logo2

ugm-logo

FEMA extends shelter assistance for Puerto Rico hurricane evacuees through June 30

https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2017/09/000_SL5K4-e1505936781393-640x400.jpg

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Thursday it is extending its Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) program for Puerto Ricans who were displaced by deadly Hurricane Maria, CBS News correspondent David Begnaud reports. FEMA also announced it will offer transportation back to Puerto Rico for families who are still in the program in the continental United States.

"For those individuals interested in taking advantage of transportation back to Puerto Rico, FEMA will conduct outreach to the applicants currently participating in the TSA program," the agency said Thursday.

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló had requested the extension of the program, which will now run until June 30. This will be the final extension of the program for hurricanes Irma and Maria, according to FEMA.

The program provides short-term shelter assistance for people unable to return home following a disaster and is only intended to be "a stop in their journey to longer term housing," FEMA says. About 2,300 families are still in TSA-participating hotels in more than 30 U.S. states as well as Puerto Rico, according to FEMA. In total since October, the program has provided hotel rooms for more than 7,000 families. 

"Survivors currently participating in the TSA program now have 60 days to solidify their recovery plans to locate longer-term housing," FEMA said.

The program went into effect for Puerto Ricans in the wake of Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm that slammed into the U.S. territory in September. As of April, FEMA spent $73.3 million on the TSA program since it was approved following Maria. 

The hurricane knocked out power to the entire island and at least 64 people died. More than 135,000 people reportedly left Puerto Rico for the U.S. mainland. It is considered the most logistically challenging natural disaster in modern U.S. history. 

As of Thursday, 28,308 customers in Puerto Rico were still without power. Gov. Rosselló said last week the U.S. territory is finally "starting to reach normalcy," but described the recovery process as "highly frustrating."

President approves disaster declaration

https://stateoftheterritory.news/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/FEMA-1228x691.png

Editor's Note: Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark shared an update Wednesday morning on assistance from the February flooding:

When Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) submitted documentation to FEMA for the February flooding, they requested Individuals Assistance (IA). The six counties submitted for IA was Henderson, Carroll, Trimble, Hardin, Jefferson, and Christian.

KYEM was informed yesterday that IA will not be declared for any of the six counties. KYEM informed local officials of FEMA’s decision today.

Unfortunately, this means individuals will not receive FEMA assistance to aid in the repairs and cleaning of homes damaged by the February flooding.

Original story

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Friday that federal disaster aid has been made available to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning Feb. 21 to March 21.

Federal funding is available to eligible state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides in Boyd, Bullitt, Butler, Caldwell, Campbell, Carlisle, Carroll, Carter, Crittenden, Fulton, Gallatin, Grant, Graves, Greenup, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Jefferson, Kenton, Lawrence, Livingston, McCracken, McLean, Metcalfe, Ohio, Owen, Spencer, Trigg, Trimble, Union, Washington and Webster counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures throughout the commonwealth.

Manny Toro has been named the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Toro said additional designations might be made at a later date.

Assistance for state and local governments can include: Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health; payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities.; and payment of not more than 75 percent of approved costs for hazard mitigation undertaken by state and local governments to reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.

More Articles ...

Berita