FEMA AND NOAA PROMOTE NATIONAL FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK

FROM:  U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
March 15, 2013

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are partnering to improve public awareness for National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 18-22, 2013. The agencies’ goal is to improve understanding about flood risk among individuals, families, businesses and communities. Knowledge and the right precautions can protect families, homes and finances.

"I've seen the devastation that can occur from floods. They can happen at any time, anywhere across the United States, which means we all need to be prepared now," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "In addition to obtaining a flood insurance policy for your home or business, there are simple steps folks can do now to be prepared for flooding - develop a family emergency plan and have an emergency supply kit ready to go."

Floods are the most common hazard in the United States. However, not all floods are alike. Floods typically occur when too much rain falls or snow melts too quickly. Chunks of ice from a thawing river can block its normal flow and force water out of its banks. While some floods develop slowly, flash floods develop suddenly. Hurricanes can bring flooding to areas far inland from where they first hit the coast, as we witnessed two years ago from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, and last year from Hurricanes Isaac and Sandy.

There are simple steps citizens can take today to reduce their risk to all types of floods. Flood Safety Awareness Week is an excellent time for people and communities to learn about their flood risk and implement precautions to mitigate the threat to life and property.

"Flooding is dangerous and costly, killing nearly 100 people and causing an average of eight billion dollars in property damage in the United States each year," said Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, director, NOAA’s National Weather Service, which produces an array of flood outlooks and forecasts, including watches and life-saving warnings. "A weather-ready nation is a prepared nation; one that will reduce flood losses by planning ahead, staying abreast of weather forecasts, and heeding the warnings."

Dr. Uccellini emphasized that a primary flood killer is flooded roadways. People should never attempt to drive through them, but should "Turn Around, Don’t Drown," NOAA’s flood safety slogan.

NOAA will issue the 2013 U.S. Spring Outlook and flood assessment on March 21.

FEMA and NOAA will provide the public with key information related to flood hazards, and ways to protect yourself and your property each day of National Flood Safety Awareness week.

THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION APPROVES OVER $42 MILLION IN DISASTER LAOANS IN NEW JERSEY

FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Over $42 Million In Disaster Loans Approved In New Jersey, SBA Urges Submission Of Applications Before December 31 Deadline

TRENTON, N.J. -- The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved over $42.3 million in disaster assistance loans for 653 New Jersey residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. The deadline to apply for physical damage is December 31, 2012. Those affected by the disaster are encouraged to apply now and may apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Applicants do not have to wait for insurance to be settled before applying. No one is obligated to take a loan if it is offered, but if you don’t accept a loan, you may not be eligible for FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance. However, it is important for businesses and residents to maximize their recovery resources and take time to submit their SBA disaster applications before the December 31 deadline.

SBA offers the following types of low-interest, long-term loans to cover uninsured losses:

Home Disaster Loans: to homeowners to repair disaster-damaged real estate and replace damaged contents. Renters are also eligible for their contents loss.

Business Physical Disaster Loans: to businesses to repair disaster-damaged property and repair/replace damaged business contents including inventory, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, etc., are also eligible.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 1.688 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical damage is December 31, 2012. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 31, 2013.

SBA customer service representatives are available at all Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) throughout the state and at the ten Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) in Atlantic City, Hackensack, Cape May, Newark, Jersey City, Piscataway, Lincroft, Manahawkin, Paterson and Plainfield.

SBA’s partners including counselors with the New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC), SCORE, SBA Women’s Business Center and SBA’s Veteran’s Business Outreach Center are available to help business owners prepare needed financial information at no charge.

Details on the locations of Centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, TTY 800-877-8339 or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.