RACES Logger by KB3HIY

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

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

The 90-day appeal period will begin on or around Dec. 2, 2020. Residents and business owners are also encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements.  

Residents may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.  

• An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim.  

• Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress. 

• If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment. 

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

Submit appeals and comments by contacting your local floodplain administrator: Tyler Gelles, Senior Stormwater Manager, trgelles@fredericksburgva.gov, (540) 372-1179, Ext 280.The preliminary maps may be viewed online at the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer: http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv. Changes from the current maps may be viewed online at the Region 3 Changes Since Last FIRM Viewer: http://arcg.is/1mvffC.   

For more information about the flood maps: 

• Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon). 

• Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone; toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.  

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

City of Fredericksburg Flood Mapping Milestones 

• May 28, 2019 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data. 

• Jan. 31, 2020 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released. 

• March 3, 2020 — Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance. 

• On or Around Dec. 2, 2020 –Appeal Period starts. 

• February 2022* — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. (*Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process). 

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at (215) 931-5597 or at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov.  

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

OAKLAND, Calif. ― Two years ago, Super Typhoon Yutu – the strongest storm of 2018, with sustained winds of 175 mph – directly hit the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Yutu destroyed critical infrastructure and countless homes on Saipan and Tinian, injured at least 133 and took the lives of two residents.

After such an unprecedented event, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) established a long-term recovery office in Saipan to partner with local, territorial and federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector and volunteers to build housing, fund school and infrastructure repairs, and support rebuilding safer and stronger.

A top priority for CNMI and FEMA was to rebuild using methods and materials that can withstand future typhoon and disaster threats. To date, FEMA’s permanent housing construction program has built or repaired typhoon-resistant homes for 102 families. New homes finished through the program incorporate reinforced concrete foundations, walls and roofs. FEMA continues construction and repair work to help another 200 families.

The CNMI also prioritized rebuilding Yutu-damaged schools. FEMA has approved over $45 million to the CNMI Public School System, including recent approvals of $22.6 million for Hopwood Middle School and $2 million for Oleai Elementary School. New school buildings will also include reinforced concrete foundations, walls and roofs to protect the buildings from future storm damage.

As recovery continues, FEMA expects to invest more than $80 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to fund projects that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to life and property from future hazards like wind, flooding and other threats. Collectively, we are vested in and committed to CNMI’s long-term recovery plan to restore a functioning, healthy economy, improve infrastructure, expand housing, address environmental considerations, and make CNMI more resistant to future disasters.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9 or view more news releases at fema.gov/fema-regions/region-ix.

CHICAGO - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 5 office in Chicago is hosting a telephone town hall meeting to discuss the Freeport, Ill. flood mitigation project on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, at 4 p.m. CT. FEMA will be hosting the meeting to solicit public feedback as part of its grant application review process.

The City of Freeport applied for FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) grant funding for the project to acquire and demolish approximately 150 flood prone properties located in the floodway of the Pecatonica River in the Eastside community. The owners of the acquired properties must voluntarily agree to sell the land then the structures will be removed, and the land will be converted to green space by the City of Freeport.

All interested and affected individuals should register to learn more and provide input. The telephone town hall is replacing a public meeting due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and will be simulcast in English and Spanish.

Telephone Town Hall Meeting Details:

• Date and Time: Dec. 9, 2020 at 4 pm CT.
• Registration: Visit website: https://tthm.wufoo.com/forms/freeport-flood-mitigation-project-town-hall. Registrants will receive a phone call that will automatically connect them to the meeting. Individuals may also call into the telephone town hall meeting at 888-410-3427 (English language line) or 844-881-1317 (Spanish language line).

To learn more about FEMA’s hazard mitigation assistance, visit www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation. For questions about the meeting or the project, email FEMA-R5-news-desk@fema.dhs.gov or call 312-408-4455.

