Recovery Times
FEMA
Florida
Hurricane Wilma
December 6, 2005
Vol. 1
Apply Online:
www.fema.gov
Apply By Phone:
800-621-FEMA (3362)
TTY 800-462-7585
Published by the
U.S. Department of
Homeland Security/FEMA
and the Florida State
Emergency Management
Response Team

Apply Online:
www.fema.gov
Apply By Phone:
800-621-FEMA (3362)
TTY 800-462-7585

Disaster Assistance Available Now!

Within hours of Hurricane Wilma making landfall on October 24,
President Bush issued a disaster declaration for parts of Florida. Wilma
was the eighth hurricane to impact Florida in less than 15 months, and
Floridians were once again in the recovery mode, cleaning up damage
left behind by yet another powerful storm.

The disaster declaration enables the U.S. Department of Homeland
Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other
federal agencies to team with state and local disaster workers to help
residents and business owners in the affected counties recover. Counties
designated for aid to homeowners, renters and business owners include
Brevard, Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Indian River, Lee, Martin,
Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie.

Government disaster assistance covers basic needs but will not normally
compensate disaster victims for their entire loss. If you have insurance,
the government may help pay for basic needs that are not covered under
your insurance policy. The types of available help are outlined in this
newsletter and will be explained when you register.

If you were affected by the storm and live or own a business in one of the
disaster-designated counties, you should apply for aid by calling: 800-
621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairments should
call 800-462-7585. Or, you may register online at www.fema.gov.

Disaster Assistance Q & A

Q. What should I do to get help with my disaster losses?

A. Call the toll-free registration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you
have a speech or hearing impairment, call the TTY number, 800-462-
7585. Or you can register online at www.fema.gov.

Q. If I have insurance, can I still get assistance?

A. If you have insurance, contact your insurance company as soon as
possible. However, you should also apply for federal disaster assistance
if you believe you have needs not covered by your insurance.

Q. What information do I need to give when I call for
assistance or register online?

A. Your name, address of damaged property, Social Security number,
insurance information, gross income and a phone number where you
may be reached. If your contact number or address changes, call the
FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA to update your information. You also
can log on to www.fema.gov to update your information and check on
the status of your application.

Q. What happens after I apply?

A. It depends on which sources of aid you are referred to. In some
cases, you will be referred to other agencies for assistance. If you are
applying for disaster housing assistance, a trained FEMA inspector will
call for an appointment within two weeks after you have registered.

Q. I registered with FEMA and then I received a disaster
loan application from the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA). Why did I receive a loan
application?

A. For disaster damage to private property owned by individuals,
families and businesses that is not fully covered by insurance, the basic
form of federal assistance for long-term recovery is a low-interest
disaster loan from SBA. If you receive a disaster loan application, it
is necessary to fill it out and return it, even if you may not want the
loan, in order to be considered for other types of assistance.

Important Contacts
FEMA
800-621-FEMA (3362)
800-462-7585 (TTY)

Florida Disaster News:
www.floridadisaster.org

Florida Volunteer and
Donations Hotline
800-354-3571
www.volunteerflorida.org

American Red Cross
For unmet immediate needs
866-GET-INFO

Salvation Army
800-SAL-ARMY

Florida Department of
Elder Affairs
For seniors in need of aid
800-96ELDER (963-5337)

Operation Blue Roof
Temporary roof repairs
888-ROOFBLU

U.S. Postal Service
To change your address
800-275-8777

U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA)
For disaster loan information
800-659-2955

WEB SITE LINKS RESIDENTS,
CONTRACTORS
The Disaster Contractors Network
(DCN) Web site, www.dcnonline.org,
connects contractors and vendors
offering services in the aftermath of
Hurricane Wilma with homeowners
and business owners seeking repairs.

The core of the DCN site is the Virtual
Emergency Operations Center
(VEOC). To reach the VEOC, click on
the map of Florida. Then click the
green VEOC icon near the top of the
screen. From there, homeowners,
business owners and contractors can
list items and resources they need to
help recover from the storm. They
can also search for contractors by
specialty, including architects, engineers
and general contractors.

Homeowners and contractors can
check if a particular contractors
license is valid and current, and
contractors can learn about permitting
and licensing in each Florida county.

The DCN is a virtual organization of
construction-related associations,
state and federal emergency management
organizations and regulatory
agencies. The DCNs Web site is
funded by the state of Florida and
staffed by FEMA.

