DR-1981 FEMA North Dakota Private Sector Update
Issue VI, August 9, 2011
Federal Assistance Situational UpdateFederal disaster assistance is now available to residents and businesses in Benson County for damages caused by this year’s massive flooding in North Dakota. Such aid was already approved for Barnes, Burleigh, McHenry, Morton, Ramsey, Renville, Richland and Ward counties and Spirit Lake Nation.
State and federal officials encourage people affected by the disaster to register for assistance immediately by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free line is in operation from 6a.m. to 10p.m. (CDT) until further notice. Registration can be accomplished anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov or with a smartphone at m.fema.gov. Multilingual operators are available.
As of August 8, more than $193 million of federal and state disaster individual assistance in grants and low-interest loans has been approved for North Dakotans who suffered losses during the spring flooding.
•Registrations: 9,339
•IA Funds Approved: $86.5M•SBA Approved Disaster Loans $107 M
Sioux County and the Standing Rock Reservation join 43 other counties and three reservations already eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by flooding.
Recovery CentersNorth Dakota residents who have been affected by the flooding can visit the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) if they have questions about recovery programs. The DRCs have recovery program representatives to speak one-on-one with applicants to help answer questions about individual assistance.
The Minot DRC that previously operated in the City Auditorium has moved to the Ward County Courthouse, which is located at 315 3rd Street SE. Hours of operation remain 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed on Sundays.
Updated locations and hours for other DRCs can be found at North Dakota DRCs.
SBA disaster representatives are available all DRCs and the Business Recovery Centers (BRC) to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s low-interest disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each resident or business owner complete their application.
BRC locations (both open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday thru Friday):
Bank of North Dakota1200 Memorial Highway
Bismarck, ND 58504
Wells Fargo Bank15 Second Avenue SW
Minot, ND 58701
Residents and business owners may also apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, call SBA for information at 800-659-2955, or email SBA at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Hearing impaired individuals may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Disaster Unemployment AssistanceDisaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is a form of federal disaster assistance for individuals that provides temporary income assistance to both employees and self-employed individuals ---including farmers and ranchers--- whose work has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who would not otherwise be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. People who were scheduled to begin work but were not able to due to the disaster are also eligible, as well as persons residing outside a designated county whose employment was affected in a designated county.
The deadline dates to file a claim for DUA in the designated counties are as follows:
Burleigh and Ward counties August 26, 2011
McHenry, Morton, and Renville counties August 31, 2011Benson County September 6, 2011
Barnes, Ramsey, and Richland counties September 14, 2011 and Spirit Lake Nation
For more information about DUA and deadline information, call 701-328-1152 or visit jobsnd.com.
Assistance May Be Available for Failed Septic SystemsNorth Dakota residents whose septic systems were damaged as a result of spring flooding may be eligible for federal assistance to restore them.
Homeowners who have to move out of their homes because of septic system failure may receive septic repair or replacement assistance, and also may be eligible for rental assistance while the home is made livable. Flood insurance does not cover septic systems.
Renters may also be able to receive rental assistance while the dwelling is made livable, but costs for repair or replacement of a septic system are the responsibility of the owner of the property. More info.
Dry Out Before Rebuilding<.b>The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Service’s flood Web site, http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/disaster/flood.html, provides information on flood recovery, including a video on restoring flooded buildings and fact sheets on topics such as cleaning your flooded or water-damaged home and drying out before rebuilding.
Wood must dry out to 13-percent moisture before replacing sheetrock and other wall coverings. This video shows how to use a moisture meter to measure moisture content.