Facts about disaster assistance - "People Helping People" - Issue #1044-1

Published for victims of the January 1995 California Floods and distributed globally via Internet with hardcopy distribution via U.S. Postal Service and hand delivery in the affected areas. Hardcopy circulation of this edition: 56,000.

President Bill Clinton assured Ron Hayes and his daughter, Cory Tapia, flood victims in Roseville, that they and other Californians will be helped.

In This Edition

• Messages from Governor Pete Wilson and FEMA Director James Lee Witt.
• Apply for Assistance
• Partners in Recovery
• Full Array of Disaster Assistance Programs Available
• Teleregistration Numbers
• Questions and Answers about Disaster Assistance
• Insured People Should Apply
• Recovery Roundup
• All Victims Eligible
• State Toxic Waste Disposal Crews Continue Cleanup Efforts
• FEMA Guards Against Disaster Aid Fraud
• Important Phone Numbers

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Apply for Assistance

Begin Your Recovery Today
"More than 23,000 people have called to register for aid from the FEMA and OES Teleregistration office," Federal Coordinating Officer David Skarosi said. "The sooner flood-affected Californians call to register, the quicker we can begin to help."
"Meeting the immediate needs of flood victims is our top priority at this time," Deputy State Coordinating Officer Nancy Ward said. "We're making every effort to get the people of California the assistance they need to recover from the floods."

In an effort to bring relief to those affected by the floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) have come together to provide disaster assistance throughout the state.

FEMA and OES representatives are also active in flood-affected areas to assist people who are having difficulty filing disaster applications.

More than $2.4 million in rental housing assistance grants have already been approved for those suffering damages from the winter floods.

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State and Federal Agencies

Partners in Recovery
As quickly as flooding occurred, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) responded with timely decisions based on comprehensive experience. When it became clear that the extent of the damage caused by flooding was beyond the capability of local and state recovery resources, a request was submitted to President Clinton that he declare the event a "major disaster."
In less than one hour, the President responded with a declaration that activated federal assistance programs to benefit individuals, businesses and public entities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with OES as well as other federal, state, local and voluntary agencies to ensure that everyone who has suffered losses due to flooding receives any assistance to which they may be entitled.

The partnership guarantees that help is delivered as quickly as possible.

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Flood victims are urged to register for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-462-9029 (TDD: 1-800-462-7585) from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

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Questions And Answers About Disaster Assistance

Q: Do I need any information before I call the Teleregistration number to apply?
A: The only information you initially need is your name, the address of your damaged property, and your current address and telephone number.

Q: If I received assistance from the American Red Cross (ARC), can I also get help from FEMA and the state?
A: Yes. However, you cannot apply for ARC assistance through Teleregistration. You must apply for ARC assistance separately from federal/state disaster programs. Federal/state programs that help disaster victims get on the road to recovery are different from emergency food, clothing and shelter provided by ARC and other voluntary agencies.

Q: How will I get my disaster assistance check?
A: Checks are sent by mail. Before a check can be sent to you, all losses and application information must be verified. Agency representatives will verify the information you provide and visit the site inspect damage. Checks are sent to the mailing address you provide on your application. If your mailing address changes, call the Disaster Information Helpline, 1-800-525- 0321 (TDD: 1-800-660-8005) to provide updated personal information.

Q: I have insurance. Does this mean I can't receive assistance?
A: No. Even if you have insurance, please register for disaster assistance. There are many federal, state and local programs for which you may be eligible.

Q: What is the Disaster Housing Program?
A: Rental assistance helps people who are unable to remain in their homes because of damage or other disaster-related reasons. The purpose of the program is to make sure people have a safe place to live until their homes can be repaired. Home Repair helps homeowners whosedwellings are liveable to make essential repairs. Mortgage and Rental Assistance assists people who face foreclosure or eviction as a result of disaster-created financial hardship make their housing payment.

Q: What happens after I apply?
A: A trained inspector will call and arrange to visit your damaged home to determine whether it is safe to live in. You must provide the inspector with evidence that the property is your primary residence (have a recent utility bill, a mortgage payment record or rent receipts, or other records). The inspector will record all information you provide and you will be notified by mail if you are eligible.

Q: What kind of assistance will I get? A: Rental assistance is provided for three months at a time for homeowners and two months at a time for renters. If you are eligible for assistance, you will receive a check and an approval letter. The check will be based on the average rent in your area for the size of the apartment or house you need. Use this check to pay rent on another place to live until your home is repaired.

Home Repair assistance is provided if you own your home and it can be repaired quickly. Your check will be based on the inspector's estimate of the average cost of similar repairs in your area.

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Insured people should apply

Even if you have flood insurance, you should still register for disaster assistance. After your insurance settlement, you may still have unmet needs which are eligible for federal, state or local programs. But don't wait for your settlement. If you suffered flood-related damage, call the toll- free teleregistration number. 1-800-462-9029 (TDD: 1-800-462-7585)

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RECOVERY ROUNDUP

HUD Secretary Tours Damaged Areas
Henry Cisneros, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, surveyed storm and flood damage to public housing during President Bill Clinton's tour of damaged areas in southern and northern California.

