Tag Archive for: disaster guide

Rural Resilience in the Face of Disaster - Flood Image

Hurricane Helene Disaster Guide

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Hurricane Helene made an impact in northwestern Florida on Thursday night, September 26, 2024 as a Category 4 storm. The hurricane made its way through Florida’s Gulf Coast to Tennessee. There are reports of destruction, power outages, and flooding that reaches over 600 miles. HAC offers the following resources with information for communities and organizations dealing with loss and damage from Hurricane Helene: Rural Resilience in the Face of Disaster site and Disaster Response for Rural Communities Guide.

At President Biden’s direction this past weekend, the FEMA Administrator has begun to survey the damages with local and state officials in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The President approved Major Disaster declarations for the states of Florida and North Carolina which allows survivors to immediately access funds and resources for their recovery. Emergency declarations were also stated for Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. These emergency declarations allow FEMA to provide direct Federal support and other protective measures to affected states.

On Sunday, September 29, 2024, more than 3,300 rescue personnel were deployed across the Federal workforce. These resources are deployed to support relief efforts across the effected states and to address unmet needs. Though Hurricane Helene is no longer active, many are still without power and are in the process of seeking safety.

If you or your family has been affected by Hurricane Helene, or wish to help victims of the hurricane, organizations like All Hands and Hearts, The American Red Cross, and Americares all have resources available. If you are in need of emergency, transient housing, you can text SHELTER and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find where the shelter closest to you is located

Apply for FEMA Assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline answers questions about the help offered by FEMA, how to apply for assistance, or the information in your account.

Toll-free helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) For hearing impaired callers only: 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) 1-800-621-3362 (Video Relay Service) Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET

American Red Cross Disaster Service: For referrals and updates on Red Cross shelter services in your area, locate a local Red Cross office through: https://www.redcross.org/find-help or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) The Red Cross helps disaster victims by providing safe shelter, hot meals, essential relief supplies, emotional support and health services like first aid. Trained Red Cross workers often meet one-on-one with families to develop individual plans and identify available resources to help aid recovery.

Watch “Preparing your Organization for Disaster: A Guide to Rural Resilience” Webinar

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES

Alabama

Alabama Emergency Management Agency

Phone: 205-280-2200

https://ema.alabama.gov/contacts/

Georgia

Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

935 United Ave. SE

Atlanta, GA 30316-0055

Phone: 404-635-7200

https://gema.georgia.gov/locations

Florida

Florida Division of Emergency Management

2555 Shumard Oak Blvd.

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100

Phone: 850-815-4000

https://www.floridadisaster.org/

North Carolina

North Carolina Emergency Management

Phone: 919-825-2500

https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management

Tennessee

TN Emergency Management Agency

Phone: 615-741-0001

https://www.tn.gov/tema.html

South Carolina

South Carolina Emergency Management Division

Phone: 803-737-8500

https://www.scemd.org/

Virginia

Virginia Department of Emergency Management

Phone: 804-267-7600

https://www.virginia.gov/agencies/department-of-emergency-management/

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT STATE FIELD OFFICES

Alabama

Birmingham Field Office

417 20th Street North, Suite 700
Birmingham, AL 35203

Phone: (205) 731-2630

Field Office Director: Kenneth E. Free

https://www.hud.gov/states/alabama/offices

Georgia

Atlanta Regional Office

Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building (MLK FOB)
77 Forsyth Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Phone: (404) 331-5136

Georgia Field Office Director: Shea Johnson

https://www.hud.gov/states/georgia/offices

Florida

Miami Field Office
Brickell Plaza Federal Building
909 SE First Avenue, Room 500
Miami, FL 33131-3028

Phone: (305) 536-4456

Acting Field Office Director: Tiffany Cobb

Jacksonville Field Office

Charles East Bennett Federal Building

400 West Bay Street, Suite 1015

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Phone: (904) 232-2627

Field Office Director: Alesia Scott-Ford

https://www.hud.gov/states/florida/offices

North Carolina

Greensboro Field Office

Asheville Building
1500 Pinecroft Road, Suite 401
Greensboro, NC 27407-3838

Phone: (336) 547-4000

Field Office Director: Lorenzo Claxton

https://www.hud.gov/states/north_carolina/offices

 