GET RENTAL INFORMATION ONLINE

Victims of Hurricane Wilma who have
been displaced from their homes can
search for available rental housing
using Disaster Housing Resources
Online (DHROnline) at
www.dhronline.org.

DHROnline is an easy-to-use Web
site that lists available rental properties.
Properties can be searched by
location, price range and housing
description, including number of
bedrooms and bathrooms.

If you do not have access to the
Internet, ask a friend or family member
or visit a public library to use a
computer free of charge.

WANTED:
PROPERTY OWNERS TO LIST
RENTAL PROPERTIES ON
WWW.DHRONLINE.ORG

Aid to Help You on the Road to Recovery

Individuals and business owners who suffered losses
because of Hurricane Wilma may be eligible for aid.

ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS
AND HOMEOWNERS
Help is available for renters and
homeowners whose primary homes were
damaged or destroyed or who cannot live
in their homes because of disaster
damage. Aid can include grants for
temporary housing, to help in replacing a
destroyed home or money for emergency
repairs to make a home livable. Help is
also available to meet disaster-related
serious needs or necessary expenses
including medical, dental or transportation
costs.

HOME/PERSONAL PROPERTY
DISASTER LOANS
U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA) low-interest disaster loans up to
$200,000 are available to homeowners for
real estate repairs. Renters and
homeowners may borrow up to $40,000
to replace personal property losses.

BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS
Businesses of all sizes and certain
nonprofit organizations may borrow up to
$1.5 million from the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) to pay for repairing
or replacing real estate, machinery and
equipment, inventory and other assets.
For small businesses, SBA makes
economic injury loans available for
working capital. Eligible businesses can
be in the adjoining as well as declared
counties.

CONSUMER SERVICES
Complaints about business practices,
price gouging and other consumer
problems should be filed with the state
attorney generals office. Call 866-966-7226.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT
ASSISTANCE
Weekly benefits may be provided for
those out of work because of the disaster,
including self-employed persons, farm/
ranch owners, farm and fishing industry
workers, and others not covered by
regular unemployment. To apply, call
800-204-2418.

AGRICULTURAL AID
Emergency loans may be available to
farmers or ranchers for actual losses to
essential property and/or production
capacity. Cost-sharing grants also are
available for emergency conservation measures. Contact your local Farm
Service Agency office.

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
Help to speed delivery of checks delayed
by the disaster is available from your
local Social Security office.

TAX ASSISTANCE
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
allows federal income tax deductions for
underinsured or uninsured losses on
homes, personal property and household
goods. For more information, call
800-342-2762 (state) or 800-829-1040.

FRAUD PROTECTION AND
LEGAL SERVICES
The U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) can assist in
cases of unlawful discrimination in
federally subsidized or insured housing.
Complaints may be filed with the state
Office of the Attorney General, 866-966-
7226. Legal assistance and/or referrals
may be available by calling the state bar
association at 866-550-2929.

INSURANCE INFORMATION
The state insurance bureau can help with
matters such as speeding up settlements,
getting copies of lost policies, verifying
losses and claims. Call 800-22STORM.

VETERANS BENEFITS
Information is available about benefits,
pensions, insurance and VA mortgage
loans. Florida office, 727-319-7408;
Federal office, 800-827-1000.

VOLUNTARY AGENCY SERVICES
Volunteer relief agencies such as the
American Red Cross, Salvation Army and
other groups offer a wide range of
services from supplying disaster victims
with home clean-up kits to financial
assistance to meet emergency disaster
needs. Call 866-GET-INFO or
800-SAL-ARMY.

If youre insured,
should you apply for
assistance?

If you suffered damage from the
hurricane and you live or own a
business in one of the
disaster-designated counties,
you may be eligible for federal
disaster assistance
even if you were insured.

The law does not allow disaster aid to
duplicate insurance benefits; however,
if your insurance does not cover
all your costs or damage, FEMA may
be able to help.

Register for aid by calling
800-621-FEMA (3362)
or online at www.fema.gov

Hiring a Contractor? Ask Questions First
Beyond wind and rain, hurricanes also
may bring scam artists looking to take
advantage of disaster victims. Common
sense is the watchword when
hiring a contractor to repair or rebuild
your storm-damaged home.

Check the contractors reputation.
Make sure the contractor has a valid
license. Contact the Better Business
Bureau, home builders' association or
trade council to see if the contractor
has any unanswered complaints.

