Now Is the Time to Protect Your Home from Future Disasters

Release Date: November 5, 2008
Release Number: 1785-084

» More Information on Florida Tropical Storm Fay

ORLANDO, Fla. — Floridians who are planning to repair or rebuild their homes or businesses after flooding from Tropical Storm Fay subsides are facing many choices – and, yes, opportunities – regarding how they put the pieces of their homes and lives back together.

State and federal emergency management officials are hoping that some of those choices will include proven techniques that can help reduce or prevent future storm damage.

As people repair or rebuild, it’s an ideal time to incorporate disaster-resistant measures. Many of these are small changes that can make a big difference the next time storms strike. Similar steps taken after other disasters in the state already have proven effective in minimizing subsequent damage.

Authorities agree that the best way to minimize damage from severe storms and break the costly damage-repair-damage cycle is to consider both wind- and flood-resistant techniques. Many of these measures can be put in place for little or no cost.  Some require more of an investment. All are worth serious consideration now.

Web users can go online to www.fema.gov and find abundant detailed information about ways to combat storms, tornadoes and flooding to minimize future losses. The Web site www.floodsmart.gov can even estimate the risk of flooding at your address – and provide flood maps and names of the nearest agents offering flood insurance.

To minimize damage often caused by flooding as well as high winds, emergency management officials are urging citizens to take action that will minimize losses from these types of disasters.  Some of those ideas include: 

• Install a sewer backflow valve to temporarily block drain pipes and prevent sewage from backing up into the house.
• While there may not be many basements in Florida, if you have one add a sump pump to help keep groundwater from entering your home’s interior.
• Elevate key utilities and appliances - water heaters, furnaces, washers and dryers. When possible, move them from a basement or lower level to an upper floor. Otherwise, relocate appliances on a base at least 6 inches tall. Be sure to use a licensed contractor when plumbing or electrical changes are needed.
• Raise electrical components – panel boxes, switches, outlets – at least 1 foot above the 100-year flood level. For help in determining the 100-year flood level in your area, check with local officials.
• Cut drywall so that it is one-half an inch to an inch off the floor, especially in basements. Concrete floors commonly absorb ground moisture – especially in winter months. That moisture can wick up the wallboard if it’s touching the floor, allowing mold to grow out-of-sight within the walls. You can seal the gap with wood or rubberized floor trim.
• Anchor a fuel tank by securing it to a large concrete slab or by installing metal straps that are attached to ground anchors over the tank.
• Add waterproof veneer to exterior walls and seal all openings, including doors, to prevent water entry.
• Don’t forget to buy flood insurance – even if you don’t live in a flood-prone area. Flood insurance provides year-round financial protection and improves your ability to recover when severe storms strike and cause unexpected flooding. Floods are the most common type of natural disaster. For homes in floodplains, there is a nine percent chance of fire-related losses in the life of a 30-year mortgage, but an astounding 26 percent chance of flood-related losses. Approximately a fourth of all flood insurance claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program are in low- to moderate-risk communities. Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

While dealing with future flood reduction losses during remodeling, disaster officials suggest the wisdom of incorporating ideas to strengthen structures to reduce wind damage. Those  suggestions include:

• Anchor critical building components in three areas:
  • Attach roof rafters to the walls with a metal connector - most easily added when new roof sheathing and shingles are installed – to help the structure resist wind uplift.
  • Tie one floor to another with a continuous strap, nailed on the outside of the wall, or with a floor-tie anchor, nailed to the inside of the wall. 
  • Secure the structure to the foundation with connectors nailed to the studs and bolted into the concrete – also to help the structure resist wind uplif
• Build a Safe Room inside your home to provide shelter from a storm by:
  • Reinforcing an existing room, such as a bathroom, closet or utility room, to withstand uplift, overturning or penetration from flying debris.
  • Building a small, attached addition to your home with proper anchors and reinforcement to resist high winds or tornadoes. 
• Fortify gable roofs by bracing the end wall of the gable to resist high winds. 
• Take measures outside to minimize flying debris:
  • Replace landscaping gravel and rock with shredded bark.
  • Keep trees and shrubs trimmed.
  • Cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your house or those around you.  
• Reinforce glass windows and doorsby:
  • Installing impact-resistant laminated glass window or door systems. 
• Fortify garage doors by:
  • Installing permanent wood or metal stiffeners to an existing door.
  • Replacing door with one that is designed to resist high winds.

