FEMA QA Disaster Resilience and Hazard Mitigation
FEMA QA Disaster Resilience and Hazard Mitigation
Hazard Mitigation
Release Date: Mar 26, 2024
Recovering from one disaster can mean being better prepared for the next. That’s
why FEMA offers a variety of assistance programs before, during, and after a
disaster. Here are some answers to common questions about how you and FEMA
can work together to reduce hazards to your life and property.
FEMA may be able to pay for changes to your home that will reduce your flood
risk. For example, we may be able to pay for elevating your water heater,
furnace, electrical panel and other utilities off the ground to protect them from
floodwaters. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to see what kinds of
assistance you may be eligible to receive.
Yes. FEMA may give you up to $300 toward your cleaning expenses if your
home suffers flood damage from a federally declared disaster. Learn more
about mold cleanup here: https://www.cdc.gov/mold/cleanup.htm
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Yes. Slope your land so water runs down and away from your home. Replace
concrete and asphalt with shrubs, trees, and grasses to help absorb rainwater.
Install rain barrels to channel and capture water.
Will FEMA come into my home to make repairs, clean, or remove soiled or
damaged items?
No. FEMA offers grants for you to hire someone or do the repairs yourself.
Yes. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is managed by FEMA and
is delivered to the public by a network of more than 50 insurance companies
and the NFIP Direct.
Floods can happen anywhere — just one inch of floodwater can cause up to
$25,000 in damage. Most homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood
damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the
contents in a building, or both, so it is important to protect your most important
financial assets — your home, your business, your possessions.
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By law, if you own a home within a designated special flood hazard area, and
you receive federal disaster assistance to repair or modify your flood-damaged
home or personal property, you must purchase and maintain flood-insurance
coverage on the property for the life of the building.
To learn more about your flood risk and view the latest flood risk maps, visit
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home.
As with other types of insurance, flood insurance premiums are based on risk.
The higher the risk, the higher the cost. Your premium helps pay for repairs and
recovery if flooding damages your home.
If you’re eligible, FEMA will provide you with a Group Flood Insurance Policy,
with no out-of-pocket cost to you.
If you were affected by the Aug. 24-26 severe storms, tornadoes and
flooding, the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Monday, April 8, 2024.
Apply one of four ways:
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Survivors can visit any center for assistance. To
find center locations and current hours, visit FEMA.gov/DRC
For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit
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