| FEMA Advisory: Hurricane Laura Recovery Update (September 3, 2020) |
| 09/03/2020 |
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FEMA Advisory
Hurricane Laura Recovery Update
Key Messages
- Hurricane Laura survivors in Louisiana should register with FEMA even if they have registered with the agency for previous disasters. FEMA considers each disaster to be a separate event so survivors affected by multiple storms may receive help more than once.
- The important thing to do now is register for assistance.
- Go online at disasterassistance.gov
- Call 1-800-621-3362
- Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585
- For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
- The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) daily.
- Registering with any other agency does not constitute a registration with FEMA.
- If you already called FEMA to register for assistance for damage caused by the recent storms and flooding, you will not need to reapply. You can call the FEMA Helpline (1-800-621-3362) and speak with a representative if you have any questions.
- FEMA has registered 92,226 survivors in the 16 designated parishes so far. To date, FEMA has put more than $22 million in the hands of hurricane survivors
- Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
- Federal funding is also available to the state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal (Category A) in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes.
- Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance for Public Assistance, and for hazard mitigation measures in all parishes of the state.
Safety:
- NEVER use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area.
- Keep these devices outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
- There are 17 confirmed fatalities to date. Eight of those are due to carbon monoxide from power generators.
- Extreme heat is impacting Louisiana.
- If you are outdoors, dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes.
- Avoid strenuous work during the hottest part of the day/take frequent breaks.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty water or juice even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Know the signs of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do if you, or someone else is experiencing those symptoms.
- Additionally, a few things to remember in hurricane season and Covid-19 environment:
- Take care of yourself first
- If you feel sick, please contact your supervisor immediately
- Complete accountability daily
- Please have your PPE with you at all time (hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, face covering/mask, wash hands often with soap and warm water)
- Social distance when possible (wear your face covering)
- Report emergency by calling 9-1-1 or contact your Supervisor, Safety Officer or Security Officer.
Individual Assistance:
- Currently, Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (Categories A and B) are approved for: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vernon, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, and Winn parishes.
- Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (Category B only) are approved for: Acadia, Oauchita and Vermilion parishes.
- All other parishes have been approved for Public Assistance (Category B plus Direct Federal Assistance).
- Critical Needs Assistance has been approved for eligible survivors. Those having immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their primary dwelling may be eligible for this additional assistance. This provides a one-time $500 payment per household. Eligibility criteria for critical needs include:
- A registration has been completed with FEMA.
- The applicant passes identity verification.
- At registration, the applicant asserts he or she has critical needs and requests financial assistance for those needs and expenses.
- Their pre-disaster primary residence is in a parish designated for CNA.
- The applicant is displaced from the pre-disaster primary residence because of the disaster.
Power and Water Restoration:
- State, federal and local responders continue working overtime to restore power to the approximately 161,000 Louisiana residents impacted by the hurricane.
Operation Blue Roof:
- As of Wednesday, Sept. 2, more than 2,000 Hurricane Laura survivors have signed up for assistance through Operation Blue Roof, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The no-cost program gives homeowners safe temporary roof protection until a permanent repair is done. Go to usace.army.mil/blueroof or call 888-766-3258 (888-ROOF-BLU).
FEMA Outreach Online:
- FEMA’s photographers and videographers continue to produce videos providing updates and key information to survivors. Four recent videos on FEMA’S YouTube channel highlight how to register for assistance, the role of the mobile Emergency Operations Vehicle and summaries of the ongoing disaster response:
- Follow FEMA on social media at FEMA online, on Twitter @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA Facebook pageor FEMA Espanol page and at FEMA YouTube channel. Also, follow Administrator Pete Gaynor on Twitter @FEMA_Pete.
Shelters:
- Emergency housing remains a major focus, as impacted residents are filling up designated facilities. In Louisiana 11,954 survivors are staying in congregate and non-congregate housing. In Texas there are 9,997 Louisiana residents placed in emergency housing.
- If you need shelter, text LASHELTER to 898-211 for information about where to go or call 211.
Food Assistance:
- The disaster has disrupted thousands of residents’ ability to buy and prepare food. State agencies and volunteer groups are playing a central role in providing meals to residents, including homebound survivors.
- The Salvation Army is operating 16 feeding units. The state is supporting eight food banks in the impacted areas.