An incorrect number for locating missing relatives and children following a disaster was inadvertently provided in the FEMA release.  The correct number should be 1-866-908-9570.  Please make a note of this change.

Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States in terms of lives lost and damage to property. Of the nearly 550 major disaster declarations in the United States over the past 10 years, more than 310 of the declarations involved flooding.

“Unfortunately, many people think their regular homeowner’s insurance covers their property in the event of a flood. That’s simply not the case. To be protected against flooding you must have flood insurance..

Flood insurance is available to homeowners, business owners, and renters. Policies offer up to $250,000 coverage for homeowners, up to $100,000 for personal property and up to $500,000 each for business contents and buildings.

Michael L. Parker, the federal official in charge of disaster recovery in Mississippi, urges people to purchase flood insurance. He said, “Don’t be misled by the myth that the federal government will be available with adequate funding to make you whole again in the event you suffer serious damage during a disaster. Only those individuals who have flood insurance or who are able to make a low-interest disaster loan will have that ability.”

Purchasing flood insurance isn’t restricted to those living in Special Flood Hazard Areas. The only requirement is that residents and businesses are located in a community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

For more information or to find an insurance agent near you who sells flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov, or call the NFIP’s toll-free number 1-888-FLOOD29. The hearing- or speech-impaired should call TTY 1-800-427-5593.

Pinellas County residents can receive emergency information via text messages on cell phones and computers – FREE.  To receive the alerts, call 1-888-689-8905 from the device you wish to register and enter your zip code.  For additional information on staying connected before, during, and after a disaster, log onto click here.

The public’s complacency is the largest challenge facing organizations that seek to foster a national ethic of preparedness. A national survey conducted by The Ad Council in August 2008 asked Americans in an open-ended question why people are not doing more to prepare. Half of respondents (52%) said that it is because people believe that they are unlikely to be affected by an emergency. Another 21% said that people were too busy (11%) or apathetic (10%).

Although there is still a long way to go before all Americans are adequately prepared for emergencies, there have been indications of progress:

• o From 2005 to 2008, the proportion of Americans who said they have taken any steps to prepare rose 13 points, from 45 percent to 58 percent. There were also several notable increases in key preparedness behaviors among American households nationwide:
• § Put together an emergency kit: 44 percent in 2004 to 53 percent in 2008.
• § Created a family emergency plan: 32 percent in 2004 to 40 percent in 2008.
• o The study also found emergency preparedness progress in the workplace. Fifty-eight percent of employed respondents reported that their employers offered training or instruction about workplace emergency plans in 2008, a significant increase from 43 percent in 2006.

To learn more about preparedness planning for individuals, families, and businesses, visit www.ready.gov.

After every new disaster, there are always lessons learned.  Many lessons still remain unheeded such as informing FEMA of any changes in contact information.  If your residence is impacted and you temporarily move in with a friend or family member, or into a hotel, and then find a more suitable housing solution and move again, FEMA still needs to be able to reach you…

If FEMA can’t find you, they can’t help you.  Also, remember, you have a right to appeal a FEMA decision.  Updated information regarding insurance settlements, employments changes, and any number of possible changes from the information on your original application can impact your FEMA award.

“If an applicant changes a name, mailing address, bank account or telephone number, it is important to let FEMA know in order for changes to be made in the applicant’s case file. If an applicant is denied assistance, a call to the Helpline will yield help in starting a proper appeal of that decision. In communicating with the Helpline, applicants should have their unique application identification number available in order for the information to be placed in the correct file for further action.”

For information on more some simple lessons learned, click here.

Don’t Let Misinformation Lead You Astray

Release Date: October 6, 2008
Release Number: 1795-015

 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In the first few weeks following a disaster, residents may be misled by half-truths and rumors circulating about how to get help and the various assistance programs available. The last thing those affected by disaster need is misinformation.