Tennessee

Knoxville Field Office

US Department of Housing and Urban Development
John J. Duncan Federal Building
710 Locust Street, Suite 300
Knoxville, TN 37902-2526

Phone: (865) 545-4370

Field Office Director: Walter N. Perry

https://www.hud.gov/states/tennessee/offices

 

South Carolina

Columbia Field Office
Strom Thurmond Federal Building
1835 Assembly Street, 13th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201-2480

Phone: (803) 765-5592

Field Office Director: Kristine G. Foye

https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/offices

Virginia

Richmond Field Office

600 East Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Richmond, VA 23219-4920

Phone: (800) 842-2610

Field Office Director: Carrie S. Schmidt

https://www.hud.gov/states/virginia/offices

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT STATE OFFICES

Alabama

4121 Carmichael Road, Suite 601
Montgomery, AL 36106

Phone: 334-279-3400

https://www.rd.usda.gov/al

Georgia

355 East Hancock Avenue, Room 300

Athens, Ga 30601

Phone: 404- 635-7200

https://www.rd.usda.gov/ga/georgia-contacts

Florida

4500 NW 27th Avenue

Suite D-2

Gainesville, FL 32606

Phone: 352-338-3400

https://www.rd.usda.gov/fl-vi

North Carolina

4405 Bland Road, Suite 260

Raleigh, NC 27609

Phone: 919-873-2000

https://www.rd.usda.gov/nc

Tennessee

441 Donelson Pike, Suite 310
Nashville, TN 37214
Phone: 615-783-1300

https://www.rd.usda.gov/tn/tennessee-contacts

South Carolina

Strom Thurmond Federal Building

1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007

Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: 803-765-5163

https://www.rd.usda.gov/sc

Virginia

1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 238
Richmond, VA  23229
Phone: 804-287-1500

https://www.rd.usda.gov/va/virginia-contacts

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT STATE FIELD OFFICES

Alabama

Birmingham Field Office

417 20th Street North, Suite 700
Birmingham, AL 35203

Phone: (205) 731-2630

Field Office Director: Kenneth E. Free

https://www.hud.gov/states/alabama/offices

Georgia

Atlanta Regional Office

Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building (MLK FOB)
77 Forsyth Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Phone: (404) 331-5136

Georgia Field Office Director: Shea Johnson

https://www.hud.gov/states/georgia/offices

Florida

Miami Field Office
Brickell Plaza Federal Building
909 SE First Avenue, Room 500
Miami, FL 33131-3028

Phone: (305) 536-4456

Acting Field Office Director: Tiffany Cobb

Jacksonville Field Office

Charles East Bennett Federal Building

400 West Bay Street, Suite 1015

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Phone: (904) 232-2627

Field Office Director: Alesia Scott-Ford

https://www.hud.gov/states/florida/offices

North Carolina

Greensboro Field Office

Asheville Building
1500 Pinecroft Road, Suite 401
Greensboro, NC 27407-3838

Phone: (336) 547-4000

Field Office Director: Lorenzo Claxton

https://www.hud.gov/states/north_carolina/offices

 

Tennessee

Knoxville Field Office

US Department of Housing and Urban Development
John J. Duncan Federal Building
710 Locust Street, Suite 300
Knoxville, TN 37902-2526

Phone: (865) 545-4370

Field Office Director: Walter N. Perry

https://www.hud.gov/states/tennessee/offices

 

South Carolina

Columbia Field Office
Strom Thurmond Federal Building
1835 Assembly Street, 13th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201-2480

Phone: (803) 765-5592

Field Office Director: Kristine G. Foye

https://www.hud.gov/states/south_carolina/offices

Virginia

Richmond Field Office

600 East Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Richmond, VA 23219-4920

Phone: (800) 842-2610

Field Office Director: Carrie S. Schmidt

https://www.hud.gov/states/virginia/offices

Hurricane Beryl Disaster Guide

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In the early morning of Monday, July 8, 2024, Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Matagorda, Texas as a Category 1 hurricane. It has since ripped through the Gulf Coast of Texas, including Houston, and moved towards the Ohio Valley, causing tornado outbreaks across the country, with tornados being reported in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas among other states. Beryl has caused at least 10 fatalities and left over 2 million people without power amidst extremely hot temperatures. The state of Louisiana has issued an emergency declaration, and President Biden has approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Texas. The Federal Emergency Management Service (FEMA) has already been deployed, and the recovery process has begun, with state and federal agencies working to remove debris from affected areas, get supplies to residents in need, and provide support to those who remain without power.

