A PUBLICATION OF RANDOM U.S.GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASES AND ARTICLES
Showing posts with label FEMA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FEMA. Show all posts
Thursday, January 24, 2013
FEMA AND NORTHCOM EXAMINE RESPONSE TO HURRICANE SANDY
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Northcom, FEMA Build on Hurricane Sandy Response Lessons
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2013 - Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., commander of U.S. Northern Command, hosted Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator W. Craig Fugate yesterday to explore how to build on lessons from Hurricane Sandy to improve their response to future disasters -- particularly complex catastrophes.
Fugate, who led the Sandy response, praised the military support provided through Northcom, which provides defense support to civil authorities as one of its core missions.
The challenge now is to take lessons learned from the response to fix areas that need improvement and improve processes that went well, Jacoby and Fugate told reporters during a joint news conference following their meeting at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
"We are not dwelling on the past as much as we are thinking about the future and ensuring we take the things we learn over time and push forward into the challenges that lie ahead for us," Jacoby said. "We had very, very fruitful discussions today that I think in the long term will end up being of great benefit to our citizens across the country."
One of the lessons identified during the Hurricane Katrina response in 2005 and reinforced during Hurricane Sandy last year is the importance of preparation, he said.
Jacoby recognized an extensive training and exercise program, with hurricane preparations throughout the interagency community beginning around Jan. 1 for each year's hurricane season, which starts June 1. "We have a very deliberate process where we work together," he said.
Another lesson from past disasters, the importance of pre-positioning assets where they are expected to be needed, also benefited the Hurricane Sandy response, Fugate noted. "You don't wait until [the state governors] say they need something to start moving it," he said. "You get there early, you move stuff early, all under the presumption that if [a situation] is bad, we want to be able to support it. You can't wait until it is overwhelming."
From a Defense Department standpoint, Jacoby said, the biggest challenge is not to be late to meet communities' needs. "We have the strongest, most resilient communities, towns, counties [and] cities across the land," he added. "But when they need the Department of Defense, they really need them."
So as Hurricane Sandy roared north along the Atlantic coast in October, Jacoby said, he ensured senior Defense Department leaders understood the potential scope and scale of the operation they could be called on to support. They, in turn, gave him the authority to move a full range of assets before the storm made landfall. That included search-and-rescue assets that proved vital during the response, he noted.
"We have all learned to get our search-and-rescue assets pre-positioned early and in place [to] minimize loss of life," the general said. "In Sandy, we were able to get the maximum number of resources for search-and-rescue forward early and had good effect."
Hurricane Sandy also validated the value of the new dual-status commander construct, which authorizes a designated National Guard flag officer to command active-duty, reserve and National Guard forces, Jacoby said. Dual-status commanders led joint task forces in New Jersey and New York, providing a unified response that is not possible when military forces report to separate commanders, he added.
Fugate praised the positive contribution the construct made to the Sandy response.
"It meant being able to bring a lot of resources to bear quicker," he said. "It allowed the president and defense secretary to provide resources faster and with greater unity of effort to a domestic response."
Jacoby said he hopes to continue improving on the arrangement and to build on other lessons learned during Hurricane Sandy.
"We are not going to spend too much time congratulating ourselves on Sandy," he said. "We need to focus on how to get better and continue to meet the expectations of the American public."
Fugate said the huge scale of Hurricane Sandy highlighted a shortcoming in how FEMA calls on Northcom to support disasters -- particularly large, complex ones that affect multiple states. In some cases, he said, FEMA had defined its requirements so narrowly that it limited support the military could provide.
"I need to make sure [the Northcom commander] has the mission requirements large enough, scoped broad enough, to allow a flexible response without being so prescriptive to say, 'This state, this mission,' as much as, 'This mission across multiple states,'" he said.
That could prove critical in the event of a disaster even larger than Sandy, Fugate said. "We need to understand that as bad as Sandy was, that may not be the benchmark that we need to limit ourselves to," he said. "There are threats and potential disasters that could be even larger."
As FEMA explores this concept, Northcom is busy applying the lessons from its hurricane response missions to another type of disaster it's regularly called on to support: wildfires that rage beyond the capabilities of state and local first responders.
"Like [during] hurricane season, where we begin early and build relationships and we exercise and work together ahead of time, we are instituting a similar process for firefighting," Jacoby told reporters. "We are building the team ahead of time so the relationships are there. We are not exchanging business cards with our partners at the time of the fire, but well before the fire."
Labels:
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
FEMA,
HURRICANE SANDY RESPONSE,
LESSONS OF HURRICANE SANDY,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Sunday, January 20, 2013
FEMA SAYS $1.5 BILLION PROVIDED FOR NEW YORK HURRICANE SURVIVORS
Nearly $1.5 Billion Provided by FEMA, SBA to New York Hurricane Sandy Survivors
January 18, 2013
NEW YORK — Federal disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy totals almost $1.5 billion.
FEMA continues to reach out to all 13 counties designated for Individual Assistance, focusing on the hardest-hit areas. Assistance to residents in affected counties includes:
Kings $188 million
Nassau $277 million
New York $12.8 million
Queens $218 million
Richmond $87.9 million
Suffolk $63.9 million
FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved almost $1.5 billion for Hurricane Sandy survivors. FEMA has approved more than $855 million for individuals and households, including nearly $753 million for housing assistance and more than $102 million in assistance for other needs.
Disaster Recovery Centers are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites. To date, nearly 133,000 survivors have been assisted at Disaster Recovery Centers in New York. 59 inspectors are currently in the field. To date, 172,727 home inspections have been completed, making a 99.4 percent completion rate.
