STORM SURVIVORS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FEMA FUNDING AFTER COUNTIES JOIN
THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20211020/storm-survivors-receive-additional-fema-funding-after-counties-join-national]


Release Date: 
Tháng 10 20, 2021 

NASHVILLE, TENN.  – After Houston and Humphreys counties decided to
participate in the National Flood Insurance Program in mid-September,
residents affected by severe storms and flooding in August have
received nearly $1 MILLION in additional federal disaster assistance
so far.

When a federal disaster declaration was made on Aug. 23 for Dickson,
Hickman, Houston and Humphreys counties, the unincorporated areas of
Houston and Humphreys were “sanctioned” by NFIP. This made them
ineligible for the full range of FEMA grants. Houston County was
sanctioned in October 2010 when local officials did not join after
being mapped with a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Humphreys County
was mapped a year earlier with a SFHA and became sanctioned in
September 2009 after failing to join.

By law, sanctioned communities cannot receive federal disaster money
for anything normally covered by insurance. This includes funding for
permanent home repairs for individuals and families and to local
governments for permanent infrastructure repair.

After enrolling in NFIP in September, survivors in the previously
sanctioned communities in Houston and Humphreys counties have received
a total of $908,539. In Humphreys county, which joined on Sept. 16, 48
individuals and families in these communities received a total of
$869,966 for home repair and replacement of personal property. In
Houston County, which enrolled on Sept. 24, 14 applicants received a
total of $38,393 for home repair and replacement of personal property.

“We are pleased these communities will now have more funding and
protection in case of future flooding,” said Tim Russo, Supervisory
Floodplain Management Specialist. “The program includes certain
codes and regulations, but these measures are worth the effort because
ultimately any potential future damage will be lessened.”

While residents who experienced damage may now be eligible to receive
full FEMA assistance, homes located in SFHAs are required to have NFIP
in case of future damage. Residents who do not maintain their flood
insurance will not be eligible for FEMA repair and replacement grants
for flood damaged property and other federal disaster assistance
normally covered by insurance. Survivors should keep in mind flood
insurance claims are paid even when a major disaster is not declared.
Also, survivors may not have to choose to take out a low-interest
loan, which is the most common form of federal disaster assistance. It
is important to remember an inch of floodwater per 1,000 square feet
can cost about $10,000 to repair. Yet, most private insurance
companies do not cover flood damage.

FEMA funds and administers the NFIP, but policies can be obtained
through local insurance agents. To learn more about flood insurance
policies or find an agent, go to FloodSmart | The National Flood
Insurance Program [https://www.floodsmart.gov/] or call 800-427-4661.
For information on flood risks in your area, visit FEMA Flood Map
Service Center | Welcome!. [https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home]

Residents with damage in the previously sanctioned communities of
Houston and Humphreys counties who have still not applied for FEMA
assistance can do so by the OCT 25 APPLICATION DEADLINE in the
following ways:

 	* Call the FEMA HELPLINE at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). If you
use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned
telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.  
 	* Online through DisasterAssistance.gov
[http://www.disasterassistance.gov/]
 	* Download the FEMA app to a smartphone or tablet.

For more information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, visit
www.tn.gov/tema.html [https://www.tn.gov/tema.html] and
www.fema.gov/disaster/4609 [http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4609]. You
may also follow FEMA on www.facebook.com/fema
[http://www.facebook.com/fema] and Twitter @FEMARegion4
[https://twitter.com/femaregion4].

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