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

WASHINGTON -- Today, the RAND Corporation released results from a 2019 survey requested by FEMA which was designed to estimate the prevalence of workplace harassment and discrimination within the agency.

The survey, focused on the timeframe of spring 2018 through spring 2019, found 20% of FEMA employees reported experiencing a civil rights violation on the basis of sex, and 18.4% of employees reported experiencing a violation on the basis of race or ethnicity. The report also suggests that during this time period women had a less positive experience in the workplace overall, when compared to their male counterparts. Further, the survey identified for the same time period, a gap in trust between employees and agency senior leaders; that employees felt barriers to reporting civil rights violations existed; and that some employees who did report violations or misconduct also indicated experiencing retaliation.

FEMA hired RAND in 2019 as a third-party company to conduct an independent and objective assessment of harassment and discrimination in the organization after an internal investigation discovered allegations of misconduct involving senior leaders. The results of the survey identify areas for improvement and will help continue to guide FEMA leadership decisions on programming and policy responses.

“Even though the data from this survey is more than a year and a half behind us, these findings are alarming and simply not acceptable,” said FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor. “Our people spend their days helping Americans before, during and after disasters -- and they deserve to work in an environment that makes them feel valued, protected and safe. To address recommendations from the RAND report, we’ve built a Culture Improvement Action Plan that outlines six areas of focus that agency-wide actions will emphasize and advance in the next 12 months.”

The Culture Improvement Action Plan is the latest in a series of actions FEMA leadership team has taken to correct these issues ever since they were discovered. It builds on programs and policies FEMA has instituted over the past two years to combat harassment and misconduct in the workplace, including: establishing an Office of Professional Responsibility to ensure expeditious, fair and objective investigation of allegations of misconduct; conducting mandatory anti-harassment/ civil treatment training courses for employees at all levels; presenting safe space training for employees; providing counseling services for employees; and delivering organizational doctrine with an emphasis on the core values of compassion, fairness, integrity and respect and designed to foster a supportive, healthy and productive environment throughout the organization.

“We also reviewed how we handled allegations of misconduct and the repercussions of such acts, and were able to streamline and improve our processes,” said Karen Filipponi, FEMA Chief Component Human Capital Officer. “When the findings of an OPR investigation are received by our Labor and Employee Relations branch, we ensure they are addressed with the utmost importance and handled fairly and equitably.” 

Jo Linda Johnson, Director of the Office of Equal Rights, says the push to eradicate discrimination and harassment from within FEMA ranks continues.

“We’ve come a long way over the past two years, but we know our work is not done. We’ve hired RAND to do a second survey in 2021, to assess improvements from the 2019 baseline report, and we’ve initiated a Barrier Analysis within FEMA to determine the root cause underlying the experience and opportunities for women in the workforce. Our culture is everyone’s responsibility, but as leaders, it’s on us to understand our employees' lived experiences in the workplace and build an environment of professionalism, dignity and respect.”

MASHPEE, Massachusetts. –As they do today, ancestors of the Wampanoag Nation walked the land of present-day Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island dating back 12,000 years. Tribal members even met traders from Europe and the Mayflower when the pilgrims first came ashore. These stories still resonate in many circles: a pandemic swept through the Tribe, and much like the pandemic of today, the virus was novel and deadly.

In 1616, traders from Europe brought disease to Wampanoag territory. The geographical area affected included all 69 tribes of the Wampanoag Nation from present day Provincetown, Mass., to Narragansett Bay—the boundary of the Wampanoag and Narragansett Nations. Fully two thirds of the entire Wampanoag Nation (estimated at 45,000) died. This also represented a loss of many speakers of the language. Hardest hit were Elders and small children, critical age groups for any language. European disease would also place into jeopardy each tribe’s ability to sustain a population for defense of its territory and culture.

In 1620, the Mayflower arrived in current day Provincetown, Mass., and then moved across Cape Cod Bay to Pahtuksut (current day Plymouth, Mass.) The Wampanoag didn’t approach the Europeans for another three months for fear of more disease being brought ashore.

