FEMA News

FEMA Extends Transitional Sheltering Assistance

LAKE MARY, Fla. – FEMA approved an extension for Transitional Sheltering Assistance for survivors who still need time finding housing and continue to qualify for the program. There are two dates to pay attention to:

Must check out by June 30, 2023, for those who:

• Received housing assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development before the disaster, but have not been able to move back into their HUD-subsidized home due to disaster damage and have not found another HUD or other housing resource; or
• Are eligible for Direct Housing (FEMA provided unit, Direct Lease, or Multifamily Lease and Repair Program) and are awaiting placement.

All other households currently checked into hotels under the TSA program must check out by April 29, 2023.

Hotels will be limited to those in the 28 Florida counties that are currently housing survivors in TSA participating hotels.

The lodging rate will remain at 250% of the General Services Administration rate for the location of the hotel, to include lodging rate and applicable fees and taxes.

For the latest information on Florida's recovery from Hurricane Ian and Nicole, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

bree-constance… Fri, 03/24/2023 - 18:28

FEMA Awards Landmark Medical Center Over $1 Million for COVID Response Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $1 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse Landmark Medical Center for the costs of steps taken to protect patients, staff and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,058,012 FEMA Public Assistance grant will reimburse the 214-bed Woonsocket hospital’s parent company, Prime Healthcare Foundation, Inc. for the additional costs of operating in a pandemic environment between March 2020 and December 2021.

The costs included purchasing medical supplies such as COVID test kits, oxygen sensors, catheter supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, face shields, gowns, medical gloves.

Landmark also bought building materials used for constructing temporary COVID-19 units such as cement, PVC pipe, wire, flex tapes, security cameras and a display monitor, door slide sensors, and automatic slide doors.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Landmark Medical Center with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic fight is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

This grant brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to more than $641 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Fri, 03/24/2023 - 16:26

FEMA Awards Almost $2.7 Million To State of Maine for Covid-19 Response Costs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $2.7 million to the State of Maine to reimburse the state for purchasing personal protective equipment for state employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $2,693,872 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services for the purchase and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) materials such as masks to public-facing employees in other state agencies between October 2020 and July 2021.

The PPE was distributed to state agencies within the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Maine with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

So far, FEMA has provided more than $232 million in Public Assistance grants to Maine to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Fri, 03/24/2023 - 16:19

FEMA Awards Almost $3.7 Million To Maine Medical Center for Covid-19 Test Costs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $3.7 million to the State of Maine to reimburse Maine Medical Center in Portland for the cost of testing employees and hiring temporary staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3,676,485 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the 637-bed teaching hospital and flagship facility for MaineHealth for testing and hiring temporary nursing staff between April 2021 and June 2022.

Maine Medical Center administered 66,406 COVID tests to employees, and contracted with Cross Country Staffing to provide four registered nurses for a total of 2,015 hours who were assigned to the COVID call center for organization-wide incident management.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Maine Medical Center with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

So far, FEMA has provided more than $232 million in Public Assistance grants to Maine to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Fri, 03/24/2023 - 16:16

FEMA Awards Over $5.2 Million to Lahey Clinic Hospital for COVID-19 Equipment Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $5.2 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the Lahey Clinic Hospital, Inc. for the cost of purchasing medical equipment and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $5,222,082 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the physician-led nonprofit teaching hospital in Burlington – affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine – for the cost of purchasing equipment like ventilators between March 2020 and June 2022.

The hospital also purchased personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, surgical masks, gowns, face shields, caps, shoe covers, scrub tops, scrub pants, lab coats as well as IV/surgical supplies, cleaning and disinfecting supplies, and testing supplies like cotton swabs and test tubes.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Lahey Clinic Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $1.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Fri, 03/24/2023 - 16:14

FEMA Awards Over $2.9 Million to City of New Haven for COVID Testing, Vax Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $2.9 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse the City of New Haven for the cost of providing testing and vaccinations to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $2,908,343 FEMA Public Assistance grant will reimburse the city for the cost of paying city employees and contracting for professional staff to administer COVID tests and vaccinations between February 2021 and June 2022.

