Disaster Assistance

The Public Assistance Program provides supplemental disaster grant assistance to publicly owned facilities and facilities of certain Private Non-Profit organization.  Assistance may include debris removal, emergency protective measures, repairs, replacement or restoration of damaged public property.  The Public Assistance Program is a partnership between FEMA, State, and Local Governments.  FEMA manages the program, approves grants, and provides technical assistance to the applicants.  The States educates potential applicants, work with FEMA to manage the program, and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program.

The Individual & Family Grant Program provides assistance for necessary expenses and serious needs only.  Assistance for Individuals and Households may include cash grants up to $26,200.00 for Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance.   Homeowners may use grants for essential repairs to make their residence safe, secure and livable.  These grants are for repairs necessary to make primary rooms habitable.  Housing Assistance may include lodging expenses, home repairs, home replacement, etc.  Other Needs Assistance may include expenses such as medical, dental, funeral, transportation, or other disaster related needs.  The IFG program will not cover all of your lost items. 

The Hazard Mitigation Programs provide funding the local communities for projects and plans to reduce damages, losses and suffering in future disasters.  Hazard mitigation is the ongoing effort to lessen the impact disasters have on people’s lives and property.  The Hazard Mitigation section participates in several FEMA sponsored programs including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA), and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM).  Such measures could include communities removing homes from flood-prone or landslide-prone areas, elevating houses, tornado safe rooms and community shelters, and other projects that may help reduce the impact from the next inevitable disaster.