- With the help of partners, the American Red Cross has already served more than 67,000 meals and snacks in Louisiana and distributed some 20,000 relief items and cleaning supplies. It’s supporting 11 feeding locations in nine cities and five parishes. They are:
- 100 Municipal Lane, in Ball
- 5364 LA-113 in Deridder
- 914 E. Fourth, Dequincy
- 200 Moeling, Lake Charles
- 2401 First, Lake Charles
- 935 Third Ave, Lake Charles
- 200 N. Third, Leesville;
- 7061 LA-110 in Merryville
- 300 Hazel, in Sulphur
- 900 Horridge St. in Vinton
- 112 S. Adams in Welsh
Debris Removal:
- The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has launched a public website with a real-time map showing how many roads have been cleared of debris. The site, org, also features maps showing roads due to be cleared within the next 24 hours.
Small Business Administration:
- Louisiana hurricane survivors may also be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
- What Types of Disaster Loans are Available?
- Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
- Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
- Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at www.disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email www.disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
State Resources:
- The State of Louisiana has launched an online hub for Hurricane Laura information at hurricanelaura.la.gov, which will highlight news and links to resources. The governor’s office is adding a Laura-specific texting list to give people wanting updates on Hurricane Laura. People can text LAURA to 67283.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Office of External Affairs:
Follow Us
Follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on Twitter, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel.
Also, follow Administrator Pete Gaynor on Twitter @FEMA_Pete.
FEMA Mission
Helping people before, during, and after disasters.
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| IPAWS EAS Feed Notifications (Monthly Report) |
| 09/03/2020 |
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EAS Participants,
The EAS RWT report for August is attached.
v/r
Mark A. Lucero, CISSP
Chief, IPAWS Engineering
FEMA National Continuity Programs
ipaws@fema.dhs.gov
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| September 2020 Individual and Community Preparedness Newsletter |
| 09/03/2020 |
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Take Action During National Preparedness Month
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Disasters don’t wait. Make your plan today. September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) and a great time to plan for and practice safety with your family, co-workers, school, neighbors, and yourself! Consider taking the following steps each week during September to strengthen your knowledge of preparedness:
- September 1-5: Make A Plan: Talk with your family and create an emergency plan;
- September 6-12: Build A Kit: Identify and set aside emergency supplies to keep at home. Don’t forget to pack supplies in case you need to leave your home or evacuate;
- September 13-19: Prepare for Disasters: Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area and take steps to prepare for them; and
- September 20-26: Teach Youth About Preparedness: Share preparedness advice with your kids and their friends. These tips about staying safe can be fun and easy!
Visit www.ready.gov/september to learn more about NPM and find tools, tips, and resources to help you stay safe and participate. Are you a social media user? Follow FEMA on social media platforms: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #BeReady.
To learn more about personal and community preparedness, please visit www.ready.gov.
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The 2020 National Household Survey Results are In
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the results from the 2020 National Household Survey (NHS) in September 2020 and will host two webinars to review the results. Every year, FEMA surveys the public to assess the Nation’s progress in building a culture of preparedness. FEMA also reviews the perceptions and experiences that influence people to take steps to become more prepared. Read more…
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Webinars—2020 National Household Survey Results
Join FEMA in a two-part webinar series for an in-depth review of the 2020 National Household Survey results. Part I will focus on the national results, detailing the background of the survey and its key findings. Part II will focus on the hazard-specific results.
- Part I: National Results– Thursday, September 10, 2020, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. To register, click here.
- Part II: Hazard-Specific Results– Wednesday, September 23, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. To register, click here.
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Hybrid CERT Training
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The University of Utah, Utah Division of Emergency Management, and the Listos California Emergency Preparedness Campaign, are proud to announce the nationwide rollout of the Hybrid CERT training this month. This training resource is free for all CERT programs.
Developed in partnership between the University of Utah and the Utah Division of Emergency Management, the Hybrid CERT training offers an alternative delivery option for the CERT Basic course. Traditionally, the CERT Basic course is 20+ hours of classroom-based training. The Hybrid CERT training incorporates 12 hours of online independent study, followed by 16 hours of in-person skills training, and disaster simulation. The Hybrid CERT training aligns with the CERT Basic curriculum and is available in English and Spanish.
