Call to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

 

Release Date: August 16, 2011
Release Number: 4012-001

» More Information on Missouri Flooding

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Residents in six Missouri counties are now eligible for federal Individual Assistance programs offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Anyone in those counties who suffered damage from the recent flooding can register with FEMA online or by phone.

Survivors of the recent flooding in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, Lafayette and Platte Counties who suffered damage from flooding between June 1, 201l and Aug. 1, 2011, may apply for disaster assistance with FEMA -- even if they have insurance or aren't sure they are eligible.

By registering, applicants can be considered for assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Assistance could include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious, necessary disaster-related expenses such as damaged personal property, medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest loans from the SBA also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Residents are encouraged to register with FEMA even if they have insurance. Federal disaster assistance will not duplicate insurance benefits, but may provide for some uncovered losses. Applicants may be eligible for assistance with serious, necessary expenses not covered by insurance.

Registration with FEMA is required separately from registration with any other disaster relief organizations.

How to Register:

Register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with access or functional needs. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, until further notice. Multilanguage assistance is available. Individuals can also register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by smartphone at m.fema.gov.

• When registering, applicants should provide current contact information, insurance information, a brief description of damages sustained as well as the specific location of damaged property.


• Individuals who have insurance should contact their agents before registering with FEMA. Don't wait for an insurance settlement to apply.


• Those who received an SBA low-interest disaster loan application should fill it out and return it. Returning the application does not obligate anyone to accept an SBA loan, but the application must be filled out in order for individuals to be considered for other types of disaster assistance.


• Among the top five reasons applicants fail to receive federal assistance grants is FEMA's inability to contact them after they apply. Be sure to keep FEMA informed of any change in telephone number and/or mailing address.

For More Information or Questions

For any assistance along the way, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 800-462-7585, and select the language option you require.

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.

President Clinton's Birthday

Brian,



Every year I try to find the perfect gift for my father's birthday -- one that truly captures what an inspiration he is to me and countless others. And, every year, it gets more difficult!

So this year, I'm working with his Foundation to do something a little different that will truly honor his 65th birthday and his many accomplishments along the way to this milestone.

We're collecting well wishes from thousands and combining them with the one thing I know he'll really want -- a commitment from each of us to work together to improve the lives of others.

So far, we've been getting an amazing response, and it's only with the support of individuals like you that he's been able to accomplish so much in the 10 years since he left office.

Please write a personal birthday note and let my dad know that you're ready to stand with him as he continues his work around the world.

I know that to my dad the best gift has always been and continues to be having the chance to make a real difference in the world -- and I know he is grateful to the many people who have given, and continue to give him that opportunity.

With the help of friends like you, the Clinton Foundation supports an amazing portfolio of programs, including:

• Reducing malnutrition among impoverished children in Cajamarca, Peru, by delivering counseling, nutrition services, and micronutrients to expectant mothers, infants, and children.


• Helping solve global climate change on every front: through planting millions of trees, "greening" public transportation systems,


• 
  
  
  

  Helping solve global climate change on every front: through planting millions of trees, "greening" public transportation systems, and fostering the development of clean energy projects around the world. Creating jobs and opportunities in underserved communities in the United States by connecting entrepreneurs with successful business leaders to help them grow their business, become better leaders, and promote lasting economic development in their communities. I am very proud of the incredible work my father's Foundation is doing -- every day, all year long, in every corner of the globe -- to change the course of people's lives. He inspires so many of us; he inspires me every day. So, let's give a little inspiration back, by standing with him once again as he embarks on his next 10 years of service to our global community. Please make my dad's 65th birthday a truly memorable one by sending him your personal message. And please consider supporting his Foundation's work with a special donation. Thank you! Chelsea Clinton

  
  

CBP Officers at the Pharr International Bridge Seize Close to 10 Kilos of Methamphetamine

 

Pharr, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Pharr International Bridge seized approximately 21 pounds of methamphetamine Sunday afternoon. The estimated street value of the methamphetamine is $327,383.

click for hi-res CBP officers working at the Pharr International Bridge seized approximately 21 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of $327,383 on August 15.

On August 14, CBP officers working at the Pharr International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1995 Nissan Altima and its driver, a 45-year-old Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle and driver to secondary for further inspection.

While in secondary, officers seized eight packages of alleged methamphetamine that were found within the Altima’s rocker panels. The vehicle was also seized by CBP.

The female driver was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement –Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) for further investigation.

Efrain Solis Jr., acting CBP port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, “I commend our frontline officers for their work in preventing this dangerous load of drugs from entering our country and for their work in securing our nation’s borders.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

CBP Arrests Lone Recidivist Undocumented Alien

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico – CBP U.S. Border Patrol agents Monday arrested an undocumented alien from the Dominican Republic in a solo attempt to reach the island on board a makeshift wooden vessel.

Romulo Pérez-Forian, 35, also known as Luis Pérez-Ferrera and Luis Pérez-Ferra, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was arrested for attempting to re-enter the United States after a previous deportation - a violation of Title 8 United States Code, Section 1326.

Pérez-Forian was due to appear Tuesday, in an initial appearance, before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marcos López.