New Haven paid some 121 employees a total of 6,562 overtime hours to provide 40,872 antigen rapid test and contracted for 36 nurses working a total of 15,952 hours to administer 26,102 vaccines. The city also contracted to provide security for vaccination and COVID-19 testing sites, dissemination of information to the public, and transportation services for senior citizens.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the City of New Haven with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $630 million in Public Assistance grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Fri, 03/24/2023 - 16:11

FEMA Awards Almost $3.3 Million to Quinnipiac University for COVID Testing Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $3.3 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse Quinnipiac University for the cost of providing testing to students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3,282,764 FEMA Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private university in Hamden for the cost of administering approximately 95,856 COVID-19 tests between July 2020 and June 2021.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Quinnipiac University with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our institutions of higher education to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $630 million in Public Assistance grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Fri, 03/24/2023 - 15:59

FEMA Awards Over $4.2 Million to Suffolk University for COVID-19 Testing Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $4.2 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse Suffolk University for the cost of testing students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $4,201,455 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private research university in Boston for the cost of contracting to administer 115,844 COVID-19 tests at its campus.

Suffolk University also purchased hand sanitizer, disinfectant, desktop sneeze guards, sanitizing wipes, air purifiers, N95 respirators, medical gloves, half face respirators, safety goggles, and surgical masks as well as contracting for facility disinfection.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Suffolk University with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our institutions of higher education to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $1.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Fri, 03/24/2023 - 15:56

FEMA Awards Nearly $1.4 Million to Berkshire Medical Center for COVID-19 Testing Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $1.4 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the Berkshire Medical Center for the cost of of testing the public and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,390,865 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private 302-bed teaching hospital in Pittsfield affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School for the cost of contracting to administer 22,968 COVID-19 tests between September 2020 and January 2021.

The hospital also purchased supplies such as lab coats, masks, gloves, and propane for the testing tent, and contracted to provide security and cleaning services.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Berkshire Medical Center with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

So far, FEMA has provided more than $1.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Fri, 03/24/2023 - 15:55

FEMA Awards State of Rhode Island Almost $1.7 Million for COVID Quarantine Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $1.7 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse it for the costs of operating a quarantine shelter for vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $1,675,387 FEMA Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) for contracting with several organizations to open and operate a non-congregate quarantine/isolation shelter at Hallworth House in Providence, the site of former long-term care facility.

The state contracted with the United Way of Rhode Island to operate a Quarantine and Isolation Information and Resource Center (QIRC) call center and also provided assistance to the public in registering for vaccination clinics.

RIDOH also contracted West Bay Community Action Inc. for admission screening and program admission assistance, discharge screening and discharge assistance, and program administration. A total of 221 individuals stayed at Hallworth House for an average of 6.78 days, and a total of 4,497 meals were provided between December 2021 and June 2022.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Rhode Island with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic fight is critical to their success, and to our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.

This grant brings the total awarded by FEMA to the State of Rhode Island to more than $641 million to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Fri, 03/24/2023 - 15:52

FEMA Awards State of Vermont Over $3.1 Million For COVID Hospital Staffing Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $3.1 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse it for the costs of providing extra staff for hospitals to handle increased patient loads during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3,101,046 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the Vermont Agency of Human Services for the cost of contracting temporary nursing staff to support the subacute skilled nursing facility (SNF) and/or intensive care unit (ICU) beds that were expanded at nine hospitals due to COVID 19 between November 2021 and April 2022.

The Northwestern Medical Center ICU in St. Albans was the largest recipient, receiving 12,839 hours of work from registered nurses and respiratory therapists at a cost of $1,792,099.

The University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington  received 989 hours of work performed by 21 registered nurses at a cost of $180,000, while seven other facilities received a total of $1,128,947 worth of contracted labor to support 132 SNF beds.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the State of Vermont with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. So far, FEMA has provided more than $448 million in grants to Vermont to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Fri, 03/24/2023 - 15:50

FEMA Approves $14 Million for Lee County Schools, Sheriff

LAKE MARY, Fla. – FEMA Public Assistance has approved two grants to reimburse the Lee County School District and Lee County Sheriff for emergency costs responding to Hurricane Ian.

The school district was approved for a grant of $10,069,446. After the Sept. 28, 2022, storm, the school district conducted emergency repairs, mold remediation, debris removal, water removal, safety inspections and installation of temporary generators.

Lee County Sheriff was approved for a grant of $4,180,612 to reimburse costs of security for crowd, access and traffic control, barricades, search and rescue, roof stabilization, medical care, debris removal, distribution of supplies, lighting, sandbags, tarps, generators, fuel and other costs.

FEMA Public Assistance has obligated $32.8 million (federal share) for Lee County and a total of $106 million for all applicants within Lee County.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

Applicants work with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects to the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) after final approval. Once a project is obligated, FDEM works closely with applicants to complete the grant process and begin making payments. FDEM has procedures in place designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov/disaster/4673. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

bree-constance… Thu, 03/23/2023 - 19:59

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Maine

WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Maine to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm and flooding on Dec. 23-24, 2022.