$25 Million Okayed for Highways and Debris Removal
The President authorized $15 million for highway repairs and $10 million for debris removal. Rodney Slater, Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA), surveyed damaged bridges with Federico Pena, Secretary of the Department of Transportation.

California Conservation Corps Hard at Work
The California Conservation Corps (CCC) is helping with storm and flood cleanup and levee repairs. Its largest contingent is in Guerneville, with other members of the CCC working on Bradford Island (in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta), Roseville and Colusa and Santa Barbara Counties. A total of 245 Corps members are working on clean-up, performing backbreaking tasks and living up to the CCC's slogan of, "Hard work, low pay, miserable conditions...and more!"

American Red Cross Provides Immediate Help
The American Red Cross (ARC) has shelters providing immediate emergency help for California flood victims. Unlike FEMA and OES, which operate long-term recovery programs, ARC is the source for short-term assistance to flood victims.

If you are eligible, you may receive: temporary housing and rental assistance; food, groceries, clothing and urgently needed household items such as beds, and cookware; medical, nursing and hospital care; replacement of occupational equipment and supplies that will allow you to return to work; temporary repairs that will let you move back into your home. Call your local ARC office.

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All Victims Eligible

Any person that has been affected by the 1995 winter storms is eligible to apply for initial assistance (that is, for a period of 90 days or less) regardless of his/her citizenship status and regardless of whether he/she received any assistance (and regardless of how much assistance was received) in a previous disaster.

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State Toxic Waste Disposal Crews Continue Clean-Up Efforts

Two state hazardous waste teams continue their efforts in Sonoma County assisting local officials in landsweep operations to identify and assess the amount of hazardous materials in the area, according to Cal/EPA's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
One of the two state teams continues to canvass residential areas conducting door-to-door visits. Emergency response staff members are distributing informational flyers that caution flood victims about the dangers of exposure to hazardous waste materials due to the flooding, and notify them about toxic waste curb-side pickup. The second team is working with Coast Guard officials to identify and collect any hazardous debris that floats downstream.

"Residents and business owners cleaning up flood damaged property are urged to contact their county environmental health officials for information on the proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials," said Allan Hirsch, Program Analyst with CalEPA's Department of Toxic Substance Control.

Individuals working with flood debris are reminded that certain materials are potentially dangerous and that special precautions should be taken to identify hazardous materials. Common household products that should be separated from all other debris and held for proper disposal include:

• paints, thinners and turpentine, furniture strippers, wood preservatives, stains and finishes;
  
• pesticides, insecticides, flea collars and sprays, roach and ant killers, rat and mouse poisons, and herbicides;
  
• oven, toilet, drain, and rug and upholstery cleaners;
  
• bleaches, disinfectants, mothballs, and ammonia-based and powdered cleansers;
  
• floor and furniture polish;
  
• household and automobile batteries;
  
• automotive products, including antifreeze, transmission and
  
• brake fluids, and motor oil.

Even ordinary items can become toxic if contaminated by floodwater. Floodwater picks up sewage and chemicals from roads, farms, factories and storage buildings. Officials warn residents to clean and disinfect all personal items that got wet.

"Currently, our primary emergency relief has been focused in Sonoma County," said Hirsch. "However, emergency response staff has met with local officials from Roseville and will continue to meet with other officials in affected counties to extend our efforts to flood victims."

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FEMA Guards Against Disaster Aid Fraud

Ensuring that federal disaster aid reaches the hands of those truely affected by the January floods, FEMA has a systems of checks and balances in place to identify people who try to cash in on others' misfortune.
"Managing a multi-million dollar disaster program always means balancing a fine line between speedy service to those who need it and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not misused," FEMA director James Lee Witt said. "Although it takes more time to verify damages and losses, the government has to take a tough stand on fraud to discourage those few would-be abusers."

According to Witt, FEMA uses a number of methods to discourage fraud. An automated system cross-checks information with other agencies and insurance companies to weed out duplicate applications. State inspectors confirm residence information to make sure that claims are filed by the true property owner. FEMA conducts field inspections to verify losses and damages before mailing a check to an eligible applicant. Finally, potential cases of fraud or misuse are referred to the Justice Department for prosecution.

People who have made a mistake when reporting damage or have misrepresented their losses have the opportunity to cancel their claim. Individuals may call FEMA's Helpline number, 1-800-525-0321 (TDD: 1-800-660-8005) to withdraw or correct an application and prevent prosecution.

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Recovery Times is published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services with help from other federal agencies and departments. This publication is produced in cooperation with federal, state and local government agencies and volunteer organizations to provide timely and accurate information about disaster recovery programs for victims of the California floods. Comments and inquiries may be directed to the Recovery Times at the FEMA/OES Disaster Field Office at 1-916-364-2142.
David Skarosi, Federal Coordinating Officer
Dr. Richard Andrews, State Coordinating Officer

FEMA Office of Emergency Information andf Public Affairs
Morrie Goodman, Director
Phil Cogan, Deputy Director

OES Office of Information and Public Affairs
Tom Mullins, Director
Kati Corsaut, Lead Public Information Officer

Recovery Times
Michael Raphael, Managing Editor

Recovery Times Online
Art Botterell, Managing Editor
David Fowler, Editor