13 New York counties are designated for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. These are Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. Greene County has been designated for Public Assistance only.
More than $1.4 billion has been paid to National Flood Insurance Program policy holders in New York for losses resulting from Sandy. The National Flood Insurance Program, administered by FEMA, offers flood insurance to all homeowners, renters and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP.
Since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, FEMA has provided more than $413 million in Public Assistance grants in New York State. The FEMA PA program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure. In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.
Labels:
FEMA,
SBA,
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION,
U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. HURRICANE AID TO NEW YORK STATE
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
FEMA PHOTOS: MOVING OUT OF THE FLOODPLAIN
FROM: FEMA, QUEENS, NEW YORK
Queens, N.Y., Jan. 8, 2013 -- Architect Thomas Paino of Long Island City, NY, elevates 3 floors of his row house to move the basement level out of the floodplain. In addition, the house has benefited from the work of structural engineers and sustainability architects who are making major energy efficiency modifications. Andre R. Aragon-FEMA
Labels:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY MODIFICATIONS,
FEMA,
HURRICANE SANDY,
MOVEMENT OF BASEMENT LEVEL OUT OF FLOODPLAIN,
NEW YORK,
QUEENS
Monday, January 14, 2013
PLANNING FOR DISASTERS
FROM: FEMA
Preparedness Is For Everyone
WINDSOR, Conn. — How quickly people recover from an emergency may depend on the thought and planning put into preparing for a possible event.
"Every person has unique needs that should be taken into account," said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis, in charge of the federal recovery in Connecticut. "Everyone – and this includes people with disabilities, children, families and older Americans – should plan for all types of emergencies."
Make a plan that includes letting family and friends know your location if you are required to evacuate from your home. Another first action is to put together a basic emergency kit. This should include:
Three-day supply of water and nonperishable food
Medications to last at least a week
Battery-powered or crank radio
Flashlight and extra batteries
Whistle to signal for help
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
First aid kit, extra glasses, hearing aids with extra batteries, and copies of prescriptions
Important documents such as insurance and bank information, Social Security numbers for every family member, and cash and credit cards
Put these important documents in a waterproof container ready to pick up at a moment’s notice. Move anything that may block your path to the exit if you need to evacuate, particularly if the power is out.
Plan for pets as well. Plan to take them with you if you have to evacuate. Take along appropriate food, water and other necessities. Who knows when you might be able to return?
Stay informed about your local situation. Know what the local officials are advising and be ready with your emergency kit. You may need more than one kit: one for sheltering at home and one to take with you.
Preparedness Is For Everyone
WINDSOR, Conn. — How quickly people recover from an emergency may depend on the thought and planning put into preparing for a possible event.
"Every person has unique needs that should be taken into account," said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis, in charge of the federal recovery in Connecticut. "Everyone – and this includes people with disabilities, children, families and older Americans – should plan for all types of emergencies."
Make a plan that includes letting family and friends know your location if you are required to evacuate from your home. Another first action is to put together a basic emergency kit. This should include:
Medications to last at least a week
Battery-powered or crank radio
Flashlight and extra batteries
Whistle to signal for help
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
First aid kit, extra glasses, hearing aids with extra batteries, and copies of prescriptions
Important documents such as insurance and bank information, Social Security numbers for every family member, and cash and credit cards
Put these important documents in a waterproof container ready to pick up at a moment’s notice. Move anything that may block your path to the exit if you need to evacuate, particularly if the power is out.
Plan for pets as well. Plan to take them with you if you have to evacuate. Take along appropriate food, water and other necessities. Who knows when you might be able to return?
Stay informed about your local situation. Know what the local officials are advising and be ready with your emergency kit. You may need more than one kit: one for sheltering at home and one to take with you.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
FEMA PROVIDES $1.8 MILLION TO LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICIES FOR HURRICAN ISAAC
Photo: Hurrican Isacc Destruction. Credit: FEMA. |
FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
FEMA Obligates $1.8 Million to Louisiana Agency for Hurricane Isaac Recovery
Release date:
January 10, 2013
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will receive a federal grant totaling more than $1.8 million to reimburse the agency for expenses incurred during Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Wednesday.
The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $1,803,935, will cover 75 percent of the costs for emergency protective measures the department took before, during and after the late August hurricane to help evacuate and shelter Louisianians.
Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, 2012, Hurricane Isaac and its aftermath required the state of Louisiana to activate plans, procedures, staff and contracts to ensure a comprehensive response for the safe evacuation and sheltering of Louisianians. DCFS is responsible for providing sheltering, mass care, emergency assistance and housing to residents affected by a disaster.
"The department played a critical role in helping people remain safe, dry and healthy under extremely difficult circumstances," said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. "The grant will help DCFS recover its expenses for that important effort."
Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant pay the remaining 25 percent. The newly obligated funds are a portion of the nearly $175.7 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.
Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
FEMA HURRICANE SANDY CLEANUP PHOTOS
FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Breezy Point, N.Y., Jan. 3, 2013 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins residential demolition and debris removal of houses fully destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in Breezy Point, NY. FEMA is providing public assistance funds to aid partners in the cleanup of Breezy Point and the Rockaways in Queens, NY. Andre R. Aragon-FEMA
Labels:
BREEZY POINT,
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
FEMA,
FEMA PHOTOS,
HURRICANE SANDY,
NEW YORK,
QUEENS,
ROCKAWAYS
Sunday, January 6, 2013
PET RESCUE AFTER HURRICANE SANDY
FROM: FEMA
Staten Island, N.Y., Dec. 28, 2012 -- FEMA partners, Guardians of Rescue, are providing assistance to residents and pet owners of Staten Island, NY, who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Many pets are receiving veterinary care at Boulevard Veterinary Group in Staten Island, NY. Andre R. Aragon/FEMA
Staten Island, N.Y., Dec. 28, 2012 -- FEMA partners, Guardians of Rescue, are providing assistance to residents and pet owners of Staten Island, NY, who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Many pets are receiving veterinary care at Boulevard Veterinary Group in Staten Island, NY. Andre R. Aragon/FEMA
Labels:
FEMA,
FEMA PHOTOS,
HURRICANE SANDY,
PET PHOTOS,
PETS AFFECTED BY HURRICANES,
VETERINARY GROUP IN STATEN ISLAND
Sunday, December 30, 2012
NEW YORK TWO MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE SANDY
Photo Credit: U.S. Army. |
Two Months Later, Recovery Efforts Are Still Going Strong in New York
December 28, 2012
NEW YORK — In the two months since Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New York, recovery moves forward for survivors, businesses and communities.
"New Yorkers have made tremendous progress in their journey toward recovery from Hurricane Sandy," said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "The efforts of the survivors themselves, combined with those of the whole recovery community, have made all the difference in New York."
Below is a snapshot of significant milestones achieved by FEMA, the state of New York and federal partners since the Oct. 30 disaster declaration:
13 New York counties are designated for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. These are Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. Greene County has been designated for Public Assistance only.
A total of 258,527 New Yorkers have registered for disaster assistance in the 13 counties designated for Individual Assistance including more than 140,000 who have applied through the online application site.
Kings $177.8 million
Nassau $266.3 million
New York $12 million
Queens $208.6 million
Richmond $83.8 million
Suffolk $60.6 million
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $322 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses. The SBA has staff members at every FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center and 19 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.
FEMA PA program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure.
New York University Langone Medical Center: $149.5 million to reimburse the cost of evacuating patients, performing emergency repairs, cleaning facilities and replacing critical equipment.
New York Police Department: More than $75.7 million to help pay for uniformed and civilian personnel who patrolled streets, distributed food and water to hurricane survivors and assisted residents in obtaining emergency medical care.
City of New York Department of Sanitation: More than $46.8 million to reimburse labor and equipment expenditures for the removal of an estimated 1.3 million cubic yards of debris.
City of Long Beach: More than $24.3 million for expenses incurred collecting and clearing more than 700,000 cubic yards of debris scattered across the city.
Nassau County: More than $18 million for costs associated with debris removal and disposal throughout the county.
Nassau County: More than $2.8 million to help pay for the implementation of the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) Program.
Suffolk County: More than $1.1 million for costs associated with STEP.
More than 258,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance.
FEMA housing inspectors have completed 167,107 home inspections, an important first step in determining eligibility for housing assistance.
Nearly 1,300 Community Relations specialists who responded to Hurricane Sandy have met face-to-face with more than 88,000 survivors at homes, schools, and community- and faith-based organizations. The CR teams visited counties designated for Individual Assistance, providing information, and answering survivors’ questions in neighborhoods, at Disaster Recovery Centers, and at points of distribution and shelters early in the response. They also reported critical issues in real-time for immediate action.
Workers who have lost their jobs or those who are self-employed and unable to provide their services because of Hurricane Sandy have received $1,755,266 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
22 Disaster Recovery Centers are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date more than 110,000 survivors have been assisted at Disaster Recovery Centers in New York.
FEMA Mitigation specialists have provided advice and tips on how to repair and rebuild safer and stronger homes to 18,900 New Yorkers at recovery centers and home improvement stores.
FEMA specialists numbering 4,931 deployed from around the United States to help New York respond to and recover from Hurricane Sandy. FEMA teams continue to work with whole community partners to advance the recovery effort and mitigate against future hazards.
Nearly 900 National Service Members (AmeriCorps, FEMA Corps, and Senior Corps) have responded to communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Areas of operation include: shelter operations, mass care, needs assessments, call centers, debris removal, and management of spontaneous volunteers.
More than 500 national and state voluntary organizations; local community and faith-based organizations have called upon their volunteers, to provide help to Sandy survivors in a range of programs and services. A number of the agencies will be part of the long-term recovery effort, working to meet the needs of hurricane survivors that go beyond state and federal assistance dollars.
More than 200 FEMA Corps young adults joined the Hurricane Sandy response under their assignment with the new program. Aimed at enhancing the nation’s ability to assist disaster survivors while expanding career opportunities for young people, FEMA Corps is a unique partnership between FEMA and the Corporation for National and Community Service and AmeriCorps.
