Important Deadlines & Reminders Tennessee (DR-4878): FEMA Assistance Application Period Ends. Kentucky (DR-4875): FEMA Assistance Application Period Ends. Missouri (DR-4877): FEMA Assistance Application Period Ends.

Hurricane Readiness Resources for Emergency Managers

As hurricane season progresses, it’s important for emergency managers to help their communities prepare. FEMA offers resources, tools, and guidance to support planning and outreach.

Resources for Emergency Managers

Communicate before, during and after the storm.

• Integrated Public Alert Warning System Guides: Links to information and training about the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), which you can use to alert the public of hazards through mobile phones via Wireless Emergency Alerts, on radio and television via the Emergency Alert System and on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Radio. Learn more from the IPAWS 101 Fact Sheet.
• Ready.gov Hurricane Social Media Toolkit: Digital library of ready-to-use social media posts, graphics and videos about how families can prepare for and survive during a hurricane.

Get support so you can make the best evacuation and response decisions.

• The National Hurricane Program: An interagency partnership between FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the NOAA National Hurricane Center that provides tools, data, training and technical assistance to support your evacuation and response decisions during threats.

Resources to Share with Residents

Be ready.

Families can visit Ready.gov to:

• Learn about hurricanes and other disasters.
• Make a family emergency plan.
• Build an emergency supply kit.
• Get involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies.
• What to do during a power outage and generator safety tips. 

Stay alert.

• FEMA App: The FEMA app is your personalized disaster resource, so you feel empowered and ready to take charge of any disaster life throws your way. Download it to learn how to prepare for disasters, stay safe if one strikes and recover once it’s passed.

Local, state, tribal and territorial emergency managers have always led their communities through disasters. As Hurricane Erin approaches, you can use and share these resources to prepare your team and neighbors now, before the storm.

FEMA Offers Additional Trainings on the Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide Process

On July 1, FEMA published an updated Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide, which defines how state, local, tribal and territorial officials and FEMA staff, collect, validate, quantify and document the cause, location and details of damage following a disaster.

To help the emergency management community understand the updates in the 2025 Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide, FEMA is offering virtual training sessions Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. ET on the following dates:

• Aug. 25.
• Sept. 8.
• Sept. 22.
• Oct. 6.
• Oct. 20.

The course is open to all emergency management stakeholders and will prepare participants to apply the changes in the 2025 Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide while conducting joint preliminary damage assessments with FEMA.

To join the webinar on any of the available dates, visit the FEMA Zoom. 

• Meeting ID: 161 5791 3048
• Passcode: 2025

To learn more, visit the Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide webpage.

Important Deadlines and Reminders

Last Day for Tennessee Individuals Affected by May Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes and Flooding to Apply for FEMA Assistance 

Individuals affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding from April 2-24 in the designated areas of Tennessee can apply for FEMA assistance by today.

Affected individuals should first file claims with their insurance providers, then apply for assistance.

The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language site DisasterAssistance.gov/es.

If you need more information or additional help:

• Download the FEMA App.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service.
• Find in-person FEMA support at fema.gov/drc.

To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA Assistance.

When applying for FEMA assistance, specify the damage and the date it occurred to ensure you are applying under the correct declaration number. 

For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4878.

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Kentucky Individuals Affected by May Tornadoes Can Apply for FEMA Assistance Until Aug. 22 

Individuals and counties affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from May 16-17 in the designated areas of Kentucky now have until this Friday, Aug. 22, to apply for FEMA assistance. 

Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA Individual Assistance cannot duplicate insurance benefits or other sources of assistance. Eligible counties for Individual Assistance are Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg and Union.

The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language site DisasterAssistance.gov/es.

If you need more information or additional help:

• Download the FEMA App.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages. If you use a relay service—such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others—provide FEMA the number for that service.
• Find in-person FEMA support at fema.gov/drc.

To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA Assistance.

When applying for FEMA assistance, specify the damage and the date it occurred to ensure you are applying under the correct declaration number. 

For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4875.

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FEMA Assistance Deadline Extended to Aug. 26 for Missouri Individuals Affected by May Disasters

Individuals affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes on May 16 in Scott County, St. Louis County or the city of St. Louis have until next Tuesday, Aug. 26, to apply for FEMA assistance. 

Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA Individual Assistance cannot pay for expenses insurance or other sources will cover. 

The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language site DisasterAssistance.gov/es.

If you need more information or additional help:

• Download the FEMA App.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service.
• Find in-person FEMA support at fema.gov/drc.

To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA Assistance.

When applying for FEMA assistance, specify the damage and the date it occurred to ensure you are applying under the correct declaration number. 

For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4877.

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FEMA Begins Process to Update the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Manual

In preparation for the next update of the manual in 2027, FEMA is requesting public comments on the current 2023 edition of the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Manual.

The public comment period will be open until Sept. 30.

To submit a comment:

1. Access the 2023 manual on FEMA.gov.
2. Complete a Comment Matrix form to capture relevant details, such as page number, background information and recommended solution language.
3. Email a copy of the completed Comment Matrix to FEMATHDPolicy@fema.dhs.gov, with the subject line “2023 RPM Public Comment.”

Please note, if you participated in FEMA’s recent Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program Scenario Guidance Listening Sessions, FEMA has captured your feedback, and you do not need submit a comment.

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