FEMA North Dakota Summer 2009 Vol. 2 Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/ FEMA and by North Dakota Department of Emergency Services Apply by Phone 800.621.FEMA (3362) TTY: 800.462.7585 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. CDT 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. MDT seven days a week Times Linton, ND -- John and Sandra DeBoer begin clean-up and repairs after 2009 spring flooding impacted their home. FEMA photo Disaster Aid Deadline Extended to Aug. 10 North Dakotans hit by spring and summer floods have more time to register for state and federal aid. The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) extended the registration deadline to Aug. 10, 2009. That means help is still available for flood-affected homeowners, renters and business owners in the 41 North Dakota counties and three tribal reservations that received a federal disaster declaration for Individual Assistance. Register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); TTY 1-800-462-7585. Individuals can register online at: www.disasterassistance.gov. This issue of Recovery Times answers questions about assistance programs that often arise during recovery. This is the time to look ahead. No one knows when the next disaster will occur. The time to prepare is now. Did You Have Disaster Losses? If the severe storms and flooding that struck North Dakota did damage to your personal or business property, you may be eligible for some state and federal disaster programs, even if you’re not insured. As the recovery continues, you may discover that the cost of cleanup and repairs is more than you originally estimated. Homeowners insurance does not cover flooding, and insurance settlements may not cover all disaster losses. Individuals in the disaster- designated areas who have lost personal or real property may be eligible for funds for temporary housing, minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to pay for losses not covered by insurance. If you have questions about your eligibility for disaster aid, register now by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362, TTY: 1-800-462-7585 or go online at: www.disasterassistance.gov Don’t Let Misunderstandings Delay Or Limit Your Assistance Here are answers to some common questions about disaster assistance: Q. FEMA provided me with assistance after my house was flooded in March. If my house flooded again in June, can I apply for more help? A. Yes. You may be eligible for further assistance. Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362; (TTY: 1-800-462-7585) and report these additional damages so that another inspection can be scheduled. Q. I already repaired my home. Can I still apply? A. Yes. By registering, you still could qualify for reimbursement of eligible repairs or help with unmet needs not covered by your insurance. It is a good idea to take photos and save your receipts and records. Q. I registered with FEMA, then I got an application from SBA. Do they work together? A. Yes. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the primary source of federal funds for long-term recovery assistance for disaster damage to private property not fully covered by insurance. If you need help filling out your SBA application, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-6592955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or go to www.sba.gov/services/ disasterassistance. Q. If I do not qualify for an SBA disaster loan, could I be eligible for other assistance? A. Yes. You may be eligible for other assistance, such as the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program. FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must complete and return them to the SBA to be eligible for additional assistance under the part of the ONA program that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.. Questions about FEMA assistance? Call: 1.800.621.FEMA (3362) TTY: 1.800.462.7585 www.disasterassistance.gov FEMA may refer you to U.S. Small Business Administration SBA disaster loans are the primary source of money to pay for repair or replacement costs not fully covered by insurance or other compensation. SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations. • Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. • Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property. • Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury. • SBA offers low-interest working capital loans (called Economic Injury Disaster Loans) to small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster. THREE WAYS TO APPLY TO SBA • Call FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA (3362); TTY 800-462-7585 • You may apply online using SBA’s Electronic Loan Application at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. • You may complete a paper application and mail it to SBA at: 14925 Kingsport Rd., Ft. Worth, TX 76155-2243. For personal assistance call: (800) 659-2955; TTY: (800) 877-8339 or email disastercustomervice@ sba.gov or visit our Web site at: http://www.sba.gov/services/ disasterassistance 2 Beulah, ND, April 11, 2009 -- As a result of major flooding in March, Volunteers from NECHAMA, a Jewish volunteer organization, are helping clean and sanitize homes throughout many rural communities in North Dakota. Michael Raphael/FEMA When You Need More Help…. The recovery process following a disaster can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Where does someone turn when all federal and state assistance has been exhausted, yet a need still remains? Through its Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL) program, FEMA works with state and local counterparts to bring together a team of people who specialize in organizing and coordinating to form local Long Term Recovery Committees (LTCRs). The Resource Agency Flood Team (RAFT) is