Near midnight Sunday, a CBP aircraft detected a vessel without navigational lights traveling east toward the western coast of Puerto Rico.

A marine patrol unit of the Puerto Rico Police FURA, with Border Patrol agents onboard, approached a wooden “yola” type vessel with only one person on board.

The vessel operator failed to heave to for several minutes and during the pursuit, the operator rammed the FURA vessel.

Finally, the vessel was intercepted approximately three miles off the coast of Aguada, Puerto Rico and sank. Agents retrieved the subject from the water.

The subject, who claimed to be a national of the Dominican Republic, was transfered to the Ramey Border Patrol Station for processing.

Biometric immigration databases revealed that Mr. Pérez-Forian was ordered removed by an immigration judge on March 18, 2010. He had other immigration encounters on April 11 and June 18, 2003.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evelyn Canals will prosecute the case.

About the Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG):

The concept of CBIG resulted from a March 2006 collaboration of local Homeland Security components that effectively stemmed the increased flow of traffic across the Mona Passage between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. In July 2006, CBIG is organized of such agencies as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Police Department’s Joint Forces for Rapid Action (FURA, for its Spanish Acronym).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Monitoring Tropical Storm Fernanda

Late this afternoon, Tropical Storm Fernanda formed in the Pacific Ocean, and we’re closely monitoring the storm through our regional office in Oakland, California and our Pacific Area Office in Honolulu, Hawaii. According to the National Hurricane Center, Fernanda could strengthen some over the next 48 hours and become a hurricane by Thursday.


The latest forecast map from the National Hurricane Center.

While it’s too early to know if Fernanda will pose a threat to the Hawaiian Islands, we’re gearing up for the possibility. To prepare for all hazards, FEMA has strategically prepositioned communities at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories, so we are ready to provide supplies on a moment’s notice.

We currently have pre-positioned commodities on the Hawaii islands, including more than 197,000 million of liters of water, 134,000 meals, 31,000 blankets, 8,000 cots, and 85 various size generators.

And although there are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect for the U.S. at this time, history has taught us that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. So if you are located in coastal areas along the Pacific, take steps now to prepare. If you haven’t already, visit Ready.gov/hurricanes for tips on creating your family emergency plan and getting an emergency kit.

Here are some additional safety tips to remember:

• Follow the direction of local officials – if the order is given to evacuate, do so immediately. It’s important to know your evacuation route ahead of time. They may also direct you to shelter in place, so know what supplies you and your family will need to sustain you for at least 72 hours,


• Stay away from low-lying, flood prone areas – these are most susceptible to flash flooding,


• Keep up to date on the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center at hurricanes.gov, or on your mobile phone at hurricanes.gov/mobile (FEMA’s mobile site has tips on staying safe before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane)

Keep checking for updates on our blog as we continue to monitor Tropical Storm Fernanda

Eagle Pass North Agents Seize 470-pounds of Marijuana

Del Rio, Texas – CBP U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle
Pass North Station seized more than $300,000 worth of marijuana Monday morning.

Agents working in the Quemado area around 10 a.m. Monday attempted to
stop a 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck. The pickup sped away, stopping near the Rio
Grande River, where the two occupants jumped out and fled across the river to
Mexico.

Agents recovered six large bundles from the back of the pickup,
containing a total of 470 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of
$376,000. The marijuana was turned over to agents of U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency
within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control
and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of
entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the
country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Border Patrol Seizes Half-Ton of Marijuana, Handguns

Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than
1,100 pounds of marijuana, two vehicles and three handguns in three separate
incidents within the last 36 hours.

Thursday morning, Casa Grande Station agents encountered a suspicious
vehicle parked on an isolated dirt road. When they approached the vehicle, three
subjects fled the scene. Agents apprehended one of the subjects, a 31-year-old
Mexican national. The vehicle contained 638 pounds of marijuana with an
estimated value of $319,000. The vehicle and marijuana were seized.

Wednesday, Tucson Station agents encountered a suspicious vehicle
driving near Three Points. When agents attempted a vehicle stop, the occupants
fled into the desert on foot. Agents then conducted tracking operations and
found a loaded 9-mm handgun on the ground. Agents also retrieved two loaded
.40-caliber handguns from inside the vehicle. The firearms were transported to
the Tucson Police Department for fingerprint analysis and will be further
analyzed by Customs and Border Protection.

In another incident Wednesday, agents working on the Camino Del
Diablo in the West Desert apprehended three undocumented aliens attempting to
smuggle 10 bundles of marijuana weighing 501 pounds. Agents transported the
marijuana, worth an estimated $250,000, to the Ajo Station for transfer to the
Drug Enforcement Administration. The three subjects are being prosecuted.

Advanced technology, increased infrastructure and additional
personnel have significantly increased the Tucson Sector’s ability to deter
smuggling organizations from transporting their contraband further into the
United States.

Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, the
Department of Homeland Security has made significant investments toward
establishing a secure, safe border environment to improve the quality of life
throughout Arizona communities.

Customs and Border Protection appreciates assistance from the
community. Report suspicious activity by calling the Border Patrol at (877)
872-7435. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency
within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control
and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of
entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the
country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.