To see more photos from Hurricane Matthew, visit our collection in the FEMA Photo Library.
State-Specific Information
Social Media Accounts
- @fema
- @femaregion4
- FEMA on Facebook
- @CraigatFEMA - Administrator Craig Fugate
- @FEMAspox - Director of Public Affairs Rafael Lemaitre
Apply for Assistance:
- Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
- Call 800-621-3362 (711 or Video Relay Service). If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center
Stay in Touch
After you apply, we may need to contact you to schedule an inspection or to get additional information to help process your application. Let us know as soon as possible if you’ve moved or have a new phone number.
Update contact information online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by 800-621-3362 (711 or Video Relay Service). If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585.
By the Numbers
- 2,900+ FEMA boots on the ground
- 418 housing inspectors
Individuals & Households Program
- 151,000+ registrations
- 105,000,000+ dollars approved
National Flood Insurance Program
- 19,600+ claims filed
- 48,000,000+ dollars in advance payments to policyholders
- More than 5,900,000 meals
- More than 4,300,000 liters of water
- More than 87,000 blankets
- 500 generators
Newsroom
For national media inquiries please contact FEMA-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov, or the news desk at (202) 646-3272.
To see latest news releases, visit the state-specific pages and click on the News section:
- Archived National Press Releases
- (10-14-2016) FEMA Blog - A Back Seat View
- (10-11-2016) Federal Agencies Actively Engaged in Response and Recovery Operations throughout the Southeast United States
- (10-10-2016) Federal Government Continues to Ramp Up Resources and Support to Affected States
- (10-10-2016) FEMA Urges Residents to Watch Out for Dangers When Returning Home & for Possible Flooding Threat
- (10-10-2016) FEMA Blog - Jumping Right In
- (10-9-2016) Federal Resources Supporting Response to Aftermath of Hurricane Matthew
- (10-9-2016) FEMA Urges Residents to Heed Direction of Local Officials Regarding Flooding; Exercise Caution When Returning Home
- (10-8-2016) FEMA Urges Residents in Affected States to Continue to Take Hurricane Matthew Seriously, Be Prepared and Ready for Severe Flooding
- (10-7-2016) Federal Family and Partners Support States and Tribes Responding to Hurricane Matthew
- (10-7-2016) FEMA Working Closely with Federal, State and Tribal Partners to Coordinate Hurricane Response Efforts
- (10-6-2016) President Obama Signs Emergency Declaration for Georgia
- (10-6-2016) Federal Aid Programs for the State of Georgia Emergency Declaration
- (10-6-2016) FEMA Working Closely with Federal, State and Tribal Partners to Encourage Residents to Prepare, and Evacuate if Directed
- (10-6-2016) President Obama Signs Emergency Declaration for Florida
- (10-6-2016) Federal Aid Programs for the State of Florida Emergency Declaration
- (10-5-2016) FEMA Urges Residents to Take Evacuation Orders Seriously Ahead of Hurricane Matthew
- (10-4-2016) FEMA Urges Residents to Know Their Evacuation Routes, Take Direction from State, Local, and Tribal Officials Ahead of Potential Landfall by Hurricane Matthew
Multimedia
- Photo Collections
- Video
- Playlist: Localized PSAs about Flooding
- Playlist: Disability Integration and American Sign Language Videos
- (10-13-16) FEMA IMAT in Georgia
- (10-13-16) Urban Search and Rescue Responds to North Carolina Flooding
- (10-13-16) Urban Search and Rescue Provides Support to the community
- (10-12-16) Hearing the Locals: South Carolina Survivor Story
- (10-12-16) South Carolina Pet Rescues
- (10-12-16) Georgia Federal Coordinating Officer on Returning Home Safely
- (10-11-16) Hurricane Matthew impacts Local Fishermen in South Carolina
- (10-10-16) Facebook Live: Q&A About Search And Rescue for Hurricane Matthew
- (10-10-16) After a Disaster please return home safely
- (10-9-16) NY-TF1 Urban Search and Rescue Team Conducting Rescues in Fayetteville, North Carolina
- (10-8-16) Facebook Live: Hurricane Matthew Briefing with Beth Zimmerman and Daniel Porter
- (10-7-16) Facebook Live: Hurricane Matthew Briefing with Daniel Porter and Josh Batkin
- (10-6-16) Facebook Live: Craig Fugate on Hurricane Matthew
- (10-6-16) Administrator Fugate: An Update on Hurricane Matthew
- (10-6-16) Hurricane Matthew: FEMA Staging Supplies at Atlanta Distribution Center
(10-5-16) Facebook Live: Hurricane Matthew Briefing
- B - Roll
- (10-8-16) Distribution Center additional shots
- (10-8-16) Mobilization Center-with FEMA employees processing and getting iPad and laptops etc.
