Dear Member:
I, like many of you I'm sure, sat in on the Island Institute webinar on storm resources yesterday and thought I'd share some of the bullet points from that conversation.
The Press Herald also covered the webinar in a story today. You can find that HERE.
While much is still unknown, here are a few updates:
* For municipal and state officials, last Wednesday's and Saturday's storms are two different events and need to be reported that way. Homeowners and business owners, however, can detail all of their damage from both storms on one form (the link is below), but should differentiate the damage in the form's narrative.
* Already, 470+ businesses had filed damages.
* Filing for last Wednesday's storm damage should take place by Jan. 18, and filing for Saturday's storm by Jan. 22, if at all possible. States have only 30 days to file for disasters.
* The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration process can take 12 months and covers the working waterfront operations including fishermen.
* While federal help may come through, it will likely not cover all damages, since FEMA's funding goes to cover basic necessities like shelter or basic repairs to make a property stable.
* A homeowner or business' best source of repair funding is likely to come from their own insurance.
* Second home owners will likely not be covered by FEMA funds, though if they use the property for rentals, they could file as a business.
* Damaged property owners should create a flood folder and put all photos, videos and receipts in there.
* The SBA's emergency declaration loan program will likely be the fastest source of funding once a declaration is approved. It will offer low interest rate 30-year loans. (You can find FAQs HERE.)
* According to Anne Fuchs from the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Gov. Mills will likely be ready to file for disaster status by the second week in February. The application must then be approved by President Biden for a disaster to be formally declared. While that can happen in as little as two weeks, it can also take months.
* While FEMA may eventually offer crisis counseling, people who are struggling should contact the Red Cross.
If you'd like to watch the recording of the webinar, you can find it HERE.
The Island Institute also plans to put together a Q and A sheet from yesterday's webinar. We'll share that when it becomes available.
In the meantime, we've got some more tips below that may help.
Laura
P.S.: Senator King's office sent along some fact sheets on FEMA's processes and programs that may prove informative. Click on the links below to read:
Fact sheet on the declaration process
Fact sheet on individual assistance
Fact sheet on public assistance
Fact sheet on preliminary damage assessments from December's storms
P.P.S.: Bangor Daily News article on why many Maine homes won't be eligible for relief.
|