Following this first three-month period of mitigation efforts, the Mashpee Wampanoag helped the pilgrims regain their health. And in a twist of fate, today, both the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation and the federal government are working together to support tribal members struggling with COVID-19.

The care and protection of the Wampanoag people is as strong as any other nation in the country with more than 2,600 tribal members living in outlying communities near the tribal reservation. Before ‘COVID-19’ became entrenched in our language, tribal leaders were mapping out a plan. The Mashpee Wampanoag was the first Native American tribe in the region and second in the country to establish a COVID strategy. Before President Trump ever declared the pandemic a national emergency, Mashpee Wampanoag Emergency Management Director, Nelson Andrews, Jr., approached the tribal council and asked the Chairman to declare a state of emergency and shut everything down. To protect his fellow tribal members, Andrews wanted to temporarily close the community and government center to all non-essential employees. He then initiated a request to FEMA for direct Federal Assistance. 

Within hours of the Tribe taking action, Capt. Russ Webster, FEMA’s Regional Administrator who also serves as the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) for the COVID-19 response, called Andrews. “Throughout history, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has been self-sufficient and FEMA respects them as a sovereign nation,” said Webster. “If they have a mission we can support, we’re going to be there,” he added.

Captain Webster immediately sent FCO Adam Burpee to serve as FEMA’s liaison to the Tribal Nation. Burpee’s role, as Webster described it, is connecting people with resources.  “That’s the art and science of emergency management,” he explained.

For the next few months, Andrews and Burpee worked around-the-clock.  FEMA awarded the Mashpee Wampanoag more than $130,000 in Public Assistance grants, which was used to purchase security glass, disinfect the government building, and to provide shelter for the Tribe’s homeless. Meanwhile, Burpee reached out to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its tribal support units. In what’s known as a “government-to-government relationship,” the CDC sent epidemiologists, a contact tracing team, an infection prevention and control team, and an incident command team to support the Tribe for 60 days. Even with this added support, just after the Fourth of July, the number of COVID cases among tribal members being tested on the reservation jumped by 40 percent. All official Independence Day celebrations and the tribe’s annual Pow-Wow were canceled, though some gatherings were held anyway. The fear for the tribe’s Elders became even more elevated. How could they keep the most revered segment of their population safe, when the Elders were also the least likely to recover if they got the virus?

Andrews felt the first step was to quarantine those infected. “One of the first things I did was to rent a hotel,” he said. “I paid $30,000 (of emergency management funds) up front and asked the manager, ‘Can we use this hotel to quarantine?’ And we put that in place.”

The tribe’s $30,000 was well spent. Infected members readily agreed to protect the rest of the population and stayed in quarantine up to a month. The CDC then worked to get out effective messaging about safety and wearing a mask.

That led many tribal members to seek Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the reservation. The Mashpee Wampanoag have an Indian Health Service (IHS) clinic; not all Tribal Nations have one. Even with the clinic, the Tribe had a limited supply of gloves and some coveted N-95 respirator masks. Andrews quickly gained more PPE through federal and non-profit resources, including FEMA.

For example, the FEMA Region 1 warehouse shipped the Tribe roughly 13,000 cloth face coverings, 6,000 procedural masks, 26,000 Nitrile gloves, 5,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, 8,330 N95 respirator masks and 5,370 KN95 respirator masks.  The Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FEMA, and the tribal community all collaborated to distribute these and other much needed supplies.

Although the Tribe’s campaign efforts undoubtedly assisted in curbing an outbreak of the virus, it’s inconclusive to know if any deaths were directly related to the pandemic. “Unless Tribal members are tested at an IHS clinic, there is no way of accurately tracking positivity rates among the tribal community” said Regina Marotto-Benjamin, FEMA Region 1, Tribal Liaison Officer.

Non-IHS facilities do not ask for Tribal membership on registration forms, and even if they do, there is no communication back to the specific Tribe.