Tips

Please keep in mind the following safety protocols for hurricanes and flooding:

  • Only call 911 if you have an immediate need for medical attention or evacuation assistance.
  • If you cannot reach 911 on your first try, keep calling until you reach an operator.
  • Do not drive through high water, and do not drive around barricades.
  • Do not try to walk through flood waters.
  • If your home is flooded, stay there. You are safer at home than trying to walk or drive through flooded streets.
  • Stay away from streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood very quickly.
  • Move important documents, including ID documents and insurance policies, to the highest ground possible to protect them from flood damage.
  • Disconnect electrical appliances, and do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. You could be electrocuted.

Hurricane Beryl serves as a reminder that all residents in the affected area should carry flood insurance. If you have an insurance agent, contact them about purchasing flood insurance. If you do not have an insurance agent, you can visit the National Flood Insurance Program at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program or call 1-888-379-9531. Please keep in mind that new insurance policies typically take 30 days to go into effect.

If your home has experienced damage, check the outside of your home before entering. Look for loose power lines, broken or damaged gas lines, cracks in the foundation, missing support beams, and other damage. Do not force jammed doors open, as they may be providing needed support for the rest of the home. Be sure to sniff your home for gas to ensure that there are no gas leaks. If you have a propane tank system, be sure to turn off all valves and contact a propane supplier to check the system before using it again. Check floors and ceilings to make sure they are not sagging from water damage. Be especially sure to take photographs of any damage you see, as you may need these photos later on for insurance claims or FEMA claims.

Resources

If your home is inaccessible or currently uninhabitable, temporary emergency housing will likely be made available to provide immediate shelter to those in need. If you are in need of emergency housing, text SHELTER and your Zip Code to 4FEMA (43362) to find where the shelter closest to you is located.

Apply for FEMA Assistance by registering online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/. For more information about FEMA Disaster Assistance, call the toll-free helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Hearing impaired callers should call 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) or 1-800-621-3362 (Video Relay Service). Operators are multilingual and answer calls seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

The Red Cross helps disaster victims by providing safe shelter, hot meals, essential relief supplies, health services, and emotional support. You can locate Red Cross shelter services in your area through https://www.redcross.org/find-help or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

State Housing Agencies

Texas:

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
221 East 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701

Phone: 512-475-3800
Toll Free: 800-525-0657

Email: info@tdhca.texas.gov
Website: www.tdhca.texas.gov

Louisiana:

Louisiana Housing Corporation
2415 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Phone: 225-763-8700
Toll Free: 888-454-2001

Email (Emergency Assistance): energyawebinfo@lhc.la.gov
Email (Disaster Housing): disasterwebinfo@lhc.la.gov
Website: www.lhc.la.gov

Arkansas:

Arkansas Development Finance Authority
1 Commerce Way, Suite 602
Little Rock, AR 72202

Phone: 501-682-5900

Website: adfa.arkansas.gov


State Emergency Management Agencies

Texas:

Texas Division of Emergency Management
2883 Highway 71 E
PO Box 285
Del Valle, TX 78617

Phone: 512-424-2208
Fax: 512-424-7160

Louisiana:

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
7667 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Phone: 225-925-7500
Fax: 225-925-7501

Arkansas:

Arkansas Department of Emergency Management
Building 9501
Camp Joseph T. Robinson
North Little Rock, AR 72119

Phone: 501-683-6700

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) State Field Offices

Texas:

Houston Field Office
1331 Lamar Street, Suite 550
Houston, TX 77010

Phone: 713-718-3199

Email: TX_Webmanager@hud.gov

Director: Eric Cobb Jr.

Louisiana:

New Orleans Field Office
Hale Boggs Federal Building
500 Poydras Street, 9th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70130

Phone: 504-671-3000

Email: LA_Webmanager@hud.gov

Director: Sylvia Purvis

Arkansas:

Little Rock Field Office
425 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 1000
Little Rock, AR 72201

Phone: 501-918-5700

Email: AR_Webmanager@hud.gov

Director: Reginald D. Marable Sr.