Labels:
FEMA,
FEMA FACTS REGARDING NEW YORK HELP,
NEW YORK PROGRESS AFTER HURRICANE SANDY,
U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Saturday, December 29, 2012
RECENT PHOTOS FROM FEMA
FROM: FEMA, HURRICANE SANDY
Far Rockaway, N.Y., Dec. 19, 2012 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is continuing coordination of sand screening, sifting and remediation at Jacob Riis Park, in the New York City borough of Queens. FEMA is providing public assistance funds to aid in the cleanup and restoration of the Rockaways and Breezy Point, Queens, NY. Andre R. Aragon/FEMA
Friday, December 21, 2012
FEMA PHOTOS OF JACOB RIIS PARK CLEANUP AFTER HURRICANE SANDY
FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Far Rockaway, N.Y., Dec. 19, 2012 -- The Army Corps of Engineers is continuing coordination of sand screening, sifting and remediation at Jacob Riis Park, in the New York City borough of Queens. FEMA is providing public assistance funds to aid in the cleanup and restoration of the Rockaways and Breezy Point, Queens, NY. Andre R. Aragon-FEMA
Labels:
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS,
BREEZY POINT,
FEMA,
HURRICANE SANDY,
NEW YORK,
RIIS PARK,
ROCKAWAY,
U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Saturday, December 15, 2012
NEW YORK STATE HURRICANE SANDY SURVIVOR APPROVED FUNDS TOP $780 MILLION
Photo: Just After Hurricane Sandy Struck New York State. Credit: U.S. Army. |
FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Approved Funds for New York State Hurricane Sandy Survivors Tops $780 Million
December 14, 2012
NEW YORK — Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s mission has been to help individuals and families recover from the disaster and will continue to support residents until the mission is completed. As of today, FEMA has approved more than $784 million in individual assistance for New York Sandy survivors.
FEMA is reaching out to all 13 designated counties, focusing on the hardest hit areas of New York state. Assistance to the hardest-hit areas includes:
Kings $169.1 million
Nassau $257.8 million
New York $11.5 million
Queens $200.4 million
Richmond $80.6 million
Suffolk $57.9 million
FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster-recovery effort as of December 14:
FEMA is reaching out to all 13 designated counties, focusing on the hardest hit areas of New York state. Assistance to the hardest-hit areas includes:
Kings $169.1 million
Nassau $257.8 million
New York $11.5 million
Queens $200.4 million
Richmond $80.6 million
Suffolk $57.9 million
FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster-recovery effort as of December 14:
26 Disaster Recovery Centers are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date more than 94,000 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in New York.
114 inspectors in the field have completed 160,986 home inspections – completing 98 percent of inspections.
2 Points of Distribution or PODs remain open providing meals, water and blankets, both in Nassau County.
13 New York counties are designated for both individual and public assistance. These are Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved nearly $163 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses. The SBA has staff members at every FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center and 19 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.
Labels:
FEMA,
HURRICANE SANDY,
NEW YORK STATE HURRICANE SANDY SURVIVOR APPROVED FUNDS,
U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Monday, December 10, 2012
THE UNDERWATER UNDERGROUND
FROM: FEMA
Hoboken, N.J., Dec. 4, 2012 -- The Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) remains closed due to salt water inundation caused form Hurricane Sandy. The PATH power staff is working overtime to get the trains up and running by December 17th. Adam DuBrowa-FEMA
Hoboken, N.J., Dec. 4, 2012 -- The Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) Power Director Andre Bou supervises the electrical repairs to miles of lines along the Hoboken tracks. The PATH is eligible for federal assistance under the FEMA Public Assistance program and is working overtime to repair the electrical systems that were damaged from salt water innundation caused from Hurricane Sandy. Adam DuBrowa/FEMA
Labels:
FEMA,
FEMA PHOTOS,
HOBOKEN N.J.,
HURRICANE SANDY,
SALT WATER INNUNDATION,
THE PORT AUTHORITY TRANS HUDSON,
TRAINS NOT RUNNING
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
RECOVERING LOST DOCUMENTS AFTER A DISASTER
Photo: Hurricane Isaac Aftermath. Credit: FEMA. |
FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
How to Replace Documents Lost in a Disaster
Release date:
December 4, 2012
NEW YORK – One of the dire consequences of any disaster for many people is the loss of important documents. Often, such documents are needed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state emergency services in order to process assistance applications for those who suffered losses or damage to their homes and belongings.
If papers are gone – like birth certificates, Social Security cards, drivers’ licenses, tax records, etc. – New York state and FEMA are advising residents on how to recover them:
Drivers’ licenses: Visit any New York Department of Motor Vehicles office. To find an office nearby, log onto www.dmv.ny.gov/index.htm and click on "Replace License or ID."
Social Security cards: Call the U.S. Social Security office at 800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. For TTY users the number is 800-325-0778, or log onto www.ssa.gov/ssnumber for more information.
Federal tax records: Call the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, or log onto www.irs.gov.
New York state tax records: For copies of returns, log onto www.tax.ny.gov/help/contact/how_to_reach.htm. Click on "Get a copy of my return" and fill in the application. You can also apply for a tax-filing and payment extension for those directly affected by Hurricane Sandy at this site.
For copies of your utility bills, bank records, insurance policies, mortgage payments and the like, call the appropriate firm and speak to a customer-service representative.
To prevent further loss of vital documents, place the originals or copies in a sealable plastic bag or other watertight container and secure that container where it is best protected and can easily be located. It is also a good idea to make copies of vital and important documents and mail them to a friend or relative you can trust to keep them safe and retrievable.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
NEW JERSEY ONE MONTH AFTER HURRICANE SANDY
New Jersey Recovery: One Month Later
November 30, 2012
LINCROFT, N.J. – On the evening of October 29, Hurricane Sandy made landfall along the New Jersey coast resulting in the most damaging disaster in state history. Since then, Federal funds obligated to assist the residents and communities in the state have totaled more than $730 million
The federal effort deployed to assist the state included 18 agencies with more than 2,600 personnel. In addition, under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), 12 states have deployed
440 personnel and equipment to support New Jersey. This includes law enforcement teams providing security and emergency medical services supporting sheltering and other life support needs.