The first thing that people who sustained damage or incurred losses from the severe storms and flooding that began on September 12 should do is apply for disaster assistance. This is done by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired) or logging on to http://www.fema.gov/.

Disaster assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also are available for eligible homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained losses not covered by insurance.

After having applied for assistance, those with questions should check online at http://www.fema.gov/, visit a nearby disaster recovery center or call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585).

Here are some of the most common questions and comments from people dealing with disaster recovery…

I got help from the American Red Cross. Can I still apply to FEMA if I need assistance?
Yes, you should apply to FEMA. Think of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and other voluntary agencies as your immediate helpers with food, clothing, blankets and shelter during the first days of the disaster. FEMA is your long term recovery partner with rental assistance, housing repair money and grants to meet other serious needs caused by the disaster.

I don’t really want a loan. Do I still need to fill out the SBA application when I receive it?
Yes, fill it out and return it. You may qualify for a FEMA grant to replace your personal property damaged in the disaster. If you don’t complete and return the SBA loan application, you may not be considered for further FEMA assistance.

I have insurance. Is there other help available to me?
Yes. Although insurance should be your main source of money to get your life back on track after a disaster, there are many things that insurance does not cover. Federal disaster assistance may help to make up the difference for under-insured losses, and there may be other state and federal programs that can provide help, such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Disaster Legal Services.

Can I apply for a low interest loan from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) even if I’m not a business owner?
Yes. Don’t let the name fool you. Homeowners may be eligible for disaster loans up to $200,000 for building repairs or replacement. Homeowners and renters can apply for loans up to $40,000 for personal property losses. Businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations can apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, machinery and equipment, supplies, and inventory. For more information call 1-800-659-2955, or visit the SBA Web site at http://www.sba.gov/.

I rent an apartment. Can I get help to replace my damaged property?
Yes. A renter may qualify for a grant from FEMA or an SBA low-interest disaster loan. FEMA has grants to replace personal property such as clothing, automobiles and furniture if they’re not covered by insurance. And, FEMA can provide temporary housing assistance if a renter has to move to another dwelling.

If I am an undocumented resident, am I eligible for any assistance?
Yes. You may be eligible under many different programs run by state and local agencies and voluntary agencies for various types of immediate assistance, but you will not be eligible for FEMA assistance as an individual. However, if there is a child in your household who is a U.S. citizen, or if your household has an eligible adult member, the entire household may qualify for assistance. Even if your household does not qualify for a FEMA grant, call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for information and to be referred to other programs that can assist you regardless of your immigration status. Multi-lingual operators are available to assist you.

I have flood damage to my vacation home. Can I get FEMA help with repairs to a damaged secondary residence?
Probably not. FEMA provides assistance if you have damage to your primary residence. However, if the secondary property is a rental property for income, SBA may be able to help you as a business owner.

Do I have to wait for my insurance adjuster before I apply for disaster assistance?
No. Do not wait, and do not delay repairs needed to make your house safe, sanitary and functional. However, if you have insurance, you may not be eligible for certain types of assistance until you provide your insurance settlement documentation. FEMA will consider what your policy covers to avoid duplication of benefits. Be sure to keep all insurance documents and receipts for any repair work and list your unmet disaster-related needs when you call FEMA to apply.

I have already repaired my home. Is it too late to apply to FEMA?
No. You could qualify for reimbursement of expenses not covered by your insurance. Remember to keep receipts.

Do I need to make an appointment at the disaster recovery center to apply for assistance?
No. You should apply for assistance by phone at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-452-7585) or online at http://www.fema.gov/ first. Then, you may visit any disaster recovery center if you need further information about various disaster assistance programs and services including ways to reduce damage in future severe weather events.

Are only low income residences qualified for disaster assistance?
No. Federal disaster assistance is available to any eligible applicant and is not income-based. The kinds of assistance provided depend on the applicant’s circumstances and unmet disaster-related needs.