“So, any number of Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal members could have been tested and/or treated in any non-IHS facility across the country and the Tribe would not know about it, unless the person self-reports, which is not usually required and difficult to enforce.”

With a second wave approaching this winter, the Tribe plans to be in step with the “new normal.” A phased approach to the Tribe’s re-entry planning is outlined in a document they developed entitled ‘Resilient Comeback.’  It details what this school year will look like, as well as how Tribal Court will function. Plans are underway for the distribution of COVID vaccinations and potential flu season occurring simultaneously.

As this pandemic sweeps the globe, Nelson is confident his tribe remains prepared to stay safe and healthy this winter. With FEMA’s technical support and funding, the agency and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe will continue their mission together by providing meals and PPE, as well as non-congregate sheltering for its sick and homeless tribal members.

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Wildfire survivors should call FEMA Helpine or visit DisasterAssistance.gov by Dec. 16

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Individuals and households with losses due to the wildfires in Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, Napa, San Bernardino, San Diego, Shasta, Siskiyou and Sonoma counties have two weeks left to register for assistance from FEMA. The deadline is Dec. 16, 2020.

These counties are included in federal Disaster 4569, declared initially Oct. 16 for seven counties and expanded later.

FEMA monetary awards help eligible survivors pay for rent, home repair/replacement and many other serious disaster-related needs, including replacement or repair of vehicles, funeral expenses, medical or dental expenses and miscellaneous other costs. To be reimbursed by FEMA, survivors should photograph damage and save repair receipts.                 

Survivors should contact their insurers and file a claim for the disaster-caused damage before they register with FEMA. Survivors with insurance should register with FEMA even when they aren’t yet certain whether they will be eligible. FEMA may be able to help with costs that insurance doesn’t cover. The agency can determine eligibility once an applicant’s insurance claim is settled, but there won’t be any FEMA reimbursement for those who fail to register by the Dec. 16 deadline. FEMA cannot pay insurance deductibles.

Survivors can register with FEMA for federal aid in one of three ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov;
• By downloading the FEMA app to a smartphone or tablet; or
• By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. PST. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to that service when they register.

The helpline staff can also answer questions about applications already submitted.

To register you will need the following information:

• Social Security number
• Insurance policy information
• Address of the damaged primary dwelling
• A description of disaster-caused damage and losses
• Current mailing address
• Current telephone number
• Total household annual income
• Routing and account number of your checking or savings account (for direct transfer of funds to your bank account)

After you register, FEMA will email you a temporary PIN that you can use to create an account at DisasterAssistance.gov. The account will enable you to check the status of your application, view messages from FEMA, update your personal information and upload documents FEMA may need to determine your eligibility for grants.

If you are unable to upload your documents, mail them to FEMA at P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville MD 20782-8055 or fax them to 800-827-8112.

Inspections

During COVID-19, inspections for damaged homes will be conducted by phone. Remote inspections are comparable to traditional, in-person inspections and can expedite recovery assistance, based on eligibility. For security purposes, the inspector will verify your identity by asking a series of qualifying questions and then provide you with the first four digits of your application number to complete verification.

If you reported that you cannot safely live in your home, a FEMA inspector will contact you by phone and ask about the type and extent of damage sustained. Survivors with minimal damage who can live in their homes will not automatically be scheduled for a home inspection when applying to FEMA, but FEMA will provide an inspection if the survivor contacts the agency to report finding more damage than originally reported. Inspectors record damage; they have no role in determining the amount or type of grants a survivor may receive.

Remote inspections don’t affect the FEMA Other Needs Assistance program. This assistance does not require an inspection and includes possible awards for childcare, transportation, medical, dental, funeral expenses, replacement of personal property, or moving and storage assistance.

FEMA will perform remote inspections even if it can’t verify an applicant’s identity, primary residence or home ownership through automated records searches performed as part of the application process. FEMA will send a letter to applicants requesting documents they must provide to be considered for assistance after the inspeciton. Inspectors are not allowed to collect documentation from applicants.