such an organization, a consortium of agencies devoted to “teaming” resources in an effort to help flood victims recover. Many of these organizations are members of the North Dakota or Minnesota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD). Some examples are: NECHAMA Jewish disaster response, Lutheran Disaster Response of North Dakota, Catholic Charities North Dakota, Seventh-Day Adventists, Salvation Army, Red Cross, United Way, and the Presbytery of the Northern Plains. RAFT volunteers are reaching out around the state identifying needs and providing assistance to individuals in many rural communities. Case workers are devoted to hearing the stories of each disaster victim needing assistance and empowering the applicant in his/her recovery through careful analysis of need and identification of resources. The RAFT case worker is a resource and knowledgeable guide. To inquire about assistance through RAFT, call: 211. The whole process of assistance delivery begins when applicants with disaster damage register with FEMA by calling: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); TTY 800-462-7585 or they may register online at: www.disasterassistance.gov Recovery Times Recovery Times is published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services with help from other federal, state and voluntary agencies. Comments and inquiries may be directed to: 1.800.621.FEMA (3362) http://www.fema.gov DR 1829 ND Federal Coordinating Officer Justo “Tito” Hernandez State Coordinating Office David Sprynczynatyk Editor, FEMA Public Affairs Jean Riendeau 3 Voluntary Elevation Pays Off for Office Condominium Bismarck, ND. -- Scott Beierle uses a tape measure to show the 3-foot elevation of his office condominium. Samir Valeja/FEMA Before breaking ground for the 9,000-he said, at least one was taking steps to Adding fill to a site is often an square-foot office condominium he built reduce the risk of future flood losses. economical way to get a new structure in southeast Bismarck, Scott Beierle and above flood level. But fill on one site can Beierle estimated his voluntary elevation his associates analyzed the flood history sometimes result in greater flooding at cost less than $2,000. His conservative and risks at the site. nearby properties as water is displaced. Care must be taken to avoid adverse “We realized the land was low-lying and impacts to other structures in the areas. we didn’t want to risk having the building Builders who are considering using fill flood,” Beierle said. “Elevating would would do well to check first with local lead to a lot less problems down the officials about floodplain management road.” regulations and building codes. Beierle talked to owners of adjacent buildings about the history of flooding in the area and researched past flood Make sure disaster aid goes to those levels. He then decided to use fill to who deserve it. elevate the site to 3 feet above the 1976 flood level. FEMA Fraud Hotline: 1-800-323-8603 Beierle’s precaution paid off. In the spring of 2009 during record flooding, Disaster Recovery assistance is available every business tenant in his building without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, was able to maintain access and utilities. disability, English proficiency or They all stayed open full time – except economic status. for the half day they closed to help neighbors fight the flood. 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) TTY: 1-800-462-7585 Some of Beierle’s neighbors had doubted estimate of the amount of damage Or contact the North Dakota Human he needed to elevate quite as much as he prevented in the 2009 flood alone was Rights Division @: did. “They questioned the height a little $100,000. He concluded his “ounce of 1-800-582-8032; bit,” he said. But after all of them lost prevention” turned out to be a highly TTY 1-800-366-6888 time and other resources to the flood, worthwhile investment. . Clip & Save . STATE AGENCIES For Information, donations and cash . FEDERAL AGENCIES contributions....................................................................701-328-8100 FEMA Registration.......................................... 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (In North Dakota) 1-800-773-3259 www.disasterassistance@gov www.nd.gov/des TTY for hearing/speech impaired ..................................1-800-462-7585 Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.............701-328-3404 FEMA Fraud Detection...................................................1-800-323-8603 Toll-free at .......................1-800-472-2600 TTY 1-800-366-6888 (TTY) National Flood Insurance Program................................1-800-427-4661 http://www.ag.nd.gov/CPAT/CPAT.htm NFIP online: www.floodsmart.gov Job Service of ND Disaster Unemployment Line.................701-328-1630, TTY for hearing/speech impaired ..................................1-800-427-5593 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT M-F ........................................... www.jobsnd.com Social Security Administration.......................................1-800-772-1213 ND Housing Finance Agency’s Property Management Division U.S. Small Business Administration...............................1-800-659-2955 for Mortgage Assistance..................................................1-800-292-8621 Internal Revenue Service ................................................1-800-829-1040 701-328-8080 or info@ndhfa.org TTY for hearing/speech impaired ..................................1-800-829-4059 Tax Related Disaster Relief.............................................1-866-562-5227 . VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS Department of Veterans Affairs .....................................1-800-827-0648 For referrals to voluntary organizations ....................................call 211 4