PRATTVILLE, Ala. –FEMA and the state of Alabama are opening two disaster recovery centers Feb. 7 in Greene and Sumter counties to provide one-on-one help to people affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes.
Recovery specialists from FEMA, state and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications for assistance.
WHERE:
Greene County
Robert H. Young Community Center
720 Greensboro St.
Eutaw, AL 35462
Opening: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Feb. 7
Regular Hours: Monday to Saturday, six days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time daily.
Sumter County
Emelle City Hall
123 Dailey Ave.
Emelle, AL 35459
Opening: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Feb. 7
Regular Hours: Monday to Saturday, six days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time daily.
In addition, the following recovery centers are already open:
Autauga County
Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Center
118 Jesse Samuel Hunt Blvd.
Prattville, AL 36066
Regular Hours: Monday to Saturday, six days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time daily
Dallas County
Dr. Michael and Catherine Bullock Community Center
1428 Broad St.
Selma, AL 36701
Regular Hours: Monday to Saturday, six days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time daily
Dallas County
Felix Heights Community Center
405 Medical Center Pkwy.
Selma, AL 36701
Regular Hours: Monday to Saturday, six days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time daily
Hale County
Akron Volunteer Fire Station
181 First Ave. South
Akron AL 35441
Opening: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Jan 28
Regular Hours: Monday to Saturday, six days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time daily
No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
Survivors may also apply for assistance by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app for smartphones or calling 800-621-3362. The helpline is open, and help is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
The deadline to apply for assistance for all designated counties is March 16, 2023.
WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA announced federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of North Dakota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe winter storm, snowstorm and straight-line winds from Nov. 9-11, 2022.
The President’s action makes federal funding available to state, tribal 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 the severe winter storm, snowstorm and straight-line winds in Dickey, Kidder, Mercer, Nelson, Ransom, Sargent and Wells counties.
In addition, federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period in Kidder, Mercer, Nelson and Wells counties.
Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Kenneth G. Clark has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations for the affected areas. Additional designations may be made later if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.
LAKE MARY, Fla. – Homeowners and renters in Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Putnam, St. Johns or Volusia counties who have loss or property damage caused by Hurricane Nicole have only one week left to apply for federal disaster assistance.
The deadline to submit your application for FEMA assistanceisFeb. 13.
Over the next seven days, you can complete your disaster assistance application any number of ways:
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is available every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages.
Download the free FEMA mobile app for smartphones.
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). Several DRCs are operating throughout the state of Florida. To find one close to you, go online to: DRC Locator or floridadisaster.org, or text “DRC” along with your ZIP code to 43362.
If eligible, FEMA disaster assistance may include financial assistance, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs, for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your primary home; funds to homeowners to help repair or replace disaster caused damage or loss to your primary residence, including privately-owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges; and funds for disaster-caused expenses and serious needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicle, funds for moving and storage, medical, dental, child care and other pre-approved miscellaneous items.
Keeping your contact information current helps FEMA process your application. The agency may need to call to schedule a home inspection or get additional information from you to move your application forward.
For many, insurance may cover damage and loss. That is not the same as FEMA assistance. Our funding is intended to cover basic needs for those who don’t have insurance or lack adequate insurance to cover basic necessities after suffering damage and loss from a disaster like Hurricane Nicole.
PRATTVILLE Ala. – Mobile and Morgan counties are now eligible for FEMA assistance after the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes in Alabama.
Individuals and households in Mobile and Morgan counties can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, which may include temporary housing assistance, basic home repairs and certain other uninsured disaster-related needs.
These counties join Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Sumter, and Tallapoosa counties, which were previously approved for Individual Assistance.
Survivors can apply for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362. The helpline is open, and help is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
LAKE MARY, Fla. – FEMA has approved 7,644 households with group flood insurance policies for three years as part of federal disaster assistance after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole.
The insurance policies are funded through FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance so that households will have coverage for future flood hazards. As of Feb. 2, FEMA has approved $18.2 million in premiums for 7,594 policies as a result of Hurricane Ian and $120,000 for 50 policies as a result of Hurricane Nicole. Of those, 3,006 active policies have been issued so far for Hurricane Ian.
Eligible homeowners receive a notification from FEMA stating they have been included on a Group Flood Insurance Plan (GFIP) and will receive a Certificate of Flood Insurance. Eligible renters receive a notification informing them they are eligible to receive a GFIP certificate for their contents. Applicants must contact FEMA within six months of receiving the notification and confirm they have moved back, or intend to move back, to their pre-disaster residence.