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by a severe storm and flooding in Franklin, Knox, Oxford, Somerset, Waldo and York counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

William F. Roy has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.

luther.wills-dudich Thu, 03/23/2023 - 18:33

FEMA Releases Updated Guide to Help Communities with Resilience Grants Process Hazard Mitigation Guide Now Explicitly Addresses Key FEMA Priorities like Climate Change and Equity

WASHINGTON -- FEMA released an updated and consolidated guidance to help grant applicants successfully navigate our mitigation grant programs to enhance climate resiliency.

Following a multi-year effort and robust community engagement, FEMA updated the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide to reduce complexities and increase stakeholder accessibility to resilience grant programs.

This is the first update to the guide since 2015, and it now incorporates climate change and future conditions, equity, building codes, capability and capacity building, nature-based solutions and community lifelines as key principles for its grant programs. It also covers a new program created since the last version, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

“Our best defense against the immediate impacts of climate change is to harden communities and arm our stakeholders with the resources they need to build with climate resilience in mind,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “We remain focused on ensuring that every community who wants to take the next step in mitigating future threats is able to do so, and this updated guide is a critical tool in supporting that mission.”

State, local, tribal and territorial governments can use the guide to help them through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant lifecycle process. FEMA’s mitigation grant programs provide funding for actions that address risks to and reduce disaster suffering from events like wildfires, drought, extreme heat, hurricanes, earthquakes and flooding.

FEMA remains focused on further simplifying its programs and processes to help the whole community become more climate resilient aligning with FEMA’s people first initiative, the updated guide reduces program complexities to help catalyze community partnerships and promote equitable investments to reduce risk.

In addition to BRIC, other programs included in the HMA Guide are the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, the HMA Program and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire. Several of these programs have seen historic levels of funding in 2021 and 2022.

FEMA will also be offering several webinars and materials that offer more information about the updated guide. Anyone interested in attending may register here.

For more information about the guide update visit FEMA.gov.

luther.wills-dudich Thu, 03/23/2023 - 16:31

FEMA Awards UVM Medical Center Over $4 Million For COVID Equipment Costs

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $4 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse the University of Vermont Medical Center for the costs of purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) for the hospital’s staff and other medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $4,029,300 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the multi-campus academic medical facility – part of the University of Vermont Health Network – for PPE purchased between March 2020 and February 2022.

The University of Vermont Medical Center purchased surgical masks, head caps, foot coverings, lab coats, surgical gowns, face shields, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, testing kits, respirator kits, shields, collection swabs, sharp containers, needles, disinfection wipes, and thermometers.

“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the University of Vermont Medical Center with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. So far, FEMA has provided more than $448 million in grants to Vermont to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.

adrien.urbani Thu, 03/23/2023 - 15:33

Long-Term Recovery Groups Help Communities Affected by Disaster

Frankfort, Ky -- In July 2022, Kentucky faced destructive straight-line winds, flooding and mudslides that impacted communities in Eastern Kentucky. Now, seven months later, survivors are working toward recovery. But what if a survivor still has disaster-related unmet needs? To help address those needs organizations such as faith-based, non-profit, governments and businesses have come together in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Perry, Letcher and Pike Counties to form Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs) and help Kentuckians keep their recovery on track.

The recovery process begins and ends at the local level. To support state and local officials, and help build back communities to be more resilient, FEMA’s Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) have worked in affected communities to help establish seven LTRGs, with the assistance from the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, and the Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD). These groups assess the needs of survivors in their communities then seek and vet resources to fulfill a survivor’s unmet disaster related needs.

“The most effective recovery strategies are built around local organizations with strong ties to the community,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Myra Shird. “LTRGs are an integral part of the mission to provide support and guidance to communities recovering from disasters.”

Even after receiving insurance payments and federal disaster assistance, some survivors may continue to have disaster related unmet needs. This is where LTRGs can help.

These recovery groups are local teams committed to seeing their community through to full recovery.  In Kentucky, LTRGs have been active in maintaining distribution centers to feed local families, providing much needed cleaning supplies, securing low-cost furniture and appliances for disaster survivors, and making repairs to disaster damaged homes. FEMA VALs help to connect organizations with resources such as labor, materials and funding.

“There is a need for knowledgeable, connected VALs who are able to bring their experience to community volunteers who may not have access to national resources,” said FEMA VAL Judy Travis, “In Kentucky we were able to connect LTRGs with Camp Noah, a service that helps kindergarten through fifth grade children with disaster trauma counseling in a day camp setting. VALs bridge the gap between LTRGs and organizations that offer resources and help, while also ensuring access to the funding resources available above what the government can offer.”

Recently, FEMA VALs identified 33 funding sources to help survivors purchase more permanent housing solutions outside of the flood zone.