Ask for references. Contractors
should be willing to provide names of
previous customers. Call some of the
customers and ask if they would hire
the contractor again.

Ask for a written estimate. Make
sure it includes everything you expect
the contractor to do. Some contractors
charge a fee for an estimate.

Ask for proof of insurance. Be sure the
contractor has disability and workers
compensation insurance. If a contractor
is uninsured, you may be liable for
accidents on your property.

Ask for a written contract. The
contract should state all work, costs and
the payment schedule. Never sign a
blank contract or one with blank spaces.
Get a copy of the final signed contract.

Do not give anyone an advance cash
payment. Pay by check in order to keep
a record and avoid double charges. Do
not sign off before the job is finished.
Do not sign completion papers or make
the final payment until the work is
completed to your satisfaction.

If you feel uncomfortable about a
contract, cancel it quickly. You may
cancel a contract within three business
days after signing.

OPERATION BLUE ROOF
Operation Blue Roof is a FEMAassigned
mission of the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers that provides the
installation of temporary plastic
coverings on roofs damaged by
Hurricane Wilma.

To sign up for the free program,
homeowners must complete a Right of
Entry (ROE) form to allow government
and contract employees on their
property for damage assessment and
sheeting placement. For locations of
centers in your county where you can
sign an ROE, call 888-ROOF-BLU.

This Operation Blue Roof program is
for damaged and badly leaking roofs,
and is only a temporary fix until the
roof can be repaired. The plastic
sheeting is installed using strips of
wood that are secured by nails and/or
screws into the roof. Types of roofs
that do not work with this type of
temporary fix are tile, concrete and flat
roofs. Roofs with greater than 50
percent structural damage will not
qualify.

Call 888-ROOF-BLU for more information.

Make sure disaster aid goes
to those who deserve it.

If you know of someone making false
claims for disaster assistance or
attempting to gain money illegally
from disaster victims, please call the
Hurricane Fraud Hotline:
866-720-5721

For suspected fraud, scams
and price gouging, call the
Florida Consumer Fraud Hotline:
866-966-7226

Disaster recovery assistance is
available without regard to race, color,
sex, religion, national origin, age,
disability or economic status. If you or
someone you know has been discriminated
against, contact FEMA at 800-
621-FEMA (3362) TTY: 800-462-7585
or contact the state equal rights office.

DISASTER LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Lawyers and legal experts from Florida
are available to provide free legal
assistance and counseling to individuals
in the disaster-designated counties
who were affected by Hurricane
Wilma.

Attorneys can provide legal assistance
with things such as:

* insurance claims;
* landlord/tenant problems;
* replacement of wills and other important documents destroyed or lost.

If you are in need of legal help, you are
urged to contact disaster legal services,
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays, at
866-550-2929.

When calling the legal service line be
prepared to discuss your particular
problems and to provide a phone
number where you can be reached. The
Florida Bar Association will then
contact a local lawyer to be assigned to
the case. This attorney will then contact
the victim.

FEMA in the Community

Within days of the disaster declaration
hundreds of community response team
members  including Spanish, Creole,
French, and Vietnamese speakers 
were canvassing the areas where
Wilma downed powerlines and trees
and damaged homes and businesses.

Community response team members
are perhaps the first  and often the
most frequent  personal contact that
residents of affected areas have with
FEMA. Their job is to get information
about available aid directly to the
people who need it most. They make
sure citizens understand the registration
process and where the nearest
Disaster Recovery Center is located.

Community response staff also
connect citizens to aid available
from charitable groups such as the
American Red Cross and the
Salvation Army. In addition, community
field specialists visit
churches, citizens groups, business
groups, local governments and
emergency managers to advise
them how FEMA might be of
assistance.

Many of the community response team
members in Florida for Wilma are
volunteer firefighters back home.
Theyve left their regular jobs to serve
as the point-of-contact between
individual citizens and FEMA. At the
peak of recovery activity, more than
800 community response specialists
were reaching out to victims.

DRCS OFFER WORLD OF INFORMATION

Throughout the area affected by
Hurricane Wilma, Disaster Recovery
Centers (DRCs) serve the surrounding
communities as points of access to
information about available aid. There
are currently 39 DRCs serving
Wilma-impacted Florida residents
and, to date, have served more than
90,000 Wilma victims.

Disaster Recovery Centers provide a
single location where people can talk
face-to-face with disaster recovery
specialists. No cash, checks, debit
cards or vouchers are distributed at
DRCs.