Policy holders receive several reminders their policy is expiring. Every year they get a letter, which includes a reminder. They also get a notice 45 days prior to expiration, and then a final notice of expiration.
When the GFIP expires, the applicant is responsible for purchasing and maintaining flood insurance on their own. Failure to maintain flood insurance may result in denial of future FEMA flood disaster assistance.
ATLANTA – FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is available to students, renters and homeowners in Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding and Troup counties whose homes and property were damaged by the Jan.12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes.
Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental grant is for a one- or two-month period and can be reviewed for further assistance. The deadline to apply to FEMA is March 20, 2023.
Renters may also qualify for a grant under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for uninsured essential personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses, including, if referred to by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance:
Replacement or repair of essential personal property such as school supplies, including textbooks, and also furniture, appliances and clothing
Replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment required by those who are self-employed
Repair of primary vehicles
The items listed below are not depending on an SBA referral.
Uninsured or out-of-pocket medical, dental, funeral, childcare, moving and storage expenses
Renters and homeowners are required to submit copies of insurance settlements because, by law, FEMA will not pay for expenses already available or covered by insurance or other sources.
After applying for FEMA disaster assistance, those affected by the tornadoes may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA is the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for individuals, families and businesses.
To remain eligible for additional FEMA programs like Other Needs Assistance, those who receive an SBA loan application are encouraged to submit the application – even if you decide not to accept the loan offer.
Call toll-free 800-621-3362. The helpline is open, and help is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time in most languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the agency’s progress on its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan and posture for the year ahead.
FEMA completed the first year of its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, developing stakeholder informed, actionable plans that build the foundation needed to achieve our ambitious goals. During this planning phase, the agency also identified and executed immediate actions that could be taken to bring us closer to each of these goals.
“We are proud of the progress we’ve made in becoming the FEMA our nation needs and deserves and look forward to building on this foundation for years to come,” said Criswell. “In coordination with our partners, we are finding ways to better support the diverse communities that we serve and prepare for the increasing complexity of disasters.”
The following are updates to the three pillars of the strategic goals:
Strategic Goal 1: Instill equity as a foundation of emergency management
In a continued effort to put people first in its programs and policies, FEMA simplified its Individual Assistance application process, leading to over 100,000 survivors receiving assistance who would have previously been ineligible. That meant more than $600 million in additional assistance got into the hands of survivors recovering from disaster.
Aligning with the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, FEMA committed to ensuring 40% of the benefits of pre-disaster grant programs go to underserved communities. As a result, approximately $510 million is going to communities that meet underserved or disadvantaged criteria.
To better serve Tribal Nations, the agency published its first ever “National Tribal Strategy.” This strategy was developed hand-in-hand with tribal communities for the agency to take critical steps toward delivering training and assistance that meets the unique needs of tribal communities. The agency also appointed the first tribal political appointee in FEMA’s history to advise Administrator Criswell on tribal affairs, while working to ensure that FEMA lives up to its treaty and trust responsibilities to Tribal Nations.
As FEMA works to ensure preparedness information is available to all communities, especially those often hit hardest by disasters and emergencies, FEMA’s Ready Campaign launched its first-ever public service preparedness campaigns in 2021 and 2022, aimed at underserved communities.
Strategic Goal 2: Lead whole of community in climate resilience
With the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FEMA will invest $6.8 billion in community-wide mitigation to reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs the nation is facing due to climate change.
In April, FEMA announced the agency’s “Building Codes Strategy” to help organize and prioritize agency activities to advance the enforcement of hazard-resistant building codes and standards.
FEMA also co-leads the White House’s Relocation Subcommittee alongside the U.S. Department of the Interior. This subcommittee gathers federal agencies to explore issues and strategies to support voluntary movement away from high-risk regions. FEMA is awarding approximately $17.7 million to assist three different Tribal Nations with relocation expenses and hazard mitigation projects.
In 2022, FEMA also expanded access to some mitigation grant programs to benefit underserved communities by helping them meet the required Benefit-Cost Analysis and doubling the number of communities receiving direct technical assistance.