The New Jersey National Guard responded with a force of over 2,200 Guardsmen to support response efforts throughout the state. For New Jersey, it was the largest mobilization of National Guardsmen to a domestic emergency and the largest humanitarian effort the state has orchestrated. The Guard rescued more than 7,000 residents and their pets, operated three fuel distribution points, transported and delivered tens of thousands of basic needs commodities to armories within communities impacted by the storm and provided approximately 250 hours of helicopter lift support to civilian authorities.
Even before Sandy made landfall, FEMA positioned food, water and blankets and deployed experts from several federal agencies to New Jersey, including the U.S. Coast Guard and other components of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, and Housing and Urban Development to provide resources and guidance to the state. Together, critical life-saving needs were provided in the immediate aftermath: emergency medical care, search and rescue, power generators in critical facilities, fuel for first responders.
FEMA also has issued 235 mission assignments to support disaster response and recovery needs, totaling nearly $250 million in projected assistance. This includes federal operational support (support among federal agencies) totaling $67.8 million, technical assistance support (federal support to the state) of $11.2 million such as the expertise brought to New Jersey to support assessment of critical infrastructure throughout the state, and direct federal assistance of nearly $170.0 million.
Immediately following Hurricane Sandy’s landfall, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), working with FEMA and local and state authorities, identified critical locations that needed temporary emergency power. They installed 102 emergency generators between Oct. 31 and Nov. 19 to provide life-saving power to 9-1-1 centers, police and fire stations and medical facilities; life-sustaining facilities such as shelters, water and wastewater treatment and pumping facilities; and other municipal facilities required to reinstitute local command and control and post-event recovery.
FEMA and local and state authorities turned to USACE for its extensive experience removing debris following natural disasters, assigning a debris management technical assistance mission in New Jersey Nov. 6. USACE placed debris subject matter experts in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Middlesex and Union counties working with FEMA, state, county and local authorities to assess the quantities and types of debris and recommend courses of action for its removal. Quantities of various types of debris are still being calculated but are estimated to total around 6.2 million cubic yards, or enough debris to fill the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
The U.S. Fire Service provided 26 chainsaw teams totaling 520 personnel to assist with tree removal in neighborhoods throughout the state. They also provided four Incident Management Teams who assisted the state Fire Marshal with fire coordination and fire planning response.
President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank, Deputy National Security Advisor John O. Brennan, Deputy Transportation Secretary John Pocari, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick have toured damaged New Jersey communities and met with local leaders and emergency responders to view recovery efforts while vowing to bring all available resources to bear to support state and local partners in assisting survivors in the 21 counties designated for assistance.
"FEMA and the entire federal family have been our partners from the beginning," said State Coordinating Officer Lt. Jeff Mottley. "They anticipated many of our needs and when there were challenges, they quickly offered solutions."
"Getting survivors the assistance they need has been our top priority from the beginning," said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael J. Hall. "When families and businesses begin to recover, whole communities begin to recover. The faster we can get recovery dollars into the hands of survivors and reimburse communities for disaster expenses, the faster they will move forward in their healing."
In the first 30 days, FEMA provided $286 million to assist individuals and families repair damaged homes, find temporary housing and assist with expenses such as medical and dental bills. More than 46,000 New Jersey families have benefitted from that assistance so far.
Restoring power to over 2.6 million homes, businesses and government customers represented a critical priority. The Department of Energy worked closely with the state Board of Public Utilities to coordinate the power restoration. Demonstrating a true whole community response, over 23,000 utility professionals came together from New Jersey’s utility companies and, through mutual aid agreements with companies across the country, worked to restore service across the state.
To meet a critical need at a critical time, nearly 3,000 families have taken advantage of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program by lodging in 340 hotels during the first four-week period.
Helping disaster survivors who were displaced from their homes due to damage or power loss find safe and secure shelter is a key priority of the response. At peak of sheltering operations, 107 shelters were open with 4,370 people. Through efforts across federal, state, local, private sector and voluntary agencies, the last of the shelters closed on November 21.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened 10 Business Recovery Centers in the state to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance and has approved more than $21 million in disaster loans to both individuals and businesses.
The first FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers opened just days after the storm passed and continue to assist survivors at more than 36 locations where nearly 25,000 residents have been offered assistance and information about their recovery.
More than 650 FEMA community relations specialists have met with more than 86,000 storm survivors while going door-to-door. In total, nearly 150,000 homes were visited delivering information vital to disaster survivor’s recovery.
Even as Sandy was making its way up the east coast, FEMA and the Department of Defense established Incident Support Bases at Westover, Mass. and Lakehurst, New Jersey to position supplies and other resources close to areas in the hurricane’s path. Following the storm, more than 1.7 million meals and 2.6 million snacks have been served to survivors and first responders.
The Department of Health and Human Services deployed hundreds of personnel, including five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and three Public Health Strike Teams to support hospitals and shelters in New Jersey. In total they were able to assist more than 750 people with medical needs.
FEMA also has teamed with the private sector network of business, industry, academia, trade associations, and other non-governmental organizations as equal partners in assisting with Sandy recovery.
The storm impact on New Jersey was historic in its severity. Storm surge impacts of up to 11 feet battered the coastline and wave heights of more than 14 feet were recorded. Peak wind gusts of 88 mph were clocked in Essex County. The devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy affected, damaged or destroyed more than 122,000 structures throughout all 21 counties.
