Disaster Relief and Preparedness

Below are resources to assist residents of Alabama prepare for and deal with the aftermath of natural disaters. My staff is always ready and willing to help, however my staff can only mitigate disaster relief and we are not ourselves a relief agency. Whenever a disaster occurs my staff does all that they can to work with federal, state and local officials to restore normalcy as fast as possible. However, preparedness is the best line of defense and most efficient way to help life return to normal in a timely manner.

Resources for Tornado Victims

FEMA

Survivors of the recent storms and tornadoes in Alabama who suffered damage should apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency – even if you have insurance or aren’t sure you are eligible.

Federal disaster assistance will not duplicate benefits, but may provide for uncovered losses. Grants may be available to help pay for rental assistance and emergency home repairs. Reimbursement for other serious disaster-related expenses may include medical, dental, funeral or burial costs.

Also, homeowners, renters, business owners and nonprofit organizations may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to aid recovery from losses not covered by insurance, grants or other sources. No one is obligated to take out a loan, but the application must be filled out to receive other types of assistance.

Download FEMA's Help After Disaster Guide Here

HOW TO REGISTER WITH FEMA
TELEPHONE: 1.800.621.3362
TTY: 1.800.462.7585 (For individuals with speech or hearing disabilities)
ONLINE: www.DisasterAssistance.gov
SMARTPHONE: www.m.fema.gov

FEMA REGISTRATION PROCESS IN THREE EASY-STEPS

Step One: Registration

Register by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments. Specialists are standing by at the toll-free numbers seven days a week,

7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, until further notice. Help in other languages is available. Or you can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone by visiting m.fema.gov and following the link to “apply online for federal assistance.”

• If you have insurance, contact your agent before registering with FEMA.
• When calling FEMA, you will need: your Social Security number, your current mailing address, the address of the damaged property, a brief description of the damages and any insurance information, including the policy number and the name of your agent, and a phone number where you can be reached.
• Fill out and return your SBA low-interest disaster loan application if you receive one. Returning the application does not obligate you to accept an SBA loan, but the application must be filled out in order to be considered for other types of disaster assistance. 

Step Two: Inspections

After you register, a FEMA-contracted housing inspector will call you to set up an appointment to inspect your property. There is no charge for this service, but it is a necessary step to determine damages.

Make sure your home or mailbox number is easily visible from the road. As part of the inspection process, you must provide proof of ownership or occupancy:

• Homeowners may show a tax bill, deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property's address.
• Renters may show a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was their primary residence at the time of the disaster.
• Homeowners and renters must also present a valid driver's license or other photo ID.

Step Three: Keep in Touch

Among the top five reasons applicants fail to receive federal assistance grants is FEMA's inability to contact them after they apply. FEMA tries to reach applicants numerous times before a decision on an application is made. It is vital that you inform FEMA of any change in telephone number and/or mailing address. This can be done by simply calling the FEMA Helpline (see below) or by visiting the disaster assistance website.

For More Information or Questions       

For any assistance along the way – such as with help filling out the applications, and general questions or progress reports – call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 800-462-7585, and select the language option you require. If you would like to speak with someone one-on-one, visit a disaster recovery center.

DEBRIS REMOVAL

An important step on the road to recovery is debris removal.  If you were affected by the April tornadoes, here is some information that may help make it easier.

The first thing you should do is call your insurance agent to see if debris removal is covered.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency does not reimburse private property owners for the cost of removing debris from their property; however, your local or state government may pick up and dispose of disaster-related debris placed at the public right-of-way.

Call your local emergency management agency to find out if this is the case in your area. For a list of local emergency management offices, visit www.ema.alabama.gov.

You should separate debris into several categories and place it at the curb:

• Household garbage;
• Construction debris;
• Vegetative debris;
• Household hazardous waste;
• Major appliances; and
• Electronics.

Certain types of debris may be hazardous, and should not be handled by private property owners. When in doubt, follow the direction of your local emergency manager.

Private property owners should be wary of any debris removal contractor who approaches you claiming a tie to federal or state agencies. Neither the Alabama Emergency Management Agency nor FEMA qualifies, certifies or approves individual contractors for debris removal.

Call 2-1-1 if you need help from nonprofit organizations removing debris from your property.

You may be able to get loan assistance for debris removal through the low-interest disaster loan program from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA phone number is 800-659-2955.

Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has programs for removing debris from agricultural land and nonindustrial forests. The fastest way to apply for these programs is to call your local Farm Service Agency office. Call the state FSA office at 334-279-3500.

 

Resources for Giving and Volunteering

ALABAMA STATEWIDE 2-1-1
Alabama’s Statewide 2-1-1 Volunteer Call Center is a 24/7 volunteer and donations hotline that provides an opportunity for people to connect to available volunteer and donation options. By calling 2-1-1 (in the state of Alabama or toll free 1-888-421-1266

Huntsville, AL 35806-1314 (256) 489-3366 or First Baptist Church on Governors Drive HSV to be processed (badge, ID, assignment) to help the Harvest area

AMERICAN RED CROSS 
You can reach the American Red Cross in Huntsville at (256) 536-0084, who can route you to other areas as needed.  The National American Red Cross can also take your donations or route your volunteer requests.  You can text REDCROSS to 90999 and a $10 donation will be added to your next mobile phone bill, or mail a check to American Red Cross, P O Box 37243, Washington, DC  20013 or your local Red Cross office.

Note:  The American Red Cross is not set up to accept donated items such as food, clothing and household items.  Other local voluntary organizations that are active in disaster, such as the Salvation Army, are set up to collect and re-distribute donated items to disaster victims.  The American Red Cross relies on financial donations to support our work.  During the Mass Care phase of the disaster operation, that is currently in progress, the contributions we receive provides comfort kits, blankets, hot meals, shelter and supports the costs of logistics for mobile feeding. 
 

Resources for Businesses and Farms

Small Business Administration Disaster Loans

SBA provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. Click here for more information on SBA disaster loans.

FEMA Fact Sheet - Doing Business with FEMA

Contracting Opportunities:  We appreciate the interest from companies that have products and services that they feel would be helpful to states affected by disasters.  Vendors interested in federal contracting opportunities, should refer to the information that follows:

Vendors can register online at www.FedBizOpps.gov - the single government point-of-entry for Federal Government procurement opportunities over $25,000. Government buyers use this site to publicize their business opportunities.  The FedBizOpps portal also allows commercial vendors that are seeking to work with the Federal Government.

United States Department of Agriculture Disaster Assistance Resources

Natural disaster is a constant threat to America's farmers and ranchers and rural residents. USDA provides assistance for losses that result from drought, flood, fire, freeze, tornadoes, pest infestation, and other calamities.

Disaster Assistance Programs for Farmers and Ranchers

Emergency Farm Loan Programs

Emergency Watershed Protection Program