United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Offices

Texas:

Federal Building, Suite 102
101 South Main
Temple, TX 76501

Phone: 254-742-9700
Fax: 844-496-8123

Acting State Director: Daniel Torres

Website: www.rd.usda.gov/tx

Louisiana:

3727 Government Street
Alexandria, LA 71302

Phone: 318-473-7920
Fax: 844-325-6949

Acting State Director: Diana Smith

Website: www.rd.usda.gov/la

Arkansas:

Federal Building
700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 3416
Little Rock, AR 72201

Phone: 501-301-3216
Fax: 855-747-7794

State Director: Jill Floyd

Website: www.rd.usda.gov/ar

Hurricane Fiona Disaster Guide

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Información en español aqui.

Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico’s southwest coast on Sunday, September 18, 2022 as a Category 1 storm. As the hurricane makes its way towards the Dominican Republic, the territory is still experiencing devastating flooding, power outages, massive landslides, and heavy rain, with as much as 30 inches of rain fall in some areas. President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency and Puerto Rico’s governor Pedro Pierluisi says the government is working closely with FEMA as they continue to assess the damage. HAC offers the following resources with information for nonprofits dealing with loss and damage from Hurricane Fiona: Rural Resilience in the Face of Disaster site and Disaster Response for Rural Communities Guide.

Puerto Rican Officials have stated that the territory has shelters available for those that have been displaced by the storm. Although the island’s National Guard is currently conducting rescue operations, Governor Pierluisi urges residents to remain in their homes and shelters as officials work to respond to those in need.

If you or your family has been affected by Hurricane Fiona, or wish to help victims of the hurricane, organizations like Con PR Metidos, Red Cross, and Americares all have resources available. If you are in need of emergency, transient housing, you can text SHELTER and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find where the shelter closest to you is located.

Apply for FEMA Assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline answers questions about the help offered by FEMA, how to apply for assistance, or the information in your account.
Toll-free helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
For hearing impaired callers only:
1-800-462-7585 (TTY)
1-800-621-3362 (Video Relay Service)
Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET

American Red Cross Disaster Service: For referrals and updates on Red Cross shelter services in your area, locate a local Red Cross office through: https://www.redcross.org/find-help or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Red Cross helps disaster victims by providing safe shelter, hot meals, essential relief supplies, emotional support and health services like first aid. Trained Red Cross workers often meet one-on-one with families to develop individual plans and identify available resources to help aid recovery.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FIELD OFFICE

Puerto Rico
San Juan Field Office
235 Federico Costa Street, Suite 200, San Juan, PR 00918
Phone: +1 787-274-5846
Director: Efraín Maldonado

 

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT  FIELD OFFICE
Camuy Sub-Area Office
EDIF 654 Plaza Suite 601
654 Ave. Munoz Rivera
San Juan, PR  00918-4129
Phone: (787) 766-5095
Director: Luis R. Garcia

 

STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES

Central Office
Sr. Nino Correa Filomeno
Comisionado Interino
Email: ncorrea@prema.pr.gov
Phone: 787-724-0124

San Juan Zone
Zone Director: Sr. Jaime González
Email: jgonzalez@prema.pr.gov
Phone: 787-294-0277

Vega Baja Zone
Zone Director: Sr. Víctor Sánchez Rivera
Email: vsanchez@prema.pr.gov
Phone: 787-965-7770

Arecibo Zone
Zone Director: Sr. Juan C. Santos Santos
Email: aperez@prema.pr.gov
Phone: 787-878-9454

Aguadilla Zone
Zone Director: Sr. Elvis Morales
Email: emorales@prema.pr.gov
Phone: 787-882-6871

Mayagüez Zone
Zone Director: Sr. Alberto Trabal Alicea
Email: atrabal@prema.pr.gov
Phone: 787-833-7272

Ponce Zone
Zone Director: Sr. Paul D. Fourquet
Email: pfourquet@prema.pr.gov
Phone: 787-844-1763

Guayama Zone
Zone Director: Sr. Carlos A. Reyes
Email: careyes@prema.pr.gov
Phone: 787-864-1600

Caguas Zone
Zone Director: Sr. George L. Pacheco
Email: gpacheco@prema.pr.gov
Phone: 787-656-9643

Humacao Zone
Zone Director: Sr. Orlando Díaz flores
Email: odiaz@prema.pr.gov 
Phone: 787-852-4044

