Via FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency “We want to clear some things up.
10-26-2024
Via FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency “We want to clear some things up.
FEMA is NOT confiscating supplies, donations, or property. Donations of food, water & other goods are handled by voluntary agencies.
FEMA will NEVER ask for **or** accept cash donations. Send them to a @NationalVOAD org.”
“Rumor: FEMA established secure sites near disaster-affected areas to operate as “FEMA camps” to detain people or to prioritize our responders over the needs of survivors.
This is all false.
“FEMA camp” rumors are founded in long-standing conspiracy theories intended to discredit our efforts to help survivors. FEMA does not round up or detain people, does not enact martial law, does not set up internment camps, and does not secretly operate mining settlements.
There are many responders and survivors who need lodging support after a disaster. FEMA creates temporary responder lodging near disaster locations so responder staff have a place to stay near the communities we are helping without taking needed hotels or other housing from survivors. Learn more about how FEMA provides housing support for survivors.
As part of the response to Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, FEMA established responder lodging in a few locations. As of October 23, 2024, there are over 1,600 FEMA staff in the state. The temporary responder lodging sites are only being used as a place to stay for personnel working in the hurricane-affected areas and not for any other purpose. As normal practice, these facilities have security to protect personnel.
October 23, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA pulled out of hurricane-affected areas of North Carolina due to threats.
This is false.
While taking steps to ensure the safety of our staff and the people we are trying to help, we continued to support the communities affected by Helene.
On October 12, 2024, FEMA was made aware of a potential threat to our staff in North Carolina. We made the decision to shift from sending FEMA disaster survivors assistance teams into neighborhoods to knock on doors to stationing teams at neighborhood locations where they could still meet and work with disaster survivors to help them get assistance. This decision was made through our usual field operations processes to ensure FEMA staff are safe and able to focus on helping disaster survivors.
We worked closely with local law enforcement and state officials throughout this process and announced on October 14 that FEMA teams will soon resume door-to-door survivor assistance.
FEMA will continue monitoring threat information and adjust this posture on a regular basis in coordination with local officials.
October 15, 2024″
“Rumor: I will not be eligible for FEMA assistance if I don’t have access to essential utilities but my home has no disaster damage.
This is false.
FEMA has a variety of programs and support services available to help survivors address their unique needs and jumpstart their recovery. This includes support for survivors who may not have any visible home damage, but do not have access to water or other essential utilities.
Eligible survivors may also receive help with temporary housing through FEMA-provided assistance like Transitional Sheltering Assistance (if approved for their location), Displacement Assistance, Rental assistance or Lodging Expense Reimbursement.
Learn more about the types of FEMA assistance available to help disaster survivors.
October 14, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA is preventing residents and companies from removing debris in hurricane-affected areas.
This is false.
FEMA is not blocking or preventing any aspect of debris removal, which is handled by local governments. FEMA does not directly handle debris removal, hire contractors to remove debris, or manage dump sites or transfer stations. FEMA does reimburse local, state or tribal governments for their storm-related debris removal.
If you were affected by a hurricane and are wondering how to address debris removal for your property, check with your local county or municipal government for guidelines. Volunteer organizations and companies operating in your area may also be able to help. Learn more: 9 Ways to Stay Safe Cleaning Up Debris After a Disaster.
October 13, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA controls or manages transfer stations, dump sites and contracts related to storm debris.
This is false.
FEMA does not hire, manage or supervise work performed by contractors for debris removal after storms. FEMA does not control or manage dump sites or transfer stations. FEMA does reimburse local, state or tribal governments for their storm-related debris removal. However, we have no control over local laws or ordinances for debris removal that may control transfer stations, dump sites or contracts.
October 11, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA will automatically provide $1200 if you have been without power for 24 hours.
This is a misleading statement.
To determine what assistance you may be eligible for, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 to go through the application process. You will be asked questions during the application process about how the disaster affected you. Your application will be reviewed and you will be updated about the assistance you qualify for as it goes through the review process. Some forms of assistance may be provided sooner than others. You can check the status of your application any time by logging into DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
October 11, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA will only provide $750 to disaster survivors to support their recovery.
This is false.
This is a type of assistance that you may be approved for soon after you apply, called Serious Needs Assistance. It is an upfront, flexible payment to help cover essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies. It is NOT a loan. There are other forms of assistance that you may qualify for to receive and Serious Needs Assistance is an initial payment you may receive while FEMA assesses your eligibility for additional funds. As your application continues to be reviewed, you may still receive additional forms of assistance for other needs such as support for temporary housing, personal property and home repair costs. If you have questions about your disaster assistance application and what you qualify for, contact us at 1-800-621-3362 to speak with a FEMA representative in your language.