Do I have to be turned down by my bank before I can apply for a disaster loan?
No. The SBA, which handles low-interest disaster loans, has its own criteria for determining each loan applicant’s eligibility. The SBA will decide whether or not you are able to repay a loan. If you are not qualified for a loan, you may be eligible for other assistance. FEMA’s grants for temporary housing, repairs or rebuilding and to cover other disaster-related expenses not reimbursed by insurance or other programs do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. But, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must complete and return them to be eligible for assistance covering personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage expenses.

I’m self-employed and out of work as a result of the disaster. Can I qualify for disaster unemployment benefits?
Yes. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), funded by FEMA and administered by the Indiana Department of Work Force Development, provides benefits for workers including farmers, farm workers and those who are self-employed and not normally eligibility for unemployment compensation. You can file for DUA by visiting a WorkOne Office or applying at www.dwd.in.gov/dwd/2404.htm. You must apply within 30 days of the date DUA was granted to your county, so act soon.

How will I receive any information mailed to me if I am unable to return to my home right away?
FEMA works closely with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to see that mail gets delivered to its intended recipient. However, it is each individual’s responsibility to make sure that FEMA and the USPS have current mailing information on record. Contact FEMA with any changes in your contact information.

I got a check from FEMA. What can I use the money for?
FEMA sends you money to meet your housing and personal property needs related to the disaster. You will receive a letter from FEMA telling you what the money covers. Be sure to read the “Applicant’s Guide,” the booklet included with your letter, for additional information.

Will FEMA help me pay my utility bills?
No. FEMA cannot pay utility bills. However, local charitable organizations may be able to help for a short period. We suggest you contact the American Red Cross or your local United Way office for a referral to a local agency that may be able to help.

I lost my food because of the power outage. Will I be reimbursed?
No. FEMA disaster assistance program does not cover food losses. However, voluntary organizations in the disaster area may be able to help you with a hot meal or other immediate food needs.

I purchased a generator. Will I be reimbursed?
Maybe. FEMA reviews requests to cover the cost of generators on a case-by-case basis with eligibility largely contingent on the need to operate medical equipment or appliances for medical purposes during power interruptions or their inclusion as personal property during inspection. You will need to apply to FEMA and provide copies of purchase receipts to be determined eligible for such reimbursement.

Release Date: October 5, 2008
Release Number: 1791-082

AUSTIN, Texas — Have you been displaced by Hurricane Ike? Do you need to locate friends or family displaced by Ike? Want to report or search for a child missing as a result of Ike? If you can answer yes to one of these questions, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a web site that can help.

Texans impacted by Hurricane Ike can use the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS) web site to answer these questions.

NEFRLS helps reunite families separated by a disaster or emergency by:

Allowing people to register by entering their names and location into the system.

Allowing people who have registered to give permission to up to seven (7) people to see the information they have entered, including their current contact information and/or a personally created message.

Letting people search for messages left by displaced family or friends.

If you are displaced by Ike, need to locate friends or family members displaced by Ike, or need to report a missing person, the NEFRLS web site can be an invaluable tool.

The web site address is asd.fema.gov/inter/nefrls/home.htm. There are four options to choose from:

I am displaced

This option allows a person displaced to register.

Search for a displaced person

This option helps a person search for a displaced friend and/or family member.

Report/search for a missing child

This option provides for reportin or searching for a missing child. Clicking on this button links directly to the National Emergency Child Locator Center at www.missingkids.com.

Update my NEFRLS registration

This provides for editing or updating the information provided when registering in the NEFRLS site.

Registering also can be done by telephone. The toll free search line is 1-800-588-9822. The report/search for a missing child line is 1-866-908-9570.

Registering in the NEFRLS is easy and takes only 10 to 15 minutes. Registration is voluntary. It is only for the stated purpose and does not register anyone for any type of local, state or federal disaster assistance.

Information entered into the system may be shared with other government and non-governmental agencies, including law enforcement.

NEFRLS will not ask about anyone’s citizenship status or forward any information, unless requested by name, to the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Monday, 06-Oct-2008 10:01:51

Below is a very important excerpt from a recent FEMA release regarding FEMA inspections and how that process works.