The goal of LTRGs is to unite recovery resources with community unmet needs to ensure that even the most vulnerable in the community can recover. They also help communities to build resiliency against future disasters.

Disaster survivors that have unmet needs can reach out to their case manager who will then present the need to their local recovery group. They may also contact their local LTRG and request to be put in contact with a case manager to find out what assistance may be available. There are currently seven recovery groups in Eastern Kentucky counties. To find your local LTRG visit https://www.kentuckyvoad.org/long-term-recovery-groups/.

Community members who want to get involved in their community may help by:

• Volunteering to participate in an LTRG. Leaders in the community who join an LTRG will provide a better understanding of the disaster’s impact, and effective ways their organization can collaborate with other groups to help.
• Supporting the LTRG infrastructure. LTRG infrastructure is typically supported by existing staff members from community organizations, volunteers, and occasionally an administrative assistant. Operational support through organizational participation and funding can help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the group.

To learn how to join a VOAD to help respond to disasters across the commonwealth, visit www.KentuckyVOAD.org. To volunteer, email: Kentuckyvoad@gmail.com. In Clay County, contact Robin Whitaker at 606-598-5127.

mayshaunt.gary Wed, 03/22/2023 - 20:39

FEMA Offers Free Rebuilding Tips at Tractor Supply in Selma

PRATTVILLE, Ala.– Repairing or rebuilding your home? Disaster survivors who are working on their homes after the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes can visit Tractor Supply Company in Selma to speak with FEMA mitigation specialists about their damage and discuss how to best repair their homes.

Mitigation advisors will give tips about rebuilding and protecting homes from future disaster-related damage. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors. FEMA mitigation specialists will be available between March 23 and March 28 at:

Tractor Supply Company

2680 US-Hwy 80 West

Selma, AL 36703

 

Hours:

7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, March 23

7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, March 24

7:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 25

1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, March 26

7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, March 27

7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 28

 

Specialists are also available on the Mitigation Helpline, 833-336-2487 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Central Time. You may leave a voicemail at any time. Or you may email FEMA-R4-HMHELP@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

For information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4684. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

felicia.jordan Wed, 03/22/2023 - 15:58

FEMA Region 3: Act Now to Prevent Problems from Spring Flooding

PHILADELPHIA- While Spring brings the promise of warmer weather and longer days, it also brings the threat of spring flooding. That is why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 3 is urging residents to take a moment and look at whether they’re prepared should parts of the region experience spring flooding.

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States and can occur anywhere at any time. Rainfall is only one of the many reasons flooding can disrupt a community. Other causes include melting snow, coastal storms, storm surges, and overflows of dams and other water systems. Floods can develop slowly or quickly with little or no warning at all.

“Every step you take now to prepare ahead of a storm or flooding event can help not only protect your family and the life you have built, but help you recover quicker as well” said FEMA Region 3 Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “I encourage everyone to make a plan and practice it with their families.”

Mitigation measures reduce a property’s risk. They allow residents to return home more quickly, with less damage, after the next storm. While it may cost more to begin with, mitigation pays off in the long run. In fact, it’s estimated that for every dollar spent on mitigation, you save six dollars from future losses.

Here are some actions you can take if you know your property is vulnerable to floods:  

• Raise or flood-proof your washer, dryer, water heater and HVAC systems. If possible, move these appliances out of your basement to the second floor or attic.
• Relocate electrical outlets to three feet above the floor.
• Seal your basement walls with waterproofing compounds.
• Elevate the exterior air conditioning compressor 2-3 feet.

Now is also a great time to consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Just one inch of water in your home can cause $25,000 in damage and flooding is typically not covered by homeowners’ insurance.

Last year, The National Flood Insurance Program completed a holistic update to the way it prices flood insurance called Risk Rating 2.0. This new rating methodology ensures rates are more specific to the flood risk for each property, rather than generic flood zones. Call your insurance agent to get a quote in just a few minutes. Having a policy in place can provide financial peace of mind before the next storm hits.

It’s also important to make-a-plan for your household, to include your pets, so that you and your family are aware of what to do if flooding occurs. As a part of your plan make sure to include safest evacuation routes, nearby shelter locations, how to listen for warning notifications, and packing a safety preparedness kit.

• Gather essential documents and information and place them in a waterproof container, along with creating password protected digital copies.
• Move all valuable items to a higher level of the home. Prepare your home by performing regular inspections to identify home weaknesses.
• Check and clean home gutters often to ensure that the home has a well operated draining system.

During flood, pay attention to first responders and evacuate immediately if told to do so.

