Important Deadlines & Reminders West Virginia (DR-4884): FEMA Assistance Application Period Ends. Attend the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Technical Hazards Webinar from 1-2 p.m. ET. Texas (DR-4879): FEMA Assistance Application Period Ends. Radiological Preparedness Manual Public Comment Period Ends.  Emergency Management Survey for Tribal Nations Expires.

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declarations

FEMA announced that Individual Assistance and Public Assistance is available for the state of Wisconsin and will be available soon for the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Nation:

• Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate: Declared on Sept. 11 to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from June 12-16. Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4890.
• Wisconsin: Declared on Sept. 11 to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and mudslides from Aug. 9-12. Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4892.

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 that 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.

FEMA announced that Public Assistance is available for the following states and Tribal Nation:

• Crow Tribe of Montana: Declared on Sept. 11 to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding from May 18-22. Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4887.
• Kansas: Declared on Sept. 11 to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding from June 3-7. Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4891.
• North Dakota: Declared on Sept. 11 to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm, tornadoes and straight-line winds from June 20-21. Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4888.
• North Carolina: Declared on Sept. 11 to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Depression Chantal from July 6-7. Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4889.

Public Assistance funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Learn more about FEMA’s Public Assistance program at FEMA.gov.

When You Apply, Ensure the Disaster Declaration Number is Accurate 

When applying for FEMA assistance, specify the damage and the date it occurred to ensure you are applying under the correct declaration number. If you were affected by multiple disasters, you should apply separately for each disaster. When two or more disasters are declared in the same state, FEMA ensures survivors receive all assistance they're eligible for while preventing duplication of federal benefits.

FEMA Assistance Deadline Extended to Oct. 15 for New Mexico Individuals Affected by Summer Disasters

Individuals and counties affected by severe storms, flooding and landslides from June 23 to Aug. 5 in designated areas of New Mexico can apply for Individual Assistance or Public Assistance until Oct. 15.

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/4886.

Important Deadlines and Reminders

West Virginia Individuals and Counties Affected by June Disasters can Apply for FEMA Assistance Until Sept. 22

Individuals affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides from June 14-15 in designated areas of West Virginia can apply for Individual Assistance until Sept. 22.

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/4884.

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Attend FEMA’s Radiological Emergency Preparedness Lunch and Learn Webinar on Sept. 25

FEMA will host a Lunch and Learn webinar on Sept. 25. This session will focus on FEMA's Technical Hazards Division’s Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program, which provide planning and assessment guidance for state, local, tribal nations and territorial partners located near commercial nuclear power plants.

The register link is located below, and you can also find the session on the FEMA Events page. Once registered, you will receive a meeting invitation with the link to join the session. For more information about registration, visit FEMA.gov.

To learn more about the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program —including training opportunities and additional resources such as the standard operating guide, reference library, after-action reports, and the national public information map—visit FEMA.gov.

FEMA Technical Hazards Division’s Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program Overview

• Date: Sept. 25.
• Time: 1-2 p.m. ET.
• Location: Microsoft Teams; Register Here.

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Texas Individuals Affected by July Disasters can Apply for FEMA Assistance Until Sept. 28

Individuals and counties affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from July 2-18 in the designated areas of Texas can apply for FEMA assistance until Sept. 28.

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 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/4879.

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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. It provides planning standards and guidance for communities and offsite response organizations near commercial nuclear plants to prepare for radiological disasters.

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

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Tribal Nations: Respond to Emergency Management Survey by Sept. 30

In collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory, FEMA and several emergency management associations are conducting the Emergency Management Organizational Structures, Staffing and Capacity Study. This study will provide a better understanding of current state, local, tribal and territorial emergency management structures, staffing and capacity.

As part of the study, emergency managers from all federally recognized tribes are invited to complete a survey open through Sept. 30 that should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. All information will be collected, and individual responses will be kept confidential.

Results of the study can support and inform examination of FEMA roles and functions to support state, local, territorial and tribal partners.

The tribal survey was sent to tribal leaders in January. If you have not received the survey, please fill out this Tribal Emergency Management Capacity Study - Contact Information Form and someone from the research team will be in contact with you shortly.

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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 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., Oct. 6 and Oct. 20.

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.

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