Ceiba Zone
Zone Director: Sr. Francisco Bruno Orellano
Email: fbruno@prema.pr.gov
Phone: 787-863-3330

 

Housing After Disasters and the Importance of Comprehensive and Equitable Recovery Policies

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The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University released a blog post about improving HUD’s CDBG-DR program. Carlos Martin, Project Director of Remodeling Futures Program, writes:

Repairs after major disasters are an increasing portion of home improvement activity, but there are many households who either cannot afford these repairs, or who are not in a position to recover from these events quickly, such as renters. Managed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) fund helps cities, counties, and states recover from presidentially-declared disasters. The program fills needs that remain after a disaster and after other assistance is exhausted. These are needs that persist particularly for residents who cannot recover on their own. Disasters have a long-term negative impact on the housing and household finances of survivors for years after the event and, without assistance, the impact is longer and deeper. The depth of impact holds true across jurisdictions regardless of their size or populations, of the severity of disaster damages, or of the political composition of state and local leaders. CDBG-DR has made a quantitative and qualitative difference in many survivors’ lives. And while Congress has relied on CDBG-DR to provide flexible, long-term recovery assistance to communities in need, Congress has not provided permanent authorization for the program.

Despite the effectiveness of CDBG-DR, there is of course room for improvement to the program. HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) has been forthcoming about the improvements identified by its own staff and from past and current grantees. And they have acted on them. One study I conducted for HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research noted an increased speed in HUD’s processes over a decade of disasters beginning with Hurricane Katrina in 2005. But opportunities exist for 1) consistency, 2) efficiency and speed, 3) comprehensively serving the most severely affected communities and households, and 4) monitoring compliance with all federal statutes.

As I testified in a Senate hearing at the end of last year, CDBG-DR’s lack of permanent statutory authority has impeded consistency. If the program were codified through permanent, congressional authorization, it could yield consistent rules; standardized and more sophisticated reporting and recordkeeping; and more uniform technical assistance offerings. There are also benefits for HUD and its grantees in their planning and timing from the consistency that would be established through permanent authorization.

Next, speed is impeded by the uncertain and delayed access to funds. In my study, the length of time between the disaster and HUD’s allocation—that is, the federal activity before state and local grantees are directly involved—shapes the time after in which grantees design, launch, and ramp up their programs. I have encountered numerous cases where jurisdictions were unable to plan, act, and/or inform households of their options because of the lack of knowledge about whether and when funds would come. This omission leads to suboptimal recovery for everyone. Efficient—and early—resources and knowledge make a difference in lives and livelihoods.

HUD’s general CDBG program has a requirement to serve low-to-moderate income households that could be pursued even more deeply with a permanently authorized CDBG-DR. Research shows that survivor households continue to slip through the cracks because they lack the resources to wait or absorb delay and change. Extremely low-income households and renters are particularly vulnerable. These groups suffer from even modest financial hits and personal damages. They could benefit from the changes I have already mentioned simply because clearer rules and faster funding would help jurisdictions catch them before they slip through the cracks.

But with these changes, there is an increased responsibility to make it easier for the most vulnerable households to apply, qualify, and access assistance. HUD and its grantees could also aggressively expand robust, consistent, and transparent data about the household beneficiaries once given the breathing space of permanent authorization and early fund dispersals. Ensuring that data gaps are filled will help HUD and the federal government confirm that grantees will both use funds effectively and in ways that target households with the most severe and ongoing vulnerabilities.

The Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery fund serves as a bridge between immediate crisis and long-term community development. Yet, that bridge has been temporary and ephemeral without the stability of statutory program authority or the security of resources to let households and communities decide their path to becoming whole. Future disasters are certain. We must respond with equal certainty and purposeful clarity.

 

HUD CDBG-DR grantees surveyed

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Bipartisan Policy Center surveyed CDBG-DR grantees to better support communities as they recover from disasters. Takeaways include almost all respondents found CDBG-DR funding to be somewhat or very important to their state or community’s recovery and 69 percent of survey respondents say that housing is the unmet need that CDBG-DR funding has been most important in addressing. See survey results.

