FEMA Fact Sheets (52)

FEMA defines levees as man-made structures designed and constructed in accordance with sound engineering practices to contain, control, or divert the flow of water in order to reduce the risk from temporary flooding. This fact sheet details the history of such structures.

Homeowners and Professionals alike must know the risks of living near or behind levees. In particular, levees do not eliminate the risk of flooding, but only reduce it. This fact sheet provides basic levee information, describes FEMA’s role in identifying levee-related flood risks, and details proactive measures homeowners and professionals can take to help reduce risk.

The purpose of the Cora Brown Fund is to help provide for disaster-related needs that have not or will not be met by governmental agencies or any other organization, which has programs to address such needs. This fact sheet outlines the general categories of assistance that can be provided by the fund and explains the general conditions and limitations of this assistance.

The CCP supports short-term interventions that involve the counseling goals of assisting disaster survivors in understanding their current situation and reactions, mitigating stress, assisting survivors in reviewing their disaster recovery options, promoting the use or development of coping strategies, providing emotional support, and encouraging linkages with other individuals and agencies who may help survivors in their recovery process. This document gives a brief program overview of CCP.

The purpose of Disaster Legal Services (DLS) is to provide legal assistance to low-income individuals who prior to or as a result of the disaster, are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster-related needs. This fact sheet outlines when DLS can be provided and explains the general conditions and limitations of DLS.

The purpose of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is to provide unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular State unemployment insurance. This fact sheet outlines general information pertaining to the requirements and conditions under which an individual may be eligible for DUA.

This fact sheet describes the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

This fact sheet describes the eligible costs associated with FEMA Funeral Assistance under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP).

The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial help or direct services to those who have necessary expenses and serious needs if they are unable to meet the needs through other means. This fact sheet gives a brief introduction to the forms of help offered under the IHP.

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) providers, and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to provide the President with communications capability to address the American people within 10 minutes during a national emergency.

Fact Sheet: AMBER Alerts - Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

Traditionally, mass media used to alert and warn the American public has not incorporated the use of technologies needed to reach Americans with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. Executive Order 13407 requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to “include in the public alert and warning system the capability to alert and warn all Americans, including those with disabilities” therefore reaching our whole community. In response, FEMA established the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.

The FEMA National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS) may be activated following a Presidentially declared disaster at the request of an affected State to help reunite families that have become separated as a result of the disaster. Individuals and families can register online at www.fema.gov or www.disasterassistance.org or by phone at 1-800-588-9822 when the system is activated.

Under the Other Needs Assistance provision of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program, and in conjunction with the State or Tribe, eligible applicants may be reimbursed for the purchase or rental of a generator required for medical purposes. Funds awarded for generator reimbursement are counted toward an applicant’s financial assistance limit, which is an annually adjusted amount based on the Consumer Price Index.

The FEMA National Shelter System (NSS) is a coordinated nationwide database of emergency shelter information where thousands of profiles of potential shelter resources, as well as virtually any type of facility associated with the care of disaster survivors, are maintained.

Revised At-a-Glance Guide Wireless Emergency Alert Common Alerting Protocol essage

Mitigation is the effort to reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. A recent study by the Multi-hazard Mitigation Council* shows that each dollar spent on mitigation saves an average of four dollars.