Friday, November 30, 2012
FEMA AWARDS $39 MILLION TO REMOVE DEBRIS LEFT BY HURRICANE SANDY
FEMA Awards $39 Million in Debris Removal Funding
NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved two Public Assistance (PA) grants totaling more than $39 million to reimburse the city of Long Beach and Nassau County for 75 percent of their costs for debris removal due to Hurricane Sandy.
$24 million will go to the city of Long Beach; $15 million will be awarded to Nassau County. FEMA does not perform the actual debris removal work; it reimburses the local governments that contract for the eligible work.
Strong winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Sandy brought down trees, tree limbs and power lines throughout Nassau County. Within the city of Long Beach, heavy rains and a six foot storm surge deposited more than 330,000 cubic yards of debris, 400,000 cubic yards of sand and 2,550 cubic yards of vegetative debris throughout the city.
Collecting and clearing out piles of debris has been one of the most difficult and time-consuming challenges of the recovery. Through hard work and persistence over the past month, debris piles are dwindling and, in many cases, disappearing altogether. The FEMA PA program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of eligible debris removal costs. In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.
"FEMA is committed to getting people back into their homes" said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. "A critical step is clearing debris out of the way so the recovery can progress. We will continue to work alongside our partners in New York state and local government until the job is finished."
Under FEMA’s PA program, FEMA obligates funds to the state for, at a minimum, 75 percent of eligible costs. The remaining 25 percent is covered provided by non-federal funds. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs.
For debris removal to be eligible, the work must be necessary to:
Eliminate immediate threats of significant damage to improved public and private property when the measures are cost effective, or
Ensure the economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community-at-large.
Labels:
DEBRIS REMOVAL FUNDING,
FEMA,
HURRICANE SANDY,
NASSAU COUNTY,
U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Thursday, November 29, 2012
HURRICANE SANDY CAUSED ELECTRICAL FIRES IN BELLEVILLE, NEW JERSEY
FROM: FEMA
Belleville, N.J., Nov. 27, 2012 -- When Hurricane Sandy blew through Belleville, New Jersey on the night of Oct. 28, 2012, her high winds caused sparking in electrical wires in this home that resulted in a fire. Walt Jennings-FEMA
Belleville, N.J., Nov. 27, 2012 -- Electrical wiring problems spark fires. When Hurricane Sandy blew through Belleville, New Jersey on the night of October 28, 2012, her high winds caused sparking in electrical wires in this home that resulted in a fire. Walt Jennings-FEMA
Labels:
BELLEVILLE,
ELECTRICAL FIRES,
FEMA,
HURRICANE HIGH WIND DAMAGE,
HURRICANE SANDY DAMAGE,
N.J.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
OVER $690 MILLION APPROVED FOR NEW YORK HURRICANE SANDY SURVIVORS
FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANGEMENT AGENCY
More than $690 Million Approved for New York State Hurricane Sandy Survivors
November 27, 2012
NEW YORK — Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $690 million to help individuals and families recover from the disaster.
FEMA is reaching out to all 13 designated counties, focusing on the hardest hit areas of New York State. Assistance to the hardest-hit areas includes:
Kings $146.5 million
Nassau $231.7 million
New York $9.1 million
Queens $176.6 million
Richmond $72.9 million
Suffolk $50.3 million
34 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date nearly 57,000 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in New York.
750 inspectors in the field have completed more than 139,000 home inspections.
1,065 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout affected communities, going door-to-door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register. More teams continue to arrive daily.
7 fixed feeding sites are being operated by the New York City Office of Emergency Management.
2 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs), 1 Rapid Deployment Force (RDF), 2 Prescription Medication Task Force Team (PMTFT) and 1 National Veterinary Response Team (NVRT) from the Department of Health and Human Services remain deployed in New York.
13 New York counties are designated for both individual and public assistance, including: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $38.8 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses. The SBA has staff members at 18 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has staff members at 16 Disaster Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide information on available housing and HUD programs.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has 30 On-Scene Coordinators deployed in New York who are responsible for monitoring or directing responses to all oil spills and hazardous substance releases reported to the federal government.
Labels:
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANGEMENT AGENCY,
FEMA,
HURRICANE SANDY SURVIVOR AID,
NEW YORK AID AFTER HURRICAE SANDY
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
HURRICANE AFTERMATH VOLUNTEERS SAID TO BE "VITAL" BY FEMA
FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Volunteers Are A Vital Resource In The Aftermath Of Sandy
Release date:
November 26, 2012
TRENTON, N.J. – When a disaster strikes, volunteers are a vital resource. They represent the compassionate face that brings comfort to disaster survivors and provides for their immediate needs.
"Working together as friends and neighbors is spontaneous after a disaster" said FEMA Volunteer Agency Liaison Manager Ken Skalitzky. "This approach is really what makes a community whole again."
One group of volunteers recently was recognized when Middletown, N.J. Mayor Anthony P. Fiore presented the Key to the City to Dave Karr, whose volunteer staff from the Southern Baptist Convention, Oklahoma Disaster Relief, prepared more than 1.5 million meals for disaster survivors.
"It was a real honor," Karr said. "I was told they rarely do this. I accepted on behalf of the whole Oklahoma team."
Karr’s team and the organization they represent are typical of the volunteers working in New Jersey, both locally and from out of state. More than 100 organizations manage thousands of dedicated volunteers. Here are some of the major organizations and their services:
Adventist Community Services – manages warehouse distribution of supplies for disaster survivors.
Mennonite Disaster Service – doing clean up, repairs, and rebuilding homes.