FEMA specialists can help residents
begin the aid process by registering
them for disaster assistance and can
also check the status of applications
that have been submitted.

To find the nearest DRC, Wilma
victims can call FEMAs toll-free
number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or
TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with
speech or hearing impairments.

FLOOD INSURANCE MAY HELP REDUCE FUTURE DAMAGE

If a flood substantially damages your home or business, you may have to meet certain building
requirements in your community to repair or rebuild.

Help in covering the costs of meeting floodplain management related requirements might be provided
in your flood insurance policy.

Flood insurance policyholders may be eligible to get up to $30,000 to help pay the costs to bring their
home or business into compliance with their community floodplain ordinance.
If your community officials determine that your home or business has been substantially damaged
by the flood, contact your insurance company or agent to file a claim for help in meeting these costs.

For more information, call your insurance company or agent or the NFIP toll-free number, 888-275-6347.

Crisis Counseling for Disaster Victims

Crisis counseling is available by
phone or face-to-face at various
locations, through home visits and at
some Disaster Recovery Centers.
Call the hotline, 866-518-1825,
to receive a referral to counselors
who can offer assistance with mental
health well being, stress and depression
related to the disaster.

COPING AFTER A DISASTER

A few suggestions:

* Talk to others about how you are
feeling; express your sadness, grief,
anger and fears over what has happened.

* Do not let yourself become isolated.
Maintain connections with family and
friends.

* Pay close attention to your physical
health as long periods of stress can
take a toll on the body.

* This is a confusing and frightening
time for children. Spend time each day giving each child your undivided
attention, even if just for a few minutes.
Share experiences, reaffirm your love,
make plans together and just be there
for each other.

* Encourage your kids to talk about
the disaster and their fears. Reassure
them that everything will be all right. Try
to restore a normal routine for them and
encourage activities with their friends.

* Call the crisis counseling hotline if
you are feeling stressed by the hurricane.
Talking helps.

Clip & Save
FEDERAL AGENCIES

FEMA Registration ................................ 800-621-FEMA (3362)
TTY for hearing/speech impaired ................. 800-462-7585

FEMA Fraud Detection ........................................ 866-720-5721

National Flood Insurance Program ................... 888-275-6347

U.S. Small Business Administration ................. 800-659-2955

Social Security Administration .......................... 800-772-1213

Internal Revenue Service ................................... 800-829-1040
TTY for hearing/speech impaired ................. 800-829-4059

U.S. Housing and Urban Development ............. 800-669-9777

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ................. 800-827-1000

STATE AGENCIES

Attorney Generals Office & Fraud Hotline ........ 866-966-7226

Department of Elder Affairs ................................ 800-963-5337

Department of Agriculture Consumer Service .. 800-435-7352

Agency for Workforce Innovation
Disaster Unemployment ...................................... 800-204-2418

Food Stamps ........................................................ 866-762-2237

Insurance Questions............................................ 800-22STORM

Tax Assistance ..................................................... 800-342-2762

Veterans Affairs .................................................... 727-319-7408

Contractors  Department of Business
Professional Registration .................................... 850-487-1395

Road Information  State Highway Department ... 888-638-0250

VOLUNTARY AGENCIES

American Red Cross...........................866-GET-INFO (438-4636)

Salvation Army ................................................800-SAL-ARMY

Volunteer Florida...............................800-FL-HELP1 (354-3571)
(For volunteer and donation information)

Americas Second Harvest ................................ 800-771-2303
(For locations of food banks)

Florida Emergency Information ........................ 800-342-3557

COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICES
For immediate disaster needs, residents can call their county
emergency management office. For information about services in
the area, call 211, if available in the county.

Brevard.............................................................. 321-637-6670
Community services...211

Broward............................................................. 954-831-4000
Community services...211

Collier ................................................................ 239-774-8444

Glades ............................................................... 863-946-6021

Hendry ............................................................... 863-612-4700

Indian River....................................................... 772-978-6405
(Sheriffs Office)

Lee ..................................................................... 239-477-3600
Community services...211

Martin ................................................................ 772-288-5694
Community services...211

Miami-Dade ....................................................... 305-468-5900
Community services...211

Monroe .............................................................. 305-289-6065

Key West ....................................................... 305-809-1058

Okeechobee ...................................................... 863-763-3212

Palm Beach ....................................................... 561-712-6400
Community services...211

St. Lucie ............................................................ 772-461-5201
Community services...211