To ensure that CERT programs across the nation know how to properly implement the Hybrid CERT training, a series of webinars will be available on the Hybrid CERT training and implementation of the programs. These webinars are hosted by FEMA Region IX in partnership with FEMA Region VIII. To register for the upcoming sessions, please complete this quick survey here.
FEMA depends on state and local CERT leaders to supervise CERT Basic training at all times. Utilization and acceptance of this Hybrid Training is at the discretion of state coordinators.
For more information about the Hybrid CERT training, please visit here.
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FEMA Region VI Community Preparedness Award to Winner— Lynn Cordes, Lawton Public Schools
FEMA Region VI’s community preparedness working group selected Lynn Cordes, executive director of communications, Lawton Public Schools—Lawton, OK, as the winner of the 2020 FEMA Region VI Community Preparedness Award. Representing the Lawton and Fort Sill communities, Cordes is highlighted on Region VI’s #R6Prepares podcast, where she includes details on how she and other partner agencies prepared their community for an Active Shooter incident. Please check out the episode here.
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Webinar— CBO OPEN Training
Join FEMA on Thursday, September 17, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. ET to discuss the new Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs (OPEN) training, and how it will help Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) prepare for incidents and continue providing services after a disaster. To register, click here.
ICYMI—Preparedness Webinars
You can watch previously recorded webinars focused on topics impacting individual and community preparedness such as COVID-19, Hurricanes, Health and Mental Wellness, Pet Preparedness, and more on FEMA’s Preparedness Webinars page. These sessions are brought to you by FEMA’s Region 2 and Individual and Community Preparedness Division. You can check out all past webinars here.
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FEMA Hosts Annual Youth Preparedness Council Summit
In July, FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division (ICPD) hosted its annual Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) Summit. This event brought together 15 young leaders from across the country to discuss disaster preparedness and position them to continue making a difference in their communities. Typically, the Summit brings the Council members to Washington, D.C., for an in-person event. This year, however, the Summit looked a bit different due to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Instead of meeting in person, the participants met each other in a completely virtual event.
The remote nature of the Summit didn’t stop members from having a fun and exciting time over the course of three afternoons. On the first day, the YPC members had the honor of being joined by the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump. Read more…
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Webinar—Safety Matters: Transitioning Back to Normalcy
Please join FEMA’s Region V Youth Preparedness Council on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. CT (5:00 p.m. ET) to for a webinar focused on helping youth cope with the stresses and concerns surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Led by Banan Garada, co-chair of the National Youth Preparedness Council, this session will include speakers from the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health and the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.
Quarantining at home has proven to help slow the spread of COVID-19, but as a result, the mental health of many youth has been impacted. This webinar will address youth and the stress of dealing with social isolation and going back to school in the midst of a pandemic. Furthermore, it will discuss concerns regarding the safety of protecting vulnerable groups. Experts in the field will give their insight and recommendations as well as answer questions from the audience.
Who should attend the webinar? Youth, adults, community leaders, and educators.
To register for this webinar, please click here.
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FEMA Partners Help Share Tips on Financial Resilience
FEMA encourages people to plan, budget, and save to prepare for a disaster. The financial resilience messaging is successful because of the strong relationships that FEMA has developed with partners. These partnerships, both within and outside the federal government, have helped community-based organizations (CBOs) and government agencies build effective tools and strategies to support their communities. Through these partnerships, which reach far beyond FEMA’s traditional stakeholders, FEMA has also been able to prepare individuals and CBOs for a wide variety of emergencies, including navigating unemployment challenges during the pandemic, and sharing flood insurance information to rebuild after a storm.
Recently, FEMA had the opportunity to partner with the American Public Works Association (APWA) on financial resilience. In an article written for the September issue of APWA Reporter, the Association’s monthly magazine, Chad Gorman, FEMA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for National Preparedness, describes FEMA resources and tools to help with financial preparedness. Read more…
Webinar—Financial Resilience: Tools for Your Community
Join FEMA on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. ET and learn about the importance of financial preparedness for emergencies. Hear experts from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) give real-world examples and talk about tools that can help individuals and communities be more financially prepared. To register, please click here.
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Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the federal government provides links and informational data on various disaster preparedness resources and events and does not endorse any non-federal events, entities, organizations, services, or products. Please let us know about other events and services for individual and community preparedness that could be included in future newsletters by contacting
FEMA-prepare@fema.dhs.gov.
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