WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today an extension to the grace period for expiring flood insurance policies, the latest in a series of actions to support the state in its ongoing response and recovery efforts in Louisiana.
National Flood Insurance Program policies typically have a 30-day grace period for renewal to avoid a lapse in coverage. Due to the record flooding, the period to renew policies is extended to 120 days. Today’s action extends the grace period to policies ending Aug. 11 through Sept. 10 and applies to the 20 declared parishes.
In addition, FEMA issued more than $15 million in advanced flood insurance payments to Louisianans who sustained damages.
Those who have active insurance claims, or have uninsured or underinsured losses, are still encouraged to register for FEMA assistance. Families with flood claims may still be eligible for rental assistance that is not already provided through flood insurance.
Residents who sustained disaster-related losses can apply for assistance by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). Residents who use 711 relay or Video Relay Service (VRS), can call 1-800-621-3362.
In addition to these effects, the federal government continues to provide the following support:
FEMA has five open Disaster Recovery Centers, with three more opening Tuesday. To find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center visit www.fema.gov/DRC, use the FEMA Mobile App or text DRC and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). More than 430 families are being housed through
FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program that makes participating hotels or motels available to provide short-term lodging for eligible survivors who are currently residing in a personal vehicle, hotel or motel, shelter, or place of employment.
The American Red Cross (ARC) has 19 shelters housing more than 3,000 people. Since the flooding began last week, ARC provided more than 39,000 overnight stays in shelters and served more than 260,000 meals and snacks with feeding partners.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris experts are conducting surveys in impacted parishes as New Orleans District is providing inundation maps for affected regions as well as daily and forecasted inundation maps to show current and expected extents of flooding to assist local parishes.
U.S. Department of Agriculture approved automatic replacements of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits in heavily affected areas. Those funds help replace groceries and food that were destroyed during the flooding. For more specific information go to the Food and Nutrition Service Disaster Assistance web page at http://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/louisiana.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services activated its Emergency Prescription Assistance Program to pay for prescriptions and medical equipment for disaster survivors without health insurance. Louisiana patients may obtain a free 30-day supply of medications or medical supplies at any participating pharmacy: http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/epap/Pages/default.aspx.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues providing support to Louisiana augmenting the state’s capability to respond to hazardous materials incidents. EPA is also assisting in developing plans for disposal of household waste.
U.S. Small Business Administration received 1,195 disaster loan applications and approved more than $6.3 million in low-interest loans. SBA has six open Business Recovery Centers, with more centers opening this week. For exact parish locations go to https://www.sba.gov/offices/disaster/dfocw/declaration/1538306.
The resources discussed are for informational purposes only and FEMA does not endorse any product or company.
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FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.
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