U.S. Small Business Administration

Dec. 16 is also the deadline to apply for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Grants from FEMA are meant to give eligible survivors a start on their road to recovery. The primary source of recovery funding for many, however, is a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which makes disaster loans to individuals and businesses of all sizes.

Survivors can find out more and apply for a loan at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/. For additional assistance, contact the SBA’s Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center. Customer service representatives are available to assist individuals and business owners, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application. The Virtual DLOC is open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST daily. Call 800-659-2955 or email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.

These services are only available for the California disaster declaration as a result of the wildfires and not for COVID-19-related assistance.

For the latest information on wildfire recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4569 and follow the FEMA Region 9 Twitter account at twitter.com/femaregion9.

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BATON ROUGE, La. — Hurricane Laura survivors who live in parishes designated for Direct Temporary Housing assistance and who have been denied temporary housing assistance can appeal that decision. Survivors have 60 days from the date of their determination letter to appeal that decision. However, the deadline to be referred for direct temporary housing assistance is Dec. 31, 2020.

Applicants who have not received a call from FEMA to discuss their eligibility for direct temporary housing options and feel this is in error are encouraged to submit an appeal to FEMA with supporting documentation to prove their home is uninhabitable due to major damage or complete destruction caused by Hurricane Laura.

Insured applicants are required to submit denial or settlement documentation to FEMA as soon as possible if their insurance claim was denied or insufficient and their home is not habitable.

Determination Letters

It’s important to read the determination letter carefully to identify the reason for being declared ineligible. Some common reasons include:  

• The home is insured and the applicant needs to provide a settlement or denial to be considered for assistance. 
• Additional information is needed from the survivor to prove identify, ownership, and/or occupancy of the damaged home. 
• There were multiple registrations using the same address. 
• Damage to a secondary residence (where the survivor lives less than six months of the year). 
• The home is safe to occupy because FEMA records indicate minimal or no damage to the home. 
• Missed inspections and no follow-up communication with FEMA. 
• FEMA is unable to contact the applicant. 

Habitability

A habitable home is one that is safe, sanitary, functional and presents no disaster-caused hazards to the occupants. FEMA regulations define safe as secure from disaster-related hazards or threats to occupants; sanitary as free of disaster-related health hazards; and functional as an item or home capable of being used for its intended purpose. 

A FEMA inspection determines if home repairs are necessary to ensure the safety or health of occupants or to make the residence functional. FEMA considers the following factors when determining habitability and awarding repair assistance: 

• The exterior is structurally sound including windows, doors, and roof; 
• The utilities are functional including electricity, gas, heat, plumbing, etc.; 
• The interior is structurally sound including floors, walls, and ceilings; 
• There is safe access to and from the home; 
• The septic and sewer systems are functioning properly; and 
• The water supply or well (if applicable) is functional. 

Disaster-caused damage may exist without making the home uninhabitable. Although minimal damage may cause some inconvenience, it is expected that individuals or households will address those losses without federal assistance.

Determining Habitability 

For Hurricane Laura, FEMA utilized multiple methods for verifying habitability. Phone interviews were conducted by experienced FEMA inspectors and for those identified as uninhabitable an exterior validation was also completed at the home. FEMA also utilized technology, such as satellite imagery and information from the State Fire Marshall to make these determinations. 

Appealing FEMA’s Decision 

If you feel the amount or type of assistance is incorrect, you may submit a signed, written explanation outlining why you believe FEMA’s decision is incorrect, as well as copies of any documents supporting your appeal and proving your disaster losses. Your appeal letter to FEMA must be submitted within 60 days of your decision letter and must state that you are asking for reconsideration of the specific decision and explain in detail why the appeal is being filed. 

There are four ways you can submit your letter and documents. Be sure to include the cover letter you received from FEMA—with any letters you submit. 

Mail to the address below.  