Note: FEMA adjusts the maximum amount of financial assistance available to disaster survivors each fiscal year, which began on October 1. The new maximum for the initial Serious Needs assistance is now $770. These maximums apply to any disasters declared on or after October 1, 2024.
October 9, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA is blockading people in Florida and preventing evacuations.
This is false.
FEMA is not blockading people in Florida and preventing evacuations. FEMA does not control traffic flow or conduct traffic stops, which are handled by local authorities. This is a harmful rumor that can put lives in danger.
If you live in the west coast of Florida and the Florida peninsula, take immediate action to protect yourself and your loved ones. Follow the guidance of your local authorities. If you are ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. Delaying your evacuation can put your life and the lives of others at risk.
Local officials are the best source of information about evacuation and resources to help. Find more information: Hurricane Milton | Florida Disaster.
October 8, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA only provides loans to disaster survivors.
This is false. In most cases, FEMA grants do NOT have to be paid back.
There are some less common situations in which you may have to pay FEMA back if you receive duplicate benefits from insurance or a grant from another source. For example, if you have insurance that covers your temporary housing costs, but you ask FEMA to advance you some money to help you pay for those costs while your insurance is delayed, you will need to pay that money back to FEMA after you receive your insurance settlement.
If you are a homeowner or small business owner, low-interest disaster loans are also available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in a declared major disaster area. These loans may help with home repair or replacement, personal property, vehicles, mitigation, business losses, and working capital for small business and most private nonprofits. Learn more about SBA disaster loans.
October 6, 2024″
“Rumor: Applying multiple times for disaster assistance will speed up the process of being approved.
People need to apply for assistance one time per household. Do not re-submit or create a new application during the disaster assistance process. Submitting more than one application per disaster will cause delays.
You can check the status of your application or read any FEMA correspondence by accessing your DisasterAssistance.gov account or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362
October 6, 2024″
“Rumor: The FAA is restricting access to the airspace for Helene rescue and recovery operations.
The FAA is not restricting access for recovery operations. The FAA is coordinating closely with state and local officials to make sure everyone is operating safely in very crowded and congested airspace.
Learn More from the FAA: http://www.faa.gov/…/operating-near-hurricane-helene…
October 6, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA distributes aid based on demographic characteristics.
FEMA provides assistance to survivors regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.
October 4, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA is in the process of confiscating Helene survivor property. If I apply for disaster assistance and my land is deemed unlivable, my property will be seized.
FEMA cannot seize your property or land. Applying for disaster assistance does not grant FEMA or the federal government authority or ownership of your property or land. When you apply for disaster assistance a FEMA inspector may be sent to verify the damage on your home. This is one of many factors reviewed to determine what kind of disaster assistance you may be eligible for. If the results of the inspection deem your home uninhabitable, that information is only used to determine the amount of FEMA assistance you may receive to make your home safe, sanitary and functional.
October 4, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA is no longer accepting applications for housing assistance.
FEMA is still accepting assistance applications throughout areas affected by Helene. For current application timelines, visit disasterassistance.gov. You can also see if applications are being accepted on FEMA’s state specific Helene disaster webpages; Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
October 4, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA does not have enough money to provide disaster assistance for #Helene.
FEMA has enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. If you were affected by Helene, do not hesitate to apply for disaster assistance as there is a variety of help available for different needs.
October 3, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA is asking for cash donations and turning away volunteers.
This is false: FEMA does not ask for or accept any cash donations or volunteers for disaster response. We do encourage people who want to help to volunteer with or donate cash to reputable voluntary or charitable organizations. After a disaster, cash is often the best way to help as it provides the greatest flexibility for these reputable organizations working on the ground to purchase exactly what is needed.
If you encounter someone claiming to represent FEMA and asking for donations, be careful as that is likely a scam. Government employees will never solicit money.
October 3, 2024
Learn more about how to help after a disaster: How to Help After Hurricane Helene: http://www.fema.gov/…/4-ways-help-hurricane-helene…“
“Rumor: Funding for FEMA disaster response was diverted to support international efforts or border related issues.
This is false.
No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts.
October 3, 2024″
“Rumor: FEMA is confiscating donations for survivors. Rumors about FEMA turning away donations, stopping trucks or vehicles with donations, confiscating and seizing supplies often spread after a disaster. These are all false.
FEMA does not take donations and/or food from survivors or voluntary organizations. Donations of food, water, or other goods are handled by voluntary agencies who specialize in storing, sorting, cleaning, and distributing donated items.
FEMA does not conduct vehicle stops or handle road closures with armed guards — those are done by local law enforcement.
October 3, 2024″
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