The Disaster Process: Response and Recovery
First Response to a disaster is the job of local government's
emergency services with help from nearby municipalities, the state and
volunteer agencies. In a catastrophic disaster, and if the governor requests,
federal resources can be mobilized through theU.S. Department of Homeland
Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for search and rescue,
electrical power, food, water, shelter and other basic human needs.
It is the long-term
Recovery phase of disaster which places
the most severe financial strain on a local or state government. Damage to
public facilities and infrastructure, often not insured, can overwhelm even a
large city.
A governor's request for a major disaster declaration could mean an infusion of
federal funds, but the governor must also commit significant state funds and
resources for recovery efforts.
A Major Disaster could result from a hurricane, earthquake,
flood, tornado or major fire which the President determines warrants
supplemental federal aid. The event must be clearly more than state or local
governments can handle alone. If declared, funding comes from the President's
Disaster Relief Fund, which is managed by FEMA, and disaster aid programs of
other participating federal agencies.
A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration puts into motion
long-term federal recovery programs, some of which are matched by state
programs, and designed to help disaster victims, businesses and public
entities.
An Emergency Declaration is more limited in scope and without
the long-term federal recovery programs of a Major Disaster Declaration.
Generally, federal assistance and funding are provided to meet a specific
emergency need or to help prevent a major disaster from occurring.
The Major Disaster Process
A Major Disaster Declaration usually follows these steps:
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Local Government Responds, supplemented by neighboring
communities and volunteer agencies. If overwhelmed, turn to the state for
assistance;
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The State Responds with state resources, such as the National
Guard and state agencies;
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Damage Assessment by local, state, federal, and volunteer
organizations determines losses and recovery needs;
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A Major Disaster Declaration is requested by the governor,
based on the damage assessment, and an agreement to commit state funds and
resources to the long-term recovery;
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FEMA Evaluates the request and recommends action to the White
House based on the disaster, the local community and the state's ability to
recover;
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The President approves the request or FEMA informs the
governor it has been denied. This decision process could take a few hours or
several weeks depending on the nature of the disaster.
Learn
more about the disaster declaration process
Disaster Aid Programs
There are three major categories of disaster aid
Individual Assistance
Immediately after the declaration, disaster workers arrive and set up a central
field office to coordinate the recovery effort. A toll-free telephone number is
published for use by affected residents and business owners in registering for
assistance. Disaster Recovery Centers also are opened where disaster victims
can meet with program representatives and obtain information about available
aid and the recovery process.
Disaster aid to individuals generally falls into the following categories:
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Disaster Housing may be available for up to 18 months, using
local resources, for displaced persons whose residences were heavily damaged or
destroyed. Funding also can be provided for housing repairs and replacement of
damaged items to make homes habitable.
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Disaster Grants, are available to help meet other serious
disaster related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and
other aid programs. These may include replacement of personal property, and
transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses.
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Low-Interest Disaster Loans are available after a disaster for
homeowners and renters from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to
cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be for repair or replacement of
homes, automobiles, clothing or other damaged personal property. Loans are also
available to businesses for property loss and economic injury.
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Other Disaster Aid Programs include crisis counseling,
disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid and assistance with income
tax, Social Security and Veteran's benefits. Other state or local help may also
be available.
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Assistance Process -- After the application is taken, the
damaged property is inspected to verify the loss. If approved, an applicant
will soon receive a check for rental assistance or a grant. Loan applications
require more information and approval may take several weeks after application.
The deadline for most individual assistance programs is 60 days following the
President's major disaster declaration.
Audits are done later to ensure that aid went to only those who were eligible
and that disaster aid funds were used only for their intended purposes. These
federal program funds cannot duplicate assistance provided by other sources
such as insurance.
After a major disaster, FEMA tries to notify all disaster victims about the
available aid programs and urge them to apply. The news media are encouraged to
visit a Disaster Recovery Center, meet with disaster officials, and help
publicize the disaster aid programs and the toll-free teleregistration number.
Apply for
Individual Assistance
Public Assistance
Public Assistance is aid to state or local governments to pay part of the costs
of rebuilding a community's damaged infrastructure. Generally, public
assistance programs pay for 75 per cent of the approved project costs. Public
Assistance may include debris removal, emergency protective measures and public
services, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for
essential government functions and grants for public schools.
Learn
more about Public Assistance
Hazard Mitigation
Disaster victims and public entities are encouraged to avoid the life and
property risks of future disasters. Examples include the elevation or
relocation of chronically flood-damaged homes away from flood hazard areas,
retrofitting buildings to make them resistant to earthquakes or strong winds,
and adoption and enforcement of adequate codes and standards by local, state
and federal government. FEMA helps fund damage mitigation measures when
repairing disaster-damaged structures and through the Hazard Mitigation.
Learn
more about Hazard Mitigation Assistance