• FEMA National Processing Service Center 
• P.O. Box 10055 
• Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055 

• Fax to 800-827-8112. 
• Upload at disasterassistance.gov if you have a FEMA online account. To set up a FEMA online account, visit the site and click on “Check Your Application and Log In” and follow the directions. 
• Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, which is under strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of all participants. Masks or face coverings are required for entry and service. Find your closest center by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585), going online to disasterassistance.gov or downloading the FEMA app. 

Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service. 

For the latest information on Hurricane Laura, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4559. 

Federal Funding Totals $204.9 Million

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The deadline for individuals and households to apply for FEMA disaster assistance has passed, but work on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Sally continues.

Survivors in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties who registered with FEMA can check the status of their applications, ask questions and get information in several ways:

• By visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
• Using the FEMA App for smartphones
• Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.

Survivors who were unable to register before the deadline and who can provide justification for late registration may contact FEMA and request consideration for disaster assistance.

As of Dec. 1, 2020, $204.9 million in federal grants, loans and flood insurance payments have been approved for homeowners, renters and businesses in the five counties. This includes:

• $29.2 million in FEMA grants for 7,154 individuals and households.
• $64.7 million in disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for 1,644 businesses, homeowners and renters.
• 4,459 National Flood Insurance Program claims filed; $111 million paid to policyholders.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams helped more than 2,400 residents register for FEMA assistance and provided more than 4,600 referrals to other agencies and voluntary organizations for unmet needs.

FEMA continues to coordinate with the State of Florida on reimbursement for emergency services, debris removal and repair or replacement of damaged public infrastructure, and for funding to mitigate against losses from future storms.

For more information about Hurricane Sally recovery in Florida, visit the FEMA disaster webpage at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4564 or the Florida Division of Emergency Management webpage at https://www.floridadisaster.org/info/Sally/.

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FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during, and after disasters

BATON ROUGE, La. — Renters and homeowners in parishes designated for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Delta have until Dec. 16 to register for help.

Federal assistance includes help for temporary housing, rental assistance and repair or replacement of damaged property.

Additionally, grants may be available to help with other expenses such as medical and dental care, childcare, funeral and burial costs, replacing essential household items, moving and storage, vehicle repairs and cleanup.

Survivors who live in the following parishes that have been designated for this disaster may be eligible: Acadia, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, Rapides and Vermilion.

For more information or to register for assistance:

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY at 800-877-8339).
• Visit the FEMA website disasterassistance.gov/.
• To find a drive-thru DRC you can text 43362 and type DRC and your ZIP Code (i.e. DRC 12345).
• To receive a link to download the FEMA app:

• Apple devices: text APPLE to 43362 
• Android devices: text ANDROID to 43362

• Visit fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/app
• Call 211 or text 527435837 to 898-211. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

For the latest information on Hurricane Laura, visit fema.gov/disaster/4559. Or, for Hurricane Delta, visit fema.gov/disaster/4570. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6

REGION I – Maine will receive $3,353,905 from the FEMA for the cost of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for testing and care for the public due to COVID-19. The grant is awarded to the State as reimbursement for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including disposable non-sterile isolation gowns and disposable isolation suits.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention distributed the PPE in response to emergency needs from organizations such as first responders, long-term care facilities, frontline caregivers, and others involved in the state’s COVID-19 response. Additionally, the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services distributed the PPE to essential State employees.

It is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response and during recovery from a disaster, allowing them to quickly move forward.  Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized tribal governments, U.S. territories, local governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. The grant applications are submitted from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments. 

“FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program is essential to helping communities recovering from a federally declared disaster get back on their feet,” said Regional Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Captain Russ Webster, who oversees FEMA’s operations in Maine. The Maine Emergency Management Agency works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.

“This funding is just one of the positive results of the partnership between FEMA and the State of Maine through Maine Emergency Management Agency,” concluded Webster.

FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the state of Maine.

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.

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