- (10-6-16) Hurricane Matthew - NRCC B-roll
- (10-6-16) FEMA B-Roll - Atlanta Logistics Center prepares for Hurricane Matthew
- (10-6-16) FEMA B-Roll - Hurricane Matthew National Response Coordination Center
- Graphics
- English
- Gráfica
For Businesses
Business access to disasters is always a challenge particularly after life-saving evacuations that occurred during the incident. To assist businesses of all sizes to understand access and re-entry procedures, a one page overview of all four states has been produced to facilitate the flow of commerce and return to normalcy.
To join the NBEOC, report challenges of re-opening, or raise awareness of efforts to help survivors email: NBEOC@fema.dhs.gov.
Established social media hashtags for businesses to report public safety concerns, share barriers to accessing sites, and note being ready for customers after #Matthew are:
#FLOpen4Biz - @FLSERT
#GAOpen4Biz - @GeorgiaEMA
#SCOpen4Biz - @SCEMD
#NCOpen4Biz - @NCEmergency
Filing a Flood Insurance Claim
If you have experienced a flood, you can file your flood insurance claim by following these three steps.
STEP ONE: NOTIFY YOUR INSURER TO START THE CLAIMS PROCESS
After experiencing a flood, contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. Make sure you have the following information handy:
- The name of your insurance company
- Your policy number
- A telephone and/or email address where you can be reached at all times
An adjuster should contact you within a few days of filing your claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, please contact your insurance agent or company again. Find your company’s toll-free phone number.
STEP TWO: DOCUMENT THE DAMAGE
Separate damaged from undamaged property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.
- Take photographs of all of the damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage, and standing floodwater levels.
- Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value, and receipts, if possible.
- Officials may require disposal of damaged items so, if possible, place flooded items outside of the home.
STEP THREE: COMPLETE A PROOF OF LOSS TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM
Your adjuster will assist you in preparing a Proof of Loss (which is your sworn statement of the amount you are claiming including necessary supporting documentation) for your official claim for damages. You'll need to file your Proof of Loss with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood. You'll receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has your complete, accurate, and signed Proof of Loss.
How to Help
When disaster strikes, every little bit helps. To make the most of your contributions, please follow our guidelines to learn the most effective and safest ways to donate cash, goods, or time following a disaster.
- Cash is best. Financial contributions to recognized disaster relief organizations are the fastest, most flexible, and most effective method of donating. Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts and, if possible, purchase through area businesses which supports economic recovery.
- Confirm donations needed. Critical needs change rapidly – confirm needed items BEFORE collecting; pack and label carefully; confirm delivery locations; arrange transportation. Unsolicited goods NOT needed burden local organizations’ ability to meet survivors’ confirmed needs, drawing away valuable volunteer labor, transportation, and warehouse space.
- Connect to volunteer. Trusted organizations operating in the affected area know where volunteers are needed, and can ensure appropriate volunteer safety, training, and housing.
States affected by Hurricane Matthew have provided the following additional information on the best ways to help survivors.
FLORIDA
Volunteer Florida serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during, and after disasters.
Individuals interested in helping following Hurricane Matthew may register online to volunteer, or call the Volunteer and Donations Hotline.
Volunteer Florida CEO Chester W. Spellman said “One of the most critical times to use volunteers is following disasters. Whether it is shelter staffing, food distribution, or to assist with clean up, we will need volunteers positioned to serve immediately with local disaster relief organizations. Having volunteers prepared and ready to deploy will be a critical tool as we move forward.”
GEORGIA
Please volunteer and donate responsibly. For information on volunteering in Georgia, email volunteer@gemhsa.ga.gov.
NORTH CAROLINA
- Monetary Donations & Volunteer Opportunities: Governor Pat McCrory has activated the NC Disaster Relief Fund to which monetary contributions may be made. To make a donation, please visit ncdisasterrelief.org. You may also text NCRECOVERS to 30306 to donate funds. All donations received will support Hurricane Matthew long-term recovery efforts in North Carolina. All other monetary donations & offers to volunteer may be made directly through charitable nonprofit organizations that are responding to this disaster. Information is available under “Hurricane Matthew--Donate Now” on the NC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NCVOAD) website at ncvoad.org.
- Clothing: Clothing items are not being accepted at this time. Please donate clothing items to charitable organizations in your local community which can make best use of these donated items.
- Food: Please donate food items through local food banks & charities in your community.
SOUTH CAROLINA
- Monetary Donations: The One SC Fund supports & directs funds to nonprofit organizations providing disaster relief & recovery assistance.
- Volunteer Opportunities: First consider volunteering within your own networks, such as churches or civic groups. If you are not affiliated with a group, please register at VolunteerSC.org to be matched with appropriate opportunities & training.
- SC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (SCVOADs): Additionally, consider making a direct donation to or finding local volunteer opportunities with relief organizations listed at the SC Emergency Management Division website below.
- Clothing & Food: Please take these donations to charitable organizations in your community. You can confirm most-needed food items by contacting the South Carolina Food Bank Association.
- For updates & additional information, please call 1-888-585-9643, or visit scemd.org/recovery-section/donations-and-volunteers.