“Every resident who contacts the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to apply for disaster assistance will receive an important follow-up call. That call will come from a FEMA inspector to arrange a visit to verify the applicant’s property damage and losses.

Damage inspections are an important part of the disaster assistance process, say officials with the local Department of Homeland Security  and FEMA.

“We welcome FEMA’s assistance in the aftermath of the devastation Hoosiers experienced in last month’s storms,” said IDHS Executive Director Joe Wainscott, Jr., Indiana state coordinator for disaster assistance programs. “We urge residents with property damage to apply with FEMA and then be ready to meet with an inspector.”

In preparation for a FEMA inspector’s visit, applicants are encouraged to have documents such as mortgage payment receipts, utility receipts or a lease available to prove that they own or occupy the damaged property. Insurance documents may also be helpful.

The inspector will check the building structure and its systems, major appliances and any damaged septic systems and wells. Residents should tell the inspector about other important losses such as clothing, medical equipment, tools needed for a trade, and educational materials.

“FEMA’s inspection process is designed to protect individuals’ privacy and security,” said Steve DeBlasio, head of the FEMA disaster recovery effort. “Our inspectors arrange appointments by phone before visiting. They do not charge for their services. They carry FEMA identification and can state your FEMA case number for further verification,” he explained. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the American Red Cross, and local building officials may also need to perform inspections and will have proper identification.”

Release Date: September 26, 2008
Release Number: 1785-054

» More Information on Florida Tropical Storm Fay

ORLANDO, Fla. — As September’s designation as “National Preparedness Month” comes to close, recovery officials remind Floridians that disaster readiness is a year-round job. Taking precautions long before storm clouds start to form is the best answer for minimizing damage from foul or extreme weather such as windstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes.

Many recommended risk-reduction measures require a minimal amount of time and money to accomplish and can dramatically lessen the costs in dollars and lives according to mitigation experts at the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The first step is to walk around your property. By asking yourself, “what could go wrong here?” you are well on your way to developing a list that should reduce or minimize severe weather damage.

Here are a few things you can do:

Keep Outdoor Gear from Becoming Windborne Missiles

High velocity winds can turn patio furniture, grills and tree branches into destructive missiles. Check the area immediately surrounding your house for unsecured or potentially dangerous conditions. Tree limbs, outbuildings, trash cans, yard debris, or other materials that can be moved by the wind, are potential projectiles aimed at your home or parked vehicle.

All storage sheds and other outbuildings should be securely anchored, either to a permanent foundation or with straps and ground anchors. The straps and ground anchors used for manufactured homes can be used for the anchoring systems for outbuildings, such as garden sheds, which are not placed on a permanent foundation. Outdoor furniture and barbecue grills can be secured by bolting them to decks or patios or by attaching them to ground anchors with cables or chains.

Even trash cans can be secured with cables or chains attached to ground anchors or to wood posts firmly embedded in the ground.

Reinforce Vulnerable Areas

High winds can damage garage doors or even blow them in. If wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage to the home. A garage door can be reinforced by adding braces across the back of the door and by strengthening the glider wheel tracks. If the existing door is old or damaged, it should be replaced with a stronger door and tracks. These modifications should be done only by a trained garage-door systems technician. If your home is under construction, look into purchasing a garage door built to withstand high winds.

Anticipate Damaged Tree Threats

Tall leafy oaks and maples beautify yards and cool homes with their shade, but they also can provide the ammunition for flying debris to break windows, crush walls and puncture roofs. Proper maintenance and siting of trees will minimize tree loss and home damage.

The surest way to prevent storm damage on a home from falling trees is to locate trees far enough away from your house that they can’t fall on it. The distance between your house and any nearby tree should be greater than the height the tree will reach when it is fully grown.

Proper care of trees can also prevent storm damage. Three-fourths of the damage that trees incur during storms is predictable and preventable. Trees with wounds, decay, structural defects, stem girdling roots, severed roots and soil compaction are prime targets for experiencing storm damage.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Friday, 26-Sep-2008 12:07:47