The Salvation Army – provided Thanksgiving dinner or lunch in several locations throughout the state. The Transitional Sheltering Assistance social services programs connect needs with available resources.
Samaritans Purse – doing muck outs, removing dirt and debris; cleaning up and sanitizing homes to prevent mold.
Southern Baptist Convention/Oklahoma Disaster Relief – 117 volunteers prepared more than 1.5 million meals to date, and is deploying 41 emergency relief vehicles across New Jersey to continue feeding disaster survivors.
The Red Cross – more than 4,000 volunteers assisting with meals, sheltering, essential supplies, and health services.
United Methodist Committee on Relief – volunteers working on "muck outs."
Catholic Charities – 363 volunteers serving at relief sites offered financial and other material assistance to some 3,000 families. The sites are now closed.
Voluntary Agency Liaison staff at FEMA work with the state umbrella organization, New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). FEMA provides information on the extent
of damage from the disaster to VOAD. The organization then contacts its local partners who provide direct services to disaster survivors.
Disaster assistance is coordinated over the long term by VOAD to make sure everyone who needs help receives help.
Bottled Water Distribution After Hurricane Sandy. Credit: FEMA |
FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Volunteers Are A Vital Resource In The Aftermath Of Sandy
Release date:
November 26, 2012
TRENTON, N.J. – When a disaster strikes, volunteers are a vital resource. They represent the compassionate face that brings comfort to disaster survivors and provides for their immediate needs.
"Working together as friends and neighbors is spontaneous after a disaster" said FEMA Volunteer Agency Liaison Manager Ken Skalitzky. "This approach is really what makes a community whole again."
One group of volunteers recently was recognized when Middletown, N.J. Mayor Anthony P. Fiore presented the Key to the City to Dave Karr, whose volunteer staff from the Southern Baptist Convention, Oklahoma Disaster Relief, prepared more than 1.5 million meals for disaster survivors.
"It was a real honor," Karr said. "I was told they rarely do this. I accepted on behalf of the whole Oklahoma team."
Karr’s team and the organization they represent are typical of the volunteers working in New Jersey, both locally and from out of state. More than 100 organizations manage thousands of dedicated volunteers. Here are some of the major organizations and their services:
Mennonite Disaster Service – doing clean up, repairs, and rebuilding homes.
The Salvation Army – provided Thanksgiving dinner or lunch in several locations throughout the state. The Transitional Sheltering Assistance social services programs connect needs with available resources.
Samaritans Purse – doing muck outs, removing dirt and debris; cleaning up and sanitizing homes to prevent mold.
Southern Baptist Convention/Oklahoma Disaster Relief – 117 volunteers prepared more than 1.5 million meals to date, and is deploying 41 emergency relief vehicles across New Jersey to continue feeding disaster survivors.
The Red Cross – more than 4,000 volunteers assisting with meals, sheltering, essential supplies, and health services.
United Methodist Committee on Relief – volunteers working on "muck outs."
Catholic Charities – 363 volunteers serving at relief sites offered financial and other material assistance to some 3,000 families. The sites are now closed.
Voluntary Agency Liaison staff at FEMA work with the state umbrella organization, New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). FEMA provides information on the extent
of damage from the disaster to VOAD. The organization then contacts its local partners who provide direct services to disaster survivors.
Disaster assistance is coordinated over the long term by VOAD to make sure everyone who needs help receives help.
Labels:
AFTERMATH VOLUNTEERS,
FEMA,
HURRICANE SANDY,
MEALS FOR HURRICANE SURVIVORS,
U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
VOLUNTEERS
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
NEW YORK SANDY SURVIVORS RECEIVED $564 MILLION IN TOTAL INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS
FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
NEW YORK – New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy have received $564 million in federal individual assistance grants to help them recover from damages caused by the storm.
The assistance includes $531 million in housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs, and $33 million to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Disaster assistance grants must be used for disaster-related expenses. Shortly after receiving the funds, survivors receive a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency explaining how the money may be used. Survivors should keep receipts for all disaster-related expenses.
Housing Assistance funds may be used for:
Repairs to return the home to a safe and functional condition. These may include repairs to windows, doors, water and ventilation systems or other structural parts of a home.
Rebuilding a home that has been destroyed.
Reimbursement for hotel or motel lodging expenses directly related to the disaster while the survivor’s home is being repaired. Those who must remain in temporary housing for an extended period may request more assistance until their home can be reoccupied or other permanent housing arrangements can be made.
Other Needs Assistance funds may be used for:
Medical, dental and funeral expenses.
Repair or replacement of damaged personal property, specialized tools for employment, household items, furniture and appliances.
Reimbursement for moving expenses and transportation costs (vehicle repair).
Other approved disaster-related expenses.
Survivors with questions about use of FEMA grants may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
Photo: Hurricane Sandy. Credit: NOAA |
NEW YORK – New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy have received $564 million in federal individual assistance grants to help them recover from damages caused by the storm.
The assistance includes $531 million in housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs, and $33 million to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Disaster assistance grants must be used for disaster-related expenses. Shortly after receiving the funds, survivors receive a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency explaining how the money may be used. Survivors should keep receipts for all disaster-related expenses.
Housing Assistance funds may be used for:
Rebuilding a home that has been destroyed.
Reimbursement for hotel or motel lodging expenses directly related to the disaster while the survivor’s home is being repaired. Those who must remain in temporary housing for an extended period may request more assistance until their home can be reoccupied or other permanent housing arrangements can be made.
Other Needs Assistance funds may be used for:
Repair or replacement of damaged personal property, specialized tools for employment, household items, furniture and appliances.