• Do not ignore signs, detours, and road barriers; they are there to keep you safe.
• Avoid walking, swimming, or driving through heavy flood waters. Follow the golden rule of “Turn Around. Don’t Drown!”
• If trapped in rapidly flowing water, stay in your vehicle unless water is rising in the car. If water is rising inside, move to the roof of the vehicle.
• If confined to a house, do not climb into closed spaces. Move to the highest level of the home and only get on the roof if necessary to signal for help.

Stay informed by downloading the FEMA mobile app. The app is available for download on iOS or Android. 

For more information on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), visit floodsmart.gov and to find information on preparing for a storm, visit  ready.gov.

To schedule an interview, reach out to the FEMA R3 News Desk at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov.

###

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

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3

 

erika.osullivan Wed, 03/22/2023 - 15:21

Chippewa County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House

CHICAGO – Representatives from FEMA will host a Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Chippewa County, Minnesota, on April 5, 2023, from 5 – 7 p.m. CT. The open house will give residents a chance to review preliminary versions of the recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1% -annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the county and offer information that public officials may use to guide development in the floodplain.

Experts at the open house will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process. Residents can meet with experts one-on-one to view their own addresses on the new maps. They’ll learn about their specific risk and ways to help prevent flood loss.

Once effective, the maps will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events. Details for the Chippewa County meeting are as follows:

WHAT: Chippewa County—Flood Map Information Open House

WHEN: April 5, 2023, 5–7 p.m. CT

WHERE: Montevideo Community Center 550 1st Street South Montevideo, MN 56265

Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.

If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.

For more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.

# # #

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

nicole.wilson Wed, 03/22/2023 - 15:03

Work Underway to Rebuild Sanitary Pipelines between Carolina and Loíza

The funds are part of around $4.1 billion from FEMA to repair the island's water infrastructure following Hurricane Maria

San Juan, Puerto Rico –The sanitary trunk main that serves the communities of Vistamar, Los Angeles and Loíza Pueblo, in Carolina and Loíza, respectively, is already in the construction stages following an allocation of about $8.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This system, essential for transporting wastewater, will be rebuilt with an innovative system that will provide a useful life of at least 50 years to the pipes that carry wastewater to the treatment plants.

“The reconstruction of this sanitary system will have a positive impact in the quality of life of the thousands of residents and business owners in the area, who will be able to count on the potable water they need and deserve. This is one of the most comprehensive projects that PRASA, COR3 and FEMA have together, which optimizes our sanitary sewer system while helping protect our natural resources and mitigating future damage”, said the Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro R. Pierluisi.

The work will benefit an estimated 12,000 customers of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), who will have a renovated system that will be able to withstand future atmospheric events. The restoration will be done with a non-invasive method that will avoid excavations in the adjacent communities. CIPP is one of the reconstruction practices already approved for these structures under FEMA's Accelerated Award Strategy (FAASt). To date, the agency has obligated close to $1.2 billion for 44 aqueduct and sewer subprojects thanks to this methodology.

"Within the framework of International Water Day, where the importance of this vital resource is recognized, we see how these works contribute to an adequate and efficient use of water, with optimal materials that guarantee long-lasting productivity. The residents of the area will benefit from a robust system, even in the face of future events such as Hurricane María," said the federal disaster recovery coordinator, José G. Baquero.

For her part, PRASA Executive Director Doriel Pagán Crespo said the project is 20 percent complete and that work is expected to be finished by the third quarter of this year. There are about four kilometers of pipeline that will be built according to the new construction codes and with future emergencies in mind.

“There has been a synchronization, a teamwork, that at the end of the day helps to accelerate projects like these that are for the benefit of our infrastructure and all our customers. To the extent that we have a much more resilient sanitary infrastructure, we greatly reduce the possibility of sanitary overflows, and this has a beneficial impact on the environment,” said Pagán Crespo.

“This project demonstrates how the Working Capital Advance (WCA) pilot program drives the development of reconstruction works. To begin execution of the project, which will improve PRASA's service to more than 15,000 families, COR3 advanced $2 million corresponding to the first WCA request for 25 percent of the total FEMA obligation. Meanwhile, some 48 permanent works are underway through other WCA advances totaling approximately $204 million. At COR3, we continue to work as a team with PRASA to assist them with the necessary procedures until all their projects are completed,” said Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency.

Currently, the public corporation has completed 53 projects estimated at $93 million.

To date, FEMA has allocated over $29 billion in Public Assistance program funds to help Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria.

For more information about Puerto Rico’s recovery from Hurricane María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339 y recovery.pr. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.

frances.acevedo-pico Wed, 03/22/2023 - 10:37