|
As Kentucky households recover from February's severe weather and floods, FEMA's preservation teams will be at Disaster Recovery Centers throughout the commonwealth until Tuesday, March 25, to demonstrate how to safely handle and salvage damaged items. Specialists will provide techniques to salvage storm-damaged personal keepsakes, including photos, books, documents, artwork, textiles, media and other family treasures.
Preservation teams will be available 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. On March 25, they will be available until 3 p.m. Locations include the following:
- Pike Public Library, 126 Lee Avenue, Pikeville, KY 410501
- Floyd County Board of Education, 442 Kentucky Route 550, Eastern, KY 41622
The Save Your Family Treasures program, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and FEMA, provides preservation demonstrations, informational resources and technical assistance to survivors. If you cannot attend an in-person demonstration, visit Save Your Family Treasures or Heritage Emergency National Task Force for more information.
.
Hurricane Milton survivors have opportunities for recovery through the Hurricane Milton Recovery Initiative, which offers valuable resources to help homeowners, renters, non-profits and businesses repair and protect their properties. The initiative features facilitated discussions, in-person sessions and webinars designed to guide survivors in accessing hazard mitigation loan options to safeguard their properties from the potential impacts of natural disasters.
In collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), FEMA Hazard Mitigation staff members are working to ensure survivors learn about hazard mitigation funds available to them. These funds can be used for almost any mitigation activity for any hazard. Borrowers have up to two years from their loan origination date to request increased funds if needed.
The SBA and the Community Education and Outreach Program Initiative also provided critical information on Florida’s Elevate Florida Residential Grant Program during the Hurricane Milton recovery sessions. The Elevate Florida program aims to enhance community resilience by preparing private residences to withstand natural hazards.
During their first session on Jan. 27, SBA and the Community Education and Outreach Group introduced details about the Elevate Florida grant program, which opened on Feb. 7. Within the first six hours of operation, 1,200 applications were submitted from Hurricane Milton survivors.
If you are a survivor of Hurricane Milton, take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your recovery efforts. Visit the SBA website or contact your local SBA office to learn more about the hazard mitigation funds that are available to you. Your recovery is a priority, and resources are in place to assist you on your journey to strengthen and safeguard from the potential impacts of natural disasters.
|
.
 Left: Disaster survivors stop by a USDA table to obtain information on the recovery process. Right: A farmer shows damage of his farm to staff.
In response to Hurricane Milton's damage last October, the state of Florida, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and FEMA hosted farm recovery centers in eight counties from Dec. 3-13, 2024, to assist impacted farmers. These one-day events connected hundreds of farmers with vital recovery resources and guidance.
In this article, FEMA and its partners highlight the importance of these recovery centers in helping rural communities rebuild. With crop and farming damages from Hurricane Milton estimated at $1.5 billion - $2.5 billion, these centers aim to help rebuild the agricultural community's resilience. To read the full blog and learn more about disaster assistance and recovery centers for farmers, visit FEMA.gov.
FEMA Assistance Deadline Extended for Los Angeles County Wildfire Survivors
Los Angeles County homeowners and renters who suffered uninsured or underinsured damage to their property from the January wildfires now have until Monday, March 31, to apply for disaster assistance.
To apply with FEMA:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Use the FEMA App.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Services (VRS), captioned telephone, or other services, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find a Disaster Recovery Center, go online at fema.gov/drc or text DRC and your ZIP code to 43362.
To view an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
....................................................................................................................................................
FEMA Assistance Deadline Extended for North Carolinians
North Carolinians affected by Tropical Storm Helene can apply for disaster assistance until Monday, April 7.
To apply with FEMA:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Use the FEMA App.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Services (VRS), captioned telephone, or other services, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find a Disaster Recovery Center, go online at fema.gov/drc or text DRC and your ZIP code to 43362.
To view an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
....................................................................................................................................................
Kentuckians and West Virginians Can Apply for FEMA Assistance
Individuals who sustained losses in the designated areas of Kentucky and West Virginia can apply for federal disaster assistance to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides.
If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
The first step to receiving FEMA assistance is to apply. There are four ways to apply:
- Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Use the FEMA App.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Services (VRS), captioned telephone, or other services, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find a Disaster Recovery Center, go online at fema.gov/drc or text DRC and your zip code to 43362.
For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, visit Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky, local governments and certain private non-profit organizations in the designated counties are eligible for assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Learn more about FEMA's Public Assistance program by visiting FEMA.gov.
Kentuckians can apply for assistance until April 25. For more information, visit DR-4860-KY.
West Virginians can apply for assistance until April 28. For more information, visit DR-4861-WV.
....................................................................................................................................................
|