Reimbursement for moving expenses and transportation costs (vehicle repair).
Other approved disaster-related expenses.
Survivors with questions about use of FEMA grants may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
Labels:
FEMA,
HURRICANE SANDY,
NEW YORK HURRICANE SURVIVORS OF HURRICANE SANDY,
U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
THREE MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE ISAAC
FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly three months ago, Hurricane Isaac swamped Louisiana with torrential rains, high winds and storm surge. Since then, local, state, federal and voluntary agencies, plus the private sector, have worked hand in hand with survivors to help them recover from the storm’s destruction.
Hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal assistance have jump-started the recovery efforts of individual survivors, their families and their communities in the 55 parishes designated for Individual Assistance and/or Public Assistance. And more help will arrive with the rollout of recovery programs designed to help Louisianians over the long haul.
"Louisianians have made tremendous progress in their journey toward recovery from Hurricane Isaac," said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "The efforts of the survivors themselves, combined with those of the whole recovery community, have made all the difference in Louisiana."
Even before Hurricane Isaac made its first landfall on Aug. 28 before wobbling back out to sea, then hitting the coast again, emergency workers at all levels of government, law enforcement and voluntary agencies mobilized to prepare for the storm’s onslaught. On Aug. 27, President Obama issued an emergency disaster declaration authorizing FEMA to provide assistance for emergency protective measures to alleviate the hurricane’s impact on life and property. The major disaster declaration came just two days later.
Although weaker than Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Isaac moved inland much more slowly, causing devastating flooding, some of it in areas largely unscathed by the 2005 storm. Along with the seasoned storm veterans of the coastal parishes and New Orleans, survivors unaccustomed to major storms found themselves needing help.
For many, assistance came almost immediately. Just a week after the Aug. 29 disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, more than $10 million in state and federal disaster assistance had already headed to survivors. Within 16 days, that total had soared to $100 million.
Today, disaster assistance has topped $365 million. This includes more than $116 million in grants from FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program, more than $135 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and more than $113 million in reimbursements to the state and local governments from FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program. Separately, the FEMA-administered National Flood Insurance Program has paid more than $370 million on claims from policyholders in Louisiana.
Beyond the funds disbursed to individuals, families, businesses and communities, federal programs have helped survivors stay temporarily in hotels when their homes were unlivable; funded crisis counseling for Louisianians suffering from the emotional effects of the storm and its aftermath; helped connect survivors to other agencies’ assistance programs to ensure that they would get the help they needed; and reimbursed municipalities for emergency protective measures taken to preserve lives and property, restoring hurricane-damaged infrastructure and removing debris from parish rights-of-way and private property.
Within hours of the Aug. 29 declaration, the first Community Relations specialists began their work of providing crucial recovery information to storm survivors. Over the following weeks, hundreds of Community Relations specialists visited parishes designated for Individual Assistance, answering survivors’ questions in neighborhoods, at Disaster Recovery Centers, and at points of distribution and shelters.
Forty recovery centers served survivors throughout Louisiana, and two centers remain open in hard-hit parishes so residents can meet face to face with specialists who can help them register and answer their questions about state and federal assistance. Mitigation and National Flood Insurance Program specialists joined the staff at the centers, greatly expanding the information available to survivors.
Mitigation outreach specialists also met with more than 24,500 Louisianians in several settings, including the disaster recovery centers, home improvement stores, fairs and festivals, providing advice and tips on rebuilding stronger homes. Two strike teams in Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes visited residents, some accessible only by boat, to offer advice and mold cleanup kits.
As Louisianians continue to recover from Hurricane Isaac, they may have some needs that go beyond the scope of assistance the state or FEMA can provide. That’s when community-based long-term recovery groups can help.
With support and guidance from FEMA and the state, long-term recovery groups are already working in 15 hard-hit parishes. Formed from a network of nonprofit and voluntary agencies and faith- and community-based organizations, these recovery groups are working with survivors to determine their longer-term needs and connect them to assistance.
Staff and volunteers from some groups have helped clear debris at damaged homes, while others are recruiting volunteers and staff. Some groups have programs to help survivors pay utility bills or obtain necessities such as clothing and furniture.
On a community scale, the state of Louisiana, along with FEMA, has activated the new National Disaster Recovery Framework for the first time. Like initial response efforts, extended recovery requires a united effort beginning at the local level, plus the private sector and individuals — the whole community — and the framework aims to help make that happen.
Already, framework coordinators have held the first public meetings in two parishes to identify local recovery priorities, with more public sessions expected in the coming weeks, said Wayne Rickard, who was appointed the federal disaster recovery coordinator for Louisiana’s Hurricane Isaac recovery effort. After this stage, agencies at the state and federal levels will pool their resources and information to help communities and parishes find alternative pathways to secure technical assistance and funding.
Meanwhile, our Public Assistance mission continues to gain momentum and meet the challenges in Louisiana’s hard-hit coastal parishes. We are coordinating with our state and local partners, and reaching out to the federal family as well as FEMA Headquarters and Region VI leadership to find viable solutions to the more complex issues that stand in the way of full community recovery.
Because we extended the Individual Assistance registration deadline, Hurricane Isaac survivors have until Nov. 29 to register with FEMA for potential assistance. Louisianians can register for assistance or check the status of their cases online 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. FEMA phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.
Labels:
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
FEMA,
HURRICANE IMPACT ON LIFE AND PROPERTY,
HURRICANE ISAAC,
HURRICANE ISAAC ASSISTANCE
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