severe storms. [more]
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Free Advice On Rebuilding Available At Lowe's
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — People affected by the recent storms in the Jackson area who are rebuilding can receive valuable information for projects around the house. Beginning Monday, June 7, hazard mitigation specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at the Lowe?s store in Jackson. [more]
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Free Advice On Rebuilding After The Flood At Lowe's Stores In Franklin And Gallatin
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — If you live in Oklahoma, Pottawatomie or Cleveland counties, don't miss your opportunity to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) if you need assistance. [more]
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FEMA Hosts All-Day Seminars On Long-Term Recovery
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — The shock is over, but the work continues. As communities, neighborhoods and individuals absorb the repercussions of recent disasters and put forth a tremendous amount of effort to repair, rebuild and recover, the opportunity remains to harness that energy and not lose recovery momentum. This is the major reason the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) puts a high priority on developing long-term recovery groups comprised of volunteer organizations in hard-hit disaster communities. [more]
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Free Advice On Rebuilding Available At Home Depot
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? People affected by the recent storms in the Memphis area who are rebuilding can receive valuable information for projects around the house. Beginning Monday, June 7, hazard mitigation specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at The Home Depot on Poplar Avenue in Memphis. [more]
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Hazard Mitigation Help Is Closer Than You
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? People affected by the recent storms in the Hermitage and Spring Hill areas who are rebuilding can receive valuable information for projects around the house. Beginning Monday, June 7, hazard mitigation specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at The Home Depot stores in those areas. [more]
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Free Advice on Rebuilding after the Flood at Lowe's Stores in Franklin,
Homeowners and others rebuilding after the flood can receive valuable information for projects around the house. Beginning Monday, June 7, hazard mitigation specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at Lowe's on Mallory Lane in Franklin and Nashville Pike in Gallatin. [more]
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Disaster Applicants Urged to Take Charge of Their Recovery
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? Many options are available to storm and flood survivors to take charge of their recovery, whether they are still waiting to find out if they are eligible for disaster assistance or have already received it. [more]
March 22, 2007
Posted in:Getting Help, About FEMA, New Post — jeromeba @ 10:41 am
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — According to officials with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the best source for information following a disaster is federal, state and voluntary agencies. Here are answers to some frequent questions:
Q: Does FEMA charge a fee for a home inspection?
A: No. FEMA never charges for an inspection.
Q: I have applied for disaster assistance before. Do I need to apply again?
A: Yes. Even if you applied for assistance for a previous disaster, you must apply again for this disaster.
Q: Will FEMA assistance affect my Social Security check?
A. No. Any aid you receive from FEMA will not affect your Social Security benefits, your state or federal retirement benefits, or your welfare status.
Q: If I got help from the American Red Cross, can I also get help from FEMA or the State?
A: Yes. FEMA and the State coordinate a number of programs to help disaster victims. These programs differ from the emergency food, clothing and shelter provided by the American Red Cross and other voluntary agencies.
Q: When I get help from the American Red Cross, am I automatically registered with FEMA?
A: No. Registering with the American Red Cross or any voluntary agency is not the same as registering with FEMA. If you are a homeowner, renter or business owner who has losses from the recent tornadoes, call the FEMA registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Individuals with hearing or speech impairments should call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The lines are open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Friday. You can also register online at www.fema.gov.
Q: Is there enough money for everyone? My neighbor needs the money more than I do.
A: Yes. There are enough disaster funds to take care of every eligible applicant.
Q: Do I have to be poor to qualify for disaster aid?
A: No. Federal disaster aid programs may be available to those who suffered damage, regardless of income.
Q: Do I have to own a business to apply for a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration?
A: No. The SBA is the primary source of financial assistance following a disaster and provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, business, and non-profits.
Q: Do I have to be turned down by my bank before I can apply for a disaster loan?
A: No. The SBA has its own criteria for determining each loan applicant’s eligibility.
Q: If I rent an apartment, can I get help to replace my damaged personal property?
A: Yes. A renter may qualify for a FEMA grant or a SBA low-interest disaster loan to replace eligible personal property.
Q: Will FEMA pay for all home repairs or contract work?
A: No. FEMA provides grants to qualified homeowners to repair damage not covered by insurance but the grants may not pay for all the damage. Qualified borrowers who lack sufficient homeowner’s insurance may use an SBA loan to return their homes to pre-disaster condition.
Q: Do I have to repay money I receive for disaster relief?
A: You do not have to repay grant money but you must repay SBA loans.
Q: Are disaster relief payments taxable?
A: No. Qualified disaster relief payments are not taxable.
Individuals with questions about recovery assistance should call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585, or visit www.fema.gov or the Alabama Emergency Management Agency Web site at ema.alabama.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
October 14, 2006
Posted in:Travel Trailers, Safety — jeromeba @ 5:42 pm
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With cold weather approaching, federal officials advise Hurricane Katrina survivors residing in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) travel trailers to take precautions with fire safety.
Fire safety is in the news for other reasons as well. October is Fire Prevention Month in Mississippi, where some 35,000 FEMA travel trailers are currently located, and National Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 8-14.
FEMA urges anyone in a travel trailer to use only the built-in heater. Occupants should not use kerosene heaters, kitchen stoves or ovens, or electric space heaters.
“These trailers are equipped with heaters that are safe when used by occupants as instructed when we turn the trailer over to them,” said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for the Mississippi recovery. “Using unapproved devices for heat could lead to serious accident or injury.”
“Residents need to practice safety at all times,” Russo added. “Even those who’ve used these heaters before should re-familiarize themselves with how to use them safely.”
Most of the travel trailers are equipped with propane heaters, which automatically vent to the outdoors. However, using the oven or stove for heat may deplete oxygen in the trailer, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that causes dizziness, headaches and possibly death. Residents should make sure the carbon monoxide detector is working correctly and that heater vents on the outside of the trailer are not blocked or covered. All FEMA travel trailers that have propane heaters also have carbon monoxide detectors.
Fire Program Specialist Kathy Gerstner of the U.S. Fire Administration, a sister agency of FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, offers several fire prevention tips for residents of travel trailers:
- If it doesn’t seem safe, don’t do it;
- Shut off all appliances before leaving home;
- Know where the propane shutoff valve is located and how to shut it off;
- Keep flammable materials away from the stove top;
- Know where the fire extinguisher is in the unit and learn how to use it;
- Learn how to use the emergency window opening devices in the trailer;
- Do not store gasoline or other flammable liquids in or under the trailer;
- Do not store gasoline-powered vehicles or equipment in the trailer;
- Never smoke in bed.
Finally, firefighters at every level stress the importance of having a working smoke detector. Batteries should be replaced twice a year, and officials suggest doing so when changing between daylight and standard time.
“We want everyone to be comfortable and safe this winter,” said Russo. “If those in a travel trailer or mobile home feel their health or safety is in danger at any time, they should leave immediately and contact local emergency officials.”
For maintenance or repairs, trailer residents may call the Maintenance/Applicant Support Center at 1-866-877-6075. The center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.