Important Earthquake Information

Update (2/13): The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profit organizations of the deadline to submit disaster loan applications for damages caused by the earthquake. The deadline to file an SBA disaster loan application for physical damage is March 5. Click here to learn more.

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Update (2/1): The Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Louisa County at 520 E. Main St., Louisa, VA, and in Spotsylvania County at 8960 Courthouse Rd., Spotsylvania, VA, will close permanently at 6:00 PM, Saturday, February 11, state and federal officials have announced. One-on-one assistance is still available, and the deadline to register for assistance is March 5. Click here to learn more.

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Update (1/24): FEMA is letting Virginians know that the changing weather may reveal earthquake chimney damage. Click here to learn more.

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Update (1/23): FEMA has announced several town hall meetings for residents in Culpeper and Goochland Counties who may have suffered damage from the August 23, 2011 earthquake. These meetings are being hosted by their respective counties. FEMA Specialists will be available to answer questions about the registration process, and how to rebuild safer after an earthquake. SBA Specialists will answer questions about the SBA low interest disaster loan program.

Tuesday, January 24
7:00-9:00 pm
Culpeper County High School
14240 Achievement Drive, Culpeper 22701
Click here to download and print flyer

Thursday, January 26
7:00-9:00 pm
Goochland County Board of Supervisors Room
1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland 23063
Click here to download and print flyer

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Update (1/12): The Small Business Administration encourages homeowners, renters, and business owners in Virginia who were impacted by the August earthquake and subsequent aftershocks to return their completed loan applications before the March 5 deadline. Click here to learn more.

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Update (1/10): New hours for the Louisa County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) and the Spotsylvania County Disaster Recovery Center will go into effect Sunday, January 15. Click here to learn more.

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Update (1/5): The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) maintain Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts that contain helpful information on disaster recovery and preparing for future natural disasters. Click here to learn more.

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Update (1/3): FEMA and VDEM will open a new Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Spotsylvania County and reopen the Louisa County DRC. Both DRCs will open on Thursday, January 5. Click here to learn more.

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Update (12/29): VDEM and FEMA have announced that the counties of Culpeper, Fluvanna, Goochland, Orange, Spotsylvania, and the City of Fredericksburg are eligible for Individual Assistance. Click here to learn more.

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Update (12/20): FEMA has extended the deadline for those who suffered damage from the August 23 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks to register for state and federal disaster assistance. The new deadline is Monday, March 5, 2012. Click here to learn more.

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Update (12/16): Help for Louisa County earthquake survivors will continue to be available through the holiday period. Click here to learn more.

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Update (12/14): Nearly $1.4 million total in SBA disaster relief loans have been approved, going to 43 homeowners and 2 businesses. The deadline to return applications for physical damage is January 3, 2012. Click here to learn more.

Additionally, FEMA has announced that the Disaster Recovery Center in Louisa will close temporarily for the holidays on December 17, 2011 and reopen on January 5, 2012.

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Update (12/8): Worried that FEMA disaster grants might not be large enough to cover all of your disaster expenses? There are additional forms of help available to you. Click here to learn more.

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Update (12/6): The DRC in Louisa County at Triangle Plaza, 502 East Main Street, Louisa, VA, will be temporarily closed from close of business December 17, 2011 to January 5, 2012. The DRC will reopen at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 5, 2012.

The National Processing Service Center (NPSC) will close on December 25th and 26th, 2011, and January 1st and 2nd, 2012.

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Update (12/5): The SBA has issued a news release to help remind those with earthquake damage that the deadline to return applications is January 3. Click here to learn more.

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Update (11/30): Some earthquake survivors have told FEMA they are reluctant to register for earthquake assistance out of fear that their homes will be condemned and they'll have no place to live. However, FEMA does not condemn property, so those who suffered earthquake-related damage shouldn't hesitate to apply for disaster relief. Click here to learn more.

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Update (11/29): FEMA has released some important updates regarding ways to guard against fraud aimed at either disaster survivors or the federal government:

Beware of Fraud: Ask for Identification

FEMA Fraud Hotline is Confidential

The SBA's deadline for physical damage disaster loans in Virginia is January 9. Spotsylvania County has been added for private non-profit organizations. Click here to learn more.

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Update (11/22): Did you know that of the 1,400 Louisa County Homes with damages inspected during FEMA's preliminary damage assessments, fewer than 600 of those residences have applied for assistance? Click here to learn more about the importance of registering your earthquake damage.

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Update (11/19): Individuals in Louisa County have until January 3, 2012 to register for assistance. Additionally, Spotsylvania County has just been designated as a major disaster area and will be eligible to receive federal assistance for emergency costs and repair or restoration of public owned facilities.

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Update (11/17): Residents and business owners in Louisa County who suffered damage from the August 23 earthquake were approved on November 4 for federal disaster aid, but everyone should report their earthquake damage so that state officials can decide whether to request assistance for additional Virginia communities.

The DRC is now open in Louisa County at Triangle Plaza, 502 E. Main Street, Louisa, VA 23093. Currently, hours are Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; the office will be closed on Sundays and on Thanksgiving Day.

First, it is recommended that individuals, renters, and businesses who sustained losses or damage from the recent earthquake register online at www.fema.gov or call the toll free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY: 1-800-462-7585. Those with smart phones or other mobile devices also can register at m.fema.gov.

Second, they may visit the DRC to check the status of their FEMA registration and talk with disaster assistance representatives.

Helpful Hints on How to Spot Earthquake Damage: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=59561

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Those who sustained losses in Louisa County can apply for assistance now by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

Please use the following links from FEMA to learn more about how to stay safe during and after an earthquake:

Checklist on What To Do After an Earthquake: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_after.shtm

Information Regarding Potential Earthquake Aftershocks: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_during.shtm

Additional Earthquake-Related Information: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/

If you need assistance immediately following a disaster, dial 211 or telephone your local American Red Cross chapter by visiting www.redcross.org if you have needs immediately following a disaster. Only dial 911 for a life-threatening emergency. Virginia 211 can connect you with voluntary and state agencies that can assist you.

American Red Cross assistance may take the form of small emergency cash grants and free temporary lodging. The ARC also makes referrals to other nonprofit, government and faith-based agencies that provide assistance beyond what the ARC can provide.

For Future Earthquakes and Other Emergencies:

Make Sure Your Family has an Emergency Plan: http://www.ready.gov/america/makeaplan/index.html

Prepare a Kit of Emergency Supplies to Sustain Yourselves for at Least 72 Hours: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html

If you would like to comment on the response by federal agencies to the recent earthquake, please click here or contact my office at the information listed below.