Eastern Kentucky Flooding Disaster Guide

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Since July 26th southeastern Kentucky has seen some of the worst flooding in the state’s history, according to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. The region has received about 12 inches of rain with another two expected on Friday. So far 15 fatalities have been reported and hundreds are trapped in flooded areas. Hundreds of homes are expected to be destroyed by this flood, along with vital infrastructure in many towns and rural areas. This disaster is ongoing, and the full impacts have not been assessed yet. HAC offers the following guide as a source of information for individuals and families dealing with direct housing loss and damage from the rain and flooding. For more information, please see HAC’s disaster resources: Rural Resilience and Disaster Response for Rural Communities Guide.

If your house is inaccessible or currently uninhabitable, emergency, transient housing will likely be made available to provide immediate shelter for those in need. Organizations and resources available to assist with emergency transient housing in previous similar disasters include the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Church World Service, Mennonite Disaster Service, and state- and city-run emergency shelters. If you are in need of emergency, transient housing, you can text SHELTER and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find where the shelter closest to you is located.

FEMA makes available temporary assistance funding for residents of counties affected by flooding. Temporary assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. To see if you are eligible for funding, you can apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA(3362). When applying, make sure to have a pen and paper as well as the following information: your social security number, current and pre-disaster address, a telephone number where you can be contacted, insurance information, total household income, a routing and account number from your bank if you are interested in having disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account, and a description of your losses that were caused by the disaster.

Tips

Please keep in mind the following safety protocols for flooding:

  • Only call 911 if you have an immediate need for medical attention or evacuation assistance.
  • If you can’t get through to 911 on first try, keep calling.
  • DO NOT DRIVE through high water and DO NOT DRIVE AROUND BARRICADES! Just 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • DO NOT WALK through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down.
  • If your home floods, STAY THERE. You are safer at home than trying to navigate flooded streets on foot.
  • If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is NOT MOVING, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter MOVING water.
  • STAY AWAY from streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
  • MOVE important items – especially important documents like insurance policies – to the highest possible floor. This will help protect them from flood damage.
  • DISCONNECT electrical appliances and do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. You could be electrocuted.

This flooding event is a reminder that all residents in this area should carry flood insurance. Contact your insurance agent for more information about purchasing flood insurance or visit the National Flood Insurance Program at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program or call 1-888-379-9531. Please keep in mind that new insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect.

If your home has experienced damage, remember to check the outside of your home before you enter. Look for loose power lines, broken or damaged gas lines, foundations cracks, missing support beams, or other damage. It may be safest to ask a building inspector or contractor to check the structure before you enter. Do not force jammed doors open, as they may be providing needed support to the rest of the home. Sniff for gas to ensure there are no natural or propane gas leaks. If you do have a propane tank system, make sure to turn off all valves and contact a propane supplier to check the system before you use it again. Check floors and ceilings to ensure they are not sagging from water damage. This can be especially hazardous. Take photographs of any damage as you may need them for insurance claims or FEMA claims later on.

Resources

Apply for FEMA Assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline answers questions about the help offered by FEMA, how to apply for assistance, or the information in your account.

Toll-free helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
For hearing impaired callers only:
1-800-462-7585 (TTY)
1-800-621-3362 (Video Relay Service)
Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET

American Red Cross Disaster Service: For referrals and updates on Red Cross shelter services in your area, locate a local Red Cross office through: https://www.redcross.org/find-help or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
The Red Cross helps disaster victims by providing safe shelter, hot meals, essential relief supplies, emotional support and health services like first aid. Trained Red Cross workers often meet one-on-one with families to develop individual plans and identify available resources to help aid recovery.

STATE HOUSING AGENCY
Kentucky Housing Corporation
1231 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone:502-564-7630
Phone: 800-633-8896 (KY only)
https://www.kyhousing.org

HUD STATE FIELD OFFICE

Gene Snyder Courthouse
601 W. Broadway, Room 110
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 582-5251
Fax: (502) 582-6074
TTY: (800) 648-6056
Email: Customer Service

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT STATE OFFICE

Thomas Carew, State Director
771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200
Lexington, KY 40503
Phone: (859) 224-7300
Fax: (855) 661-8335
https://www.rd.usda.gov/ky

STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Kentucky Emergency Management
100 Minuteman Pkwy, Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (800) 255-2587
https://kyem.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Middle Tennessee Flooding Disaster Guide

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On August 21, 2021, record-breaking rain (17 inches in 24 hours) caused major flooding in Middle Tennessee and at least 22 fatalities in Humphreys County. Roads, telephone lines, cars, and home foundations were washed away. HAC offers the following guide as a source of information for individuals and families dealing with direct housing loss and damage from the storm. For more information, please see HAC’s report: Picking up the Pieces: Restoring Rural Housing and Communities After a Disaster and Disaster Response for Rural Communities Guide.