Strategic Goal 3: Promoting and sustaining a ready FEMA and prepared nation
To improve agency readiness, the agency has established a Ready FEMA Framework that serves to improve FEMA‘s ability to define, measure and build capabilities to meet current and emergent requirements across all mission areas, while sustaining the agency’s vital steady-state functions. To support this, FEMA is increasing the capacity of its National Response Coordination Center.
Last year, FEMA launched the Emergency Manager Exchange Program allowing state, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers and government officials to work alongside FEMA staff and leadership on developing and implementing policies and programs.
Also in 2022, to help all communities prepare, FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security provided a record amount of $250 million from the Nonprofit Security Grant program. Through this grant, more than 1,800 nonprofit and religious organizations received funding for security enhancements to protect against potential threats.
“FEMA continues to improve our nation’s ability to face ongoing and emergent disasters, taking immediate actions over the past year to make our programs more accessible, strengthen our workforce and develop tools that allow communities to identify threats and prepare for disasters,” continued Criswell. “Through thoughtful and coordinated efforts with our partners across the emergency management enterprise, we have laid the foundation to make further, lasting change in the execution of these ambitious goals and we will continue to learn, grow and share our progress along the way.”
CHICAGO – FEMA and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency announced today the release of $2,165,400 in hazard mitigation funding for a project to reduce flood risk in Boardman Township, Ohio. A current underground stormwater and sewer system will be replaced by the township, and the Forest Lawn Stormwater Park will be developed with assistance of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds from the COVID-19 disaster declared March 31, 2020.
Green infrastructure projects like this provide opportunities for communities to protect against future flooding while taking advantage of upgrading older infrastructure with stormwater parks and rain gardens for residents to enjoy. The Forest Lawn Stormwater Park project will mitigate flooding for downstream residents and improve water quality within the watershed. Native plants will help absorb nutrients and the passive stormwater park will provide additional storage during storm events.
“FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs create safer communities by funding mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages,” said Tom Sivak, regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “By choosing to replace older underground infrastructure using nature-based solutions, communities like Boardman Township can create beautiful public areas for residents to enjoy while reducing future flood risk.”
“Through the use of hazard mitigation grant funding, much needed projects like the Flood Risk Reduction Project can become a reality,” said Sima Merick, executive director, Ohio Emergency Management Agency. “Coordinated efforts between federal, state and local partners cannot be understated.”
For this project, FEMA will pay 90% of the $2.4M million eligible project cost. The remaining funds will be provided by the Boardman Township. HMGP provides funding to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures following a presidentially declared disaster. HMGP can be used to make improvements to public or private property but must provide a long-term solution to a specific disaster risk. The state or tribe sets priorities related to project selection and submission. For more information about Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants and resources visit: Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants | FEMA.gov.
PRATTVILLE, Ala.– Autauga, Barbour, Chambers, Conecuh, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Hale and Tallapoosa counties are eligible for FEMA Public Assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent work due to the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes.
Greene and Sumter counties are eligible for debris removal and emergency protective measures.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides reimbursement to local and state government agencies for the costs of emergency response, debris removal and restoration of disaster damaged public facilities and infrastructure. Houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations may also be eligible for FEMA Public Assistance.
ATLANTA – A FEMA disaster recovery center will open Thursday Feb. 2 in Newton Countyto provide one-on-one assistance to people directly affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes.
Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.
The disaster recovery center location is:
Bert Adams Scout Camp
Ashley Leaders Center
218 Scout Rd.
Covington, GA 30016
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT – 7 days a week.
People directly affected by the severe storms and tornadoes may visit the recovery center, apply with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or download FEMA’s mobile app (select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online).
For needs directly related to the Jan.12 weather systems, FEMA may be able to provide Individual Assistance grant money that does not have to be repaid for:
Rental Assistance if you need to relocate because of storm-related damage
Personal Property that was damaged or destroyed by these weather events
Lodging Reimbursement if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily
Basic Home Repairs for homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by these weather events
Other Serious Needs caused by the recent storms.
In addition to the assistance listed, please note the following:
Only one application per household
FEMA does not pay for lost or spoiled food
By law, FEMA is not allowed to duplicate insurance payments or assistance provided by other sources.
As a result of registering with FEMA, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low-interest, long-term disaster loan. SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits recover from declared disasters. Submitting an SBA application is an important step in the recovery process. Losses that are uninsured or under-insured may be eligible to be covered. There is no obligation to take the loan, if offered. Residents who are not approved may be referred for additional grant consideration.
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