GHS/OCD and FEMA Host Applicant Briefing for Eligible Entities; Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Underway

GUAM – On October 2, President Donald Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Guam, triggering the availability of Public Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program due to damages caused by Typhoon Mangkhut.

Current Assistance Available
Public Assistance (PA) provides reimbursement grants to state/territorial and local governments, as well as certain non-profit entities to assist them with the response to and recovery from disasters. The program provides assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the permanent restoration of infrastructure.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - to enact mitigation measures that reduce the risk of loss of life and property from future disasters.

SBA Disaster Loans Available to Private Nonprofits
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to certain private nonprofit organizations on Guam following President Trump’s federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Administrator Linda McMahon announced. At this time, applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 649-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Applicant Briefing for Eligible Applicants
Federal disaster assistance coordination is underway. FEMA officials and Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) will work jointly to host an Applicant Briefing for eligible entities on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 10 a.m. (ChST) at the GHS/OCD facility, Agana Heights.

The purpose of this meeting is to inform prospective entities of available assistance for emergency protective measures and repair of infrastructure. During the briefing, GHS/OCD & FEMA will discuss eligible facilities, work, cost, funding options, record keeping and documentation requirements.

This event is open to the following entities to be reviewed for eligibility for FEMA’s PA Grant Program:
·Potential applicants, inclusive of GovGuam agencies and certain private, non-profit organizations that provide critical services.
·Those potential applicants that have not submitted any preliminary damage assessments are still able to attend the Applicant Briefing. Potential applicants may contact the Alternate Territorial Coordinating Officer, Leo Espia at (671) 475-9600 for more information.

For more information, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer Jenna G. Blas at (671) 478-0208 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov or FEMA External Affairs Specialist Peter Sessum at (202) 258-9373.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.