If your house is inaccessible or currently uninhabitable, emergency, transient housing will likely be made available to provide immediate shelter for those in need. Organizations and resources available to assist with emergency transient housing in previous similar disasters include the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Church World Service, Mennonite Disaster Service, and state- and city-run emergency shelters. If you are in need of emergency, transient housing, you can text SHELTER and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find where the shelter closest to you is located.

FEMA makes available temporary assistance funding available for residents of counties affected by natural disasters. Temporary assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. To see if you are eligible for funding, you can apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA(3362). When applying, make sure to have a pen and paper as well as the following information: your social security number, current and pre-disaster address, a telephone number where you can be contacted, insurance information, total household income, a routing and account number from your bank if you are interested in having disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account, and a description of your losses that were caused by the disaster.

Tips

Please keep in mind the following safety protocols for flooding:

  • Only call 911 if you have an immediate need for medical attention or evacuation assistance.
  • If you can’t get through to 911 on first try, keep calling.
  • DO NOT DRIVE through high water and DO NOT DRIVE AROUND BARRICADES! Just 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • DO NOT WALK through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down. 4
  • If your home floods, STAY THERE. You are safer at home than trying to navigate flooded streets on foot.
  • If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is NOT MOVING, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter MOVING water.
  • STAY AWAY from streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
  • MOVE important items – especially important documents like insurance policies – to the highest possible floor. This will help protect them from flood damage.
  • DISCONNECT electrical appliances and do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. You could be electrocuted.

This flooding event is a reminder that all residents in this area should carry flood insurance. Contact your insurance agent for more information about purchasing flood insurance or visit the National Flood Insurance Program at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program or call 1-888-379-9531. Please keep in mind that new insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect.

If your home has experienced damage, remember to check the outside of your home before you enter. Look for loose power lines, broken or damaged gas lines, foundations cracks, missing support beams, or other damage. It may be safest to ask a building inspector of contractor to check the structure before you enter. Do not force jammed doors open, as they may be providing needed support to the rest of the home. Sniff for gas to ensure there are no natural or propane gas leaks. If you do have a propane tank system, make sure to turn off all valves and contact a propane supplier to check the system before you use it again. Check floors and ceilings to ensure they are not sagging from water damage. This can be especially hazardous. Take photographs of any damage as you may need them for insurance claims or FEMA claims later on.

Resources

Apply for FEMA Assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline answers questions about the help offered by FEMA, how to apply for assistance, or the information in your account.

Toll-free helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
For hearing impaired callers only:
1-800-462-7585 (TTY)
1-800-621-3362 (Video Relay Service)
Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET

American Red Cross Disaster Service: For referrals and updates on Red Cross shelter services in your area, locate a local Red Cross office through: https://www.redcross.org/find-help or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
The Red Cross helps disaster victims by providing safe shelter, hot meals, essential relief supplies, emotional support and health services like first aid. Trained Red Cross workers often meet one-on-one with families to develop individual plans and identify available resources to help aid recovery.

STATE HOUSING AGENCIES

Tennessee
Tennessee Housing Development Agency
502 Deaderick Street, Third Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 815-2200
Fax: (615) 564-2700
https://www.thda.org

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT STATE FIELD OFFICES

Tennessee
John J. Duncan Federal Building
710 Locust Street, SW 3rd Floor
Knoxville, TN 37902-2526
Phone: (865) 545-4370

Nashville Field Office
235 Cumberland Bend
Suite 200
Nashville, TN 37228-1803
Phone: (615) 515-8510
Director: Sernorma L. Mitchell

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT STATE OFFICES

Tennessee
Jim Tracy, State Director
441 Donelson Pike, Suite 310
Nashville, TN  37214
Voice: (615) 783-1300
Fax: (855) 776-7057
www.rd.usda.gov/tn

STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES

Region 4 (Mississippi and Tennessee)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
3003 Chamblee Tucker Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
Main Number: 770-220-5200
Fax Number: 770-220-5230

 

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